Shenandoah Valley

Plan Your Trip

Travel Tools for a Seamless Shenandoah Valley Experience

Are you planning to travel—or already traveling—through the Shenandoah Valley? Whether you’re winding your way down the Blue Ridge or hopping between historic towns, there’s always something just around the bend.

 

To make it easy, we’ve divided the Shenandoah Valley into two regions: North Shenandoah Valley and South Shenandoah Valley.

Each offers its own unforgettable mix of landscapes, experiences, and charm. Use one of the itineraries below to explore— no matter where you are, North or South Shenandoah Valley, you’ll never be more than an hour away from your next adventure.

Click on the interactive map to select a curated itinerary to explore.

Shenandoah Valley2

North Shenandoah Valley

History, Gardens & Easy Adventure

for Older Adults

Day 1

Winchester Wonders

  • Morning tour of the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
  • Lunch in Old Town Winchester with café seating
  • Visit Abram’s Delight or explore the gardens
  • Stay at The George Washington Hotel

Day 2

Countryside Drives & Covered Bridges

  • Scenic drive through Shenandoah County
  • Visit Meems Bottom Covered Bridge
  • Midday tasting at Muse Vineyards
  • Dinner at Edinburg Mill Restaurant

Day 3

History & Culture in Clarke County

Big Fun in the Big Outdoors

Fun for Families

Day 1

Caverns & Curiosity

  • Tour Luray Caverns (stalactites + antique car museum)
  • Lunch at the café or nearby diner
  • Afternoon splash in the Hawksbill Greenway Park
  • Stay in a riverside cabin or family-friendly lodge

Day 2

Water Adventures & Wildlife

  • Morning tubing trip with Shenandoah River Outfitters
  • Afternoon visit to Skyline Drive for a short kid-friendly hike
  • Dinner in Front Royal, ice cream on Main Street

Day 3

Farm Fun & Farewell

  • Visit a working farm in Shenandoah County with animals or u-pick berries
  • Connect with your inner child at Dinosaur Land and Applewood Raceway
  • Stop at a farmers market or bakery before heading out

Northern Shenandoah Valley, Elevated

for Adventure Seekers

Day 1

Summit & Sip

  • Sunrise hike to Stony Man Summit via Skyline Drive
  • Late morning coffee in Front Royal
  • Afternoon kayaking or rafting on the Shenandoah River
  • Dinner + drinks in a restored downtown warehouse

Day 2

Paddle & Pour

  • Morning bike ride on Hawksbill Greenway or forested back roads
  • Tour and tasting at Wisteria Farm & Vineyard
  • Explore Downtown Luray galleries or grab a local beer
  • Stay in a treehouse, yurt, or boutique cabin

Day 3

Berryville & Beyond

  • Brunch at L’Auberge Provençale or Cordial Coffee
  • Hike the Appalachian Trails
  • Bike Cool Spring Battlefield Trails along the Shenandoah River
  • Cheers at Chilly Hollow Brewing Company

South Shenandoah Valley

Uninterrupted Beauty & Cultural Charm

for Older Adults

Day 1

History & Arts in Staunton

  • Explore the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
  • Lunch on Beverley Street at a historic café
  • Get the perfect shot the Camera Heritage Museum
  • Matinee show at the American Shakespeare Center
  • Dinner at Zynodoa (farm-to-table, elevated Southern cuisine)

Day 2

Garden Walks & Scenic Drives

  • Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping at overlooks
  • Visit Andre Viette’s Garden Center or a lavender farm in Waynesboro
  • Wine tasting at Barren Ridge Vineyards
  • Evening at The Blackburn Inn or quaint B&B in Lexington

Day 3

Lexington’s Legacy

  • Morning carriage tour of downtown Lexington
  • Visit Virginia Military Institute Museum
  • Browse local galleries before departing

Easy-Going Escapes for Every Generation

Fun for Families

Day 1

Harrisonburg Highlights

  • Breakfast at a downtown diner
  • Visit Explore More Discovery Museum for young kids
  • Stroll through the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
  • Dinner at Jack Brown’s or Grilled Cheese Mania

Day 2

Resort Fun & Family Thrills

  • Head to Massanutten Resort for Waterpark fun (indoors or out), ziplining, mini golf or a scenic chairlift ride
  • Picnic lunch or dine at the Summit
  • Evening s’mores at your cabin or suite

Day 3

Underground Wonders & Sweet Treats

  • Tour Grand Caverns in Grottoes
  • Stop at Smiley’s Ice Cream or a roadside stand on your way home

Thrill & Chill in the Southern Shenandoah Valley

for Adventure Seekers

Day 1

Peaks & Pour-overs

Day 2

Paddle & Pour

  • Kayak or SUP on the Maury River in Buena Vista
  • Late lunch at Pure Eats or Heliotrope Brewery
  • Sunset wine tasting at Rockbridge Vineyard
  • Stargazing in Natural Bridge State Park

Day 3

Brunch & Browse

  • Sunday brunch in Staunton
  • Stop by artisan markets or antique shops on your route home

Valley Map Mobile

North Shenandoah Valley

History, Gardens & Easy Adventure

for Older Adults

Day 1

Winchester Wonders

  • Morning tour of the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
  • Lunch in Old Town Winchester with café seating
  • Visit Abram’s Delight or explore the gardens
  • Stay at The George Washington Hotel

Day 2

Countryside Drives & Covered Bridges

  • Scenic drive through Shenandoah County
  • Visit Meems Bottom Covered Bridge
  • Midday tasting at Muse Vineyards
  • Dinner at Edinburg Mill Restaurant

Day 3

History & Culture in Clarke County

Big Fun in the Big Outdoors

Fun for Families

Day 1

Caverns & Curiosity

  • Tour Luray Caverns (stalactites + antique car museum)
  • Lunch at the café or nearby diner
  • Afternoon splash in the Hawksbill Greenway Park
  • Stay in a riverside cabin or family-friendly lodge

Day 2

Water Adventures & Wildlife

  • Morning tubing trip with Shenandoah River Outfitters
  • Afternoon visit to Skyline Drive for a short kid-friendly hike
  • Dinner in Front Royal, ice cream on Main Street

Day 3

Farm Fun & Farewell

  • Visit a working farm in Shenandoah County with animals or u-pick berries
  • Connect with your inner child at Dinosaur Land and Applewood Raceway
  • Stop at a farmers market or bakery before heading out

Northern Shenandoah Valley, Elevated

for Adventure Seekers

Day 1

Summit & Sip

  • Sunrise hike to Stony Man Summit via Skyline Drive
  • Late morning coffee in Front Royal
  • Afternoon kayaking or rafting on the Shenandoah River
  • Dinner + drinks in a restored downtown warehouse

Day 2

Paddle & Pour

  • Morning bike ride on Hawksbill Greenway or forested back roads
  • Tour and tasting at Wisteria Farm & Vineyard
  • Explore Downtown Luray galleries or grab a local beer
  • Stay in a treehouse, yurt, or boutique cabin

Day 3

Berryville & Beyond

  • Brunch at L’Auberge Provençale or Cordial Coffee
  • Hike the Appalachian Trails
  • Bike Cool Spring Battlefield Trails along the Shenandoah River
  • Cheers at Chilly Hollow Brewing Company

South Shenandoah Valley

Uninterrupted Beauty & Cultural Charm

for Older Adults

Day 1

History & Arts in Staunton

  • Explore the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
  • Lunch on Beverley Street at a historic café
  • Get the perfect shot the Camera Heritage Museum
  • Matinee show at the American Shakespeare Center
  • Dinner at Zynodoa (farm-to-table, elevated Southern cuisine)

Day 2

Garden Walks & Scenic Drives

  • Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping at overlooks
  • Visit Andre Viette’s Garden Center or a lavender farm in Waynesboro
  • Wine tasting at Barren Ridge Vineyards
  • Evening at The Blackburn Inn or quaint B&B in Lexington

Day 3

Lexington’s Legacy

  • Morning carriage tour of downtown Lexington
  • Visit Virginia Military Institute Museum
  • Browse local galleries before departing

Easy-Going Escapes for Every Generation

Fun for Families

Day 1

Harrisonburg Highlights

  • Breakfast at a downtown diner
  • Visit Explore More Discovery Museum for young kids
  • Stroll through the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
  • Dinner at Jack Brown’s or Grilled Cheese Mania

Day 2

Resort Fun & Family Thrills

  • Head to Massanutten Resort for Waterpark fun (indoors or out), ziplining, mini golf or a scenic chairlift ride
  • Picnic lunch or dine at the Summit
  • Evening s’mores at your cabin or suite

Day 3

Underground Wonders & Sweet Treats

  • Tour Grand Caverns in Grottoes
  • Stop at Smiley’s Ice Cream or a roadside stand on your way home

Thrill & Chill in the Southern Shenandoah Valley

for Adventure Seekers

Day 1

Peaks & Pour-overs

Day 2

Paddle & Pour

  • Kayak or SUP on the Maury River in Buena Vista
  • Late lunch at Pure Eats or Heliotrope Brewery
  • Sunset wine tasting at Rockbridge Vineyard
  • Stargazing in Natural Bridge State Park

Day 3

Brunch & Browse

  • Sunday brunch in Staunton
  • Stop by artisan markets or antique shops on your route home

Discover the Valley’s Heritage

Historic & Cultural Tours

Day 1

Civil War & Beyond

Day 2

Presidential & Artistic Heritage

Day 3

Black Heritage Trail

Valley by the Mile

Scenic Routes

Day 1

Northern Valley

Day 2

Middle Valley Meander

Day 3

Southern Peaks

Where to Stay

From boutique inns and cabins to family hotels and resorts.

Getting Here

Centrally located along I-81, just a few hours from Washington, D.C., and Richmond. Multiple access points by car, bus, and air.

" " " "