If you’re looking for a beautiful getaway, look no further than a trip to Harrisonburg, Virginia. Nestled into the gorgeous Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg offers a unique mixture of city activity and nature getaways. “The Friendly City” provides something for every type of vacation: family vacation, anniversary trip, honeymoon, and more. There’s truly something for everyone. We’ll help you through every step of planning your perfect Harrisonburg vacation.
Where to stay
The most important, and thus the first, step in planning your vacation is booking your hotel. Harrisonburg offers a wide variety of lodging options:
If you’re the historical-inn type, the local inns are perfect for you. They’re ideal for a romantic getaway or a family vacation.
If a chain hotel is more your speed, Harrisonburg has several options. The best hotel in town is, of course, the Hilton Garden Inn, conveniently located just off East Market Street.
Harrisonburg also has a beautiful bed and breakfast and several hotels with pet accommodations if necessary.
Where to eat
Food in Harrisonburg is diverse and delicious. There’s a wide variety of dining options ranging from foreign cuisine to southern comfort food available in: Sit-down restaurants Food trucks Many places offer delivery options
For a romantic date night, I highly recommend having dinner at a unique Harrisonburg Italian restaurant known for some of the best pizza in town. Afterward, attend a feature at the local theater.
If a picnic is more your style, check out a café that offers a wide variety of delicious and local sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups, and pastas. They also provide delivery.
Pro tip: If you have dietary restrictions, many of the restaurants in town offer gluten-free accommodations as well as detailed allergen menus.
Harrisonburg offers a wide variety of family-friendly fun. If you’re looking for outdoor activities, the city has twelve public parks within its limits and is close to: Shenandoah National Forest Beautiful Reddish Knob
You can find a variety of hiking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds to choose from.
Harrisonburg is also home to: The Explore More Discovery Museum You Make It, a paint-your-own pottery place
Cat’s Cradle, where you can play with kitties for a mid-afternoon break
You can also walk around the beautiful and large campus of James Madison University. If you feel like traveling a short distance, consider visiting: Luray Caverns Shenandoah National Park Reddish Knob
The American Shakespeare Theatre in Staunton for an authentic Shakespearean experience.
Grown-up fun
For adults, Harrisonburg has four amazing breweries and is part of the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail. Its close proximity to Timberville offers additional options for wine lovers.
A local restaurant and bar features shows most weekends and has a fun literary theme to its menu.
Harrisonburg is also home to a wide variety of foreign cuisine, including: Thai Korean Vietnamese Cuban
You can find several bars, theaters, and art galleries around the city, as well as concerts at various restaurants and monthly Drag Shows at the local venue.
Local fun
If you’re interested in getting the local experience of Harrisonburg, a trip downtown is a must. You can enjoy breakfast or lunch at a delicious, one-of-a-kind café that also offers gluten-free accommodations.
Explore many wonderful local shops, including: A local bakery A craft store
An art gallery that also has a comic book shop inside A pet treat shop for your furry friends
Finish up your walk with a sweet treat from a nearby dessert shop located beside the café.
Shopping
For shopping enthusiasts, Harrisonburg has plenty to offer. In addition to hundreds of shops downtown, you can visit the local market, which is home to several Mennonite-owned businesses.
You can find Harrisonburg exclusives from shops like: A local clothing store A costume shop A bookstore A pet treat shop
Theaters
Harrisonburg has a fairly large and nice movie theater, as well as the American Shakespeare Theatre. About twenty minutes outside of town is the amazing Blackfriars Playhouse, which offers a unique, authentic Shakespearean experience.
Museums
In addition to the Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg is home to several other museums, including: Virginia Quilt Museum Valley Turnpike Museum Museum of American Jewelry Design Hostetter Museum of Natural History Larry W. Shifflett Fire Museum A Civil War museum Heritage Museum James Madison University Mineral Museum John C. Wells Planetarium at JMU Nearby, you can also explore: Daniel Harrison House Miller Kite House Plains District Memorial Museum Port Republic Museum Frontier Culture Museum
Breweries and Wineries
Harrisonburg is home to four breweries: Pale Fire Brewing Company Brothers Craft Brewing Random Row Brewing And more
Each of these breweries offers delicious and unique beers, access to food trucks or delivery, and often hosts shows and festivals.
One brewery features a cozy fireplace, several board games, and a little free library. All of the breweries provide a variety of games for guests.
In addition, a winery located in Harrisonburg offers a variety of wines and gifts, as well as tours of the farm. Another winery, located in Bridgewater just twenty minutes outside of Harrisonburg, features beautiful scenery and is dog-friendly.
Whether you’re going on a family vacation or in need of a second honeymoon, Harrisonburg is the perfect destination for you. With a wide variety of city activities, nature getaways, family and grown-up fun, and more, Harrisonburg truly has something for everyone to enjoy. Due to its more rural setting, it’s also more affordable than a typical city vacation. You’re sure to enjoy your visit to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, no matter the type of vacation you choose.
