20 Fun Things To Do In Harrisonburg, Virginia

White Oak Lavender Farm & The Purple WOLF Vineyard is operated all through the year. They provide wine-tasting sessions, beers, and lavender ice cream also they have a very beautiful gift corner from where you can purchase gifts for your special someone.

The grounds are beautiful, the views are great and they also have a kid play area by the tasty room which also makes this a kid-friendly place to visit in Harrisonburg.

The best part is that they have a discovery area that includes viewing domestic farm animals such as alpacas, horses, miniature horses, sheep, goats, rabbits, and free-range exotic hens.

Address: 2644 Cross Keys Road

A hidden gem, Edith J. Carrier Arboretum is a very nice arboretum to visit when in Harrisonburg. It has easy parking services, and with several directions walking and hiking are easy here.

Here, you will get a chance to see a variety of flower options if you visit there in the spring season. Not only that but you can take your children with you, this place has some cute items like a sand area and a little house for children.

And we recommend you to go to the visitors center as there is an activity bag that can be explored by you.

Address: 780 University Boulevard

Elevation Sports serves the Shenandoah Valley as the official Bubble Soccer, Combat Archery tag, and Nerf War zone. They give Unforgettable Experiences by providing healthy, family, entertainment, and recreational services that include physical exercise.

You can also walk in for the Pay and Play services or make advance bookings from the Elevation Sports website for your family members or your friends. The workers of this place are very friendly and, if you treat them correctly, they will make recommendations regarding games that you may enjoy.

Address: 1925 E Market Street Ste 302

This is another lovely place to spend time with your kids in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This museum will offer you plenty of activities and fun games to entertain even the most challenging young kids.

They have all kinds of science-related interactive play areas for kids from age 5 to middle school. They have mind development blocks and puzzles, rooms, ladders, and games.

The place is very clean, well organized, and spacious, and the best thing is you won't have any issues playing games and activities despite the big crowd in there. Additionally, you can bring your own food and beverages from outside and there are tables and areas to use and eat.

Address: 150 South Main Street

This will be the main point of interest on your Saturday and Tuesday outing to Harrisonburg. The market is sheltered and right downtown. There's plenty of parking, but can be hard to find a space if you come later in the morning as there are plenty of customers strolling the market.

You can find a great variety of merchants, where you can purchase both food and gifts for your loved ones. On Saturdays during the warm months, there is usually a vocal group or small musical group on the grass playing great songs. So, make some time and visit this market to taste some of the local food found there.

Address: 228 South Liberty Street

James Madison University is among the most preferred colleges, and essentially the life and bloodstream of Harrisonburg VA. It is one of the most eye appealing campuses that any one could ever set his or her eyes on.

There is also a relatively adorable main street here in this campus, and accommodation is available in good hotels and Bnb where one can book and spend the night or more.

You will also get to go to the Forbes Center which has wonderful internationally relevant music and theater acts, and the best time to visit this campus is in the month of October.

Address: 800 South Main Street

Don’t miss a very enjoyable and informative tour at this beautiful heritage center. The Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center educates and preserves about the history, culture, and religious practices of Brethren and Mennonites in the Shenandoah Valley.

As much as these two belief systems differ in many aspects they both are non-violent and support peace. Thus, everyone including visitors and volunteers comes face to face with all values and faith at the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center through the stories, artifacts, structures, and education on site.

The 24 acres of the Heritage Center comprises eight buildings of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth-century and other interpretative ways, scenic view of the valley.

Address: 1921 Heritage Center Way

Another popular things to do in Harrisonburg VA is discover the culture, history, and amenities that help make this city one of Virginia's most visited cities. Here you can browse through the library of brochures, maps, and varieties of travel resources to explore, dine, shop, and recline.

Hardesty Higgins House Visitor Center has also been awarded the 2016 Virginia Green Travel Star Award. So, experience what makes life better in this city, and don't miss out on this place whenever you are traveling to Harrisonburg.

Address: 212 South Main Street

For the more daring visitors, Shenandoah National Park should be of interest. Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountain area, the park entails beautiful walks and trails and an ecological view of wildlife. 

It’s ideal for fishing, camping, and trail hiking or just enjoying the natural sceneries of Virginia. You can even come here for a vacation with your family or your friends as this attractive holiday type of place is perfect for everybody regardless the age.

If you have enough time in hand then you can also see various exciting things to do in Shenandoah National Park.

Court Square Theatre was once home to the Rockingham Motor Company and later was renovated into a theater as part of the Harrisonburg downtown revitalization effort. This theatre is the premier Performing Arts and Cinema venue in downtown Harrisonburg.

Here you will get to see a great selection of independent films along with good popcorn. Not only that but you can also see live theatre, commercial movies, dance, and comedy all happen in Court Square Theatre.

So, before going there we recommend you to make a reservation from their website to stay up to date.

Address: 41-F Court Square

One of the most popular breweries in Harrisonburg, The Friendly Fermenter is located at the corner of East Market and Mason Streets. Also known as The Beer Shelter, it is a place of handmade local beer, great experiences, and friendship.

Visiting this place feels like you are walking into someone's basement home brew room. You will find the customers at the bar very friendly and talkative and the bartenders are very well trained.

The best part is that they also sell all types of ingredients to brew your own beer. So, take time and visit this place to try the varieties of beers available there.

Address: 20 South Mason Street

Finding great items with a great ambiance can be experienced in The Barn at Creekside Farm. This is one of the oldest renovated barns in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, and currently, there are many other shops such as furniture makers, jewelers and others.

Further, the visitors can also find a do-it-yourself section for every person who wants to design exclusive things herself. Artwork which would be showcased here is amazing and the crew are genuinely so nice, warm and welcoming. 

But remember to check out the schedule before directly heading out to visit as they are open only on the 2nd weekend of every month.

Address: 5511 South Valley Pike

Situated in James Madison University, the JMU Mineral Museum has much to see. There are more than 600 specimens for visitors on display and two full cases of Virginia-found minerals and crystals. Some are local while others are from different parts of the world.

In the back room, there is a pretty fancy fluorescent table featuring all the stones originating from New Jersey. Some of the minerals that one is likely to be able to glimpse at this museum include Esperite, willemite, barite, hydrozincite, calcite, clinohedrite, hardstone, norbergite, wollastonite, margarosanite, clinohedrite, and many others.

Address: Memorial Hall, 395 South High Street

This brewery is in Harrisonburg hence is more than just a bar for beer in the neighborhood. The team in Harrisonburg produces something new every week; they have all their beers on tap in Virginia to ensure you get the freshest beer.

It’s a pretty laid-back place for a date night party, study session, or a meeting, this craft beer bar has been described as the best-kept secret of the Shenandoah Valley.

Here you can also fluke on some extraordinary games such as bumper pool and table tap mini bowling games. There are also other eating places nearby where one can either take food to the venue or order for them.

Address: 241 East Market Street

If you are in Harrisonburg, VA do not miss this outstanding market. It is packed with a wide array of items from food items to clothing to military items to furniture. Additionally, there is also a short-order cafe on this shopping site that serves a local lunch.

You can also stroll leisurely through beautiful lakes and streams which are located in water gardens and park benches because, in this shopping district, there are over 20 shops owned by local entrepreneurs.

Therefore do not miss the chance to try some Old Fashioned Valley Goodness at the Largest Country Market in the area.

Address: 121 Carpenter Lane

Ruby’s Arcade is a huge recreation area complete with a duckpin bowling alley, pool tables, dart alleys and even foosball. At Ruby’s with woodfired pizza oven, woodfired meat smoker and full service bar, you can come in for lunch with your kids, or grab drinks with friends in the evening.

The best part is this place only charges $7 per person for unlimited games and you can spend hours here without getting disturbed. Also, you will get food at a very reasonable price. So, don't miss out on this amazing place while visiting Harrisonburg VA.

Address: 165 South Main Street

Funkys Skate Center is an excellent place to take the family for a fun day out in Harrisonburg for a budget-friendly traveler. You would get a variety of food options like popcorn, chips, soft drinks etc.

They are open for several days and hours which is great for people with busy schedules. We guarantee this experience will take you back to the 80s and 90s while skating in great music and atmosphere. So, choose funky for your fun night out in Harrisonburg.

Address: 100 Miller Circle

Heritage Bakery & Cafe is a charming place run by a mother and daughter duo where they create sweet treats and locally sourced fresh eats. This place is connected to the visitors center of downtown Harrisonburg.

The cafe's kitchen is always open and you can see how everything is made. You can simply order the food you want to eat at the counter and they will bring everything to you for your convenience.

You will not be disappointed as every day they have a different variety of baked goods available. This makes the bakery a must-try in downtown Harrisonburg!

Address: 212 South Main Street

For anyone interested in textiles, the Virginia Quilt Museum is a must-visit. They have a wonderful collection of standard patterns, for instance, pyramids and even double-wedding rings, and two or three rooms of more modern design.

For $8 for each individual, it is an attractive place in the picturesque small town of Harrisonburg. This Museum presents a traveling exhibit of antique and modern quilts from its own collection and also borrowed from other museums and private owners.

Furthermore, in order to achieve several educational goals that concern the creation of workshops and lectures, the Museum becomes more developed.

Address: 2328 Silver Lake Road

GlenDor Farm is situated a mile from downtown Harrisonburg in a picturesque piece of land but when you are on the farm, you can’t tell that it is not within the city. They have been supplying fresh and quality bulk shares of beef to their local community for several decades now.

Here you can purchase ready-packed USDA-inspected beef cuts and they do also offer pork as well as lamb products. If you are lucky enough and visit there during Saturday, you will be able to buy the freshly grilled GlenDor burgers, or hotdogs, as well as chicken BBQ and pulled pork.

Address: 1513 Mount Clinton Pike