Fall tends to steal the spotlight here, but winter brings its own kind of magic … and there’s no better time to slow down and enjoy this part of the Shenandoah Valley at a more leisurely pace. Winter here isn’t the off-season … it’s just the coziest season!
For visitors who like their winter getaways with a side of adrenaline, Bryce Resort turns the colder months into an excuse to get outside. Hit the slopes for skiing or snowboarding, go tubing or ice skating, or simply enjoy the mountain scenery. This is also a great place to take the kids for their first foray into snow sports.
Then again, you could skip the snow boots altogether and head underground. At Shenandoah Caverns, the temperature remains at 56 degrees year round, making the caves a surprisingly comfortable place to get your outdoor fix without actually having to brave the winter weather. Just steps away – and totally indoors – is American Celebration on Parade, a larger-than-life attraction that offers a chance to get up close to floats and displays that have appeared in parades across the country. They’re open on weekends throughout December and visitors can enjoy Christmas at the Celebration, with holiday-themed displays, letters to Santa and other winter wonders.
A great way to be outside without actually being in the elements is with Cave Ridge Vineyard’s seasonal igloos. Accommodating up to eight people, these igloos come equipped with a heater or electric fireplace, blankets and cozy furnishings, along with a glass of mulled wine for each guest.
If getting outside just isn’t for you, our winter season is also a great time to embrace the art of doing less. Choose a cozy place to stay and make your accommodations part of the experience, whether that means curling up beside a fireplace, getting lost in a good book or pulling out a board game for some friendly competition.
To stock up on books from every genre and for every age reader, be sure to stop by Bonfire Bookstore and Yarnery, located on Main Street in downtown Woodstock. Beyond books, the shop hosts regular Sit & Stitch sessions and encourages shoppers to bring their own knitting or crochet projects. Let’s face it … sometimes the best winter vacation plans are the ones that involve nowhere to be!
But when you finally do layer up and venture out, the county offers an array of places to warm up with cup of coffee or cocoa. Cordial Coffee Co. in Strasburg serves specialty coffee and made-to-order waffles, while Flour to Fork in Woodstock pairs coffee with freshly baked pastries. In New Market, Jackson’s Corner Cafe offers coffee roasted on-site alongside soups and
sandwiches, and Coffee to Grow in Mount Jackson is a welcoming spot for pour-over coffee, specialty drinks and hot cocoa.
The beauty of a winter getaway in our county (other than the obvious snow-covered mountain scenery) is that there’s no pressure to fill your days and do it all. Sleep in, sip something warm, settle by the fire, hit the slopes, pick up a book or simply enjoy having nowhere to be.