Harrisonburg is an exciting city that offers so much to do – from outdoor adventures to cultural attractions. It makes a perfect destination for both family vacations and solo travelers!
Discover the outdoors by exploring local parks and natural areas. Hiking trails, fishing spots, and waterways are all readily available within reach.
1. Explore More Discovery Museum
The Explore More Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum with 15 community-inspired exhibits designed to stimulate young minds. Highlights include a TED-Ed club, television studio and farm play area. Plus, they offer birthday parties and special events like the First Friday of each month!
The Museum, situated in downtown Detroit’s historic district, provides interactive multi-sensory learning experiences for children. Its mission is to foster an environment that fosters early literacy, creativity and critical thinking skills; nurtures childhood and family; supports school learning standards; and serves children of all backgrounds and abilities.
Explore More is dedicated to making sure your visit in the Shenandoah Valley is an enjoyable one. As one of Harrisonburg’s premier attractions, its impressive 67,000 square feet of exhibition space ensures you have plenty to see and do while here.
In addition to the 15 exhibits listed above, Explore More offers an abundance of other activities and learning opportunities. From a small planetarium to an elaborate 3D movie theater, you can even take part in a virtual reality experience to gain more knowledge about science through hands-on exploration!
If you’re searching for a place to stay near Explore More, Vrbo offers an extensive selection of vacation rentals in the area. Whether you’re searching for an apartment or house, there’s sure to be something perfect that meets your requirements.
2. Harrisonburg Farmers Market
No trip to Harrisonburg would be complete without visiting the legendary Farmers Market! Established in 1970 by Clarence Dellinger in front of the Harrisonburg Police Station, this market has become a beloved downtown fixture and is renowned for its extensive selection.
The Market offers an array of fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs as well as other locally made items like handmade clothing, jewelry and art work. Visitors can also find baked goods like eggs, cheeses, meats and soups, plus jams, jellies and honey.
In addition to offering an expansive selection of foods and crafts, the Harrisonburg Farmers Market also hosts a number of special events. These include live music performances and cooking demonstrations.
At the Market, there are various educational programs tailored towards children. These events provide them with invaluable opportunities to learn about healthy food, economics, buying and selling products, arts and music.
The Market is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm during the summer, as well as on Saturdays only (excluding Christmas and New Year’s) during wintertime. You can enjoy a cup of locally roasted coffee or indulge in an indulgent pastry while taking in views of the city from its inviting coffee shop. Furthermore, it makes an ideal place for picking up gift baskets for friends and family members.
3. Virginia Quilt Museum
Quilts are intricately stitched fabric panels arranged together, creating beautiful artwork and an invaluable piece of history. For centuries, people have been using quilts for warmth or expression; no wonder why!
The Virginia Quilt Museum is an excellent learning resource and showcase for quilt enthusiasts, featuring historical, modern, and art quilts on three floors of galleries. There you’ll be sure to find something that speaks to you!
Aside from providing a gallery space, the museum also hosts programs and events that celebrate this unique form of art. These include lectures, workshops, and tours; additionally, events like Quilt Evaluation Day allow visitors to bring in their own heirloom quilts for evaluation by an expert.
Established in 1995, the Virginia Quilt Museum is housed at Warren-Sipe House in Harrisonburg. Originally owned by Edward T. Warren, this historic home served various purposes such as a family residence, war hospital, headquarters for an area historical society and courthouse before becoming home to the museum in 1995.
Inside the house are numerous rooms filled with quilts adorning the walls. One showcases sewing machines used in creating these quilts, while another displays some of their collection’s backs.
The Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg offers an enjoyable and educational day trip. No matter your level of interest in quilting or art, the museum should not be missed! Their mission is to preserve Virginia’s quilting heritage while making it accessible to the public through exhibition, education, and preservation.
4. Heritage Bakery and Cafe
A charming cafe worth the trip to downtown Harrisonburg. They serve some of the best macadamia nut bread in town as well as other delectable treats like their signature brioche and blueberry muffins. After a long day exploring, come here for some refreshing iced coffee, tea or hot chocolate with friendly customer service and good value food – you may even get lucky enough to find a seat outside without waiting around! Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm, this spot has become popular both with locals and visitors alike – come enjoy this charming spot!
It’s a shame this restaurant isn’t better known, as it offers top notch coffee, award winning pastries and delectable fried chicken dishes. Conveniently situated near Main Street in Harrisonburg’s downtown, you’ll be within walking distance to other notable attractions like Virginia Quilt Museum.
5. More Discovery Museum
The Explore More Discovery Museum in Harrisonburg is a popular attraction for both adults and children alike. Here, children can learn about their environment and other topics that matter to them. The museum’s mission is to promote understanding of the world through hands-on experiences, multisensory displays, and engaging displays.
The museum is housed in a historic Leggett/A&N building that was donated to it by the city. Initially opened at 30 North Main Street, it quickly became a beloved downtown destination for kids until moving to 150 South Main Street in November 2010.
Harrisonburg’s Downtown Arts District is a bustling hub of creativity. You can visit many art studios and galleries to pick up an artisan map, such as Elk Run Mining Company, Oasis Fine Art & Crafts, Larkin Arts, and The Smith House.
Additionally, there are a number of cooperative spaces in the area that promote local artists. Agora Market is one such example – it features retro clothes and housewares, jewelry, pottery, cycling apparel, and other products made by local creators.
Visit the Joshua Wilton House in downtown Harrisonburg with your family for an elegant Victorian-era mansion that makes a perfect spot for dinner.
In the summertime, you can enjoy a glass of wine on the patio while admiring the sunset. Or stay at Joshua Wilton House for a night or two to fully experience all that this charming hotel has to offer.
Shenandoah National Park is an ideal destination for hiking and scenic drives. Just a short drive away from Harrisonburg, this park offers waterfalls, hiking trails, and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take a drive on Skyline Drive to experience all that this natural splendor up close!
