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
Top 10 Specialty Museums in Shenandoah Valley, Shenandoah Valley
Discover the best top things to do in Shenandoah Valley, United States including Augusta County Railroad Museum, Explore More Discovery Museum, Mineral Museum, Virginia Museum of Veiled History, Kid's Square, The Car and Carriage Caravan Museum, Virginia Quilt Museum, Virginia Museum of Transportation, O. Winston Link Museum, Cyrus McCormick Museum.
Restaurants in Shenandoah Valley
1. Augusta County Railroad Museum
2. Explore More Discovery Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By GrandmaGrandpatime - Leeds, United States
We had a great time at the museum! My triplet grandchildren are 7. We were visiting Massanutten Resort and decided to take the drive. I was a bit concerned about the area after what I had seen on the television and the racial tensions that are well documented.....BUT what a lovely section of the city we experienced. The people we encountered were very friendly, warm and inviting. The hands on activities were awesome! The kids were able to touch EVERYTHING! When you are 7 and curious, what a treat!!
3. Mineral Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
4. Virginia Museum of Veiled History
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
See vivid evidence of the history behind the scenes -- the real history veiled by the powerful in Virginia. A Winchester resident wrote the Fugitive Slave Act. Another ran Virginia for 40 years but isn't spoken of. Another went from slavery to Congress. Proprietor and writer Larry Yates is there 11 am- 7pm Friday-Sunday with exhibits, videos and publications.
5. Kid's Square
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By sandracarte - Roanoke, United States
This is a great place for children from 1 up to 11-12 years of age. They have a variety of play stations . All the children seem to have a great time going from place to place. Best tip , just follow them around and see what they do . We have been members for 2 years and it’s been money very well spent . The kids absolutely love this place we go at 10 , do snacks in the main lobby watching big screen movies , then go back up to the museum for more fun. They have seats around for adults to sit as the children play. I highly recommend.
6. The Car and Carriage Caravan Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 805 reviews
Located at Luray Caverns, this specialty museum features rare antique autos.
Reviewed By fairwayBarbie
Everything from Conestoga Wagons, Model T’s, horse drawn carriages, bicycles, luxury cars, to baby carriages are in this excellent collection. The vehicles are well maintained and beautiful. It was a delight to behold!
7. Virginia Quilt Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
The Commonwealth is proud to call the Virginia Quilt Museum its official quilt museum. Nestled in the heart of Harrisonburg's downtown historic district, the Museum is considered a resource center for the study of quilts and their place in the cultural lives of Virginians. The Museum offers rotating exhibits of antique and contemporary quilts from its collection, other institutions, and private collections. Additionally, the Museum works to further its educational mission by hosting workshops and lectures.
Reviewed By willc586 - Norfolk, United States
Charming, old school historical building (was Warren Sipe's home back in the day) that was well-repurposed into this delightful gem of a small museum. It's creaky in places, has paint peeling off some of the walls, a slightly musty smell of history in the air all which adds to the homage to the quilter. Elvis was in the spotlight on the second floor which was the entrance floor. Who knew that hound dogs, returned letters and jailhouses could look so good in stitchery? The beauty, exquisite and time-intensive details of the workmanship, and the obvious talents that made all of the quilts on all three floors--what a privilege to behold! The collection of old sewing machines made one appreciate the evolution of the modern machines that are available now. This is not a large museum but I believe that is part of the ambiance of the collection; some of the displays are changed during certain times of the year. It's a quiet and appealing place to spend some quality time with an organic art.
8. Virginia Museum of Transportation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 684 reviews
Antique automobiles and trucks, electric and deisel locomotives, and vintage steam, are all part of the nostalgic show at this historic freight station that doubles as a museum .
Reviewed By bmwbillk - Charlotte, United States
Roanoke is known for all the trains... and the museum had plenty as well. very well displayed and such that you could actually get inside some of them. Nice collection of cars including Packards and Studebakers. Worth the time.
9. O. Winston Link Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 296 reviews
Reviewed By travel-here-there
Despite some adjustments to flow due to the pandemic, this museum is an excellent presentation of both local and railroad history so it should appeal to a variety of people. In addition, for those interested in photography equipment and techniques, the museum includes excellent exhibits and explanations of the tools and processes used. I also found the Roanoke 1980s flood story an interesting addition for variety. Possibly the best part of the museum though is the amazing historic train station building it is in! You could spend an hour or three in here, but be sure to stay for the worthwhile video in the theatre that plays on the hour!
10. Cyrus McCormick Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By karrrenbee - Fredericksburg, United States
We stopped here on a weekday morning because it looked interesting and was on our way home. There was one other family there when we arrived, and they were gone before we were done with our self-guided tour, so it was nice and quiet. It's a very low-key exhibit with a handful of buildings included, including a blacksmith shop, a grist mill and a water wheel, and a building that houses a small display with a model of the original reaper and some small model reapers, etc. The buildings are all kept up very nicely, with repairs done in an historically accurate fashion, and the surrounding area is pretty. There's a small picnic area near the pond that's on the grounds, which would be a very pleasant place to eat lunch. (The bathrooms next to the picnic area apparently close in the winter, though.) I'd definitely recommend this site. It was a relaxing stop with enough items of interest for everyone in our family, from our six-year-old to the adults. Even the kids who weren't as interested in the history of the Virginia reaper enjoyed crossing the bridges and looking at the water wheel. The tour is free and there's a small donation box in one of the buildings (mentioned only because I wish I had known that so I could have brought cash). It was chilly so we didn't go down the trail that's across the way, so I can't speak to that aspect of this site, but next time we're in the area I'd like to stop again and check it out.
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