Top Things to do in Shenandoah Valley
Top Hotels in Shenandoah Valley
- 1. The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio Collection by Hilton
- 2. Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Conference Center
- 3. Comfort Inn Roanoke Civic Center
- 4. Hotel 24 South
- 5. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Winchester, VA
- 6. Best Western Staunton Inn
- 7. Hampton Inn & Suites Roanoke - Downtown
- 8. The Blackburn Inn
- 9. Hampton Inn Salem
- 10. Hyatt Place Harrisonburg
10 Free Things to do in Shenandoah Valley That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Shenandoah Valley, United States including Virginia Military Institute, River Hill Wine & Spirits, Warm Springs Gallery, Humpback Bridge, Stonewall Jackson Grave, Lee Chapel and Museum, Mill Mountain Star & Park, Center in the Square, Front Royal Visitors Center, Edith J. Carrier Arboretum.
Restaurants in Shenandoah Valley
1. Virginia Military Institute
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 461 reviews
Reviewed By SusanRoAne - San Francisco, United States
We visited VMI whose son is a cadet. We coincidentally met and spoke with both General Peay, the Superintendent as well as second in command. My host, Patrick Morin, was well-informed about practices, policies and history of VMI. We were able to spend time with his son and roommates in the PX and that was unusual. We visited the Jackson Memorial Hall and Museum, Saw the Stonewall Jackson House, The chapel, Barracks (though we had to stand outside, and the spectacular George C Marshall Museum. We watched the RATS walk the yellow line and cadets on their way to classes. VMI is our history and worth a visit.
2. River Hill Wine & Spirits
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 116 reviews
River Hill Wine and Spirits is a family owned, farm based winery and distillery located along the Shenandoah River in Luray, Page county, Virginia. We pride ourselves in small batch high quality Wines and Whiskeys. We also have a full selection of farm raised beef and pork products as well as farm fresh eggs available for sale at the distillery building
Reviewed By renfield1969
You have to drive through a neighborhood that turns into a farm to get to River Hill, but it is well worth tracking down. It is a pretty small operation as distilleries go, but the owners are really down to earth and enthusiastic. Pop is happy to give a tour of the unassuming place: there is the tap room, and the small room behind it is the distillery. "This is my vat, those over there are my barrels." The bourbon and corn whiskey he makes are all worth picking up. If they aren't the best you've had, you will appreciate the taste of down home honesty. My wife was happy to chat with Mom and sample the fruity wines they sell (yes, including Sweet Potato.) I find those type of wines good for desserts or pancakes, but my wife likes the occasional spritzer. They were out of one that my wife selected, but she got a kick out of watching Pop decant her bottle directly from a barrel, and he let her label it and put the seal over the cork. The property itself is pretty large, and they do a number of other things aside from the distillery. You can buy meat at the counter with your wine, and they also board horses and I understand they have a shooting range. This is a place you want to visit just so you can recognize it when some author inevitably includes it as a setting in a novel.
3. Warm Springs Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
The Warm Springs Gallery, established in 1995, is a fine art gallery dedicated to the promotion of national and international artists, providing quality and original artwork to art collectors and art enthusiasts alike. The galleries exhibit a diverse roster of established and emerging artists, representing more than twenty painters whose styles span the spectrum from realism to abstraction, through landscape and still lifes, specializing in Virginia landscape paintings. The galleries also exhibit fine crafts, integrating exquisite sculptural objects in glass, wood, clay, fiber, and bronze alongside two-dimensional works. Upstairs at the Warm Springs Gallery is the Garden Room and Café, a combo shop-café offering a beautiful array of handmade home and garden décor, gifts, personal care items, stationery, books, and artisanal foods.The informal café serves sweet bakery pick-me-ups plus savory lunch options. We use only seasonal produce so our lunches are ever changing.
4. Humpback Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
The oldest, standing covered-bridge in Virginia.
Reviewed By johndN2368IV
A group of us rode motorcycles out to visit this bridge. It is a magnificent structure and I highly recommend it. The bridge is in a now park-like setting. Get your bike, ride there, visit and talk to the bridge. You will enjoy it.
5. Stonewall Jackson Grave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Reviewed By NRAGR
Stonewall Jackson's memorial is in the middle of this historic cemetery. While there, I watched a man suck on lemon slices and throw them into the gravesite area. There were other lemons and lemon slices lying there already in tribute to Jackson. There is a nice map as you walk into the cemetery that explains other plots of interest as well.
6. Lee Chapel and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 537 reviews
Reviewed By snowtraveler49 - Memphis, United States
back in the late 1980s/early 1990s, I had visited w/my mother & sister; this was my husband's 1st visit; I am distantly related to Robt E Lee & I met my husband when he was in Kappa Alpha (KA) Fraternity & I was a Little Sister @ a college in TN; KA was founded @ W&L, & Robt E Lee/Civil War figure largely into the traditions of the fraternity; the W&L campus is lovely (especially on a cloudy damp day w/fabulous fall color) & the Lee Chapel, though not overall grand, is striking when you enter & see the Recumbent Lee situated in the anteroom behind the platform/podium down front; our guide, Marie Shiraki, was SO knowledgeable & enthusiastic; we enjoyed the tour & also visiting w/her afterwards; the museum downstairs near the gift shop & actual Lee family crypt are interesting, & of course Lee's horse Traveler's grave site outside is a must glance; while anyone would surely be welcome, I doubt it would appeal to children unless they were old enough to have studied American/VA history pertaining to Washington & Lee/Civil War
7. Mill Mountain Star & Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,263 reviews
A "must see" on most visitors list, an 88-foot manmade star (the largest in the world) sits on majestic Mill Mountain along with a beautifully landscaped city park, that boasts hiking and biking trails, and a zoo.
Reviewed By schultzrebecca - New Bern, United States
This is such a beautiful place -- has been in existence since I was a little girl, The star is a Roanoke landmark and the overlook gives a breathtaking view of the beautiful Roanoke Valley. I strongly recommend the visit -- free and you can take as little or as long as you'd like!
8. Center in the Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
Adjacent to Market Square and the City Market, Center in the Square provides a home to four cultural arts and science non-profit organizations in our signature building in downtown Roanoke: Roanoke Pinball Museum, Harrison Museum of African American Culture, History Museum of Western Virginia, Science Museum of Western Virginia, and Mill Mountain Theatre. Visit our website or call for individual museum admission pricing. Mill Mountain Theatre and Children's Theatre of Roanoke tickets are available through our full-service box office. Come inside to enjoy our aquariums in the atrium and green rooftop without charge. Building Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, and Sunday 1 - 5 pm. [Note: Roanoke Pinball Museum is closed Mondays. History Museum is closed on Mondays October through April.]
Reviewed By tdjohnso11 - Fairfax, United States
Fun place to visit. Downtown Roanoke. Heart of the city. So many restaurants, breweries and shops. Interactive museums and hone of the pinball museum. Had to be dragged out of that one. In the morning during farming season there is a outdoor market with vendors selling fresh produce. Great place to walk around a bight too. Shop owners were friendly with great advice on where to eat.
9. Front Royal Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Reviewed By K8liber
My husband and I were in town for vacation and visited the Welcome Center on 6/25/19 in search of hiking information. Nellie welcomed us and went well out of her way to find the perfect hike for us. She was caring and kind and listened to our needs. Her smile and effort was just what we needed. We went hiking on the trail she recommended and were so happy with the hike that we came back the following day to thank her in person. Thank you Nellie and Front Royal Visitor Center!
10. Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 270 reviews
Reviewed By 351michellei
My whole family enjoyed our time there looking at the beautiful flowers, the different fish in the pond, & watching the ducks and turtles swim. We enjoyed the trails and listening to the birds. Great place to get close to nature.
