There is so much to do and see when you stay at a Blue Ridge Mountains bed and breakfast.
As you plan your Blue Ridge Parkway bed and breakfast getaway, the information below will help point you toward some of the area's must-see spots, but this is just the beginning of what this area has to offer.
LURAY: South Court Inn
The Town of Luray lies at the intersection of US RT 340 and US RT 211, between the Blue Ridge and Massanutten Mountains, only 90 miles from Washington, DC. The town gained fame in the mid-1800s as the home of Luray Caverns and became a destination for vacations and chartered train tourists coming to see "one of the natural wonders of the world." Today, Luray continues to serve visitors to the Caverns and those looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the area, quiet pastoral countryside, and outdoor activities such as hiking, bicycling, water sports, fishing, and hunting. Only 9 miles from the Thornton Gap, Skyline Drive, and the Shenandoah River, Luray is centrally located for access to activities across the Valley. Major Attractions: Luray Caverns, Warehouse Art Gallery, BB&T Performing Arts Center, the Page (Movie) Theater, the Singing Tower, the Car Museum, Page Valley Museum, Luray Zoo, Garden Maze, Hawksbill Greenway Park, with 2 miles of walking trails, and Lake Arrowhead Park. Annual Festivals: Family Fun Fest Mother's Day weekend, Oak Leaf Bluegrass and Mountain Festival, Agricultural and Industrial Fair and Luray International Triathlon, all in August, and Page County Heritage Festival on Columbus Day weekend.
FRONT ROYAL: Killahevlin & Lackawanna
Front Royal, the Gateway to the Skyline Drive, is located near the intersection of Interstates 81 and 66, so it is easily accessible from most of the Mid-Atlantic area. Also known as "the Canoe Capital of Virginia," we sit at the junction of the South and North forks of the famed Shenandoah River. Area attractions include hiking along Skyline Drive and other local parks, canoeing and kayaking on the Shenandoah River, browsing local antique shops, golfing at some of Northern Virginia's finest (and most reasonably priced) courses, and tasting some of Virginia's finest wines at our local wineries. Foodies won't be disappointed with the unique and interesting restaurants downtown Front Royal has to offer. Historic downtown Front Royal epitomizes the friendly Southern small town with quaint shops and welcoming locals. Civil War enthusiasts will find history here at every turn where Custer's men skirmished with Mosby's Rangers. Check out the Visitors' Center or one of our local museums to learn more about the history of this two-hundred-plus-year-old town.
WINCHESTER: Long Hill
Winchester, the county seat of the County of Frederick, is the oldest English settlement west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is rich in history. The French and Indian, Revolutionary, and Civil Wars had great presence in this area. George Washington surveyed the area and was elected to the House of Burgesses from Frederick County. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, George Washington and Stonewall Jackson Headquarters, and Abrams Delight and Belle Grove bring history to life. Winchester is also as modern as today! Shenandoah University offers a wide selection of degrees including many medical-related majors, and with its outstanding Conservatory of Music provides cultural entertainment year round. Old town Winchester has the distinction of being the oldest pedestrian mall in Virginia. It is lined and surrounded with excellent restaurants and specialty shops. Farmers Markets, antique shops, live community theatre, golfing, and three area parks offer the traveler many choices for activities. Frederick County offers hiking and camping for ecology and nature adventures.
HARRISONBURG: By the Side of the Road
Located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, our local culture of small, valley towns, historic places, and outdoor recreation offer many reasons to keep coming back to the Harrisonburg area. Whether you travel along Interstate-81 or in the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive, Harrisonburg is minutes from many of Virginia's most beautiful places. Begin by visiting the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitors Center. The travel staff is available everyday 9am-5pm. A must see is the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Center, landscaped with native plants, botanical gardens, and a walking trail. Watch for Old-Order Mennonites in horse-drawn buggies near the historic Silver Lake Mill and Dayton Farmer's Market. Shop the Green Valley Bookfair-the mid-Atlantic's largest bookstore. Planning to get outdoors? With great services and local guides, visitors can road bike or mountain bike, canoe or kayak, climb and cave. Ride horseback along our mountain trails or take your exploration underground at Grand Caverns. Ranked by Backpacker Magazine as a top spot for families to "beat nature deficit disorder," Harrisonburg is the kind of place where outdoor recreation is a priority. Only two hours from the major metros - plan your visit now!
MT. JACKSON: Widow Kips
Mt. Jackson, located in the "Heart of the Shenandoah Valley," is a designated State and National Historic Town. Orkney Springs, circa 1771, is a historic resort west of Mt. Jackson. It is the home of the Shenandoah Valley Music Festivals May through September. The Union Church, circa 1825, has signatures on the walls of soldiers serving during the Civil War. Our Soldiers Cemetery and the Veterans Memorial Park are also on Route 11. Shenandoah Caverns, American Celebration on Parade, and the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory are on the path from the Meems Bottom Covered Bridge. Take a tour of the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory. In addition to our Apple/Blue Grass Festival, the second weekend of October every year, there are three wineries - Cave Ridge, Crooked Run, and Wolf Gap, also three golf courses - Bryce Resort, Shenvalee, and Parksaddle. Canoeing and fishing on the Shenandoah River - plus many hiking trails. The second weekend of August each year is the longest "Yard Crawl" (yard sale), stretching 40 miles from Stephens City to New Market on Route 11.
NEW MARKET: Rosendale
New Market, cradled by the Massanutten and Blue Ridge Mountains on the East and the Alleghany Mountains on the West, is the southern-most town in Shenandoah County. The town is filled with quaint shops and down home restaurants. Located close to three major caverns, Luray, Endless, and Shenandoah, and just minutes from great hiking trails in the George Washington National Forest, the area is a nature lovers dream. New Market Civil War Battlefield, with interpretive trails and a state-of-the-art visitor's center offers the Civil War buff a true connection with history. Historic New Market is both a focal point and a departure hub for visitors to the Shenandoah Valley. The town and its immediate surrounds are rich in shops, underground caverns, and the only working covered bridge in Virginia. Visitors can experience the May Civil War reenactment, festivals, a guided walking tour, golf, antique shops, underground Endless Caverns, or go from here to breathtaking Skyline Drive to the East, Jefferson's Monticello to the South, West Virginia to the West, and Virginia wine country to the North.
FAIRFIELD: Fox Hill
Nestled in the Southern part of the Shenandoah Valley, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Fairfield is a haven of tranquility, fresh air, meadows, rivers, waterfalls, country lanes, and awesome mountain views from just about every spot you stand. Outdoor adventures abound, including discovering special places along the Blue Ridge Parkway, hiking, fishing, swimming, canoeing, and horseback riding. Here you'll find some of the most spectacular country roads in Virginia to explore via motorcycle or bicycle. Nearby are both Rockbridge and Lexington Valley Vineyards for wine tasting and vineyard tours, Wade's Mill where they grind grains with a water-powered mill stone and have a fabulous kitchen shop, Orchardside Yarn Shop and Berry Farm, lots of places to uncover that perfect antique to add to your collection, Brownsburg Museum, and Goshen Pass -- a beautiful ride through a mountain pass surrounded with rocky cliffs and the cascading waters of the Maury River. It's the perfect place to get your "nature fix" but still be close to towns when you're ready for shopping, dining, theater, and other amusements. Just off Exit 200 on Interstate 81, Fairfield is easy to get to and convenient to both Lexington (13 miles south) and Staunton (20 miles north).
STAUNTON:
Staunton is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley with easy access from interstates 81 and 64. It is a charming college town with stately trees and beautiful heritage homes. Settled in 1732 by the Scots-Irish, Staunton is one of oldest cities west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Staunton has a vibrant downtown with nationally recognized performing arts venues and historic attractions such as the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace and Presidential Library. There are six historic districts. Other points of interest include Mary Baldwin College, Stuart Hall, Virginia Institute for the Deaf and Blind, Blackfriar's Playhouse, quaint boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries, Old Wharf district, Farmer's Market (seasonal), coffee shops and gourmet restaurants, Gypsy Hill Park, American Frontier Culture Museum, Old Western State Hospital, and the Staunton-Augusta Center for History and Art. Staunton is ideally located for quick and easy excursions to nearby areas that showcase the best of Virginia's natural resources and attractions, such as Monticello, the University of Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Shenandoah National Park. The national Trust for Historic preservation describes Staunton as having a "dynamic downtown, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, and strong commitment to historic preservation and revitalization."
LEXINGTON: Brierly Hill & A B & B at Llewellyn Lodge
Historic Lexington, settled in 1777, is home to Washington and Lee University (est. 1749) and The Virginia Military Institute (est. 1839). Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson are buried in town. Civil War Buffs will enjoy Lee Chapel Museum, Stonewall Jackson House and Cemetery, and the VMI Museum on Post. General George Marshall attended VMI, and there is an on-Post museum honoring him. The Lexington Visitor Center offers horse carriage rides April - October, free guided walking tours every Friday, and Ghost Walks May - October. Natural Bridge and Caverns and the Blue Ridge Parkway, with its spectacular seasonal floral and foliage displays, are 15 minutes from town. Motorcyclists always find plenty of back road exploring. Safari Park, with 1000 exotic animals, is fun for kids and adults. Explore 1700's Wades Mill after you stop for wine tasting at Rockbridge Vineyard. Take in a concert or play outdoors at Lime Kiln Theatre. Hull's Drive-in Theatre offers a throw-back experience as you catch a current flick from your car. Hikers will enjoy the Chessie Nature Trail and the Appalachian Trail. The area has lots of fishing streams, and guided trout fishing is also offered. The Virginia Horse Center, 5 minutes from Lexington, has events almost every week of the year.
WAYNESBORO: Belle Hearth & Iris Inn
Roll down the windows and savor the breeze as you enjoy a leisurely pace along the Skyline Drive or Blue Ridge Parkway. Enjoy the magnificent vistas from over 100 overlooks or spend some time on the 682 miles of hiking trails. Enter the Plumb House and step back in time to the Civil War era as you wander through one of Waynesboro's oldest dwellings. Satisfy your inner artist with a tour of the P. Buckley Moss Museum. Get caught up in the activity of one of the many yearly events or relax by the fireside or in a hot tub at a restful bed & breakfast. Centrally located in Virginia, easily accessible via Interstate 81, and providing access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. Close to the University of Virginia and James Madison University. Several of Virginia's finest vineyards are just a short scenic drive away. Visit Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, outside Charlottesville, just minutes down I-64. If antiquing is your obsession, there are many shops and antique malls close by. Waynesboro is a charming destination as well as an ideal hub for day trips and excursions to surrounding areas.
"Our Streets Are Paved with Memories"