things to do

Exploring Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley

A guide for family members and guests joining us for BidWrangler Thrive

At the Hotel

Grace+Main Cafe — Hotel Madison, 710 S Main St
Your on-site coffee shop. Good for a quick morning coffee before heading out for the day. Also offering Neapolitan pizza, subs and salads during lunch hours.

Monty's Restaurant and Bar — Hotel Madison, 710 S Main St
The hotel's full-service restaurant. Open for a breakfast buffet, closed for lunch, then open again for happy hour and dinner. Convenient if you want to stay close to home base.

Coffee

Broad Porch Coffee and Cafe — 47 Court Square
Great drinks, food, and a big outdoor porch.

Black Sheep Coffee — 80 E Market St
A downtown staple with solid espresso and a good atmosphere for working or hanging out.

Coffee Hound — 64 S Mason St, Ste 100
A dog-friendly, bright and cheery coffee shop. 

Restaurants

Heritage Bakery & Cafe — 212 S Main St
One of the most beloved spots in Harrisonburg. Exceptional baked goods, great breakfast and lunch, and a beautiful atmosphere. Open Tuesday through Saturday until 2 PM.

Magpie Diner — 85 W Gay St
A beloved downtown breakfast and lunch spot known for creative dishes and excellent baked goods. Open Tuesday through Sunday until 2 PM — get there early on weekends.

Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint   — 80 S Main St
Creative, over-the-top burgers with a great outdoor patio right on Main Street. A Harrisonburg staple with a fun, casual vibe and an impressive beer list. Try Middle Bar or Billy Jack’s too if you have the time! Same owner, same great food. 

Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza — 80 W Water St
Thin-crust, wood-fired pizza made with fresh, organic ingredients. Great for a relaxed dinner with the family.

Beyond Restaurant & Lounge — 50 W Water St
Sushi, Asian fusion, poke bowls, and more. Consistently one of the most popular restaurants downtown with great service and generous portions.

Rocktown Kitchen — 217 S Liberty St
Upscale-casual American with a focus on local ingredients. Great for dinner out.

Local Chop & Grill House — 56 W Gay St
The go-to for a nicer dinner in Harrisonburg. Steaks, scallops, seasonal cocktails, and a great wine list.

Illyria Mediterranean — 231 S Liberty St
Newer spot with an excellent Mediterranean menu and a lively downtown atmosphere.

Ruby's Arcade — 165 S Main St
Arcade games (including duckpin bowling, darts, skee-ball, pool tables, and more), wood-fired pizza, and a full bar all under one roof downtown.  

Breweries

Pale Fire Brewing Co. — 217 S Liberty St (our Welcome Party venue!)
Craft beer and food right downtown. If you didn't make it Monday night, it's worth a stop on your own.

Restless Moons Brewing — 120 W Wolfe St
Cozy taproom with a beer garden out back. Laid-back vibe.

Three Notch'd Valley Collab House — 241 E Market St
Downtown taproom with games, a patio, and a rotating beer selection.

Wineries

CrossKeys Vineyards — Mt Crawford (about 20 min south)
Beautiful mountain views, a full kitchen, and a great patio. One of the more polished winery experiences in the area.

White Oak Lavender Farm & Purple Wolf Vineyard — Cross Keys Rd (about 20 min south)
Lavender farm, vineyard, animals, wine slushies, and a gift shop. Very family-friendly.

Bluestone Vineyard — Bridgewater (about 20 min west)
A beautiful, relaxed vineyard with rolling hill views and a European-style tasting experience. Bring your own food and settle in.

Brix & Columns Vineyards — McGaheysville (about 25 min southeast)
Gorgeous mountain views and a relaxed tasting room. Dog-friendly.

Golf

Heritage Oaks Golf Course — 680 Garbers Church Rd (about 10 min away)
A well-maintained public course. Good rates and a straightforward, enjoyable round.

Lakeview Golf Club — 4101 Shen Lake Dr (about 15 min south)
A 27-hole public course with mountain and lake views. One of the better-kept courses in the valley and very affordable.

Other Attractions

Massanutten Resort — McGaheysville (about 20 min east)
A full four-season resort tucked into the mountains. In May you'll find mountain biking, mini golf, outdoor pools, hiking trails, and the indoor waterpark. A great option for a full-day family outing outside of town.

Shenandoah National Park/Skyline Drive (about 45 min east)
The most scenic drive in Virginia. Stop at overlooks, hike a trail, or just take it slow. The Swift Run Gap entrance is closest from Harrisonburg.

Luray Caverns (about 45 min northeast)
One of the most impressive natural attractions on the East Coast. Well worth the drive, especially with kids.

Edith J. Carrier Arboretum — JMU Campus
Free, beautiful, and right in town. A great morning walk, and May is a wonderful time to visit.

Explore More Discovery Museum — 150 S Main St
Hands-on children's museum downtown. A great option if you have little ones in tow.

Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center — 212 S Main St
The Shenandoah Valley was one of the most contested corridors of the Civil War, and Harrisonburg sits right in the middle of it. The staff here can point you toward local history, self-guided tours, and Civil War sites throughout the Valley. 

Purcell Park/Hillandale Park
Two well-maintained city parks with walking trails, playgrounds, and open space. Good options for getting outside without leaving town.