Visit Downtown
Visit Downtown
Things To Do|Events|Eat & Drink|Shop
Virginia’s First
Culinary District
Great American Main Street
Virginia’s First Arts
& Cultural District
A downtown experience you won’t want to miss
Downtown Harrisonburg, an award winning downtown which includes a Virginia Arts & Cultural District and Culinary district is the lively center of the city’s innovative and dynamic culture. Whether you decide to explore the 40-block downtown district on foot, by bike, or by car, you won’t want to miss the beautiful architecture or one-of-a-kind museums. Harrisonburg’s compact downtown gives you that sought-after small-town vibe with all the modern amenities, international cuisine, indoor and outdoor patio dining options and an array of locally-owned shops.
Things to Do
Downtown Harrisonburg is home to several unique museums. Visit the Explore More Discovery Museum and Larry W. Shifflett Fire Museum with hands on activities for children. Explore More offers multiple floors of interactive exhibits from a play kitchen and farmers market to an actual ambulance and small airplane. For ages 8+, try the makerspace to invent and create. History buffs will enjoy the Valley Turnpike Museum and Civil War Orientation Center located within the downtown Visitor Center in the Hardesty-Higgins House (circa 1848).
Harrisonburg’s craft breweries have a strong reputation for friendly service, great events and award winning libations. Harrisonburg is home to five craft beer breweries and one cider brewery all within walking distance. Visit Friendly Fermenter, Brothers Craft Brewing, Three Notch’d Valley Collab House, Restless Moons Brewing, Pale Fire Brewing and Sage Bird Ciderworks. Each brewery has a unique character and a willingness to share their passion for brewing and are part of the popular Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail.
Harrisonburg is a shopper’s dream. Enjoy shopping at an eclectic array of independent retailers, boutiques, and galleries. Here you can meander through unique local specialty shops and antique stores. We are the perfect destination for all of your vacation shopping needs including gear and outfitter shops for climbing, hiking, biking and fishing. Pick up exceptional locally-made gifts for friends and family, grab some fresh locally-grown snacks at the farmers market or food co-op. Our wide array of vendors and service providers have all of your shopping needs covered. Locals and visitors alike are delighted by our shopping choices, and you will be too!
Self-Guided Tours
Download the free VisitHburg VA Widigit App on your phone and discover unique tours around Harrisonburg. The tours feature downtown murals and historic sites and range from a family fun to a pub crawl. Most of the tours offer free outdoor riddles to solve along the way. Challenge yourself to explore Downtown Harrisonburg with this user-friendly app and try to answer all the puzzles without using the optional hints. All puzzles are outdoors.
Harrisonburg has a culinary scene founded on farm-to-table fare that isn’t shy about creating tantalizing, international flavors. There are dining options for every appetite. Harrisonburg’s variety of both locally-owned and nationally-recognized restaurants will take you on a culinary trip around the world, with an array of flavors to satisfy even the most discerning palate. Historic downtown Harrisonburg is home to Virginia’s First Culinary District. Whether you prefer to dine on a rooftop, out on the patio, in a historic building, among local art, or in front of a local food truck, there’s a restaurant with its own distinctive atmosphere for you.
Start planning your next getaway with the help of our Harrisonburg trip planner. Create your own itinerary or check out a few tours we’ve come up with for you! With Harrisonburg’s trip planner, you can customize your own itinerary in only a few minutes. To use the trip planner click on the gold Virginia icon from our website or if you download the Visit Harrisonburg Trip Planner app you can save your itinerary, print it out or share it with a friend. It will also help you navigate between locations. See you in Harrisonburg soon…
Find your way
Downtown Harrisonburg offers a charming, dynamic walkable downtown with numerous restaurants, unique museums and locally owned boutiques. A trailblazing culinary and arts scene is evident from the many restaurants and outdoor art which fill the downtown area. From popular music venues like The Golden Pony to the historic Court Square Theater you can catch a touring band or an independent film. Visit one of six craft breweries within walking distance to sample local artisan beer or cider. Take a historic walking tour with emphasis on architecture or discover local murals. Visit Downtown Harrisonburg to see what all the buzz is about. Use the downtown map to guide your way.
