Entertainment & Events
Annual Charity Event
1st: Virginia Food Truck Battle and Beer Competition
277 Expo Rd., Fishersville, TheMadeeProject.com, 540-849-9635
Virginia Food Truck Battle and Beer Competition benefits the MaDee Project, a nonprofit foundation providing financial support to pediatric cancer patients and their families in the Shenandoah Valley. The festival was scheduled for Sept. 6 this year, but it is unclear if it will happen due to the coronavirus.
2nd: Open Doors Food Truck Fest on Sunny Slope Farm, Harrisonburg, ValleyOpenDoors.org, 540-705-1908
3rd: Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale, Harrisonburg, VAReliefSale.com, 540-433-9993
BOV20_Living_and_recreation
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Art Event
1st: Fall Foliage Festival Art Show
122 S. Wayne Ave., Waynesboro, SVACart.com, 540-949-7662
The Fall Foliage Art Show is a two-day juried fine art festival hosted by Shenandoah Valley Art Center. Taking place on the streets of historic downtown Waynesboro, the festival includes more than 150 artists and fine crafters, local music, craft beer, and gourmet food trucks.
2nd: First Fridays Downtown, Harrisonburg, ValleyArts.org, 540-801-8779
3rd: Staunton Augusta Art Center’s Art in the Park at Gypsy Hill, Staunton, SAArtCenter.org, 540-885-2028
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Art Gallery
1st: Larkin Arts
61 Court Square, Harrisonburg, LarkinArts.com, 540-236-4223
Larkin Arts comprises an art school, two dedicated fine art galleries, a supply store, and five studios that together offer art classes, sales, gallery shows, and children’s summer camps. A studio has been renovated to create a small wheel-throwing teaching studio, which is offering classes and memberships for 2020.
2nd: Oasis Fine Art & Craft, Harrisonburg, OasisFineArtAndCraft.org, 540-442-8188
3rd: CoArt Gallery, Staunton, CoArtGallery.com, 540-886-0737
Museum
1st: Frontier Culture Museum
1290 Richmond Rd., Staunton, FrontierMuseum.org, 540-332-7850
The Frontier Culture Museum tells the story of thousands of colonial Americans and their descendants. Activities for 2020 include the annual lecture series, historic crafts and trades day, a demonstration of historic barbecue techniques, and Hammer In, a day focused on blacksmithing.
2nd: Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg, IExploreMore.com, 540-442-8900
3rd: Museum of Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, TheMSV.org, 888-556-5799
Historic Site
1st: Downtown Staunton
StauntonDowntown.org, 540-332-3867
Staunton’s rich history of arts and culture goes back to its days as a 19th-century rail junction where travelers stopped to enjoy opera, vaudeville, and rollicking nightlife. That tradition lives on today in Staunton’s arts and culture district, called the Red Brick District, where you’ll find live music all summer long.
2nd: Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton, FrontierMuseum.org, 540-332-7850
3rd: Luray Caverns, Luray, LurayCaverns.com, 540-743-6551
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Tourist Attraction
1st: Skyline Drive
Shenandoah National Park, VisitSkylineDrive.org, 540-999-3500
Skyline Drive offers expansive views across the Shenandoah Valley from altitudes up to 3,680 feet. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the scenic route in the 1930s, and it later became a National Scenic Byway. Highlights include spectacular spring blooms and fall foliage, wildlife viewing, and backcountry hiking access.
2nd: American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton, AmericanShakespeareCenter.com, 877-682-4236
3rd: Luray Caverns, Luray, LurayCaverns.com, 540-743-6551
Food or Drink Festival
1st: Highland County Maple Festival
165 W. Main St., Monterey, HighlandCounty.org, 540-468-2550
There are nine public destinations to explore at Highland County Maple Festival. The Highland Center in Monterey offers a gathering place to sit down, two live musical performances each Saturday, a maple “taproom” serving maple beer from Brothers Craft Brewing, and children’s activities. This year’s event has been postponed until further notice.
2nd: Harrisonburg International Festival, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg-International-Festival.org, 540-434-0059 ext. 5
3rd: Virginia Food Truck Battle and Beer Competition, Fishersville, TheMadeeProject.com, 540-849-9635
Non-Food Festival
1st: Dayton Days
Downtown Dayton, DaytonVa.us, 540-879-2241
Valley residents know Dayton is the place to be on the first Saturday in October. During the one-day event, founded in 1979, hundreds of local vendors offer handmade arts and crafts, fabulous food and drinks, and hours of free entertainment. Look for picturesque selfie stations plus extra parking locations and shuttles this year.
2nd: Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, Winchester, TheBloom.com, 540-662-3863
3rd: Staunton Music Festival, Staunton, StauntonMusicFestival.org, 540-569-0267
Historic Theater
1st: Court Square Theater
41 Court Square, Harrisonburg, ValleyArts.org, 540-433-9189
Court Square Theater enriches Harrisonburg’s cultural life by offering theatrical performances, special events, live music, films, and facility rentals to some 35,000 patrons annually. The theater is partnering with a local comedy organization to bring The World Series of Comedy back to Harrisonburg and will be expanding the Family Film Series this summer.
2nd: Winchester Little Theater, Winchester, WLTOnline.org, 540-662-3331
3rd: Historic Masonic Theatre, Clifton Forge, HistoricMasonicTheatre.com, 540-862-5655
Music Venue
1st: Lime Kiln Theater
607 Borden Rd., Lexington, LimeKilnTheater.org
Nestled on the 12-acre site of an abandoned kiln and quarry, Lime Kiln Theater is inspired by the magic of outdoor theater. More than a dozen plays and concerts are performed at the natural amphitheater each season, and artists have premiered 20 original scripts there. Lime Kiln plans to introduce a music education program this summer.
2nd: Clementine Cafe, Harrisonburg, ClementineCafe.com, 540-801-8881
3rd: Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, Harrisonburg, JMUForbesCenter.com, 540-568-4394
Professional/Regional Performing Arts Company
1st: American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse
10 S. Market St., Staunton, AmericanShakespeareCenter.com, 877-682-4236
The Blackfriars Playhouse is the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater. Because of COVID-19 related restrictions, the Company features Shakespeare's beloved comedy Twelfth Night and the great tragedy Othello as part of its 2020 SafeStart Season. Both shows are being performed at two venues: socially-distanced indoors at the Blackfriars Playhouse, and outdoors under the stars on the lawn of the Blackburn Inn and Conference Center in Staunton. [Edited 9/1/20]
2nd: ShenanArts, Staunton, ShenanArts.org, 540-712-0001
3rd: Wayne Theatre Ross Performing Arts Center, Waynesboro, WayneTheatre.org, 540-943-9999
Entertainment Center for Adults
1st: Ruby’s Arcade
165 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, RubysArcade.com, 540-615-5351
Formally a car garage and dank basement, Ruby’s Arcade is now a colorful party place for all ages. With duckpin lanes dating from the early 1950s, antique pool tables, and many other competitive games, Ruby’s Arcade is an entertainment juggernaut. Don’t miss “Bingo is Life” on Tuesday nights.
2nd: Beards & Broads Axe Throwing, Harrisonburg, BeardsNBroads.com, 540-208-7902
3rd: Valley Lanes, Harrisonburg, ValleyLanesBowling.com, 540-434-8721
Travel
Bed & Breakfast
1st: The Joshua Wilton House
412 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, JoshuaWilton.com, 540-434-4464
The Joshua Wilton House provides a venue for guests to enjoy the seasonal ingredients of Shenandoah Valley prepared by classically trained chefs, with a slight focus on seafood, while staying in a boutique Victorian hotel located in the heart of downtown. The most popular dish is Market Fish, which changes twice a week.
2nd: Stonewall Jackson Inn, Harrisonburg, StonewallJacksonInn.com, 540-433-8233
3rd: Frederick House, Staunton, FrederickHouse.com, 540-885-4220
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Hotel
1st: Hotel Madison
710 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, HotelMadison.com, 540-564-0200
Hotel Madison and the Shenandoah Valley Conference Center, founded in 2018, is a contemporary hotel located near James Madison University. It offers overnight and extended stay accommodations, and event spaces for weddings, meetings, and group stays. Amenities include Montpelier Restaurant and Bar, a fitness center, a business center, and an indoor pool.
2nd: Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center, Staunton, StonewallJacksonHotel.com, 540-885-4848
3rd: Mimslyn Inn, Luray, MimslynInn.com, 540-743-5105
Resort
1st: Massanutten Resort
1822 Resort Dr., McGaheysville, MassResort.com, 540-289-9441
Set on 6,000 acres of sprawling land in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Resort is a premier all-season resort destination. Enjoy skiing, hiking the Western Slope, the spa, an indoor/outdoor waterpark complete with a triple-jet FlowRider® Endless Wave, a 1920s-themed escape room, the Family Adventure Park, a petting zoo, and 12 on-site dining options.
2nd: Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, TheOmniHomestead.com, 540-839-1766
3rd: Jellystone Park Camp, Luray, CampLuray.com, 540-300-1697
Pets
Dog Park
1st: Gypsy Hill Park
600 Churchville Ave., Staunton, Ci.Staunton.Va.us, 540-332-3945
Gypsy Hill Dog Park offers separate enclosures for large and small dogs. In August, the park will host Bark Park Day with a Doggie Obstacle Course Race, Pet Photo and Costume contest, and a lap around the park in the Gypsy Hill Park Dog Parade.
2nd: Smithland Road Dog Park, Harrisonburg, HarrisonburgVA.gov, 540-433-2474
3rd: Coyner Springs Dog Recreation Area, Waynesboro, Waynesboro.va.us, 540-942-6735
Dog Training Company
1st: Love on a Leash
3225 Harpine Hwy., Harrisonburg, Fun4Dogs.com, 540-833-8118
“When you understand what motivates your dog and how to use that motivation in your favor, unwanted behavior is much easier to manage and modify,” says owner Sheli Rhodes. Activities include agility classes, pet obedience classes, competition obedience classes, seminars, and private instruction for problem solving.
2nd: Positive Paws K-9, Stuarts Draft, Facebook.com/PositivePawsK9Training, 540-569-9211
3rd: Lead the Way K9 Training,
Locations in Staunton, Waynesboro, LeadTheWayK9.com, 434-284-6599
Pet Boarding/Day Care
1st: All About Paws
1685-B Garbers Church Rd., Harrisonburg, AllAboutPawsBoarding.com, 540-208-7540
All About Paws provides care to dogs, cats, and exotic animals. It can accommodate a wide variety of individual needs, ranging from medication and special diet to age-related and temperament issues. It offers doggie daycare and grooming, as well as amenities like K9Grass, a safe alternative to gravel and mulch play areas.
2nd: Augusta Valley Animal Hospital, Staunton, AugustaValleyAnimal.com, 540-851-1500
3rd: Creature Comfort Inn, Strasburg, CreatureComfortInn.net, 540-465-3007
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Veterinary Hospital
1st: Animal Hospital of Waynesboro
2637 W. Main St., Waynesboro, AHWVet.com, 540-943-3081
Founded in 1983, Animal Hospital of Waynesboro is an AAHA-accredited practice. It provides routine physical exams, preventative testing and medicine, dental care, vaccinations, soft tissue and orthopedic procedures, laser surgery and post-op laser therapy, spay and neuter, diagnostics and internal medicine, dermatology, rehabilitation and therapy services, boarding, and emergency care.
2nd: Augusta Valley Animal Hospital, Staunton, AugustaValleyAnimal.com, 540-851-1500
3rd: Anicira Veterinary Hospital, Harrisonburg, Anicira.org, 540-437-1980
Kids
Day Care or Preschool
1st: Good Shepherd School and Day Care
Locations in Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, GoodShepherdSchools.com, 540-564-2929
The three Good Shepherd School and Day Care locations in the Shenandoah Valley care for more than 400 children daily. The centers offer a before- and after-school care program, as well as an academic summer program called Keep Your Brain In Gear, which includes reading, writing, and math instruction, field trips, and activities.
2nd: Generations Crossing, Harrisonburg, GenerationsCrossing.com, 540-434-4901
3rd: Harrisonburg-Rockingham Child Day Care Center, Harrisonburg, HRDayCare.org, 540-434-5268
K-12 Independent School
1st: Stuart Hall School
235 W. Frederick St., Staunton, StuartHallSchool.org, 540-885-0356
Stuart Hall School is an Episcopal college preparatory school for area day students in grades pre-K to 12 and boarding students from around the world in grades 8-12. The school offers rigorous academics with arts, math, and science emphasis programs. It will be opening a new 26,000-square-foot building devoted to authentic learning, arts, and technology.
2nd: Blue Ridge Christian School, Bridgewater, BRCSchool.org, 540-828-2233
3rd: Grace Christian School, Staunton, GCSWarriors.org, 540- 886-9109
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Summer Camp
1st: Camp Mont Shenandoah
218 Mont Shenandoah Ln., Millboro, CampMontShenandoah.com, 540-997-5994
Started in 1927, Camp Mont Shenandoah has been family-owned and operated for three generations. Recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, it is the oldest private residential camp in continuous operation in the state providing a traditional summer camp experience for girls between the ages of 7 and 16.
2nd: Camp LIGHT, Waynesboro, CreativeWorksFarm.org, 540-471-1659
3rd: Brethren Woods Camp, Keezletown, BrethrenWoods.org, 540-269-2741
Birthday Party Place
1st: Massanutten Resort
1822 Resort Dr., McGaheysville, MassResort.com, 540-289-9441
Massanutten presents multiple birthday options for guests. The resort offers party packages that give multi-hour access to the indoor/outdoor waterpark, Jim’s arcade, a pizza party, and a decorated party room. Too crowded? Check out the Family Adventure Park with bounce houses, zip lines, tubing, rock climbing, gem mining, and more.
2nd: Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg, IExploreMore.com, 540-442-8900
3rd: Virginia Safari Park, Natural Bridge, VirginiaSafariPark.com, 540-291-3205
Family Entertainment
1st: Hull’s Drive-In
2367 Lee Hwy., Lexington, HullsDriveIn.com, 540-463-2621
Hull’s Drive-In lets families experience movies under the stars. In April 2000, Hull’s Angels took over operation of the drive-in as the first community-owned nonprofit drive-in theater in the country. It is available for private parties, rentals, and community events, such as markets, special demonstrations, games, and more.
2nd: Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg, IExploreMore.com, 540-442-8900
3rd: Massanutten Resort, McGaheysville, MassResort.com, 540-289-9441
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Playground
1st: A Dream Come True
1050 Neff Ave., Harrisonburg, HarrisonburgVA.gov, 540-433-9168
The Dream Come True playground is accessible and inclusive, with separate equipment for different age groups. Features include a climbing rock, rainbow arches, shade structures, a roadway, a hammock swing, a draw wall, a pavilion, family comfort stations, and a Liberty Swing that helps children in wheelchairs experience the joy of riding a swing.
2nd: Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, Ci.Staunton.va.us, 540-332-3945
3rd: Rockingham Park at the Crossroads, Penn Laird, RockinghamCountyVa.gov, 540-564-3160
Outdoors & Active
Dance Studio
1st: Dance & Company
115 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, DanceNCo.com, 540-810-3631
Dance & Company, founded in 1985, offers classical and contemporary training for youth to adults. Performance opportunities are provided through annual spring concerts, informal showings, and student participation in the dance center’s repertory youth performance companies. Classes are offered year-round in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, musical stage, hip-hop, and Irish step dance.
2nd: Valley Dance Theatre, Staunton, ValleyDanceTheatre.net, 540-213-3908
3rd: Staunton Academy of Ballet, Staunton, StauntonAcademyOfBallet.com, 540-886-9355
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Golf Course
1st: Heritage Oaks
680 Garbers Church Rd., Harrisonburg, HeritageOaksGolf.com, 540-442-6502
Heritage Oaks is a par-70 municipal golf course featuring 18 holes of golf, a driving range, and a practice green. Amenities include a clubhouse and snack bar, professional leagues, golf lessons, annual season passes, tournaments, and a First Tee program for young golfers.
2nd: Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, Ci.Staunton.va.us, 540-332-3945
3rd: Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, TheOmniHomestead.com, 540-839-1766
Gym or Fitness Studio
1st: Sentara RMH Wellness Center
2500 Wellness Dr., Harrisonburg, RMHWellnessCenter.com, 540-564-5682
Founded in 1984, the RMH Wellness Center was one of the first of its kind: a hospital-owned medically based fitness facility. It offers more than 80 group exercise classes per week, including yoga, aqua fitness, chair exercise, indoor cycling, barre, BodyPump™, BodyCombat™, a Pilates studio, three indoor pools, an indoor track, and a basketball court.
2nd: Staunton-Augusta YMCA, Staunton, SAYMCA.org, 540-885-8089
3rd: Augusta Health Fitness, Fisherville, AugustaHealth.com/Fitness, 540-332-5433
Hiking or Biking Trails
1st: Appalachian Trail
AppalachianTrail.org, 540-904-4393
The longest hiking-only footpath in the world, the Appalachian Trail measures roughly 2,190 miles in length. More than three million people visit the “A.T.” every year, and more than 3,000 people attempt to “thru-hike” the entire footpath each year. A popular destination spot in Shenandoah is Stony Man Mountain, with its 360-degree views of the surrounding landscapes.
2nd: Chessie Trail, Lexington, VMI.edu/About/Our-Location/Chessie-Trail, 540-464-7119
3rd: Reddish Knob, Harrisonburg, FS.USDA.gov/GWJ, 540-432-0187
Park
1st: Shenandoah National Park
3655 U.S. Hwy 211 E, Luray, NPS.gov/Shen, 540-999-3500
There is so much to do at Shenandoah National Park. Hike the 500 miles of trails. Camp in five campgrounds. Explore the visitor centers and attend a ranger program. Spend the night in a lodge or cabin. Observe more than 2,100 species of flora and fauna, including black bears and white-tailed deer. And so much more!
2nd: Natural Bridge State Park, Natural Bridge, DCR.Virginia.gov, 540-291-1326
3rd: Douthat State Park, Millboro, DCR.Virginia.gov, 540-862-8100
