Virginia Tourism Office....

WINCHESTER IS THE APPLE OF ANY TOURIST'S EYE

or

WINCHESTER: MORE THAN AN APPLE A DAY

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but visits to Virginia towns like Winchester are also good for your health. A visit to this historic town is definitely just what the doctor ordered, as historic and scenic Winchester and the surrounding area of Frederick County are definitely apples for any tourist's eye.

Ideally situated at the northern end of the stunningly beautiful Shenandoah Valley, just 22 miles from the Skyline Drive, the Winchester area is an ideal destination anytime of year. From historic sightseeing to a wide variety of seasonal events, there's a bushel full of reasons for visiting Winchester.

A trip to the area should start at the Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center, located just off I-81 in the Hollingsworth Mill House. Friendly staff members are there seven days a week (except major holidays) to provide information, brochures, and maps about attractions, events, restaurants, lodging, and shops found throughout the area.

The Visitor Center adjoins one of Winchester's three major museums, Abrams Delight, which was built in 1754 by one of the area's earliest settlers, Abraham Hollingsworth. It is the oldest house in Winchester and is open daily from April through October, with furnishings and artifacts from early settlement life in the Shenandoah Valley. The house has been witness to the settlement of Winchester and Frederick County, the formation of the US, the strife of the Civil War, and lots of curious tourists.

Another early Winchester building popular with tourists is George Washington's Office Museum in the downtown area. Washington was intimately involved in the early settlement of Winchester and was twice elected to represent the county in the Virginia House of Burgesses before the Revolutionary War. He used the small log cabin in 1755 and 1756 as an office, while he supervised the construction of Fort Loudoun as protection against Indians and the French. The cabin now serves as a museum, with many artifacts from that time, including surveying tools, plans for Fort Loudoun, inventory records, militia memorabilia, and uniforms.

Just north on Braddock Street, Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters Museum serves as a third draw for museum and history buffs. The Gothic Revival-style house has been lovingly restored and furnished much as it was while Jackson led Confederate operations during the Civil War. There are hundreds of Civil War artifacts and memorabilia, including Jackson's prayer book, his camp table, and noted Confederate officer Turner Ashby's revolver. The beautiful gilded wallpaper was donated by actress Mary Tyler Moore, who's great, great grandfather owned the house and hosted Jackson in Winchester.

Because of its geography, Winchester was one of the Civil War's most embattled cities. In less than four years time, Winchester was the site of three major battles within its very city limits and changed hands more than 70 times! Along with Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters Museum, other area attractions for Civil War buffs include Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation.

Cedar Creek Battlefield was the location for the battle that put the Shenandoah Valley back in the hands of the Union, where it would remain for the rest of the Civil War. Today, a Visitors Center and Book Store draws thousands of visitors annually. Each year in October, one of the largest battle reenactments and living history programs in the country is held on the Cedar Creek Battlefield. Nearby, the 18th century Belle Grove Plantation, used as the Union's headquarters, is completely restored and open for tours mid-March through mid-November.

For some more recent history, country music lovers flock to Winchester to celebrate the legacy of Patsy Cline. Patsy, elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973, spent most of her life in Winchester, until here shocking death in a 1963 plane crash. Her hit songs included "Sweet Dreams," "Walkin' After Midnight," "Crazy," "I Fall to Pieces," and many others. Celebrating Patsy Cline, Inc. has created a wonderful brochure highlighting landmarks and historical sites, including her home, her recording studio, her high school, and the radio station where she often performed.

While Winchester is definitely full of historic sightseeing opportunities, there's plenty of present-day pleasures as well. Frederick County is the largest apple producer in the state and one of the largest in the nation. The community is surrounded by apple orchards, making for pretty country drives. Each fall, the pickers descend upon the area to harvest the crop, while hungry tourists head to Winchester for picking, buying, tasting, and a variety of events showcasing the area's fruity specialty.

In the spring, the apple orchards burst into bloom in time for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, offering residents and visitors from around the world irresistible festivities, including the Firefighter's Parade (the nation's largest display of firefighting equipment), the Grand Feature Parade, with marching bands, celebrities, and floats, the coronation of Queen Shenandoah, and much more. This annual event makes for a perfect time to visit the area, but make your reservations early.

Tasteful modern-day shopping and dining can be found throughout the area. Winchester's downtown features the Shops of Old Town Winchester, with a variety of ways to shop 'til you drop and then reward yourself with some home cookin' and regional favorites like peanut soup, smothered chicken, baked squash, or homemade apple pie. Further afield, shoppers will enjoy the modern Apple Blossom Mall, the small local shops at Creekside Village, antiques at Millwood Crossing, fresh fruits and vegetables at the Virginia Farm Market, or the recently opened Everything Rubbermaid Store, where you can find every Rubbermaid product imaginable.

Along with historic battlefields and rolling countryside, the Frederick County area surrounding Winchester features many small Shenandoah Valley towns worth a visit (or a weekend). Quiet towns like Middletown and Berryville offer wonderful little inns, restaurants, shopping, cultural events, and lots of friendly locals. From the tasty potato chips at Middletown's Route 11 Potato Chips to a stay, a meal, or play at the historic Wayside Inn, Frederick County is perfect for forays out of Winchester.

Whether it's for a weekend or a week, Winchester and Frederick County are well worth a visit. With a wide variety of accommodations and dining options, as well as a long list of attractions, it's easy to see why this part of Virginia is for lovers of all types. From your first bite of an apple, you'll love coming back for many more tastes.

WINCHESTER & FREDERICK COUNTY CONTACT SHEET

Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

1360 S. Pleasant Valley Road

Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 662-4188 or (800) 662-1360

Abram's Delight Museum

1340 S. Pleasant Valley Road

Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 662-6519

George Washington's Office Museum

Braddock and Cork Streets

Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 662-4412

Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters Museum

415 North Braddock Street

Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 667-3242

Cedar Creek Battlefield

PO Box 229

Middletown, VA 22645

(540) 869-2064

Belle Grove Plantation

PO Box 137

Middletown, VA 22645

(540) 869-2028

Celebrating Patsy Cline, Inc.

PO Box 3735

Winchester, VA 22604

(540) 662-7000

Shops of Old Town Winchester

15 North Cameron Street

Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 665-0079

Apple Blossom Mall

1850 Apple Blossom Drive

Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 665-0201

Creekside Village

c/o 1712 Handley Avenue

Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 667-1116

Millwood Crossing

381 Millwood Avenue

Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 662-5157

Virginia Farm Market

522 North, Route 2, Box 1

Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 665-8000

Everything Rubbermaid Store

Montgomery Ward Plaza, 2280 Valley Avenue

Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 678-4695

Route 11 Potato Chips

2325 First Street, Box 351

Middletown, VA 22645

(540) 869-0104

Wayside Inn

7783 Main Street

Middletown, VA 22645

(540) 869-1797