The Shenandoah Valley is tucked between miles and miles of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. It’s known for its beauty and proximity to Shenandoah National Park as well as its historical legacy. Today, towns in the Valley offer incredible scenery and access to a wealth of outdoor activities. They’re also rich with dining, shopping, lodging, culture, and craft beer. Here’s a guide to some of the best mountain towns near the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail.
Rockbridge County
Lexington
Lexington is a beautiful, historic town packed with cultural experiences. You’ll find locally owned shops and boutiques, an active summer music scene, historic sites, and museums. Take your nature-loving family to Boxerwood Gardens for an afternoon of adventure followed by an evening of fun at Hull’s Drive-In. Lexington is home to two colleges with busy event calendars and exciting restaurants like Haywood’s Piano Bar and Grill, Devils Backbone Outpost Taproom & Kitchen, and Heliotrope Brewery.
Buena Vista
Buena Vista nestles against the foot of the mountains and provides nearby access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, and the Maury River. Camp, kayak, or listen to live music at Glen Maury Park. History lovers will enjoy looking at Victorian architecture built during the industrial boom. Explore the 7-mile (one-way) Chessie Nature Trail that follows a railroad bed along the Maury River and connects the towns of Buena Vista and Lexington. Finally, enjoy beer or wine at nearby Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery.
Natural Bridge
Visitors come to the area around Natural Bridge to explore Natural Bridge State Park—an International Dark Sky Park. Here they’ll find a 215-foot limestone arch, miles of hiking trails, and dark sky programs. The bridge isn’t the only thing that makes this mountain town shine. Nearby hiking opportunities, such as Devil’s Marbleyard and James River Gorge, abound. Feed the animals at the Virginia Safari Park, a zoo with drive-through and walk-through areas that allow you to get up close and personal. Stop for a beer and view at Great Valley Farm Brewery before a meal or stay at the historic Natural Bridge Hotel.
Augusta County
Waynesboro
Known for its Waynesboro Water Trail, Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, and its proximity to the Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail, Waynesboro is a popular spot for paddlers, anglers, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Waynesboro also has a friendly and walkable downtown full of independent shops, a summer music series, a historic live performance theater, and large-scale murals along the Waynesboro Street Arts Trail. Sit down for beers at Basic City Beer Co. or Seven Arrows Brewing then dine at one of Waynesboro’s tasty restaurants like Patina, River Burger Bar, or The Fishin’ Pig.
Stuarts Draft
Known for the competing aromas coming from Hershey’s Chocolate and McKee Foods, the makers of Little Debbie products, Stuarts Draft will whet your appetite! Shop fresh fruits and veggies at Troyer’s Fruit and Produce Farm or Stuarts Draft Farm Market. The Cheese Shop Country Market and Deli has a wonderful selection of bulk cheeses, meats, spices, treats, and baked goods. Stuarts Draft is a short drive from the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway as well as Sherando Lake Recreation Area where you can camp, swim, hike, and bike in a serene mountain setting.
Weyers Cave
Weyers Cave is a small community framed by farmland and distant mountains. It’s a perfect place to start your exploration of the surrounding area. Tour Harmony Harvest Farm, which grows almost 400 types of flowers, or Grand Caverns, the oldest commercial “show cave” in the country. Launch your canoe or kayak from Mountain View Park and enjoy a leisurely float down the South River. For more laid-back country fun, have a beer, meal, and book a stay at Stable Craft Brewing. Finally, head to Valley Pike Farm Market to shop a wide variety of Virginia-made goods, wares, foods, and more than 300 different wines and craft beers.
Staunton
Once a bustling railroad town, Staunton has several historic districts and many fine examples of Victorian architecture. It’s known for the Blackfriars Playhouse, the only recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater. It’s also known for its beauty, walkable downtown, and foodie culture, including a Saturday Farmers’ Market. The Virginia Scenic Railway departs from Staunton’s photogenic train station, and visitors flock to the annual Queen City Mischief and Magic Festival. Learn about how the earliest settlers of the area lived and worked their homesteads at the Frontier Culture Museum. Make sure to sample the beers at Redbeard Brewing or Queen City Brewing.
Rockingham County
Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg is an adventure town with outfitters for cycling, hiking, and fishing and Virginia’s First Culinary District. The Friendly City is host to a growing number of cycling and running events each year. Harrisonburg is a bike-friendly, bronze-level ride center, boasting bike lanes, trails in Hillandale Park, and easy access to some of the best mountain biking in the Valley. Harrisonburg is home to James Madison University’s peaceful Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. Sample some of the Valley’s tastiest food with a view at the Ridge Room, Jimmy Madison’s Southern Kitchen and Whiskey Bar rooftop, or another fine restaurant. Have a beer or enjoy an event at Brothers Craft Brewing, Pale Fire Brewing Co., Three Notch’d Valley Collab House, The Friendly Fermenter, or Restless Moons Brewing.
Bridgewater
Tucked along a bend of the North River, Bridgewater is a town of 13 parks and pocket parks, including an arboretum, golf course, mini golf course, and an ice skating rink. More than 20 locally-owned shops specializing in homemade, hand-made, and antique goods are housed in the Shenandoah Heritage Market. A goldmine for book lovers, the Green Valley Book Fair stocks over 30,000 new books at discount prices. Head to The Cracked Pillar Pub for dinner, followed by farm-fresh ice cream at Smiley’s Ice Cream. If you’re looking for a new perspective of the Valley, book a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon ride with Star Ballooning.
Elkton
Elkton has a small but charming downtown with stores like McGuire’s Country Store, which carries household items, antiques, home decor, and primitives. Play all year long at nearby Massanutten Resort, paddle or fish on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, or explore Shenandoah National Park. Refresh with a flight or pint at Elkton Brewing Co., Cave Hill Farms Brewery, or BrewHaHa Brewing Co.
Following the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail is a good way to explore much of what the Valley has to offer. Have a blast discovering the wonders of nature as well as the charm of our mountain towns!
