Travel
One of the best tiny towns to visit in 2021 – Film Daily , 2021
One of eight Virginia Towns that Could Star in a Hallmark Christmas movie – Travel Awaits , 2021
Small Town Perfect for a Winter Getaway – House Method , 2018
One of the eight best “Fall Foliage Cities.” – Where to Retire Magazine
#2 of 30 Most Gorgeous Fall Towns – CarRentals.com , 2017
#6 in America’s Favorite Towns – Travel & Leisure,
By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages is listed in the Top 10 Little Known Inns in VA – Onlyinyourstate.com , 2016
One of 10 Most Exciting Places in Virginia – Movoto ,
By the Side of the Road Inn and Cottages Joins Diamond Collection – Bedandbreakfast.com, 2014
Outdoors
One of Eight Awesome Mountain Biking Towns – Local Freshies, 2022
One of the region’s Best Biking Meccas – Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
One of 10 Best Blue Ridge Bike Town – Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine
Bluestone Trail has been listed as a Virginia Treasure – Commonwealth of Virginia , 2017
One of the 20 Best Mountain Bike Towns in America – National Geographic
Heritage Oaks Golf Course voted #1 Golf Course in the Shenandoah Valley – Virginia Living Magazine
Shenandoah National Park is listed in the 50 Most Beautiful Places in America – Conde Nast Traveler
One of the 10 Best Blue Ridge Bike Towns – Blue Ridge Outdoors
#3 Happiest Town in the Mountains – Blue Ridge Outdoors,
Most Popular Regional Travel Destination for Mountain Bikers – Singletracks , 2015
One of America’s Top 10 Mountain Bike Towns – National Geographic Society, 2015
Bronze Award Bicycle Friendly Community – League of American Bicyclists, 2015
James Madison University honored as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly University – League of American Bicyclists , 2013
Eastern Mennonite University honored as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly University – League of American Bicyclists , 2012
Elevated to a Bronze Level Ride Center – International Mountain Bicycling Association , 2011
Honored as a Bronze Award Bicycle Friendly Community – League of American Bicyclists , 2011
Designated an Appalachian Trail Community – Appalachian Trail Conservancy , 2011
Food & Drink
Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint ranked #19 of 50 Best Burger Joints in America – Business Insider
Little Grill Collective ranked #123 of 240 Reaseons to Celebrate America Right Now – Time Magazine ,
CubanBurger is listed as the Most Over-The-Top Burger in Virginia – Esquire
Corgans’ Publick House is listed as one of the 9 Extrememly Tiny Restaurants That Are Actually Amazing – Onlyinyourstate.com , 2016
Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza is listed in the Top 10 Italian Restaurants The Will Make Your Taste Buds Explode – Onlyinyourstate.com , 2016
Harrisonburg is considered the Pizza Capital of Virginia – WTVR-TV , 2016
FoodBarFood among the 14 Restaurants that Prove Brunch is the Best Meal of the Day – Onlyinyourstate.com , 2016
Xenia Kebab Grill is listed in the Top 13 “Hole in the Wall” Restaurants that will blow your taste buds away – Onlyinyourstate.com , 2016
Downtown Harrisonburg named Virginia’s first Culinary District – City of Harrisonburg, 2014
Attractions
Harrisonburg Farmers Market is one of the 14 Incredible Farmers Markets in VA that is a Must Visit – Onlyinyourstate.com , 2016
Massanutten WaterPark Named Top 10 Best Water Parks of 2016 – Parents Magazine
A Dream Come True Playground was named one of 13 inclusive playgrounds that are downright awesome – Red Tricycle , 2015
History
Designated a Preserve America Community, 2009
Designated a National and Virginia Historic District – National Park Service, 2004
Designated an Arts and Cultural District in Virginia, 2001
Business
#32 for Best Small Places for Business & Careers – Forbes
Downtown Renaissance receives National Trust Main Street Accreditation , 2011
Designated a Virginia Main Street Community, 2004
Environment
Top 10 Cleanest Places to Live in the U.S. – American Lung Association , 2022
Tree City USA – The Arbor Day Foundation , 2019
Tree City USA – The Arbor Day Foundation, 2017
US ‘State of the Air ‘ reports by the American Lung Association , 2017Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market named 2017 Green Travel Leader – Virginia Green Program , 2017
Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center named 2016 Virginia Green Visitor Center of the Year – Virginia Green Program , 2016
Home to over 33 Virginia Green businesses, organizations, and events – Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Tree City USA Community – Arbor Day Foundation, 2004
Lifestyle
9th among over 350 metro areas in Dwellsy’s guide to Top Cities for Renters . It was the only Virginia metro area ranked to land in the top 50. – Dwellsy , 2021
One of the Best Cities for First Time Homebuyers – CNBC , 2021
Best City to Retire in Virginia – Insurify , 2021
One of the best cities in the South to move to after the pandemic – Business Insider , 2020
Editor’s Choice for a Top Dating Destination – DatingAdvice.com , 2020
One of the Top 10 Best Places for Millennials to Move to in the US – Reviews.org , 2019
Runner up as the Best Place to Retire in Virginia – Forbes , 2018
#10 in Virginia for Safest Cities – Safe Home , 2017
#1 most popular mid-size city to relocate – Movebuddha.com , 2017
One of 15 Affordable Small Towns We Love – Southern Living
#10 Fastest Growing City in Virginia – HomeSnacks , 2016
#6 in Virginia’s Safest Cities From Severe Weather – HomeownersInsurance.com,
College & University
One of the 10 Most Livable College Towns in America – Strategistico , 2022
One of the Best Places in the Country for Students Seeking a High-Quality Education – College Factual , 2019
One of the most charming college town Main Streets – Best Value Schools , 2017-2018
