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 active Civil War history a one-time position on the American frontier. 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
Home of two prestigious colleges, 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, and an exciting restaurant scene.
What you can do there:
- Catch a game or performance at Washington and Lee University or Virginia Military Institute. Make time to tour the campuses, too!
- Lexington is home to a number of excellent restaurants including the Southern Inn Restaurant and Haywood’s Piano Bar and Grill.
- Take your nature-loving family to Boxerwood Gardens for an afternoon of adventure. There’s a natural playground, a fairy garden, unusual garden installations, woodland trails, and much, much more.
- Don’t forget to see what’s happening at the Virginia Horse Center or catch a show at Hull’s Drive-In!
Nearby Beerwerks breweries:
Natural Bridge Station
Natural Bridge Station is named after the nearby 215-foot limestone bridge carved by the waters of Cedar Creek, but the bridge isn’t the only thing that makes this mountain town shine. Nearby hiking opportunities abound, such as Devil’s Marbleyard, the Appalachian Trail, James River Gorge, and more.
What you can do there:
- Visit Natural Bridge State Park to see the bridge, hike the trails, and learn about history. The park is also a Dark Sky Park.
- 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.
- Go underground at Natural Bridge Caverns.
- Dine or stay at the historic Natural Bridge Hotel.
Nearby Beerwerks brewery:
Buena Vista
Buena Vista nestles against the foot of the mountains and provides access to the beautiful Maury River. Hikers and paddlers will love the nearby activities, and history lovers will enjoy looking at the Victorian architecture built during the industrial boom.
What you can do there:
- 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.
- With Buena Vista so close to the base of the mountains, it’s an easy drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail.
- Check out the local architecture, especially the 1800s Buena Vista Hotel.
- Camp or listen to live music at Glen Maury Park. The park also rents kayaks, tubes, and bikes.
Nearby Beerwerks brewery:
Augusta County
Waynesboro
Known for its 4-mile Waynesboro Water Trail and its proximity to the Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail, Waynesboro is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts. Waynesboro also has a friendly and walkable downtown full of independent shops, a summer music series, an active community theater, and a variety of dining options.
What you can do there:
- Fish or paddle in the South River or stroll the South River Greenway.
- Explore the Waynesboro Street Arts Trail, which is made up of large-scale, award-winning murals painted during recent Street Art Festivals.
- Hike the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, which ventures through a historic railroad tunnel, once the longest of its kind.
- Dine in one of Waynesboro’s tasty restaurants like the River Burger Bar, Heritage on Main, or The Fishin’ Pig.
Nearby Beerwerks breweries:
Weyers Cave
Conveniently located near the interstate and the area’s airport, 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.
What you can do there:
- White Oak Lavender Farm provides beautiful views, tours of the lavender fields, a lavender shop, and a tasting room for the Purple Wolf Vineyard. For more nearby wine, try Marceline Vineyards and Cross Keys Vineyards.
- Take a harvest tour, visit the farm shop, pick your own flowers, and see the flower-covered LOVEwork sign at Harmony Harvest Farm. The farm grows almost 400 types of flowers and is a Certified American Grown farm.
- Open since 1806, Grand Caverns is a National Natural Landmark as well as the oldest commercial “show cave” in the country.
- Launch your canoe kayak from Mountain View Park and enjoy a leisurely float down the South River.
- Valley Pike Farm Market stocks a wide variety of Virginia-made goods, wares, foods, and more than 300 different craft beers and wines.
- The Middle River Farms pumpkin patch opens in mid-September and grows over 30 varieties of pumpkins and gourds. Their wagonload deal is one of the best around!
Staunton
Once a bustling railroad town, Staunton has several historic districts and many fine examples of Victorian architecture. It’s also known for its beauty, walkable downtown, and foodie culture, including a Saturday Farmers’ Market. Visitors flock to the annual Queen City Mischief and Magic Festival in September.
What you can do there:
- Learn about how the earliest settlers of the area lived and worked on their mountain homesteads at the Frontier Culture Museum.
- Catch a show at the Blackfriars Playhouse, the only recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater.
- Take a ride on the new Virginia Scenic Railway, which departs from Staunton’s historic train station and includes meal service.
Nearby Beerwerks breweries:
Stuarts Draft
Known for the competing smells coming from Hershey’s Chocolate and McKee Foods, the makers of Little Debbie products, Stuarts Draft will whet your appetite! Check out the local farm markets and produce stands. Stuarts Draft is also a short drive from the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and hiking trails in the George Washington National Forest.
What you can do there:
- Find the freshest fruits and veggies at Troyer’s Fruit and Produce Farm or Stuarts Draft Farm Market.
- Shop The Cheese Shop Country Market and Deli for a wonderful selection of bulk cheeses, meats, spices, treats, and baking goods.
- Head to Sherando Lake Recreation Area for camping, swimming, hiking, and biking in a serene mountain setting.
Nearby Beerwerks brewery:
Rockingham County
Harrisonburg
Home to James Madison University, Harrisonburg is an energetic college town full of fun and culture. The Friendly City is the 12th largest in Virginia and home to a burgeoning international population. This rich cultural diversity is celebrated through a variety of global restaurants and an annual International Festival. Harrisonburg is also a bike-friendly town, and it includes downtown bike lanes, rural road biking opportunities, and easy access to some of the best mountain biking in the Valley.
What you can do there:
- Mountain bikers will love the trails at Hillandale Park, which are arranged in concentric circles of increasing difficulty.
- Check out one of Harrisonburg’s many festivals and annual events, which include the half-marathon, bike races, beer festivals, and much more.
- Sample some of the Valley’s tastiest food at one of Harrisonburg’s many restaurants like Joshua Wilton House or Jimmy Madison’s Southern Kitchen and Whiskey Bar.
- Take kiddos to the Explore More Children’s Museum for active, educational, and creative play.
Visit James Madison University’s Edith J. Carrier Arboretum for a peaceful stroll.
Nearby Beerwerks brewery:
- Brothers Craft Brewing
- Pale Fire Brewing Co.
- Three Notch’d Valley Collab House
- The Friendly Fermenter
- Restless Moons Brewing
Elkton
Elkton has a small but charming downtown with stores like McGuire’s Country Store, which carries not only household needs, but also antiques, home decor, and primitives. The Hidden Violet provides an inclusive shopping experience for all shapes and sizes.
What you can do there:
- Play all year long at Massanutten Resort, where you can ski, mountain bike, golf, hike, and splash at the indoor/outdoor waterpark.
- Paddle or fish on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River.
- Access Shenandoah National Park at the Swift Run Gap entrance station.
- Learn some history at the Miller-Kite House Museum, a historical home-turned-local history museum.
Nearby Beerwerks breweries:
Bridgewater
Tucked along a bend of the North River, Bridgewater is a town of 13 parks and pocket parks. There’s a lot to do, including a 9-hole golf course and an 18-hole mini golf course. Visitors can stroll on fitness trails or around Cooks Creek Arboretum. There’s also a bird sanctuary, historical signs, and lots of peaceful views of the river.
Why you should visit:
- The Green Valley Book Fair is a goldmine for book lovers. This discount book outlet stocks over 30,000 new books that are reduced up to 90%.
- Head to The Cracked Pillar Pub for dinner, followed by farm-fresh ice cream at Smiley’s Ice Cream.
- Explore the national forest at these recreational areas and trails: Natural Chimneys Park, North River Gorge Todd Lake, Reddish Knob, and Hone Quarry Recreation Area.
- See the Valley from above with a hot air balloon ride from Bridgewater’s Star Ballooning, which specializes in sunrise and sunset views.
- With more than 20 locally-owned shops, the Shenandoah Heritage Market is the area’s largest country market. It specializes in homemade, hand-made, and antique goods.
- Looking ahead to cooler weather? Ice skating season at Generations Park starts on Thanksgiving.
