Harrisonburg is a fascinating town with a rich history and creative culture in its revitalized downtown district. Stop to see its many art galleries and museums and explore its Newtown zone to learn stories of the former slaves who moved here. Piece together the history of the town through its intriguing relics and structures.
Walk through the downtown area and notice various art studios and galleries that have thrived with the district’s renovation. Get a glimpse into the region’s creativity with a trip to the Virginia Quilt Museum in the 19th-century Warren-Sipe House. The museum hosts temporary exhibits about vintage and modern quilts.
Just across the street is the Explore More Discovery Museum, with a focus on the future. Bring your kids to learn about everything from science to theater from the interactive exhibits.
The region is also known for its family-fun activities. The Massanutten Water Park has an exciting indoor pool with myriad slides, streams and climbing frames. Just north of the water park are the Mountain Greens Golf Course and the Massanutten Ski Resort. Enjoy the snowy winters as you glide down the slopes. Snap photos of the snow-capped Blue Ridge Mountains.
Visit the picturesque countryside in the hot and humid summer. Try the apples and taste the cider at Showalter’s Orchard & Greenhouse. For a change of scenery, delve into the underground caves of the Grand Caverns, where you’ll find fascinating stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone.
The town was named after one of its earliest settlers, Thomas Harrison, who made his home here in the 1730s. Harrisonburg is in the Shenandoah Valley region in the northwestern part of Virginia. Fly to Washington Dulles International Airport and drive west for about 120 miles (190 kilometers) to get here in roughly 2 hours. Visit nearby landmarks, such as the Shenandoah National ParkOpens in a new window and the George Washington and Jefferson national forests.
Visit Harrisonburg for family-fun activities, hands-on museums and an artistic vibe.
