Lifestyle

Culture

A mosaic of vibrant cities and productive family farms forms the essential character of the Shenandoah Valley. Our agrarian roots taught us that working together makes hard work easier and more enjoyable. That tradition lives on as government, business and education partners collaborate to tackle challenges and build an environment for community and business success.

Our town and country topography integrates the exuberance of university centers with the tranquility of mountain trails. Here, you can roam from the networks of coworking collaboratories to the graceful gridlines of heirloom apple orchards.

Visit our partners for attractions that are the perfect combination of small-town charm and southern hospitality that set the Valley apart. ShenandoahValley.org + VisitShenandoah.org

Outdoor Opportunities

Easy access to the Appalachian Trail and Skyline Drive, nationally recognized trout fishing destinations, Shenandoah National Park campgrounds, and modern mountain biking flow trails in the George Washington National Forest means that outdoor adventure is a way of life in the Shenandoah Valley. The trailhead to your favorite waterfall hike or the beginning of your evening ride may be as close as your doorstep, and they are always less than an hour away from even the busiest downtown conference room.

Visit our partners to discover why the Shenandoah Valley is made for the year-round adventure seeker. ShenandoahValley.org + VisitShenandoah.org

Parks & Rec

The Shenandoah Valley’s localities do a terrific job of running interactive and energetic recreational programs for both children and adults, in addition to maintaining public parks.

Browse the Parks & Recreation Guides below:

• Augusta County
• Bath County
• Buena Vista
• Harrisonburg
• Highland County
• Lexington
• Page County
• Rockbridge County
• Rockingham County
• Shenandoah County
• Staunton
• Waynesboro

Agritourism

The Shenandoah Valley has strong agrarian roots and is home to four of the top five agriculture counties in Virginia. Our proud agriculture heritage, combined with our urban character, ensures a vibrant flowering of farm-to-table eateries in downtown hubs and back roads dotted with lavender farms, pick-you-own blueberries, and maple syrup festivals. Our trails taste sweeter each season!

Fields of Goal Farm Trail 

Discover the homegrown side of the Shenandoah Valley with the Fields of Gold Farm Trail. Follow along the Constable family as they provide front row access to working farms, a wide sampling of local food retail venues, and a variety of farm-to-table restaurants.  The Constable family’s adventure began right in their Shenandoah Valley backyard, and yours can too. 

The Virginia Maple Syrup Trail 

“Tap” into the sweetest destinations in Highland County with a trail that opens up eight sugar camps throughout the year. Top off your Virginia Maple Syrup Trail adventure with a trip to the Maple Festival for donuts, freshly boiled syrup, and a truly mountainous culinary adventure. 

Craft Beverage Trails

• Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail: With more than 18 local craft breweries, small town living is no reason for small menu sipping. From hoppy favorites to dark ales, our breweries feature dog friendly patios, live music events, and a fleet of food trucks and grills. 

• Head to the northern end of the Valley with Shenandoah Spirits Trail or further south with the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail for a collection of cideries, wineries, distilleries, and breweries that is sure to quench every flavor of thirst. 

Sports

The Shenandoah Valley takes advantage of its diversified topography with natural outdoor recreation activities. We also embrace traditional sports. From spectators to participants, folks seeking an active and competitive lifestyle will feel right at home in the Valley.

College Sports – full slate of top-notch college sports at seven institutions, including the 2016 NCAA Division I Football Champions, the James Madison University Dukes (JMU). JMU hosted College GameDay for the first time in school history when they played the Richmond Spiders in October 2015. The JMU Quad was packed with an energized crowd of students, alumni and locals as they cheered their on their Dukes.

Golf – The Shenandoah Valley is home to over 25 well-maintained courses and driving ranges. From 18-hole PGA-rated courses to family-friendly mini golf, each destination offers a breathtaking view.

Horizons Edge Sports Campus – This new state-of-the-art sports and events center includes 90,000 square feet with 4 basketball courts, 6 volleyball courts, indoor multi-use turf and an 18 challenge Clip n’ Climb wall. The campus also includes a FIFA international sized outdoor soccer field and housing for youth visitors.

Rockingham County Baseball League – One of the oldest continuous baseball leagues in the country, the RCBL was founded in 1924 and has included teams across Rockingham County and up and down the Shenandoah Valley.

VA Momentum – At VA Momentum, they’re all about energizing communities for good. Whether you are looking for competitive 5K races, a unique mud run for kids, or a good community vibes at a brewery, they have an event just for you. Their participants range from kids in strollers to grandparents, competitive runners to first-timers, and everything in between. Click here to view past events. Their “Forward Series” includes a six month lineup of events, challenges, favorite holiday traditions (Turkey Trot, anyone?), and prizes just for participants. This series encourages the community to stay active, positive and full of community vibes.

Valley Baseball League – Founded in 1897, the Valley Baseball League (VBL) consists of 11 teams each playing a 42-game schedule June through August concluding with a top-eight-team play-off to determine the championship. The VBL is funded in part by a grant from Major League Baseball and is a member of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball, a national affiliation of 13 collegiate summer leagues. The VBL has produced well over 1,100 professional baseball players, including a record 79 former players drafted in the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Virginia Horse Center – Located in Lexington, the Virginia Horse Center provides a world-class facility hosting regional, national, and international equestrian events. This 600 acre facility holds 19 show rings, a 4,000 seat Coliseum, 8 barns, cross country and combined carriage driving courses, a tractor pull, campgrounds, special event spaces, and full café services.

Dining & Restaurants

The Shenandoah Valley was farm-to-table before farm-to-table was cool. It’s in our DNA and has always been a part of our culture. Local is defined by a country drive, not a 100+ mile commute. Our landscape is dotted with options for locally raised meats, Valley crafted cheese, and fresh veggie faire – discover them all on the Fields of Gold Farm Trail. Drink in the best of over 15 local craft beer breweries along the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail, more than 20 wineries on the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail, and local spirits including cideries and distilleries on the Shenandoah Spirits Trail.

Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley quenches every thirst and satisfies every appetite. Visit our partners for where to eat and drink in the Valley. ShenandoahValley.org + VisitShenandoah.org

Festivals & Events

Shenandoah Valley festivals reflect the creativity and pride of the folks fortunate enough to call this Virginia valley home. Our events create a shared experience where we can celebrate our history with the community of our future.

Visit our County Fairs and the Highland County Maple Festival for the full agricultural experience, or take in high culture with the American Shakespeare Center and the Heifetz International Music Institute. Live music across the Valley varies from old time jams to urban punk, from major performing arts centers to college radio festivals. Family-friendly festivals like the Red Wing Roots Festival and the Harrisonburg International Festival ensure that our arts and entertainment remain a full family affair. From mountain clogging to cocktail sipping, enjoy diverse culture for all ages in the Shenandoah Valley.

Visit our partners for a calendar of events to make you feel right at home in the Shenandoah Valley. ShenandoahValley.org + VisitShenandoah.org