Meems Bottom Covered Bridge is 200 feet long and has a single span. It is the longest of the few surviving covered bridges in Virginia. Its length, design and place among these historic structures offer a concrete sense of the region’s history waiting to be discovered.
Battlefield, Courthouse and Mill
About 160 acres of the Shenandoah County battlefield are preserved by the Commonwealth of Virginia as New Market Battlefield Historical Park. The restored Bushong House stands on the eastern edge of the battlefield; it was used as a hospital by both sides. At the Virginia Museum of the Civil War, guided tours led by museum staff explore the history of the Battle of New Market and the Civil War in the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you plan to take a tour, check the current schedule in advance.
Built from local limestone in 1795, the Shenandoah County Historic Courthouse is the oldest continuously used courthouse west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It serves as a visitor information center and a museum of the historic courtroom. As opening hours vary by season, it is worth checking before your visit.
Built in 1848, Edinburg Mill offers a glimpse into the history of the Shenandoah Valley through memorabilia, antiques, and old machinery and tools. The mill also houses the Shenandoah Valley Cultural Heritage Museum. The mill building is one of the few in the Shenandoah Valley that Sheridan did not burn down during the Civil War. Fort Valley Museum, meanwhile, is housed in Union Church at Dry Run, also known as Old Brick Church. Online, the museum provides access to a collection of recorded oral histories.
Landscapes and Outdoor Activities
Shenandoah County lies between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains. Designated Virginia Byways and scenic routes 11, 600, 675, 42 and 263 offer appealing views. The North Fork of the Shenandoah River flows through the county’s rural landscape. The George Washington National Forest covers an area of 75,349 acres there.
At Seven Bends State Park, you can wade-fish for smallmouth bass and other sport fish; a Virginia freshwater fishing license is required. In winter, Bryce Resort offers skiing and snowboarding on eight trails, accessible by a high-speed quad chairlift. Swimming, boating and fishing are available at Lake Laura at Bryce Resort. A three-mile hiking trail circles the lake. Lake activities are seasonal, so check operating dates in advance. At Bryce Resort, be sure to check current snow and operating conditions.
Caverns, Floats and Local Production
Shenandoah Caverns is less than a mile from Interstate 81. Its fully guided tours last about an hour and cover one mile. The caverns are open seven days a week, except December 25. Check seasonal and holiday hours before your trip.
American Celebration on Parade displays more than 20 life-size parade floats, including floats from parades for the inaugurations of U.S. presidents. Access is seasonal. For a different look at local production, visit Route 11 Potato Chips, an agribusiness in Shenandoah County. At the factory in Mount Jackson, visitors can watch the chips being fried, sample them and buy them.
Festivals with Changing Dates
Held annually, the Shenandoah County Fair combines agricultural exhibits with rides, live entertainment and tractor pulls. The program also includes activities for children and classic fair food. The also-annual Edinburg Ole Time Festival features historical reenactments, antique displays, traditional crafts, local art and live music. The dates of both events change from year to year; check the dates if you would like to plan your trip around a festival.
Discover more destinations: New Market, Strasburg, Basye, Mount Jackson, Woodstock, Edinburg, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie County.
For the broader travel overview: Virginia.
