The Harrisonburg center is approximately the area of Rockingham Memorial Hospital and the area of Phillip West Memorial Cancer Resource Center.
The best time to visit Harrisonburg is in fall or winter. You can look at the colorful foliage in fall and have fun at the Massanutten Ski Resort in winter. The resort also has an indoor water park that's open all year, a spa, and a golf course. You can enjoy plenty of events as well. Massanutten's Fall Festival in October offers live music, local food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, a beer and wine garden, a kids' corner, and more.
The Heritage Festival at CrossRoads in September celebrates the history and heritage of the settlers of the Shenandoah Valley. It has traditional craftspeople, games, activities, a petting zoo, and crafts for kids. The Harrisonburg International Festival is a free day of family fun on the last Saturday of September. It celebrates the diverse cultures of Harrisonburg with international foods, music, dance, a multilingual area, and a World Bazaar featuring traditional folk art. The Rocktown Beer Fest at Turner Pavilion has live music, great food, and over 60 craft beers for beer fans.
You can go on a Haunted Harrisonburg Ghost Tour in October to hear true tales of ghost sightings and unexplained spooky happenings in Harrisonburg's historic district. These walking tours start behind the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center. This historic home has the Rocktown Gift Shoppe and the Valley Turnpike Museum, describing the history of Harrisonburg. The Downtown Holiday Tour in December lets you see Old Town's historic homes, downtown lofts, and local businesses decorated for the holidays. The Old Town district is on the National Register of Historic Places for its architecture and history, and carol singers add to the festivities. For the lowest prices, plan your visit for spring or summer. If you decide to see Harrisonburg in fall or winter, book your trip early to get the best deal.
If you know where to stay on your trip to Harrisonburg, you can save lots of money by using the right discounts. Hampton Inn Harrisonburg - University is close to A Dream Come True Playground and Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. AAA members, AARP members, and people 65 and over can get up to 10 percent off. Active members of the military, veterans, their families, and government employees can also get a generous discount with the right identification. The rooms have flat-screen cable TVs, complimentary wired and wireless Internet access, and desks. You can also ask for a microwave, and the bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a 24-hour business center, free weekday newspapers, a free breakfast buffet, a restaurant, and a meeting room.
Holiday Inn Express Harrisonburg is near Shenandoah Heritage Market and Rockingham Fairgrounds. Active members of the military, government employees, government contractors, AAA members, and seniors 62 and older all get a great discount. The rooms offer refrigerators, microwaves, cable LCD TVs, complimentary wired and wireless internet access, and desks. There's also an indoor pool, a spa tub, fitness facilities, laundry facilities, a free breakfast bar, a 24-hour front desk, and free coffee and tea in the lobby.
Harrisonburg has lots of mid-range hotels that give you a good value for your money. Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Harrisonburg, VA, is near to Shenandoah Heritage Market and Rockingham Fairgrounds. The rooms feature refrigerators, cable LCD TVs, complimentary wired and wireless internet access, desks, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. Conveniences include multilingual staff, free weekday newspapers, an indoor pool, a spa tub, a fitness center, a fireplace in the lobby, a free breakfast buffet with rotating main dishes, free coffee, tea, and cookies in the lobby, a library, laundry facilities, and 300 square feet of event facilities.
Courtyard by Marriott Harrisonburg is close to A Dream Come True Playground and the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. The rooms have kitchenettes with refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers. You also get free wired and wireless internet access, 32-inch flat-screen cable TV, and a desk. Other great features include an indoor pool, a spa tub, a fitness center, a hair salon, a restaurant, a bar, a convenience store, a 24-hour front desk, a business center, 1,100 square feet of event space with two meeting rooms, and wedding services. Breakfast is available for a fee.
No matter which hotel you choose, you'll be near some of the best experiences in Harrisonburg.
For history, the Heritage Museum is a great place to learn about Harrisonburg and see local folk art. Visit the Virginia Quilt Museum for rotating exhibits about the state's quilting heritage. It's inside the historic Warren-Sipe House, which was built in 1856. There's also a shop with a variety of handmade quilts and quilting supplies. The Explore More Discovery Museum teaches kids through interactive experiences like apple picking, delivering a mock news broadcast, or servicing a kid-sized car.
For art and culture, you can visit several galleries at James Madison University. This includes the student-run artWorks Gallery, the Duke Gallery of Fine Art, and the Madison Art Collection with over 35,000 art and cultural objects. The Edith J. Carrier Arboretum on campus also displays photos and paintings of plants and wildlife in the Frances Plecker Education Center. You can see a live show or a movie at the Court Square Theater or watch an entertaining live production at the Valley Playhouse.
For the outdoors, you can also take a trip on Skyline Drive for beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This National Scenic Byway goes through Shenandoah National Park, and you can enjoy 75 scenic view points. Roadside wildflowers grow through the fall, and you might even see deer, black bears, or other animals. Shenandoah National Park is a great place for bird watching, camping, hiking, fly-fishing, rock climbing, horseback riding, or bicycling. Wild Guyde Adventures guides beginners in rock climbing, hiking, caving, and canoeing.
Experiencing everything Harrisonburg has to offer is difficult, but you can find great food, fun entertainment, and amazing scenery no matter what your itinerary includes. Impressive luxury hotels, mid-range places to stay with good value, and inexpensive inns are all available in Harrisonburg. You can easily find a hotel with the features and budget you're looking for.
Below are reviews of the city of Harrisonburg, VA from an actual visitor's perspective.
City felt safer than most. Travel through was well marked and people were very friendly.
Pretty mountains!
Vito's! Best food and service!
I visited the caves. This is a must if you are in the area.
Harrisonburg is growing but still has a country atmosphere. Lots of outdoor activities which is great for everyone.
We love Bridgewater College Football 🏈 GO EAGLES 🦅!!!
Shopping!
Convenient!
Convenient!
Very nice town, good people!
Very nice town, good people.
We loved all the shopping and restaurants!
We loved all the shopping and restaurants!
Things for kids to do!
There are plenty of restaurants nearby and the location is great for me.
A lot of services!
Beautiful place to visit.
Just rested!
We ate at some good local restaurants.
Nice place to visit!
Lots of delivery options for food.
We did not get the opportunity to spend as much time in the city other than our hotel stay. We elected to go to the Shenandoah National Forest one day.
Views!
Shopping opportunities.
The Farmers Market on Thursday night was fun!
Beautiful area and hotel!
Nice atmosphere, enjoyed the history.
Lots of choices for shopping.
Scenery of the Shenandoah Valley!
The hotel was clean and beds comfortable. Nice people, good restaurants
The room was clean, comfortable. The staff was friendly. Very convenient
Close by shopping, dining and tourist attractions. 10/10!
There are a lot of food places.
Two grandsons at JMU.
The shops in the downtown area offer very nice merchandise that is either local or fair trade. A diverse selection of very good restaurants also.
We enjoyed the Local Chop & Grill for dinner.
The rooms were clean. Good coffee in the morning.
I liked the different food cultures.
Great stop over for traveling south.
All stores and places to eat are within walking distance from hotel.
All stores and places to eat are within walking distance from hotel.
Ate at Vito's Italian! Better than good!
Shopping!
Scenic landscape, JMU has a beautiful campus with lots to do and places to enjoy good food!
I thought the mall was excellent with Dick's Sporting Goods and O'neils Grill House was good!
Scenic landscape. JMU is a beautiful campus with lots to do and places to enjoy good food!
I thought the mall was excellent!
Olive Garden is across the street from the hotel. Our favorite!
A lot to do in Harrisonburg!
Harrisonburg had more restaurants than expected. Didn't expect the area to have the national shops which were all in close proximity.
Beautiful!
JMU Dukes!!
The shopping and food!
The town is adorable!
Cute downtown and convenient location.
Great!
Great
Very friendly staff. Restaurants are close.
Very nice hotel.
We only stayed the night on our way south, wish we could have stayed around longer.
JMU!!!
Lots of places to shop and eat, clean city.
Area was nice, markets and interstate are close by.
Great city!
The location of the hotel in the Shenandoah Valley is wonderful.
Great vibe, lovely town.
Arboretum, Brothers Craft Brewery, JMU campus.
Arboretum, Brothers Craft Brewery, JMU campus
We come down there every year, we like the region.
Restaurants and shopping.
Did not have time to visit. But the food was great.
Wasn't there long. Cracker Barrel was good and the server Kris was great.
Quaint university town.
I liked the many food options available and it really is a college town especially being so close to JMU. I did not really spend a lot of time in the city as I was only there for one night but I was pleasantly surprised by the abundance of food options and had no issues getting around!
The shopping!
Beautiful scenery.
Ruby's Arcade - nice venue for food and entertainment for a group.
We enjoyed the downtown area. Lovely "artsy" stores and many fine eating places were enjoyed by our group.
Everything was close by.
WE were in Harrisonburg to tour the university which was outstanding. There was also a local restaurant named Wood Grille Buffet. It was one of the best buffet style restaurants I have ever experienced. I took a bus of 33 young people called Wood grille with 1 hour notice. Without any issue they had a private room set, food was outstanding, and the service impeccable.
Great visit, friendly people and ver good resturants.
I lived there before for almost 5 years love it there. Came to visit my daughter and grandbaby and other family.
Love Harrisonburg! Downtown Harrisonburg was a short drive from the hotel. Plenty of restaurants to choose from. Food at Billy Jacks was delicious!!
It had food,shopping and comfort.
Nice small town. Easy to get around and the town was very clean and well kept.
Easy access to our events.
Nice Rocky Mountain view.
We stayed here for two nights and our group was very happy with this location near popular restaurants and shopping. breakfast was good and rooms very clean and comfortable beds with service at counter excellent.
Liked the college campus and baseball facilities including bridgewater.
The Western Sizzling's Wood Grill Buffet was the place to eat!
Harrisonburg is set in a beautiful valley. It is small enough to get around easily, but has a great variety of attractions.
The people we ran into were very friendly. It seems like a beautiful city to live in.
Water park and snow tubing.