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VIRGINIA EAST & WEST:

Beauty, history, charm:  Lovely valley's got it all

The country charm and convenience of the Shenandoah Valley is what attracts thousands of visitors annually. This peaceful region 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. It stretches north-to-south, from West Virginia's pretty Eastern Panhandle down through Virginia to Roanoke.

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 about 200 miles long and is generally 10 to 20 miles wide.

I-81 runs the entire length of the beautiful valley, making it convenient for quick stops at points of interest. But historic Route 11 features a slower-paced way to explore the region.

The Shenandoah Valley offers 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. You can use one place in the Shenandoah Valley as a base for exploration or easily cover the entire length for a complete overview.

Winchester

For many visitors, the Shenandoah Valley begins in Winchester. With its strategic location and importance, Winchester changed hands 70 times during the Civil War and was the scene of six big battles.

A trip to the area should start at the Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center, located just off I-81 in the Hollingsworth Mill House. It 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.

George Washington's Office Museum in the downtown area is a small log cabin that Washington used as an office in 1755 and 1756, while he supervised the construction of Fort Loudoun as protection against Indians and the French. Just north on Braddock Street, Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters Museum serves as a third draw for museum and history buffs.

Winchester visitors may want to time their stop for the first weekend in May. The Apple Blossom Festival features parades, fairs, and special events.

Middletown

Most visitors to this next major town in the Shenandoah Valley head straight for the Wayside Inn for a great meal (try their peanut soup or other southern dishes) or for the night. Next door sits the Wayside Theatre, a popular place for theatre productions.

Just south of Middletown, stop at Belle Grove Plantation. The stunning house was built in 1794 and is architecturally significant because of the active involvement of Thomas Jefferson in its design.

Strasburg

Ten minutes down the road from Belle Grove is Strasburg, rightfully known as "The Antique Capital of the Blue Ridge." The Strasburg Emporium and other small stores mean you can shop 'til you drop.

South of Strasburg, the Shenandoah Valley continues, with the mountains rising to the skies on both sides. Along the way, friendly towns like Woodstock, Edinburg, and Mt. Jackson are perfect places to stop for a look at local Shenandoah Valley life.

Further south, Shenandoah Caverns surprises many people with its sheer beauty, great tours, and stunning lighting. You descend by elevator to Bacon Hall, where the formations here look remarkably like strips of bacon. Other favorite formations include the Capitol Dome in Cathedral Hall (it looks like the U.S. Capitol) and Rainbow Lake (colorful reflections in a shallow pond).

New Market

The New Market area played a key role in the Civil War and the New Market Battlefield Historical Park memorializes the brave charge of cadets from the Virginia Military Institute on May 15, 1864. The cadets helped to rally the troops and contributed to a major Confederate victory. There are extensive background exhibits and a walking tour of the battlefield.

Luray

Many people are lured to Luray Caverns. This large facility features a one-hour tour along paved walkways. Luray Caverns includes the world's only "stalacpipe" organ, which features stalactites being struck by electronically controlled rubber-tipped plungers.

Staunton

After passing through the busy college city of Harrisonburg, the quieter college town of Staunton awaits. This hilly town offers great shopping, dining, and accommodations options. The Woodrow Wilson Birthplace & Museum gives a great overview of the life and times of the 28th president of the U.S. The most popular exhibit is President Wilson's Pierce-Arrow limousine.

Staunton is also the home of the Museum of American Frontier Culture. This hugely successful undertaking in the Shenandoah Valley countryside features 18th and 19th century working farms from England, Germany, northern Ireland, and America, offering a great overview of the development of the Shenandoah Valley frontier.

A half-hour to the east of Staunton, up in the mountains, the town of Waynesboro is the home of well-known southern artist, P. Buckley Moss. Her stick-figure paintings are collected throughout the world and the Moss Museum in Waynesboro displays and sells much of her work.

Lexington

Travelers are lured to Lexington with lots of history and modern-day attractions. A 19th century college town, Lexington is home to the Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee University.

VMI was founded in 1839 and is the oldest state-supported military college in the nation. It is called "The West Point of the South." Stonewall Jackson taught at VMI and the distinguished list of citizen-soldier graduates includes General George Marshall. Highlights include the cadet barracks, the VMI Chapel and Museum, the George C. Marshall Research Museum, and a dress parade (often held on Friday or Saturday).

Washington & Lee University, right next door, was founded in 1749. Make sure to go into Lee Chapel, where Robert E. Lee is buried.

Popular stops in town (all within walking distance) include the modern visitor center, the Stonewall Jackson House, his pre-Civil War home, and the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery.

Staunton and Lexington are both just an hour from one of the state's (and the nation's) finest resorts. Located west of the Shenandoah Valley in the rolling mountains, The Homestead is a Virginia destination all on its own.

This sprawling property is a southern-style resort steeped in tradition dating back to 1766, but with many modern travel touches. You enter another world when you pull up to the elegant entrance and allow the crisp staff to take care of your car and luggage.

For more than 225 years, country road drivers have come to The Homestead to restore and refresh themselves in the invigorating mountain air and soothing, healing waters. It was thought that the waters could cure or relieve the symptoms of ailments such as gout, rheumatism, arthritis, neuritis, lumbago, hypertension, nephritis, and nervous disorders.

Dr. Thomas Walker, an early explorer of the valley in 1750, wrote, "We went to Hot Springs...the spring is clear and warmer than new milk and there is a spring of cold water within twenty feet of the warm one. In 1755, George Washington visited Hot Springs while on an inspection tour of forts along the Allegheny frontier. Many travellers followed and The Homestead was opened and grew to accommodate them.

Homestead rooms are unique and more like those of a small country inn. There's so much to see and do, however, that you don't end up spending too much time in your room.

Here's a short list of favorite Homestead activities: world-famous golf; shopping along Cottage Row; fishing in a mountain stream; spa treatments; skeet shooting; bowling; tennis in a beautiful setting; horseback riding; hiking; skiing in the winter; and a wide variety of dining options. The Homestead offers many great special weekend rates and packages.

Just 14 miles south of Lexington is Natural Bridge, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. This 215-foot high stone arch was carved by water over countless centuries and stands as one of the Shenandoah Valley's most famous sites.

Roanoke

This thriving city is the valley's largest and is the southern end of this famous region. It is known as the "Star City of the South," symbolized by a huge 88-foot neon star on Mill Mountain overlooking the city and the valley.

Roanoke is justifiably famous for its Historic Farmers Market, where farmers have been coming in by country roads and selling their fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers for nearly 120 years. Other attractions in Roanoke include the Virginia Museum of Transportation (dozens of big trains and other vehicles) and the Harrison Museum of African American Culture. The city provides a fitting end to any Shenandoah Valley visit.