Come See the Shenandoah Valley

"Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you. . ."--"Shenandoah" lyrics

If you're longing for the ideal destination this spring or summer, the Shenandoah Valley is the perfect place to see. The varied attractions and incredible convenience of the Shenandoah Valley are what attracts thousands of visitors annually. It is easily-reached by interstate, via I-81, I-64, and I-66 and is within a one-day drive for half the population of the U.S. Once there, the area stretches north-to-south 200 miles, from West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle down to Roanoke, Virginia.

Made famous by song and history, Shenandoah is an Indian word, meaning "daughter of the stars." This picturesque area is flanked by wooded hills and mountains, ranging in elevation from 3,000 to 5,000 feet. The "Valley" is generally 10 to 20 miles wide and features many small towns and lots of rolling farmland.

I-81 runs the entire length of the beautiful Valley, making it convenient for quick stops at points of interest. However, for those with time, historic Route 11 offers a slow-paced drive, with much more to see and explore along the way. The entire length of the Shenandoah Valley also features smaller roads, leading to many friendly towns and tourist attractions.

This is certainly a region for leisurely driving and lingering. There's incredible scenery year-round, historical sites, world-famous caverns, renowned wineries, antique shopping, and a full array of tourism services. Accommodations range from quaint B&Bs to large resorts.

Visitors can use one place in the Shenandoah Valley as a base for exploration or easily cover the entire length for a complete overview.Along with the people and places, Civil War sites in the Shenandoah Valley draw many visitors. The location and geography of the Valley gave it significant military importance duringthe Civil War. Stonewall Jackson even said, "I have only to say this--if this Valley is lost, Virginia is lost."

The outstanding Virginia Civil War Trails program is prevalent throughout the Valley, as the "Avenue of Invasion." A map and other information, which can be obtained by calling (888) CIVIL WAR, provides lots of background about various Civil War Trails sites, as well as specificdriving routes and more.

The Civil War is a main focus for many visitors, but the Shenandoah Valley's various attractions, activities, dining, and accommodations draw others. From spring wildflowers to summer activities and through to legendary fall foliage and winter sports, the Valley is popular from north to south.

An exploration of the Valley begins in West Virginia's Berkeley County and the town of Martinsburg, which offers great factory outlet shopping. To the east, history buffs will want to explore Jefferson County, with Harpers Ferry and the National Historical Battlefield Park. This town was the site of John Brown's Raid, an attempt at slave liberation and a prelude to the Civil War. There are many interesting exhibits and interpretive presentations.

The large Virginia portion of the Shenandoah Valley begins in the Winchester and Frederick County region. Here, you can take in the scenic beauty of the area, step back in time, visit unique historic landmarks, experience the largest fireman's parade on the East Coast, enjoy professional theater, shop and dine in quaint historic towns, and visit an apple orchard to pick your own apples. Nowhere else can you walk the streets that George Washington, Stonewall Jackson, Admiral Richard E. Byrd, and Patsy Cline have all trod.

Berryville and Clarke County to the east provide more history, culture, and outdoor activities. The Berryville/Clarke County Chamber of Commerce in quaint Berryville is the perfect place to start. At the Chamber, pick up a copy of the "Berryville Walking Tour" and copies of the two driving tours of Clarke County. The walking tour highlights a variety of residential and commercial buildings representing the town's 200-year-old history. The driving tours highlight the historic districts in the county and were prepared by the Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission.

Next, visit Front Royal and Warren County and find the entrance to Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, and more than 370 miles of trails in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Visitor Center in the old Southern Railroad Station on Main Street is your starting place,with many brochures, including a walking tour brochure of historic downtown. Near Front Royalis Skyline Caverns, one of the only places in the world to feature anthodites, the "orchids of the mineral kingdom." As the "Canoe Capital of Virginia," popular outdoor activities include canoeing and tubing, as well as hiking, horseback riding, and excursions to George Washington National Forest or the Appalachian Trail.

Deep in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Route 11 passes through Shenandoah County, with incredible beauty, as mountains rise to the skies on both sides. Along the way, friendly towns are perfect places to stop for a look at small-town Valley life. Antique lovers linger at the Strasburg Emporium or one of many shops along the way, while history buffs love Stonewall Jackson's Museum and the Museum of American Presidents. Travelling south, Woodstock boasts the oldest county courthouse still in use west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Shenandoah County Travel Council office near I-81 has literature and travel information.

Next, stroll through Edinburg's or Mt. Jackson's quaint shops and eateries or take a sidetrip up to Bryce Resort for four-season fun. Visitors to New Market will enjoy the New Market Battlefield Military Museum and New Market Battlefield State Historical Park, where VMI cadets bravely turned the tide of battle in 1864. Natural beauty also abounds in Shenandoah County, with the Shenandoah River, hiking trails, famous Shenandoah Caverns, vineyards, and more.

East of New Market, the Luray and Page County area draws many visitors to its historic streets and colorful caverns. The town is also a great base for exploring the surrounding mountains in the Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, and along the Skyline Drive. Luray and surrounding Page County are perfect for backroad driving. The Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce on Main Street provides information on four self-guided tours of the area and lots more. Luray also lures many people to Luray Caverns. This large facility features a one-hour tour along paved walkways. Luray Cavern's includes the world's only stalacpipe organ, which features stalactites being struck by electronically controlled rubber-tipped plungers and resulting in music of symphonic quality. Other highlights include 140-foot-high ceilings, a crystal-clear wishing well, and formations resembling fried eggs, sunny-side up. Other Luray and Page County attractions include: The White House, which played a critical role in the Civil War in 1862; Shenandoah Jubilee, a musical show featuring country, bluegrass, gospel, and a salute to the Armed Forces; and the Reptile Center and Dinosaur Park, the state's largest live reptile collection. Additional activities in this outdoors-oriented area include canoeing on the Shenandoah River, horseback riding, hiking, camping, fishing, and golf.

The drive down to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County passes through Civil War battlefields preserved in farmland and an abundance of history. Harrisonburg is the home of James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite College, nearby Bridgewater College, and is surrounded by the giant playground of George Washington-Jefferson National Forest. Highlights of the bustling downtown area include the Virginia Quilt Museum and Court Square Theater. The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Convention & Visitors Bureau can provide information about the entire area and its special events, including the immensely popular Rockingham County Fair. Ten miles east of Harrisonburg, Massanutten Resort is a nationally-known four-season haven.

Out around Dayton, several attractions draw tourists, including the Dayton Farmers Market, the Shenandoah Valley Folk Art & Heritage Center, and the Daniel Harrison House, an 18th century home depicting life in the Valley in 1749. Endless Caverns is another big Rockingham County draw. Located up near New Market, Endless Caverns features stunning displays of calcite formations, winding passageways, large rooms, and an underground stream.

The road down to Staunton is short and sweet. This beautiful hilly town, one of the Valley's most varied stops, deserves more than a brief visit. Highlights here include: downtown (just one of Staunton's five National Historic Districts); "Jumbo" (a remarkable antique fire engine); the stained glass windows created by Tiffany Studios for historic Trinity Church; the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace; The Statler Brothers Museum; and the Frontier Culture Museum,featuring 17th, 18th, and 19th working farms. The beautiful countryside surrounding Staunton includes such treasures as Grand Caverns, Natural Chimneys, the Cyrus McCormick Farm, and the P. Buckley Moss Museum.

West of Staunton, the Waynesboro area is another ideal Shenandoah Valley base, with many attractions in town or nearby. The Waynesboro-Augusta County Chamber of Commerceright on Main Street can provide all kinds of information and assistance. The Shenandoah Valley Art Center has art exhibits, studios, classes, lectures, workshops, and performances, while the Waynesboro Heritage Center nearby offers area artifacts, Civil War relics, Indian arrowheads andtools, and many other items relating to the area's past. Virginia Metalcrafters (two locations), theAssociation of Virginia Artisans Fine Craft Gallery, and the P. Buckley Moss Museum are also ideal for that perfect Shenandoah Valley souvenir or gift. Other highlights of the Augusta County area include: Grand Caverns, with towering stalactites and halls; Natural Chimneys, towering 120 feet above the Valley floor; Plumb House, site of the Battle of Waynesboro; Andre Viette Farm and Nursery, with one of the largest collections of perennial flowers in the eastern U.S.; and Fishburne Military School, a leading private military educational institution.

The Homestead, one of America's premier mountain resorts, is located in the village of Hot Springs, in bucolic Bath County. Nestled on 15,000 lush acres at the westernmost tip of the Shenandoah Valley, this magnificent resort has attracted travel-weary visitors for 233 years. Today, the 517-room resort beckons visitors with an array of leisure activities, luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and shopping. The options include golf on three championship courses, tennis, horseback riding and carriage rides, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, fly fishing, shooting sports, falconry lessons, and skiing in winter. The European-syle Spa has recently been restored to its turn-of-the-century grandeur. Other points of interest in Bath County include nearby Lake Moomaw, the Garth Newel Music Center, and the historic village of Warm Springs.

Lexington appeals to travelers with its abundance of history, outdoor adventure, and scenic beauty. A 19th century college town, Lexington is home to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and Washington & Lee (W&L). Favorite stops include: the Stonewall Jackson House; the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery; and narrated horse-drawn carriage tours through Lexington's restored downtown. Rockbridge County attractions consist of: the Virginia Horse Center, with shows almost every weekend; the Theater at Lime Kiln, featuring professional summer theater; Rockbridge Vineyard; Buffalo Springs Herb Farm; and Wade's Mill, a working water-powered flour mill.

South of Lexington is Natural Bridge, one of seven natural wonders of the world. Other Natural Bridge attractions include the Natural Bridge Wax Museum, Natural Bridge Caverns, and the Natural Bridge Zoo. Activities for outdoors enthusiasts range from hiking, canoeing, and cycling to fishing, horseback riding, and llama trekking.

Just a few miles further south, the Roanoke Valley beckons. Roanoke is the Valley's largest city and is the southern end of this famous region. It is known as the "Capital of the Blue Ridge," symbolized by its proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Roanoke is justifiably famous for its Historic Farmers' Market, where farmers have been selling their fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers for almost 120 years. Also in the heart of downtown is Center in the Square, a multi-cultural complex housing art, history, and science museums, a theater, and a planetarium. Nearby, see the Roanoke Star and Mill Mountain Zoological Park, an accredited zoo exhibiting endangered species. West of Roanoke is Salem, highlighting antiques and sporting events, as well as Dixie Caverns.

For further information, contact the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, P.O. Box 1040, Dept. STS, New Market, VA 22844, 877/847-4878 or 540/740-3132. For those on the internet, be sure to visit their excellent website at www.shenandoah.org.

Shenandoah Valley native Lynn Seldon is a travel writer and photographer. His work has appeared in a wide variety of international magazines and newspapers. One of his eight books, Country Roads of Virginia (800/323-4900), is now in its second edition. The Shenandoah Valley chapter is the longest in the book.