Things to Do When It Gets Dark Early

October’s warm sunlight might have fooled you, but along with bold colors, autumn brings shorter days. In fact, with daylight savings time arriving soon, the days are about to get even shorter. When you’re used to spending your free time outside hiking and biking, it can be challenging to switch gears and find low-light alternatives. Fortunately, the Shenandoah Valley has lots of fun options for having fun after dark. Don’t let the darkness dim your spirits: here’s what to do when the daylight hours wane.

Hike, Stargaze, and Experience Luminary Nights

Lean into the extra night hours with a stargazing adventure at Natural Bridge State Park, a Dark Sky Park. Dark Sky Parks preserve night sky heritage, prevent energy waste, and protect the nocturnal environment for generations to come. NBSP boasts low light pollution and a protected nocturnal environment. On scheduled evenings, visitors can reserve a hay ride or hike the Skyline Trail to Jefferson Point to find a number of observation locations with clear, open views. The park holds other events to celebrate new moons, meteor showers, and more. The next dark sky event is scheduled for November 30. 

Join the festivities during one of December’s Luminary Nights. On Fridays and Saturdays, visitors can also enjoy an illuminated nighttime walk along Cedar Creek and under the natural bridge. If you visit on Sunday, don’t forget to reserve your spot in a horse-drawn carriage with Lexington Carriage Company.  Natural Bridge State Park / 6477 S. Lee Hwy.

Sip some local beer or wine at Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery, then dine and stay over at Natural Bridge Hotel Colonial Dining Room or Red Fox Tavern, located just up the hill from Natural Bridge State Park.

Solve Puzzles and Uncover History

Grab a group of family and friends and work together to solve the puzzles at Crack the Code Escape Room. Choose from five different puzzles with unique themes and varying levels of difficulty. Will you race to escape a runaway subway car? Battle the Dark Mage to save the world from evil spells? Help Santa get unfreeze time and deliver all the gifts in time for Christmas? These exciting storylines and challenging puzzles will get your adrenaline going and provide lots of fun and teamwork. Crack the Code Escape Room / 300 Church St Bldg. B, Staunton

After you escape, fuel your brain and body at Latin Soul Restaurant, Byers Street Bistro, or The Depot Grille, all just steps away. If you’re looking for some history and a few thrills, Ghosts of Staunton Walking Tours will share the most haunted spots in Staunton.

Enjoy a Craft Beer and Activity Line Up

PRO RE NATA PLUS recently opened its new location in Augusta County with award-winning head brewer Derek Hornig, who is recognized as one of Virginia’s most talented brewers. PRO RE NATA PLUS’s beers include lagers, pilsners, and IPAs and a rotating seasonal selection of stouts, sours, Oktoberfests, wines, and ciders. In addition to beer, PRO RE NATA PLUS serves several types of salads, nachos, and creative, customizable pizzas. The onsite B&C Food Company food truck serves Southern comfort food with an Asian flair. Stay tuned for events like live acoustic music, specialty food nights, trivia, karaoke, open mic nights, and art and craft markets. Stop at the Factory Antique Mall or Grand Caverns for a fun outing before hitting the brewery. PRO RE NATA PLUS / 414 Parkersburg Turnpike, Staunton.

Sip, Learn, and Connect with Your Community

Rootstock Wine Bar’s vision is “to bring the world of wine to downtown Harrisonburg.” The welcoming space’s “goal is simple: to make the world of wine accessible, approachable, and, above all, fun.” Rootstock serves as the remote tasting room for Bluestone Vineyard. It also offers more than 50 other local and international wines as well as cocktails, guaranteeing something to please all palates. The wine bar hosts happy hours, tastings, First Friday art exhibits, and the “Wine Amongst Friends” series that seeks to help wine lovers connect with each other and enjoy new blends. Rootstock Wine Bar / 86 W. Gay St., Harrisonburg.

After your tasting, visit more businesses in downtown Harrisonburg’s west end. Shop at Liberty St. Mercantile for coffee and books and stop by Sage Bird Ciderworks for a cider cocktail.

Keep Busy all Day and Night

Virginia Metalcrafters Marketplace is a full day of fun located indoors. Start your day enjoying and learning about coffee at Happ Coffee Roasters. The attached cafe showcases local artisans. Next, play arcade games, drink craft beer, and eat great bar food at Basic City Beer Co. Grab a craft cocktail with a story at the speakeasy-style Showroom, or relax in the upscale tasting room at Common Wealth Crush, an urban winery co-op that serves local wines. In the evening, check out the sunset at Waynesboro’s new Sunset Park before returning to VMM to catch a show at the Foundry, an 800-person music venue that hosts local and national acts, and serves beer, wine, cider, and cocktails. Virginia Metalcrafters Marketplace / 1010 E Main Street, Waynesboro.

If you want to leave VMM, Blue Ridge Bucha, Virginia’s first kombucha tasting room, is just down the road. You can also go to The Matriarchists mocktail and flower bar, where they empower women with wisdom, community, and delicious non-alcoholic sips.

Visit an Arts and Culture Hub

When it’s dark outside, head to the Barns of Rose Hill for a music concert, art exhibit or cultural art workshop. The modern performing arts and community center was built in a pair of renovated dairy barns that were donated to the town for use for “the educational, recreational and cultural benefit of the community.” The center boasts a cozy atmosphere, perfect for meeting friends for a drink and checking out the rotating art exhibits. The concert schedule is eclectic and includes a series for every mood: BBQ and Bluegrass Series, Celtic Music Series, Classical Music Series or Jazz and Blues Series. The space rings in the season with holiday music. Enjoy fun workshops and programs such as yoga classes, sip & paint, film screenings, and trivia. Barns of Rose Hill / 95 Chalmers Court, Berryville.

Arrive in Berryville early for downtown shopping in boutique shops. Get a bite to eat at Zen Ramen, Suecat’s Bistro, Mario’s Pizza, or NIK’s Italian.  Stay in Berryville overnight so you can enjoy a nature walk around the beautiful grounds of Blandy Experimental Farm, Virginia’s State Arboretum. You can also tour the historic Long Branch house for gorgeous views and art.

From stargazing hikes to escape rooms, breweries to wineries, and cozy concerts to vibrant art scenes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy after dark. Plan your visit today and discover the magic of the Shenandoah Valley at night!