Location: Winchester
Top Things to do in Winchester
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Winchester That You Shouldn't Miss
Sitting at the northernmost corner of Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester offers visitors the chance to explore historical sites, museums, vineyards, farmers' markets, and tree-lined Old Town streets once wandered by the likes of George Washington and Stonewall Jackson. The fruitful fields of the surrounding Frederick County have earned the area the title "apple capital of the world," with the city hosting the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival annually for almost a century.
Restaurants in Winchester
1. Rocking S Ranch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 386 reviews
Reviewed By anna7753TK
Had an amazing ride with Mr. Bill, he is extremely friendly and a great guide. The trail was beautiful and the horses were very calm and enjoyable to ride. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun getaway, day activity, etc.
2. Abram's Delight
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By ryanneb614
Visited the house and grounds with our toddler. Walking around the grounds is free. To go into the house you pay a small entrance fee. Historical signs are around the grounds to read about the site. It is close to the park and the visitors center is right next door.
3. Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 259 reviews
Season: Open Daily April 1 to October 31 BE SURE LISTING SHOWS WE ARE CLOSED FOR THE OFF SEASON. Wartime home of Stonewall Jackson in wintertime of 1861-62. Contains numerous Jacksonian items, including furniture, prayer table and desk. His well worn daily prayer book , a gift from his sister, is also on display.
Reviewed By lisawL4142TW
We had a great tour with a very knowledgeable guide who was able to answer all our questions. This house museum had so many authentic period pieces and personal objects from Jackson and his contemporaries.
4. Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 521 reviews
The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) is dedicated to preserving and enriching the cultural life and heritage of the Valley. This regional history complex includes a house dating to the eighteenth century, six acres of spectacular gardens, and a 50,000-square-foot museum featuring changing exhibitions, a permanent display of miniature houses, and an expansive gallery exploring the history and decorative arts of the Shenandoah Valley. The galleries are open year-round; the house and gardens April through October. The property was passed through generations of Wood and Glass families until being acquired by Wood descendant and MSV benefactor Julian Wood Glass Jr. (1910–1992) between 1952 and 1955. Glass and his partner at the time, R. Lee Taylor (1924–2000), worked together to transform the site and its Glen Burnie House—built in 1794 by James Wood’s son Robert—into a country retreat where the couple entertained in high style.
Reviewed By aroundtheworld_FC - Winchester, United States
I love going to the MSV! I've been a member for a while now and always discover something new with each and every visit. The gardens are amazing in the late summer-early fall and the main museum has wonderful rotating exhibits (I got to see a few Warhol's and a Lichtenstein just the other day) as well as a nice permanent collection.
5. Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By Je_suis_perdu1973 - Richmond, United States
One of the best military museums I've ever visited. I especially enjoyed the Civil War-era graffiti. Very interesting! I don't think there are many Confederate museums with that many historical objects that are still open to the public. The old court room was really cool. My kids loved visiting here.
6. Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Our mission at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum is to ignite creativity, spark curiosity and inspire learning in visitors of all ages by providing a rich variety of interactive, hands-on exhibits and programs that focus on the sciences and mathematics, the humanities, and the arts.All exhibits, activities and experiences provided by the Discovery Museum adhere to the following philosophical guidelines:Exhibits, activities and programs are interactive, participatory and informal, and give visitors opportunities to experiment, have fun playing, use their imaginations and share ideas.Visitors are engaged at their own level of expertise and experience.Activities and programs are multi-sensory, authentic, honest, and factual.The Museum works in a spirit of cooperation and partnership with educational, cultural, governmental and community organizations.
Reviewed By 519kathied - Edinburg, United States
All ages kids will love this hands on museum. There are 3 stories of activities and displays. There is a rescue unit to explore, an apple processing set, etc. There are specific activities that have to be signed up for. Always something to entertain and excite the kids.
7. Patsy Cline Historic House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
COVID-19 INFORMATION: With the safety of our staff, volunteers and guests in mind we will remain temporarily closed until further notice due to COVID. Guided tours of the Patsy Cline Historic House are conducted in a very close and intimate setting. The house can not open and adhere to the Governor's Forward Virginia current opening mandates including social distancing in such a small museum space. ABOUT THE HOUSE: The house stands as an icon for Patsy Cline fans and admirers hoping to know first hand the story of Patsy’s early years. Patsy Cline’s home offers a window on the famed singer’s early road to stardom.
Reviewed By underdog63
It was a joy to spend time at the Patsy Cline House seeing the memorabilia and hearing the story of Patsy. The volunteers here are a great value and love to share the story and visit with guests. Stop by and enjoy a peaceful visit with wonderful people.
8. Stonewall Confederate Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By JackL448 - East Syracuse, United States
The Stonewall Cemetery is just a small part of the Mount Hebron Cemetery located about 150 yards from the cemetery's main office. Visiting the is the quickest way of locating the cemetery, in which a woman will show on a map the exact cemetery's location, which can be walked or driven to. All eleven confederate states have some type pf memorial that will at least 20 or possibly 100 grave sites. Several individual stones are: Gen. Turner-Ashey. Major Jas Thomson, Capt. Hugh McGuire. Brigadier Gen. Robert Danial Johnson, In Honor of the Women of Winchester. One stone that stands out-not to readable- is the Patton Brothers. One brother was uncle of WW11 U.S. General George S. Patton. By itself is the To the Unknown & Unrested Dead, with three separate stones. 1.) Unknown Dead from the Battle of Cedar Creek Battle Field. 2.) Unknown Dead from the Kernstown Battlefield. 3.) Unknown Dead from the Cool Spring Battle. Depending on what a visitor views & reads, time spent could be 15-45 minutes. The grass hadn't been mown for a while, was a bit high & wet. Would suggest waiting two days if any measurable rain has fallen. If person has an a civil war cemetery of the final resting site of the confederate passing a visit is recommended.
9. Kernstown Battlefield and Pritchard House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By janhP5062CT
Expected to drive or walk around the battlefield, reading markers. Instead, we got a personal tour in a golf cart by one of the volunteers (thanks, Bill!), with a running narrative of the battles and more. Then a tour of the Pritchard House given by another volunteer, ending with the recreation of the field hospital that was created in the lower level of the house during the battles, again with a knowledgeable talk by a volunteer. Get the gist? Volunteers not only raised the money to save this battlefield from development, they now maintain it and are restoring buildings and landscapes as they can. Highly recommended.
