If you’re looking for fun things to do in Harrisonburg, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re on a budget, here are several activities and events that are free of charge. From visiting the Shenandoah Heritage Market to taking the kids to the Harrisonburg Children’s Museum, there are plenty of ways to get the most out of your trip. You can even check out the city’s events calendar to find out when the best time to visit is.
Shenandoah Heritage Market
There are many free things to do in Harrisonburg, Virginia, but if you want to sample the local flavor, you can visit the Shenandoah Heritage Market, a farmer’s market located in the city. With over 20 locally owned shops and vendors, you’ll have a hard time picking just one. You’ll also find everything from homemade clothing to fresh baked goods to local cheeses and coffee. And, if you’re a fan of antiques, you’ll want to check out the area’s antique shops.
You can visit the city’s many museums and attractions, including the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. The Arboretum is an urban oasis, which encourages the study of native plants. Visitors can buy crafts from local vendors at the Shenandoah Heritage Market for a nominal fee. During the market, you can also enjoy live music, try local fare, or enjoy the city’s unique businesses and restaurants. In addition to markets and greenhouses, you can also enjoy the city’s countless outdoor activities.
If you have children, you should consider booking a hotel near the Shenandoah Heritage Market. You can get a great deal on hotel rooms near the market with Hotwire’s Hot Rates. You can even save up to 60% on last-minute hotel reservations in Harrisonburg. You can also compare hotels by using Hotwire, which helps you pick the perfect hotel.
The historic college town of Harrisonburg offers an artsy atmosphere with plenty of downtown shopping and dining. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, you can head outside to the nearby On Sunny Slope Farm for the annual Wine and Oyster Weekend. At the market, you can sample Virginia wines paired with oysters, and sample other local crafts and food trucks. If you’re hungry, you can also visit one of the city’s four craft breweries.
If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll also want to check out the farmers’ market in Harrisonburg. The market is open every Tuesday and Saturday from April through Thanksgiving. From December to March, it’s only open on Saturdays. A fun way to explore Harrisonburg is to bring along a picnic lunch, but you may want to make a date with your kids!
Harrisonburg Children’s Museum
The Harrisonburg Children’s Museum, formerly the Explore More Discovery Center, is free to visit. The focus of the museum is interactive learning experiences for children. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, the museum features hands-on activities that will inspire kids’ curiosity and creativity. Visiting this museum is free, so make time to spend there with your family. Listed below are some of the other free things to do in Harrisonburg.
Explore More Discovery Center: Located downtown, the Explore More Discovery Museum features 15 community-inspired exhibits that engage young minds through interactive play. Highlights of the museum’s programming include a farm-themed kitchen, a TED-Ed club, a TV studio, and workshops for children. Free admission is available on the first Friday of each month, so make sure to take your little ones!
Harrisonburg Quilt Museum: This museum has a huge collection of quilts and sewing machines from all eras. Visitors are educated on quilting and the history of textile arts while exploring the three floors of the museum. The staff also explains stories about the history of quilting. If you’re looking for a souvenir, check out the gift shop, where you’ll find many types of quilts.
Black Sheep Coffee: This café, located downtown in a converted icehouse, offers a great selection of free coffee and treats. The Explore More Discovery Museum is a three-floor play museum based on the concept of learning through play. Its interactive exhibits and interactive play area will keep your children busy for hours. It’s free to visit and will make your family’s day.
The Harrisonburg Children’s Museum is another great place for families to visit while on a trip to the area. It features exhibits from around the world, which engage the mind and the body of young children. Admission is free for children and adults without membership, but reservations are recommended. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, with free admission from 4:00 – 7 pm. It also offers a free admission for anyone with an ebt snap card.
Shenandoah River
There are several free things to do in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and one of them is to visit the Shenandoah River. The river itself has numerous hiking trails and water exploration opportunities. There is a variety of wildlife to observe as well, so you are sure to have an unforgettable time! Fishing enthusiasts can also spend the day in the river. The city also has many museums, greenhouses, and live music events. Whether you are looking for something for the kids or a romantic date, you can find plenty of places to visit.
The local Harrisonburg Museum of History is a great place to learn about the region’s history and culture. The museum explores the history of colonization in the area and teaches the public about the region’s rich heritage. Another interesting exhibit at the museum is the Turnpike Era, a time period when the Valley Turnpike Company constructed the road from Staunton to Winchester. This road is known as the first major infrastructure in the Shenandoah Valley and helped colonize the region. The museum also has artifacts from the Civil War and the modern era.
If you are a nature lover, you can try kayaking or canoeing on the Shenandoah River. You can also enjoy a day on the river by going on a guided tour with Shenandoah Valley Adventures. These tours are great for families, because they offer a unique vantage point to see the river from above. In addition to kayaking or canoeing, you can also take a trip to Seneca Rocks in West Virginia.
If you are looking for free things to do in Harrisonburg, VA, there are a variety of attractions you can visit. You can explore the scenic trails, enjoy the great outdoors, or check out the museum’s mock TV studio. Alternatively, you can head down to Grand Caverns and take a tour of the 6,000-foot-long cave. Depending on your fitness level, you can opt for either of the two caves.
Skyline Drive
If you’re interested in free things to do in Harrisonburg, you’ll be happy to know that you can visit the town for several hours for free. The town of Harrisonburg is conveniently located about two hours outside Washington, DC, and is a fun getaway destination for JMU students. It’s also close to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Alleghany Valley. Explore the area by bike or drive through.
To enjoy the spectacular view from the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you can take a scenic drive along the 105-mile Skyline Drive. This scenic route winds through Shenandoah National Park, particularly during the fall when leaves are changing colors. A portion of the Skyline Drive is also part of the Appalachian Trail, which means that you can enjoy stunning views while hiking. You can also hike or bike, as the park offers plenty of trails for every skill level.
The Central District stretches from Thornton Gap to Swift Run Gap and is filled with superlative views. The park includes two lodges, campgrounds, historic cabins, and trails galore. At milepost 4.6, you can stop by the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. This building used to serve as a dining hall for the park’s visitors. Guests can also walk along the Fox Hollow Interpretive Trail, which leads to several old homesites. Finally, the longest overlook in the park is Hogback Overlook, which provides a spectacular view and is accessible by car. Piney River Falls is located at milepost 22.1.
The area around Skyline Drive is home to 75 overlooks with stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley and rolling piedmont. The valley on the west side of the drive is a beautiful landscape and is home to a variety of wildlife. Wild turkey and black bear also often pass over the Skyline Drive. If you want to take in the beauty of the region, then this is the place to visit.
For art lovers, Harrisonburg is home to the Arts Council of the Valley. The town’s downtown is a pedestrian-friendly area. Visitors can visit the Hardesty Higgins House Visitor Center, which includes a small museum about the Valley Turnpike and a cafe. The city was named a Great American Main Street winner in 2015, and there is a beautiful pedestrian bridge, known as LOVEwork, which honors four themes in the local community.
