Why Harrisonburg, VA, Is the Perfect Shenandoah Valley Escape
Snug between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, Harrisonburg, VA, sits at the heart of the stunning Shenandoah Valley. It’s the largest city in the valley (population under 55,000), making it a hub for art, food and entertainment.
Right off I-81, Harrisonburg is a convenient stop if you’re road-tripping through Virginia or cruising along the famous Skyline Drive. But you’ll want to linger here, exploring the walkable downtown, the many cultural attractions and the great outdoors close at hand.
Here’s why this college town should be your next vacation spot.
In This Article
1. A Scenic Spot in the Shenandoah Valley
When it comes to location, Harrisonburg is sitting pretty. You’ve got Shenandoah National Park to the east, the George Washington National Forest to the west, and the Blue Ridge Parkway to the south. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike, bike, kayak, rock climb and even go caving in Rockingham County.
Be sure to visit one of the farms nearby. There’s an alpaca farm, a u-pick orchard, a dairy where you can feed baby calves and a family farm complete with a corn maze.
Perhaps most unique of all, Harrisonburg boasts its very own lavender farm. White Oak Lavender Farm dazzles during the summer bloom season, but they have tons to do year-round, including live music and dancing on the weekend, guided tours, a gift shop stocked with over 100 lavender products and tastings at the Purple WOLF Vineyard. Their signature lavender ice cream is a must.
When you go, don’t miss the whimsical gardens out back. They invite you to slow down and relax as you watch butterflies in the hatchery, pet the goats or just kick back on the adult-sized swings. You can’t beat those mountain views.
2. College Town Perks
With three colleges calling Harrisonburg home – James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University and Bridgewater College – the city has an unmistakable youthful vibe. Each school hosts a variety of public events, from art talks and seminars to sports and concerts.
At JMU alone, you can visit the Mineral Museum, see stars at the planetarium or wander the arboretum, all completely free.
The university also puts on a diverse lineup of performances at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. Their current season spans circus, dance, a 1920s whodunit, a musical and a kid-friendly opera, to name a few.
3. World-Class Theater
Speaking of theater, the Court Square Theater hosts a variety of live entertainment downtown, including community theater and D&D-inspired improv with a storytelling twist.
For something truly extraordinary, drive 30 minutes south to Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, the world’s only recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater. Here, the American Shakespeare Center brings to life a range of the bard’s works, such as Romeo and Juliet and Two Gentlemen of Verona, coming later this year. Like in Shakespeare’s day, the house lights stay on, but the focus is all on the actors, who draw you in with clever wordplay and emotion to a world of relatable characters.
It’s not all Renaissance masterpieces either. This summer, they brought Sense and Sensibility to the stage, a spot-on rendition of Jane Austen’s witty double romance. This fall, there’s a pirate-themed world premiere, and for Christmas, a timeless story by Charles Dickens.
4. Global Flavors, Local Ingredients: A Foodie Destination
With so much farmland nearby, it’s no surprise that Harrisonburg shines the spotlight on locally sourced food. Visit the year-round Saturday farmers market to browse farm-fresh produce, pet treats, plants and more. The Friendly City Food Co-op downtown also stocks a range of local and sustainable products for an impromptu picnic.
For dinner, sample small plates like poke and duck confit croquettes on the rooftop of the Ridge Room. Or try Mashita for Korean lettuce wraps, steamed buns and kimchi fries. Next door, Aristocat Cafe offers 80-plus premium teas, from familiar blends like chai and Earl Grey to a 35-year-old golden pu’er. Book a session in the cat lounge to enjoy your drink with the furry residents.
Beyond downtown, A Bowl of Good is your go-to spot for lunch. Their menu is globally inspired – choose from Indian curried lentils, Thai coconut soup, Greek salad and more – and you’ll see lots of local ingredients: eggs, sausage, honey, milk. Can’t decide? Order the popular Out of Africa, a Nigerian stew of chicken, cabbage, beans, and rice, served with their homemade nine-grain bread and butter from a local dairy, which is worth the visit all on its own.
5. A Hub for Diversity
For a city its size, Harrisonburg packs an impressive cultural punch, thanks in large part to its diverse population. Nicknamed the “Friendly City,” it’s been a haven for immigrants for centuries and was officially designated a refugee resettlement area in 1988.
The first European immigrants settled here in the 1700s. Today, you can visit the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center to learn about their traditions and tour preserved buildings like a 1820s log house and a one-room schoolhouse.
At international restaurants around town, you’ll find family recipes passed down through generations. Stop into the new Ukrainian cafe downtown, Sweet & Tasty, to sample specialties like nalisniki (savory or sweet crepes) and syrniki (mini cheese pancakes).
You can also explore local African-American history on the self-guided Roots Run Deep tour, which highlights 35 sites ranging from an 1860s cemetery to the country’s first academic center for Black poetry.
6. Art Everywhere: Murals, Sculptures and Galleries
Harrisonburg has a flourishing art scene. You’ll probably notice it first as you stroll the 40-block downtown and see murals on what seems like every corner. If you want to hit them all – there are over 25, including sculptures and mosaics – the visitors center has a free map.
And more public art is popping up all the time. A family of bronze ducks was installed last year, hidden around downtown for a fun scavenger hunt (with a prize).
Save time to stop by Oasis Fine Art & Craft. This artists’ collective is a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind creations: paintings, pottery, dioramas, felt art, ventriloquist dolls and mandolins made from upcycled cigar boxes, to name a few.
7. Affordable Places To Stay and Play
With a large selection of budget-friendly hotels, Harrisonburg makes a good home base for exploring the region. Looking for a place with a modern aesthetic and an affordable nightly rate? Harrisonburg’s newest hotel, Home2 Suites, hits the mark with roomy suites and eco-conscious touches, plus a healthy breakfast that includes cage-free eggs, small-batch yogurt and strawberry kiwi water on tap.
The city’s full of low-cost fun, too. For under $10 a person, you can watch a classic film at Court Square Theater, take selfies in a lavender field, play at the Explore More Discovery Museum (or get in free the first Friday afternoon of the month), and tour the Virginia Quilt Museum, just 10 minutes away in Dayton.
Meanwhile, activities like summer concerts, the Valley Turnpike Museum, the fire museum and the new 6,000-square-foot spraygrounds don’t cost a dime. And don’t forget the free JMU attractions mentioned above.
It just means you can stretch your budget further – and enjoy more of what makes this Shenandoah Valley city so easy to love.