Harrisonburg Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg is a vibrant city in the heart of Virginia. Known for its rich history, stunning natural beauty, and thriving arts scene, Harrisonburg is a must-visit destination for travelers looking to experience the best of the United States.

History enthusiasts will find themselves immersed in the city's fascinating past. Explore the Virginia Quilt Museum, which showcases an impressive collection of quilts that highlight the region's quilting heritage. For a deeper dive into local history, visit the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society Museum, where you can discover artifacts and stories that bring the city's past to life.

Nature lovers will be captivated by the breathtaking landscapes surrounding Harrisonburg. Take a scenic drive along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, where you can marvel at panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and hike through picturesque trails. Visit the nearby Shenandoah Caverns, a fascinating underground wonderland filled with stunning rock formations and unique geological features.

Art and culture thrive in Harrisonburg, making it a haven for creatives. Explore the Downtown Arts District, where you'll find a vibrant community of artists and galleries showcasing a diverse range of works. Don't miss the First Fridays Downtown, a monthly event where you can enjoy live music, art exhibitions, and delicious local cuisine.

Food enthusiasts will delight in the culinary scene of Harrisonburg. The city is known for its farm-to-table dining experiences, with many restaurants sourcing their ingredients locally. Indulge in delicious dishes made with fresh produce and artisanal ingredients, and don't forget to try some of the region's famous craft beers at one of the local breweries.

Alternative names: Founded: 1779 (245 years ago)Population: 52.5 thous.Area: 17.39 mi²Elevation: 1319 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 38°26'47"N, 78°52'8"W

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VirginiaUnited States

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Harrisonburg Top Attractions

Harrisonburg Attractions - What to See and Explore

Harrisonburg offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Bridgeforth Stadium and Zane Showker Field, Shenandoah Valley, Our Community Place, Explore More Discovery Museum. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Arenas and stadiums • Sport • Sport venue
Bridgeforth Stadium and Zane Showker Field
Bridgeforth Stadium is a football stadium located on the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The stadium is home to the James Madison Dukes football team. The playing surface is named Zane Showker Field. Bridgeforth Stadium, has a seating capacity of 24,877.
38°29'0"N • 78°50'59"W
Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah Valley is a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia in the United States.
38°27'20"N • 78°51'52"W
Our Community Place
Our Community Place is a community center created in a former Salvation Army building located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States. The building was converted to a community center after Ron Copeland acquired ownership in 1999. After a lengthy renovation period, the center opened to the community in August 2008.

Specialty museum • Children's museum • Museum
Explore More Discovery Museum
Explore More Discovery Museum, formerly known as the Harrisonburg Children's Museum is a non-profit museum focusing on interactive, multi-sensory learning experiences for children, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
38°26'53"N • 78°57'10"W
Mole Hill
Mole Hill is a rounded hill composed of basalt, a volcanic rock, formed during the Eocene epoch of the Paleogene period. It is the eroded remnant of what was an active volcano approximately 47 million years ago, making it one of the youngest volcanoes on the east coast of North America.
Memorial
Turner Ashby Monument
The Turner Ashby Monument is a memorial placed in 1898 to mark the place at which Confederate Army Colonel Turner Ashby was killed in the 1862 Battle of Good's Farm.
Garden • Park • Forest
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
The Edith J. Carrier Arboretum is an arboretum and botanical garden on the James Madison University campus, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States in the Shenandoah Valley.
Universities and schools
James Madison University
The College of Business is the business school of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Church
Mabel Memorial Chapel
Mabel Memorial Chapel is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and was built in 1898. It is located in the former village of Chestnut Ridge.
Romanesque architecture
Rockingham County Courthouse
Rockingham County Courthouse is a historic county courthouse located at Harrisonburg, Virginia. It was designed by T.J. Collins and built in 1896–1897. The courthouse is a 3 1/2-story building of coursed rusticated ashlar above a raised basement.
38°26'48"N • 78°52'10"W
Virginia Quilt Museum
Specialty museum • Museum
Bars and clubs • Old Towne
Joshua Wilton House
Joshua Wilton House, also known as the Shank House and Tau Kappa Epsilon House, is a historic home located at Harrisonburg, Virginia. It was built in 1888, and is a 2 1/2-story, central plan, brick eclectic Late Victorian dwelling. It has two projecting gabled pavilions and a three-story octagonal turret covered by a pointed roof.
38°26'57"N • 78°52'12"W
Larkin Arts
Art gallery • Museum • Shopping
38°26'17"N • 78°52'24"W
Woodrow Wilson Hall
Woodrow Wilson Hall is an American building on the campus of James Madison University located on the center of the university's quadrangle in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
38°24'6"N • 78°50'7"W
Camp Massanetta
Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center is a Presbyterian camp and conference center in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The ministry of Massanetta Springs is divided into three areas. Guest services, Conference Ministries, and Camp Massanetta.
38°26'24"N • 78°52'17"W
James Madison University Student Success Center
The James Madison University Student Success Center is a place that offers assistance, programs, services, and resources for students of James Madison University. The center is located at the corner of Grace Street and Mason Street and opened in the early fall of 2014.
38°26'56"N • 78°51'55"W
Anthony Hockman House
Anthony Hockman House, also known as the Hockman-Roller House, is a historic home located at Harrisonburg, Virginia. It was built in 1871, and is a two-story, three-bay, frame I-house Italianate dwelling.
38°26'42"N • 78°52'40"W
Whitesel Brothers
Whitesel Brothers is a historic warehouse located at Harrisonburg, Virginia. The original section was built in 1939, with later additions built between 1939 and 1948 and after 1961.
Cemetery • North East
Newtown Cemetery
Newtown Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It is located in the northern part of the city, bounded on the north by Kelley Street and the west by Sterling Street.

Things to See and Do in Harrisonburg by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Harrisonburg.

Active

Bridgeforth Stadium and Zane Showker Field
Harrisonburg
Arenas and stadiumsSportSport venue
Heritage Oaks Golf Course
Harrisonburg
Golf
James Madison University Convocation Center
Harrisonburg
SportSport venue

Other categories

Universities and schools

Day trips

Harrisonburg – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Harrisonburg, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Monticello (Charlottesville), Luray Caverns (Luray), Skyline Caverns (Front Royal).

38 milesSE
Thomas Jefferson's famed plantation home
Monticello, Charlottesville
Nestled in the rolling hills of Albemarle County, Virginia, Monticello stands as a testament to American history and architectural innovation. This historical landmark, once the beloved home of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, is located just...
26 milesNE
Cathedral-sized vibrant rock formations
Luray Caverns, Luray
Nestled in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Luray Caverns stands as a majestic natural wonder that has been drawing visitors from around the globe. Discovered in 1878, these ancient underground caves offer a breathtaking spectacle of towering stone columns...
47 milesNE
Natural attraction, Park, Cave
Skyline Caverns, Front Royal
Skyline Caverns is a series of geologic caves and a tourist attraction located in Warren County, Virginia, one mile south of Front Royal. The caverns were discovered by Walter S. Amos, a retired geologist and mineralogist from Winchester, Virginia, on December 17, 1937.
13 milesS
Natural attraction, Park, Cave
Grand Caverns, Grottoes
Grand Caverns, formerly known as Weyer's Cave, is located in the central Shenandoah Valley in the town of Grottoes, Virginia, United States. A limestone cavern, it claims the distinction of being America's oldest show cave, in operation since 1806.
35 milesSE
Monuments and statues
Statue of Thomas Jefferson, Charlottesville
Thomas Jefferson is a statue of U.S. Founding Father and president Thomas Jefferson in front of the Rotunda at the University of Virginia, the university he founded and designed. The statue was crafted by Moses Ezekiel in 1910 and was a copy of the Jefferson statue in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Best Time To Visit Harrisonburg

Learn when is the best time to travel to Harrisonburg weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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May, June and July are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in April and August.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in January, February and December. Most of it rains in May, June, July, August and September.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Harrisonburg?

The top attractions to visit in Harrisonburg are:

What is the best time to visit Harrisonburg?

May, June and July are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in April and August. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.