Shenandoah Valley: Winter Sports, Scenery and Culture

If you would like to combine winter sports with cultural and scenic experiences in Shenandoah Valley, Bryce Resort is the most important specific point of reference: in winter, skiing and snowboarding are possible there on eight slopes, accessible via a high-speed quad chairlift. The region also offers destinations that make a stay varied outside of winter sports.

Key facts on the topic

- Bryce Resort offers skiing and snowboarding on eight slopes in winter. - The slopes are accessible via a high-speed quad chairlift. - Tours of Shenandoah Caverns are fully guided, last approximately one hour and extend for one mile. - At Lake Laura, swimming, boating and fishing are possible, as well as a three-mile hike around the lake. - The Meems Bottom Covered Bridge is 200 feet long and has a single span; it is considered the longest of the few remaining covered bridges in Virginia. - At the Route 11 Potato Chips factory in Mount Jackson, visitors can watch the frying process as well as sample and purchase chips.

History and Museums

For visitors interested in history, New Market Battlefield Historical Park is a distinct focal point. Approximately 160 acres of the battlefield in Shenandoah County are preserved by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The restored Bushong House stands at the eastern edge and was used as a hospital by both sides. The Virginia Museum of the Civil War complements the site with museum staff-led tours about the Battle of New Market and the history of the Civil War in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The museums in the surrounding area also emphasize different aspects. American Celebration on Parade displays more than 20 life-size floats, including floats from the inaugural parades of American presidents. The Fort Valley Museum is located in the Union Church at Dry Run, also known as Old Brick Church; a collection of recorded oral histories is also available online. In the Edinburg Mill, built in 1848, the Shenandoah Valley Cultural Heritage Museum presents history through memorabilia, antiques, and old machinery and tools. The mill is one of the few mill buildings in Shenandoah Valley that was not burned by Sheridan during the Civil War.

Scenery and Activities Away from the Slopes

The George Washington National Forest covers an area of 75,349 acres in Shenandoah County. The North Fork of the Shenandoah River flows through the rural surroundings of Shenandoah County. At Seven Bends State Park, wading and fishing for smallmouth bass and other sport fish is possible. These offerings appeal to different interests, without any specific suitability or level of difficulty for a travel group being inferred from them. Shenandoah Caverns is located less than one mile from Interstate 81, providing a clear point of reference for a visit. For further orientation within the local area and region, you can also visit the page on Basye as well as Rockingham County.

FAQ

On which days are Shenandoah Caverns open?

Shenandoah Caverns is open seven days a week, except on December 25. This information describes the documented opening policy; current visitor information can be checked independently.

What is located in the Shenandoah County Historic Courthouse?

The Shenandoah County Historic Courthouse was built in 1795 from local limestone. It is considered the oldest continuously used courthouse west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and now serves as a visitor information center and a museum of the historic courtroom.

What activities does the Lee Ranger District mention?

The Lee Ranger District in the George Washington National Forest offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, visiting scenic overlooks and picnicking.

What does the Shenandoah County Fair include?

The annual Shenandoah County Fair includes agricultural exhibits, rides, live entertainment, tractor pulls, children's activities and typical fair food.

What can visitors expect at the Edinburg Ole Time Festival?

The annual Edinburg Ole Time Festival combines historical reenactments, antique exhibits, traditional crafts, local art and live music.

For the overarching travel overview: Virginia.