Shenandoah County Tours

Each tour includes a behind-the-scenes experience at a local hospitality business, town or attraction, and lunch. Tours are open to everyone who has an interest in learning more about tourism in Shenandoah County. With so many new developments in our region, there is no better time to engage, educate, and activate members of our community to become even more knowledgeable and influential Tourism Ambassadors for the tourism industry and its impact on our overall economy.

For visitors to our region, it's a chance to explore and meet the members of our community which makes Shenandoah County a great place to live, work, and play.

Tourism and Economic prosperity depend on each one of us; from those who work in the tourism industry daily to those who live here and tell others about it. Participants will learn about different industry sectors, towns, area attractions, farm operations, outdoor recreation, arts & culture, area resorts, camps, and event venues.

Tours are held monthly, typically from 10 am-1 pm. To pre-register contact bblack@shenandoahcountyva.us no later than one week before each tour. Registration fees vary and are non-refundable so we can ensure our businesses are covered for their time and expenses.

~Carla

Thanks again for the fabulous tour today! I learned so many new things about a place that I have been visiting for 30 years! And I adored being able to see the inside of the houses :-)

What does it mean to be a Tourism Ambassador in your community?
Attend at least 3 tours offered throughout the year and create a unique Shenandoah County experience we can share with visitors. You will be entered to win a $100 gift basket filled with locally made Shenandoah County products at the end of our 2024 tour schedule.
VisitShenandoahCounty.com and become familiar with our assets.
Offer our Shenandoah County Visitor Center locations for regional information and become familiar with and share our promotional collateral.
Connect to our social channels @visitshenandoah @shenandoahtravel Use #VisitShenCoVA
Share our program with friends, family, and civic organizations on your social channels.
Consider volunteering at a local museum.

2024

Wednesday January 31st
Shenandoah County Parks and Recreation and Woodstock Gardens
1195 Hisey Ave, Woodstock

10:00am Shenandoah County Parks and Recreation New Facility Tour.
11:00am History of Woodstock Garden with John Fogle
11:30am Build your own Succulent Garden at Woodstock Gardens with Debbie Boyd
12:00pm Lunch at Woodstock Garden Café
Choice of Buffalo Chicken or Cheesy Bacon on Ciabatta, Sourdough, Croissant, Wheat or Pretzel roll or Southwest Chicken spinach Wrap
Lunch comes with drink and chips or fruit. Tax and Tip included. $35

Wednesday February 28th
River Bluff Farm B&B and Third Hill Winery at DeMello Vineyards
183 Quicksburg Mill Lane (5 Minute Drive to) 2110 Quicksburg Rd, Quicksburg

9:45am River Bluff Farm B&B- Overview and tour of Farm and B&B
10:30am Enjoy a winter wine tour with a walk through DeMello Vineyards, learn about the different varietals, and find out how to prune the vines to prepare for spring. This tour includes a barrel tasting, tour of all three levels of the Third Hill Winery, wine tasting, local chocolates & honey and lunch sandwiches from our newest business in Mount Jackson Coffee and Cream. Third Hill is the perfect location to host your next special event, join us to explore more about harvest opportunities, wine club, and special events that include live music, yoga, paint night, and more. $25

Wednesday March 20th
Town of Woodstock Art & Culinary Tour
Free on Street and Public Parking options

10am The Art Spot paint your own ceramic.
130 W Court St
11am VECCA poetry or painting.
123 S Main St
12pm Vittles and Woodstock Brew House
123 E Court St
Culinary Arts Tour with Brewmaster, Hunter Phillips,
and Head Chef of Vittles, Shawn Corley.
Lunch by Vittles. $40

Wednesday April 10th POSTPONED.
Star in the Valley Estate Winery
33 Amos Ln, Strasburg

10:30am Enjoy a spring hike through Star in the Valley Estate Vineyard on this early April morning. Please dress appropriately as we plan to spend 30-45 minutes walking through the vineyard. You will not only learn about the farming side of wine making, but we will also get an introduction to the adorable sheep that graze the land. We will head up to the winery for a discussion on how the vineyard’s decisions affect the wines. Guests will receive a traditional wine tasting followed by lunch from Woodbine Farm. $20

Wednesday April 24th
Wolf Gap Vineyard
123 Stout Rd, Edinburg

10:30am Celebrate the unknown at Wolf Gap Vineyard by exploring the vines and learning about our newly planted varietal: Carménère. From there, we celebrate the unique terroir of the Shenandoah Valley. Then we will toast two new sparkling wines! They say that sparkling pairs with almost anything, so let’s put the pairing to the test and see if they work together! We’ll feast on Bean’s BBQ and pair with the new sparkling wines under the beauty of the pavilion. *Not a fan of sparkling? Alternative options available. $25

Wednesday May 29^th
Town of Strasburg Sip and Snack
33229 Old Valley Pike, Strasburg

10am Strasburg Visitor and Information Center
Tour the museum and walking trails. Hear about all the new Town activities, walking tours, attractions, dining options, and outdoor recreation.
11am Drive to Strasburg Square to start our Sip and Snack through downtown with stops at Sammy Lou’s Bake Shop, Burg Nutrition, Blue Wing Frog, Cakes by Ashton, Nancy’s Coffee Bar and lunch at Box Office Brewery. $35

Wednesday June 26th
Town of Edinburg
214 S Main St, Edinburg

10am Edinburg Mill
Dedicated to the preservation of its old-time appearance, this small town is simply charming and truly like a step back in time. It is home to the Edinburg Mill circa 1848 which is a Virginia Historic Landmark and one of the few mills that survived the burning during the Civil War. The Shenandoah Cultural Heritage Museum and Visitors Center is currently housed at the Edinburg Mill along with The Edinburg Mill Restaurant and Heritage Mill Wines 1848. Participants will tour all three levels of the mill, take a brief guided walking tour, enjoy wine tasting, and have lunch at Sal's Italian Bistro. The guided walking tour is a selection of properties whose historic and architectural contributions speak to both the diversity and the common ground that is shared in this quaint small town. The town also offers a 4.75-acre park to relax and enjoy the view of Massanutten and the Blue Ridge Mountains. $15

Wednesday July 24^th
Fort Valley Ranch
299 S Fort Valley Rd, Fort Valley

9AM Fort Valley Ranch
Enjoy a horseback ride through the Shenandoah mountains, with cool shaded trees, a creek crossing alongside a waterfall in a tranquil setting where wildlife is abundant. Or choose archery and ornament branding. The campground at Fort Valley Ranch borders the George Washington National Forest and provides great hiking trails. You'll learn about ranch operations, the horses by name, and the responsibility of the wranglers. We will tour the cabins and campground after lunch and hear about all the special events the ranch has to offer throughout the year. Choose one activity when you RSVP:
Space is limited to ten at $30 person for short horseback ride and lunch.
Space is limited to ten $25 person for ax throwing /archery and lunch.
We will enjoy a campfire lunch of roasted hot dogs with all the fixins, a drink, chips, and homemade cookies.

Wednesday August 14th POSTPONED
Cave Ridge Vineyard
1476 Conicville Rd, Mount Jackson

Wed Aug 21 Muse Vineyards and Seven Bends State Park
We will meet at the entrance at 2111 S. Hollingsworth Rd.
9:30am Hike along the river at Seven Bends State Park. Learn about the park's newest features, events, and programs. 10:30am Enjoy a leisurely walk through the vineyards at Muse with co-owner Sally Cowal. Learn about the many varietals planted on-site, and barrel room production. Participants will browse the gallery space, and enjoy a wine tasting and lunch. $30

Wednesday September 18th POSTPONED
Skydive Shenandoah
57 River Rd, New Market

Wednesday September 25th
Shrine Mont
217 Shrine Mont Cir, Orkney Springs

The program will begin in the lobby of the Virginia House at 9:30am located at 217 Shrine Mont Circle with a welcome from Executive Director Kevin Moomaw.
We will tour Shrine Mont a conference and retreat center to hear about workshops, music festivals, events, family reunions, family vacations, and parish weekends. Learn about the history of Shrine Mont and Orkney Springs while also discussing Shrine Mont’s amenities, lodging, and dining facilities. This will be a walking tour so bring comfortable shoes and sunscreen.
Lunch will be served at the Virginia House. $20

Wednesday October 30th
Town of New Market Tour
9403 S Congress St, New Market

10:00am Meet at the public parking lot -walk to Jackson’s Corner Cafe for a coffee tasting, sweet treats, a tour of the coffee grinding area, and one of the five Civil War orientation centers in the Shenandoah Valley. Visit Jon Henry General Store and the Weaver Hotel, shop, and enjoy apple samples. Next door find out all about the Home Store's history with a tour, some shopping, and a sweet treat of cider and cookies. No visit to New Market would be complete without a stop at Southern Kitchen. Enjoy hearing about its history while enjoying more delicious samples. Our next stop will be Shenvalee Golf Resort where we will tour the facility and proshop. The program concludes with lunch at the Miller Grille (Lunch options include: Veggie wrap, Cheeseburger, and Pork BBQ- all served with fries and a drink. $25

Wednesday November 20th
Shenandoah Caverns and American Celebration on Parade
261 Caverns Rd, Quicksburg

Arrival time is 10am. We will tour Shenandoah Caverns an underground world of wonders, with a comfortable 56-degree temperature maintained year-round. Bring a jacket! Stroll through Main Street of Yesteryear, Tour American Celebration on Parade one of America’s only parade float museums, offering an up-close look at floats from famous national celebrations including Presidential Inaugural Parades, A peak inside the Yellow Barn and lunch in the 1950’s Caverns Café. $25

Wednesday December 11th
Virginia Museum of the Civil War and Jacob Bushong Farm
8895 George Collins Parkway, New Market

$25
9:30am-9:50am – Registration
9:50am-10:00am – Welcome, Orientation, and Site History
10:10am-10:45am – Film
10:45am-11:15am – Self-Guided Museum Visit
11:15am-11:45am – Period Dancing
11:45am-12:30pm – Battlefield Tour and Bushong Farm Visit
12:30-1:15pm – Lunch provided by Jackson's Corner Cafe
1:15pm-1:30pm – Museum Store/Questions