Memorable Family Fun: A Getaway Guide for Your Family Trip to Harrisonburg
Whether you’re stargazing at the planetarium, hiking sun-dappled trails, or wandering downtown’s lively streets, family-friendly Harrisonburg promises something special. It’s the perfect time to plan a family getaway high on fun and low on cost. Harrisonburg, Virginia makes weekend adventures easy with many affordable, all-ages attractions. Surrounded by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, this welcoming town offers everything from interactive museums and colorful public art to kid-friendly dining and scenic outdoor escapes.
Follow this guide to craft the perfect Harrisonburg family weekend itinerary:
Snap-Worthy Art Downtown
• Downtown Murals: Public art is where a community’s spirit comes to life, and in friendly downtown Harrisonburg, that spirit is visible at every turn. With nearly 30 outdoor murals, mosaics, and sculptures, the Downtown Art Walk showcases the city’s beauty and imagination, enough to have even your teens looking up from their phones. Commemorate your trip among the most photo-worthy backdrops!
• LOVEworks Sculpture: No vacation photo album is complete without a snapshot by Harrisonburg’s iconic LOVEworks statue. Each colorful letter celebrates a unique piece of the area’s culture, diversity, and agricultural roots.
• Downtown Ducklings: For some extra family fun, go on a scavenger hunt to find the award-winning Downtown Ducklings. Those family members with a competitive spirit and a keen eye will love accepting the challenge to find the bronze mother duck and her eight ducklings scattered around downtown.
Hands-On Family Fun
• Explore More Discovery Museum: This one-of-a-kind museum is a must when visiting Harrisonburg with kids. For just $10 a ticket, little ones explore two floors of interactive
Explore More Museum
exhibits, including a fully equipped play lab and life-size airplane cockpit where imaginations take flight. Children 8 and up can test their creativity at the third-floor makerspace complete with a 3D printer perfect for taking imagination to tangible creation.
• Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center: Step back in time at this outdoor heritage site where history comes to life through hands-on fun. While your kids may have left their textbooks at school, they’ll still learn about the early settlers of the valley and visit a one room schoolhouse tour an 1800s home, explore a carriage barnand peek inside a chicken coop.
• John C. Wells Planetarium at JMU: Blast off on a family-friendly adventure through the stars at this state-of-the-art planetarium. With full-dome weekend shows that wow little explorers and curious teens alike, it’s a cosmic experience for all ages. Even better? Admission is free Saturdays through June.
Free Fresh-Air Adventures & Play Spaces
• Edith J. Carrier Arboretum: One of many great outdoor activities in Harrisonburg, this peaceful woodland sanctuary features 3 miles of shaded trails, native plants and wildlife, and a quiet wildflower preserve. Don’t miss the children’s garden where a whimsical troll house, spider climber, and salamander statue spark young imaginations.
• A Dream Come True Playground: Just a short walk from the arboretum, this inclusive playground is a dream for children of all ages and abilities. Little ones dash beneath rainbow arches and doodle at draw walls while parents relax at family comfort stations. Even the moodiest teen might crack a smile hammocking beneath the summer-blue sky.
• Hillandale Park: This 74-acre park has 12 picnic shelters and miles of walking and cycling trails, including Rocktown Trails where you’ll find four miles of free single-track cycling at three levels of difficulty. Intersected by the Friendly City trail, a beautiful paved way to traverse the area, Hillandale Park is a prime way to get your steps in with the whole family in tow.
Delicious Dining for All Ages
• Grilled Cheese Mania: Fuel up the whole family with a fun twist on a classic favorite: gourmet grilled cheeses galore! Lean into sweet-and-savory bliss with a local favorite, the Sweet Mucci—sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, and a fried egg between two glazed donuts.
• Heritage Bakery & Café: Dreaming of a picnic under the summer sun? Reserve a picnic basket filled with beautiful china and scrumptious treats or dine in and enjoy brunch on their beautiful patio.
• Ruby’s Arcade: When it comes to good times infused with nostalgic fun, Ruby’s is the ticket. This family-friendly pizza & BBQ spot offers bowling, ping pong, pool tables, arcade games, and air hockey all in one ultra chill location. Come for the perfectly wood-fired pizza and stay for the button-tapping, joystick jiggling fun.
• Friendly City Food Co-op: Every family has a health-nut, and they’ll be well cared for at the local Co-op. With a great selection of organic snacks, it’s the perfect spot for guilt-free grazing—whether curating burrata and aged gouda from the Cheese Island or savoring creamy mushroom tortellini from the Hot Bar.
• Kline’s Dairy Bar: A sweet tooth knows no age, so treat the whole family with this beloved ice cream shop famous for its rotating menu since 1943. No taste of Harrisonburg is complete without sampling their weekly flavors. From the juicy crunch of Cherry Nut to the summery sweet Peach, each scoop serves up a little local magic.
• Pale Fire Brewing Company: Conclude your days of wonderment and exploration at the local brewery. Adults unwind with craft beers while teens browse the retro-style vinyl wall and munch on a slice of Detroit’s best deep-dish pizza, and younger kids have room to move in the spacious play area.
Comfortable Stays with an indoor pool
- Hotel Madison: In the heart of downtown, this modern luxury hotel blends sleek style with family comforts from dog-friendly rooms to guest services making everyone feel like a VIP. The indoor saltwater pool feels like a mini ocean escape for kids and teens, while parents unwind in peace.
- Hyatt Place: The mountains are calling! Rest easy in one of 119 stylish rooms and take in panoramic Blue Ridge Mountains views from the rooftop bar and lounge. On-site dining, a fitness center, and heated pool guarantee a relaxing stay.
- Home2Suites: Harrisonburg’s newest hotel offers comfortable lodging within walking distance to the Valley Mall and Martin’s grocery. It offers a comfortable indoor salt water pool for guests.
The Perfect Family Weekend Awaits You
From sweet, sticky smiles after sugar-bombed desserts to laughter-filled hikes along shaded mountain trails, your next favorite family memory is around the corner. Here, friendly streets and warm hospitality invite families to relax and connect. For more affordable things to do in Harrisonburg, explore the calander of events, discover more local attractions, and find the perfect place to stay on the accommodations page. Start planning today and discover the warmth that makes Harrisonburg friendly by nature.