Shenandoah County VA - The Perfect Girl's Getaway!

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I was provided accommodations and most meals through the Shenandoah County Tourism and Economic Development office. All opinions are my own.

Every spot in the area that we visited was very prepared and on top of everything needed during this time that we are all concerned with sanitation and social distancing. Limited seating, hand sanitizer, mask mandates and cleaning procedures were in full force all throughout the area.

We have all been actively trying to find some new spots to travel to – whether it be for a family trip, romantic getaway, friends or solo trip – Shenandoah County VA covers a wide range of things to see and do that make a visit ideal.

We all need that once in a while weekend away with friends – away from responsibility – chill, relax and refresh with good friends, good food and a great location.

Visit Shenandoah County VA

Shenandoah County VA is nestled in Virginia’s historic Shenandoah Valley, between the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Mountains. Nearly a quarter of the county is covered by the George Washington National Forest.

In Shenandoah County, VA, you’ll find plenty of hidden gems!

The Towns of Shenandoah County

Shenandoah County VA is home to charming historic towns situated like a string of pearls along US Route 11.

Edinburg
Fort Valley
Mount Jackson
New Market
Strasburg
Toms Brook
Woodstock
Basye
Orkney Springs

Where to Stay

Shenandoah County VA offers an array of accommodations to suit every lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to stay at a historic bed & breakfast, a charming country home, Air BnB, rustic cabin, or national hotel chain, there’s something for everyone.

We stayed in an absolutely beautiful Air BnB called Stickely Hall. Stickley Hall was built in 1868 by Col. Ezra Eugenius Stickley after his service in the 5th Virginia Infantry of the famed Stonewall Brigade during the Civil War.

The home has been meticulously restored/updated for use by today’s modern families.

It’s well suited for separate couples or small families since it’s arranged allowing each of the bedrooms to have its own living room and bathroom. It’s just a short walk to the main street of Woodstock.

The owner/host thought of everything for our stay and was without a doubt one of the most thoughtful hosts you could ever come across. Unexpectedly generous and thoughtful items in kitchen including breakfast foods, snacks and condiments.

The architecture of the house makes it an adventure. The house was spotless when we arrived and there were snacks and hand sanitizer in every room. The location is perfect – just about a 20 minute drive from wineries and other locations all around Shenandoah Valley.

Places to Eat

Spring House Tavern – Woodstock, VA: Friendly staff and good food – everything you need for a wonderful dining experience!

Woodstock Garden Cafe is located in the Fort Valley Nursery and Garden Center. While you enjoy your meal, you are surrounded by beautiful plants and landscape. Since the plants change each season, the cafe menu also changes with the seasons too, so visiting often is worth it!

Woodstock Cafe located on Main Street offers a little bit of everything – good food, drinks, friendly service and shopping!

The Woodstock Brewhouse was originally known by long-time residents of Woodstock as the Casey Jones work clothes factory.

Painstaking effort has been made to restore the structure to its original glory, from the grand 14-foot ceilings to the aged and worn wood flooring – all while providing great food, wonderful on-site brews and friendly service.

Things to do

Wineries and Vineyards

A girlfriend’s getaway must do!

The Shenandoah Valley/County area has clearly emerged as a regional wine leader in the eastern United States. A tour of the area wineries offers a special experience, with rural scenery, entertainment, quality restaurants and award winning wines and some of the best hosts to spend your afternoon with.

The dry climate and fertile soil of the Shenandoah Valley are the perfect combination for award winning wines! The area is home to over 20 vineyards and wineries so choosing the best would be difficult since we all know you can only drink so much throughout the day!

The easiest and safest way to visit the wineries is with Shenandoah Wine Tours since you can sit back and relax while they take care of the driving.

Third Hill Winery at DeMellow Vineyards is not only beautiful but also offers outstanding hosts with a great back story of how the vineyards began. They are proud of the wines they produce and they definitely have lots to be proud of.

The property is meticulously kept, the wines are delicious and the views can’t be beat. When you drink their wine – savor it! It’s a labor of love. This “retired” couple do everything themselves. They are constantly in the vineyard – pruning, hedging, spraying, and mowing, and harvesting. Then they move to the wine making.

Ed, a precision sheet metal worker and Wendy, a surgical tech for labor & delivery in California, came to the Shenandoah Valley when they retired. They knew nothing about viticulture or wine making – But not very many years later, they specialize in making quality wines, creating a relaxed atmosphere that offers tastings, musical events,
community events, cigar/wine pairings, and more with beautiful views of the Shenandoah Valley.

Muse Vineyards is situated along the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and among Shenandoah’s beautiful mountains. This location offers visitors panoramic views, a self-guided nature trail, tranquil grounds of a European-style vineyard, and a first-class wine tasting room.

Muse Vineyards is run by another husband/wife team – Robert Muse and Sally Cowal. Robert is an international lawyer who (as an Arizonan) trained as a barrister in England. Sally is a former United States Ambassador who is now Senior Vice President of Global Cancer Control at the American Cancer Society.

Outdoor tables with umbrellas along the hillside make a super relaxing afternoon and having sitting just a few steps from some of the plumpest, juicy looking grapes!

Museums

Some Historical – Others Just Fun!

Virginia holds an iconic place in American history, and Shenandoah County VA has made preserving the past a priority. From Native American artifacts and frontier life through the Civil War to the present, a historic tour of Shenandoah Valley Heritage Museums could fill your weekends and weekdays for months.

Just walking along the Main Street of many of the towns that make up Shenandoah County VA you feel as if you are stepping back to a much simpler time.

American Celebration on Parade Museum at the Shenandoah Caverns – This museum features over 20 floats from Presidential Inaugurals, Rose Parades & more! It’s a fascinating look at how Americans celebrate America.

The floats are huge, colorful, funny and nostalgic. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s impossible to describe. The massive scale of the floats is something you have to see to believe.

Have you ever wondered what happens to parade floats after a parade? Most of them are disassembled to be reused at a later date, but some of them end up all in one piece at the American Celebration on Parade attraction.

This 60 foot long by 40 foot high flag was used in multiple inaugurals beginning with Ronald Reagan’s in 1989. It was later used in Bush’s and Obama’s inaugural parades as well.

Edinburg Mill is home to the Shenandoah Valley Cultural Heritage Museum. The 1848 building houses three floors of history and memorabilia from the area including antiques, historical equipment and tools, and exhibits about Civil War history.

Just for Fun!

The Mural Walk in Strasburg – The Staufferstadt Mural Project is an ongoing public-art initiative installing murals in the downtown area of Strasburg, VA. Staufferstadt Arts is a non-profit organization formed in 2015 by a group of young, driven Strasburg natives.

Staufferstadt Arts works with world-renowned muralists to produce work that is location-sensitive and tailored to speak to the community in which it resides on an emotional and/or intellectual level.

Shopping is always a fun activity when girlfriends get together! Each of the little towns that make-up Shenandoah County have quaint Main Streets full of great “shop local” stores full of vintage items, pottery and more!

When friends get-together it’s also a great time to spend some time relaxing and getting crafty! Suzanne’s Studio in Woodstock is the perfect place that lets you do just that!

Suzanne’s motto: Creating Art Makes You Happy! Suzanne’s Studio is a DIY art studio offering paint-your-own pottery, hand-built clay, wood signs, canvas and more and a great way to spend a few hours with friends. Suzanne offers all the help you need to create something new.

Visit Shenandoah County VA

There is so much to see and do in the area I definitely would have liked more time to roam around the different shops along the main roads of each town. I think it was the perfect location for a girl’s getaway with friends and honestly would love to go back again!