The hidden and not-so-hidden gems of the Shenandoah Valley.
Breakfast
Mr. J’s is a local deli that specializes in breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches. We highly recommend their Bacon, Egg, and Cheese breakfast bagel or the Chicken Charlie lunch sandwich. Sometimes you'll see a line waiting, but we think it's worth it.
8 locals recommend
Mr. J's Bagel & Deli ( there are 3 locations)
1635 E Market StMr. J’s is a local deli that specializes in breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches. We highly recommend their Bacon, Egg, and Cheese breakfast bagel or the Chicken Charlie lunch sandwich. Sometimes you'll see a line waiting, but we think it's worth it.
Shopping Local
If you’re looking for a place to find quality local wines, a place to eat lunch, drink coffee, and browse through a huge variety of homemade jams, jellies, gourmet chocolates, jewelry, baked goods, and other interesting foods, go to Valley Pike Farm Market. It's picturesque and guaranteed to provide an interesting afternoon activity.
22 locals recommend
Valley Pike Farm Market
3494 Lee HwyIf you’re looking for a place to find quality local wines, a place to eat lunch, drink coffee, and browse through a huge variety of homemade jams, jellies, gourmet chocolates, jewelry, baked goods, and other interesting foods, go to Valley Pike Farm Market. It's picturesque and guaranteed to provide an interesting afternoon activity.
Agora Downtown Market is a you’ll find handmade bags, fair-trade goods, zero-waste products, clothing, vintage items, and more. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or searching for a unique gift, this is a one-stop-shop for shopping small and supporting local businesses.
19 locals recommend
Agora Downtown Market
165 S Main StAgora Downtown Market is a you’ll find handmade bags, fair-trade goods, zero-waste products, clothing, vintage items, and more. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or searching for a unique gift, this is a one-stop-shop for shopping small and supporting local businesses.
If you're looking to shop local, snag some beautiful handmade jewelry, art, and vintage products look no further. Sarah, the owner, is a kindhearted and creative soul who puts everything into curating an eye-catching store. Highly, highly recommended.
11 locals recommend
The Lady Jane
165 S Main StIf you're looking to shop local, snag some beautiful handmade jewelry, art, and vintage products look no further. Sarah, the owner, is a kindhearted and creative soul who puts everything into curating an eye-catching store. Highly, highly recommended.
Visit the small town of Dayton to go to the Dayton Farmers Market. A truly unique shopping experience, you'll find a variety of goods mainly made by the Old Order Mennonite (similar to Amish) community. They offer fresh, homemade baked goods and desserts; chocolates; handmade toys and decor, specialty kitchen items and quilting materials amongst many other things.
7 locals recommend
Dayton
Visit the small town of Dayton to go to the Dayton Farmers Market. A truly unique shopping experience, you'll find a variety of goods mainly made by the Old Order Mennonite (similar to Amish) community. They offer fresh, homemade baked goods and desserts; chocolates; handmade toys and decor, specialty kitchen items and quilting materials amongst many other things.
This local shop offers handmade, natural beauty and skincare products. One of the best things to do is call and book a group DIY session where you can each make lip balm or body scrub! Very fun and you can BYOB!
withSimplicity
66 S Main StThis local shop offers handmade, natural beauty and skincare products. One of the best things to do is call and book a group DIY session where you can each make lip balm or body scrub! Very fun and you can BYOB!
Adult Beverages
Our first Cidery in Harrisonburg! They have delicious ciders (get the flight and try a variety) and great outdoor seating with heaters. You can also get really cool merch if you're wanting to take home a souvenir.
12 locals recommend
Sage Bird Ciderworks
325 N Liberty StOur first Cidery in Harrisonburg! They have delicious ciders (get the flight and try a variety) and great outdoor seating with heaters. You can also get really cool merch if you're wanting to take home a souvenir.
Great place to grab a beer and hang out with friends. It has a very family-friendly atmosphere and a wall full of books that one can take home or read while you sip. They don't serve food but several downtown restaurants will deliver there.
52 locals recommend
Pale Fire Brewing Co
217 S Liberty StGreat place to grab a beer and hang out with friends. It has a very family-friendly atmosphere and a wall full of books that one can take home or read while you sip. They don't serve food but several downtown restaurants will deliver there.
This vineyard is in a gorgeous spot. They have great outdoor seating and good wine. It's very close to Casa del Bosque!
109 locals recommend
CrossKeys Vineyards
6011 E Timber Ridge RdThis vineyard is in a gorgeous spot. They have great outdoor seating and good wine. It's very close to Casa del Bosque!
Bluestone offers breathtaking views and delicious wine. It's also a great wedding venue!
76 locals recommend
Bluestone Vineyard
4828 Spring Creek RdBluestone offers breathtaking views and delicious wine. It's also a great wedding venue!
Although Cave Ridge is a bit further away than our other recommendations, it's worth the drive. Their sparkling Rose wine is the best in the area. They also have wine slushies that will make you smile, even on the hottest summer day.
69 locals recommend
Cave Ridge Vineyard
1476 Conicville RdAlthough Cave Ridge is a bit further away than our other recommendations, it's worth the drive. Their sparkling Rose wine is the best in the area. They also have wine slushies that will make you smile, even on the hottest summer day.
Food scene
Taste of Thai has been one of our family’s favorites since we moved to Harrisonburg. Family-owned and local, Taste of Thai has an extensive menu and everything we have tried we have liked! Our family's favorite dishes are Chicken Pad Thai, Jumbo Sesame Shrimp, and Chicken Praram (and we always ask for Chen- he's a wonderful server).
30 locals recommend
Taste of Thai
917 S High StTaste of Thai has been one of our family’s favorites since we moved to Harrisonburg. Family-owned and local, Taste of Thai has an extensive menu and everything we have tried we have liked! Our family's favorite dishes are Chicken Pad Thai, Jumbo Sesame Shrimp, and Chicken Praram (and we always ask for Chen- he's a wonderful server).
One of the most delicious restaurants in Harrisonburg. We highly recommend their lunch buffet so you can try a little bit of everything (or a lot of everything). Fun fact- all of the spices they use come imported from India!
15 locals recommend
Taj of India
34 S Main StOne of the most delicious restaurants in Harrisonburg. We highly recommend their lunch buffet so you can try a little bit of everything (or a lot of everything). Fun fact- all of the spices they use come imported from India!
Cuban Burger is a local restaurant in downtown Harrisonburg. They specialize in Cuban cuisine and have several delicious burgers. Family favorite dishes are the Pork Chop Chop, the El Fuego Burger or Buenos Dias Burger. If you're in the mood for drinks, they also serve a mean Seasonal Mule.
39 locals recommend
Cuban Burger
70 W Water StCuban Burger is a local restaurant in downtown Harrisonburg. They specialize in Cuban cuisine and have several delicious burgers. Family favorite dishes are the Pork Chop Chop, the El Fuego Burger or Buenos Dias Burger. If you're in the mood for drinks, they also serve a mean Seasonal Mule.
Bella Luna is a local Italian restaurant that has been a more polished option for delicious pizza. This pizza is more similar to authentic Italian pizza.
73 locals recommend
Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza
80 W Water StBella Luna is a local Italian restaurant that has been a more polished option for delicious pizza. This pizza is more similar to authentic Italian pizza.
Vito’s Italian Kitchen serves absolutely delicious Italian food. It’s a Harrisonburg-favorite owned by a local Italian family. We are always extremely pleased with the food and service. Our recommendation is the Bruschetta Salad and Seafood Angelica.
21 locals recommend
Vito's Italian Kitchen
1047 Port Republic RdVito’s Italian Kitchen serves absolutely delicious Italian food. It’s a Harrisonburg-favorite owned by a local Italian family. We are always extremely pleased with the food and service. Our recommendation is the Bruschetta Salad and Seafood Angelica.
New York Flying Pizza is our go-to for family pizza nights. They are a ten minute drive away in the town of Bridgewater.
New York Flying Pizza
415 N Main StNew York Flying Pizza is our go-to for family pizza nights. They are a ten minute drive away in the town of Bridgewater.
The Local Chop and Grill House is a good option for a more upscale dining experience. Their steak is delicious as is anything else we have ever tried. Although they offer a seasonal menu, it’s always been a stellar experience. They have had outdoor seating with heaters, but we do recommend making a reservation if this is a place you think you’d like to go to.
69 locals recommend
Local Chop & Grill House
56 W Gay StThe Local Chop and Grill House is a good option for a more upscale dining experience. Their steak is delicious as is anything else we have ever tried. Although they offer a seasonal menu, it’s always been a stellar experience. They have had outdoor seating with heaters, but we do recommend making a reservation if this is a place you think you’d like to go to.
Unique Experiences
Get lost in the world of Lavender! Here you can find anything Lavender- from wine to ice cream to personal care products. During the summer you can also pick your own lavender.
91 locals recommend
Purple Wolf Vineyard
2644 Cross Keys RdGet lost in the world of Lavender! Here you can find anything Lavender- from wine to ice cream to personal care products. During the summer you can also pick your own lavender.
We highly recommend taking a walk in the arboretum and admiring the vegetation. This arboretum is maintained by James Madison University and always boasts of gorgeous landscaping. Their small pond has ducks, turtles, and lots of pretty fish. Great place to take the kids or go on a walk with your pup.
32 locals recommend
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
780 University BlvdWe highly recommend taking a walk in the arboretum and admiring the vegetation. This arboretum is maintained by James Madison University and always boasts of gorgeous landscaping. Their small pond has ducks, turtles, and lots of pretty fish. Great place to take the kids or go on a walk with your pup.
Delicious (and local) coffee spots
Visit Merge for a delicious cup of coffee! Locally owned, this place offers a beautiful atmosphere and delicious, bold, aromatic coffee. We recommend the Raspberry Mocha, Americano, and any of their homemade baked goods.
12 locals recommend
Merge Coffee Company
821 Mt Clinton PikeVisit Merge for a delicious cup of coffee! Locally owned, this place offers a beautiful atmosphere and delicious, bold, aromatic coffee. We recommend the Raspberry Mocha, Americano, and any of their homemade baked goods.
Inside of Agora Downtown Market, don't skip a visit to Broad Porch Coffee Co. Very low-key with a lovely atmosphere. We recommend their iced Americano!
13 locals recommend
Broad Porch Coffee Co.
165 S Main StInside of Agora Downtown Market, don't skip a visit to Broad Porch Coffee Co. Very low-key with a lovely atmosphere. We recommend their iced Americano!
Dessert
For dessert, we highly recommend Smiley’s Ice Cream at Mt. Crawford Creamery. You’ll drive right into a dairy farm that has a creamery and an ice cream shop on location. We love their butter pecan and peppermint bark ice cream.
19 locals recommend
Smiley's Ice Cream
205 Don Litten PkwyFor dessert, we highly recommend Smiley’s Ice Cream at Mt. Crawford Creamery. You’ll drive right into a dairy farm that has a creamery and an ice cream shop on location. We love their butter pecan and peppermint bark ice cream.
Kline's Dairy Bar has been a local favorite for over 20 years. They make delicious ice cream, but you'll only ever find three flavors- chocolate, vanilla, and the weekly special. They have a calendar on their website where you can find the weekly flavor. The weeks that they have Chocolate Peanut Butter, Black Raspberry, and Pumpkin you can expect a long line!
17 locals recommend
Kline's Dairy Bar - S Main
2425 S Main StKline's Dairy Bar has been a local favorite for over 20 years. They make delicious ice cream, but you'll only ever find three flavors- chocolate, vanilla, and the weekly special. They have a calendar on their website where you can find the weekly flavor. The weeks that they have Chocolate Peanut Butter, Black Raspberry, and Pumpkin you can expect a long line!