Share
The breathtaking view from Big Schloss Peak in George Washington National Forest. All photos courtesy of Shenandoah County Tourism.
Your spring getaway awaits in Virginia’s Shenandoah County.
Spring is here, and country roads are calling—especially the scenic routes and charming all-American Main Street towns along U.S. Route 11 in Shenandoah County, Virginia. It’s little more than a four-hour drive to this paradise tucked between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains—one that’s perfect for any outdoor aficionado or history buff.
The best place to begin is Bryce Resort, the county’s premier destination for outdoor recreation. Thrilling downhill mountain trails with dramatic jumps and drops make the property’s bike park a memorable experience. Bikes are available for rent, and lessons are offered to sharpen riding skills.
Don’t forget to pack your golf clubs. A meandering creek ups the challenge on 12 of the 18 holes at Bryce’s PGA-rated golf course. The resident pro is available to help golfers hone their game.
Just a few miles from the resort is the private 45-acre Lake Laura, a spring-fed waterway open Memorial Day through Labor Day for swimming, canoeing, paddleboarding, kayaking and paddleboating. Anglers can find a peaceful spot to drop their lines in their quest for trout and smallmouth bass (with a Virginia fishing license). A three-mile trail wraps around the lake for an easy to moderate hike, and its grassy beach is usually dotted with sunbathers and picnickers.
Another scenic hiking trail follows the North Fork of the Shenandoah River for two miles through Seven Bends State Park in Woodstock. For a longer, more rugged adventure, there are numerous trails in George Washington National Forest, which covers nearly a quarter of the county. Fort Valley Ranch gives visitors another way to explore area trails. They offer half- or full-day guided horseback rides, along with shorter rides on the ranch suitable for most ages and skill levels.
Though dinner in Shenandoah County is mostly laid-back and casual, the claim to fame at Bryce Resort’s Copper Kettle is an upscale prime rib. The restaurant also has a lively après-anything bar. June-October on the second Thursday of the month, Bryce hosts Dinner on the Mountain, a romantic five-course alfresco feast accessed via ski lift, with champagne, signature cocktails and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Saddle up and hit the trails with a guide from Fort Valley Ranch.
At Woodstock Garden Cafe, breakfast and lunch are served amid the cheerful greenery of a retail nursery. The spicy Southwest burrito—eggs, bacon, cheddar jack cheese, house-made pico de gallo and chipotle in a spinach wrap—is a real eye-opener. And at Jackson’s Corner Coffee Roastery and Cafe, the succulent house-made pulled pork is a lunchtime favorite.
Thick, crispy, chewy Detroit-style pizza is a specialty at Pale Fire Brewing Company. Other crust options include gluten-free, flatbread and cauliflower. One popular pie is topped with pepperoni, sausage, bacon jam, marinara, ricotta and a hot honey drizzle. It goes great with any of the house beers.
Enjoy lunch among the greenery of a retail nursery at Woodstock Garden Cafe.
After a day of outdoor exertion, creature comforts are most welcome. Bryce Mountain Escapes offers everything from comfy mountainside condos to downright luxurious chalets. Each is fully stocked with everything from bed linens and towels to dishware, cookware and a starter supply of toiletries. Many of the homes are pet-friendly. Meanwhile, the recreational activities of Bryce Resort are only steps away.
Set up a comfortable home base with Bryce Mountain Escapes.
For oenophiles, a trip to a few of the county’s eight wineries is definitely in order. The most relaxing way to travel is in a chauffeured vehicle with Shenandoah Wine Tours, which offers a five-hour excursion to four spots. Thanks to Burg E-Bike Tours, you can also can pedal for your potables, taking beautiful back roads to sip and sample the varietals at three wineries.
Civil War buffs ought to know about 1864’s Battle of New Market, one of the last Southern victories in the War Between the States. The Virginia Museum of the Civil War tells the stories of the soldiers and civilians caught up in the conflict through artifacts, exhibits, dioramas, a rare weapons gallery, an evocative stained-glass mural, and an Emmy-winning film.
Explore Shenandoah Caverns’ underground natural wonders.
For a look at how wealthy farming families in the antebellum northern Shenandoah Valley lived and worked, the 1797 manor house at Belle Grove Plantation is open for guided tours. Admission also includes self-guided tours of several outbuildings and the archaeological exhibit Unearthing Enslaved Lives at Belle Grove.
Lastly, Shenandoah Caverns has been intriguing visitors since 1922. It boasts one mile of crystalline formations formed 200 feet underground over millions of years.
Visit visitshenandoahcounty.com.
