Spotlight: Steeles Tavern Manor
Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley lies Steeles Tavern Manor Bed & Breakfast and Alpine Hideaway Cottages. Innkeepers Melissa and Ray Alexander invite you to our property located on 50 picturesque acres in a peaceful country setting with a spring-fed pond, walking grounds, babbling creek and mountain views.
Ideally situated midway between the country’s “Best Small Towns” of Staunton and Lexington, guests can visit many attractions such as Crabtree Falls and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Historic Lexington, Staunton’s theatre, renowned Central Virginia wineries, The Virginia Horse Center, Natural Bridge, antique shops, and hiking trails which all are within twenty to thirty miles of our property.
Visit South Court Inn in Luray
South Court Inn is only 90 miles (about 2 hours) from the DC metro area and conveniently located nearby most everything the historic Shenandoah Valley has to offer.
If you are wondering what you can do in Luray, VA? You’ll find South Court Inn is close to just about anything you want to do. Hiking? Wine Tasting? Exploring Caverns? It’s all nearby and we have specially priced packages for just about everything you’d like to do. We hope you make us your home base for fun while visiting in our area. Ask us about the Wine and Whisky Loop. In partnership with Discover Shenandoah check out the “Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop”, a convenient grouping of specially selected local wineries, eateries, antique shops and yes, even a distillery right here in the heart of Virginia!
The town of Luray is quaint and very well managed for visitors. There are numerous shops for antiquing, ice cream, coffee, pastries; food and drink from shacks to several very good places for different types of bar-b-cue to gourmet dining are within walking distance. You can even get legal moonshine at the local ABC store! Yea-Ha! If you want to work off those luscious calories you can take a stroll on the town ‘Greenway’ walk along the Hawksbill Creek, a short walk in itself from the South Court Inn.
More on South Court Inn online at www.southcourtinn.com.
A night’s stay at Lackawanna Bed & Breakfast
Lackawanna Bed & Breakfast, located in Front Royal, makes it easy for you to experience a wide variety of activities. Canoeing, hiking, fine dining, theatre, wineries and visiting historic sites.
Lackawanna (a Delaware Indian word meaning “meeting of the waters”) was built in 1869, by Dorastus Cone who moved to Front Royal soon after the Civil War. The house was named Lackawanna when it was built; probably because Mr. Cone came here from Lackawanna County, PA, and also because the North and South Fork of the Shenandoah River meet at the end of our road. Mr. Cone along with his partners operated the famous water gristmill, known as Riverton Water Mills on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River.
This home is a pristine example of Italianate architecture popular during the late 1800s. The home remains an elegant reminder of the great craftsmanship found in the homes of that period and had many upscale amenities not found in most homes at that time. The interior doors, woodwork and stairway are native walnut and chestnut. Our bedrooms are very quiet due to the house construction of interior brick walls.
The rooms are spacious and elegant with eleven-foot ceilings. This stately home incorporates the often referred to Double Parlors in the front, each containing fireplaces and full-length windows facing the south fork. Afternoon tea or wine is available and often enjoyed by our guests in the parlor, or weather permitting, in the garden or on the front porch. The house remains structurally as it was built in 1869, with no walls removed or woodwork painted.
Breakfast at Lackawanna is always a special event. All of the ingredients are personally selected for their freshness and in-season availability. Sandy and Phil attended the Culinary Institute in New York taking classes in gourmet breakfasts and baking and they both enjoy preparing this special meal for their guests. The multi-course breakfast menu changes daily and is served in the dining room between 8:30 and 9:30 with all the fine china and linens becoming to the style and era of this Victorian B&B. We are always happy to accommodate special dietary needs, so please don’t be afraid to mention them to us.
The forty-foot front porch facing the Shenandoah River is a much-enjoyed retreat of our guests at breakfast, afternoon tea or for an evening drink.
Friendly City Co-op to mark five-year anniversary
Friendly City Food Co-op is turning five years old. And like any five-year old, they want to have a BIG birthday party – and you’re invited.
The co-op was just an idea back in 2006, when a small group of community members started a conversation about creating a full-scale natural and organic grocery store that would put a premium on using local farmers and producers. After several years of planning, effort and dedicated fundraising, Friendly City Food Co-op opened its doors on June 6th, 2011.
A co-op, or a cooperative, is a business based on community and sustainability. It’s about using profits to make a difference in the community and the world. Co-ops strive to be good stewards of the environment, wasting little food and supporting local farmers and vendors whenever possible.
To celebrate, come out on Saturday June 4 between 11am and 4pm. There will be live music- including duo Bryan Elijah Smith and Jay Austin, kid’s activities by Larkin Arts, food trucks, a bouncy house, prizes, a photo booth, free samples and gift bags for the first 250 people to attend.
The event is free to the public. Visit friendlycity.coop/harrisonburg-events-classes/ for information.
Welcome to Hill Crest Bed & Breakfast
Hill Crest, completed in 1912, was built by successful local meat and produce businessman, Adam Oscar Surber. In the 1920s, Hill Crest was sold to Dr. John M. Emmett, Chief of Surgery at the C&O Railway Hospital. Dr. Emmett extensively remodeled the home in 1935, adding two wings on the sides and rear of the home, as well as a three-bay carriage house with apartment, and acres of formal English gardens.
Hill Crest is a two-story home on 2.82 acres. Featuring stunning Greek Revival architecture, Hill Crest has four massive 20-foot columns supporting a classic portico with brilliant white trim contrasting against red brick. Situated at the top of the city’s most prestigious street, Hill Crest’s 64-foot wraparound porch offers a commanding view of the city and the surrounding mountains. Hill Crest has 24 rooms on 4 levels, and approximately 5,800 square feet of finished living space.
Hill Crest also features a 40,000-gallon in-ground pool, beautiful gardens, stone retaining walls from the 1900s, majestic trees for privacy and intimacy, and 100-year-old English boxwoods.
Devils Backbone Hoopla final lineup
Devils Backbone Hoopla, the new festival to bring folks together to craft an adventure at Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows (200 Mosbys Run), has announced the final lineup of music and a taste of the exciting the Adventures for the event that takes place Thursday, September 29 through Sunday, October 2.
Full festival tickets, daily passes, camping and Hoopla Adventure registration can be found online at www.dbbrewingcompany.com.
Ryan Beaver, a Texas-bred artist recently named one of “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know” by Rolling Stone, and Andy Frasco and The U.N., a crew that incorporates soul, funk, and rock into undeniable good times, have joined the roster of 14 musical acts, along with headliners The Revivalists and Old 97’s.
In addition to an incredible music lineup, festivalgoers will be able to participate in Hoopla Adventures, activities and events that celebrate the seven amazing values that make up the Devils Backbone culture: Beer Positive, Passion, Adventure, Family, Humility, Integrity, and Stewardship. Hoopla Adventures kick off on Thursday, and throughout each day of the festival there will be dozens of opportunities for people to participate. Some of the highlights include:
Beer Positive: All Beer is Great Beer
- Hops & Hogs
A classic southern pig pickin’ for early festival arrivals - Rare Beer Pop Up Festival
Free tastings of rare beers from a number of craft breweries with Hoopla souvenir tasting glasses - Home Brewing Demo
Home brewers will share techniques and show off their skills with demonstrations - Campfire Beer Dinner
An intimate gathering with fellow festivalgoers for a dining experience - Funky Farewell & Beer Brunch
Brunch gets even better with live music and a pop-up craft market - Nelson County Tent
Stop by for samples from Bold Rock Hard Cider, Virginia Distillery, Silverback Distillery, and more (selections at the tent will vary throughout the weekend)
Passion: Devotion to Your Craft
- Storytelling
- Jam Sessions
Adventure: Always Craft an Adventure
- Blue Ridge Parkway & Outpost Tour
Take a field trip on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway to the Outpost in Lexington for a tour of OP, flight of beers, a pint, and a snack on the way home - Guided Nelson County Hike
A guided hike on the AT to Maupin Shelter with a bagged lunch and DB beer back at Basecamp - Nelson County Tour of Bold Rock Hard Cider, Silverback Distillery, and Virginia Distillery Company
Exclusive tours of our Nelson County neighbors
Family: With Each Other Always
- Family Activity Area
This setup includes a climbing wall, a variety of games, and arts and craft supplies for children - Fairy Lantern Making
Each night before it gets dark kids can make their own Fairy Lanterns out of mason jars, glow in the dark paint, and glitter - S’mores & Caramel Apple Awesomeness
Hang out by the campfire near the Family Tent roasting s’mores or making caramel apples - Instrument Making Workshop & Kids’ Parade
Little ones can make their own instrument before the parade, which will make its way through the Basecamp Meadows and up onto the Meadows Main Stage
Humility: Strive to be the Best by Learning
- Campsite Cooking Challenge
Campers can sign up in advance to compete in this chili cook-off, and the public will decide the winner – the best cooks will receive two backstage passes for The Revivalists - Beer Painting
Enjoy a beer while following an instructor to create a unique Hoopla painting - Bike Maintenance/Repair Workshop
A session on how to properly maintain your gear – bring your own bike - Chesapeake Bay Care 101
Informational session on the Chesapeake Bay and what we can do as a community to keep it clean.
Integrity: Be a Good Sport
- Human Foosball
The human-sized version of the classic table game - Hoopla 5K Trail Fun Run
Take a trek along the 5K trail through the Meadows at Basecamp - Site Wide Scavenger Hunt
Navigate through Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows for a chance to win DB prizes
Stewardship: Leave it Better than You Found It
- Food/Coat Drive
Donate coats and canned goods all weekend long - Bouncing for Turkey Fund Drive
Raise money for Thanksgiving turkeys for those in need
Experiencing new music at Hoopla will give listeners the same sense of discovery that comes with trying a new beer. The featured bands are a sweet mix of bluegrass, Americana, alt-country, and rock from national touring acts, as well as some of the region’s up and coming live bands. The full bill includes:
- Thursday: Trongone Band, Adrian Duke Project, Jeremiah Tall
- Friday: Old 97’s, Futurebirds, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Ryan Beaver, Andy Frasco and The U.N.
- Saturday: The Revivalists, Dylan Leblanc, Major & The Monbacks, Gold Top County Ramblers, Bryan Elijah Smith & The Wild Hearts, SUSTO, Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Tucked away in the valley of Nelson County on 100 acres surrounded by Blue Ridge Mountains, Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows provides a picturesque backdrop for the music and activities packed into this four-day event. Campground gates will open in the afternoon on Thursday at11:30 a.m. You can also follow along on social #DBHoopla on Facebook/devilsbackbonebrewingcompany, Twitter @dbbrewingco and Instagram@devilsbackbonebrewingcompany for updated event information.
Visit Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast
Welcome to Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast Suites located halfway between Staunton and Lexington, Virginia, offering either B&B Suites or Kitchen Suites.
We invite you to unwind and surround yourself with the beauty and peace of our 38-acre country retreat. Curl up in the living room by our soaring field-stone fireplace, or relax on the front porch and watch the clouds float over the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Our grounds provide endless opportunities to commune with nature: stroll in the shade along our spring-fed stream as bluebirds swoop by, watch a Blue Heron fish for dinner in our two-tier garden pond as you are serenaded by a chorus of frogs, and wander in our lovely gardens…all the while surrounded by spectacular mountain views.
When you are ready for more activity, you can romp in our meadows and walking trails with your favorite companions: Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast Suites has been recognized as a favorite pet friendly “doggie destination” in the Shenandoah Valley by Hampton Roads Magazine.
Here you can chose between two lodging options:
Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail launches to promote local craft breweries
Visiting breweries in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley just got easier. That’s because the area’s first official beer trail, the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail, launches today, during American Craft Beer Week.
The trail provides an opportunity for tourists and locals to connect with a great craft beer experience.
With 12 breweries all located within an hour’s drive from one another, the Shenandoah Valley region is quickly becoming Virginia’s newest beer frontier.
“I think this is a great regional project with tremendous potential. There’s nothing else like it in the Shenandoah Valley, and we’ve tried very hard to differentiate it from other beer trails in the state,” says Sheryl Wagner, Director of Tourism for the City of Staunton. “It’s a natural pairing – we know that craft beer drinkers love the outdoors, and so after a day of hiking, biking and exploring, now they can tap into our local beer culture.”
The Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail pairs the craft beer experience with a combination of activities and attractions that uniquely reflect the region’s recreational and cultural activities.
The trail provides opportunities for past and future visitors to discover everything this region offers.
On the trail’s newly unveiled website, visitors can quickly plot out a multibrewery tour and mix their tastings with the tourism experiences that best match their interests. In addition to a print and online ad campaign that launches in June, organizers say that signage will be installed at the breweries to cross-promote the trail, and promotional information will be distributed to Visitor Welcome Centers across the state.
The trail’s breweries include:
- Brothers Craft Brewing (Harrisonburg)
- Pale Fire Brewing Co. (Harrisonburg)
- Seven Arrows Brewing (Fishersville)
- Devils Backbone Outpost Brewery & Tap Room (Rockbridge Co.)
- Stable Craft Brewing (Augusta Co.)
- Redbeard Brewing Company (Staunton)
- Three Notch’d Brewing Company (Harrisonburg)
- Shenandoah Valley Brewing Co. (Staunton)
- Blue Lab Brewing Company (Lexington)
- Wolfe Street Brewing Co. (Harrisonburg)
- Queen City Brewing (Staunton)
- Basic City Beer Co. (Waynesboro, opening this summer)
Tourism officials in the region have been studying the potential of the trail since 2014. The project was developed to promote the Valley’s growing craft beer industry and showcase the region’s natural tie-in with compatible tourism offerings.
“We couldn’t be happier with this partnership,” says Wagner, speaking of the multiple-locality effort behind the trail. Tourism partners in the cities of Staunton, Harrisonburg, Lexington, and Waynesboro as well as the counties of Augusta and Rockbridge jointly developed the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail.
More details about the trail can be found at beerwerkstrail.com.
Trail updates and news can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages
Built in the late 18th century, By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages is one of the top-rated inns in the Historic Shenandoah Valley, and it’s located literally by the side of the road.
Located just minutes from Downtown Harrisonburg, the bed and breakfast and has been meticulously preserved. Guests return time and again to experience the comfort and intimacy of four suites located in the Manor House and five luxurious cottages.
The location is ideal to experience all of the best Harrisonburg restaurants and other fantastic things to do in Harrisonburg and nearby.
Top attractions: By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages
- Skyline Drive, Harrisonburg (Swift Run Gap Entrance)
- Grand Caverns, Weyers Cave
- Luray Caverns, Luray
- Endless Caverns, New Market
- Massanutten Resort, Harrisonburg
- Vineyards – Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail, Various Locations
- James Madison University, Harrisonburg
- Virginia Quilt Museum, Harrisonburg
- Dayton Farmers Market, Dayton
- Fly Fishing Tours, Harrisonburg
More online at www.bythesideoftheroad.com.
Darrell Scott to open Lime Kiln Summer Concert Series
Lime Kiln Theater’s Summer 2016 concert series will kick off on Saturday, May 21, as Darrell Scott takes the stage with opener Hoppie Vaughan. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30.
Advance tickets are $20 and are on sale now atwww.limekilntheater.org. Season passes are also still available online for $130, a 20 percent discount for all eight shows in the 2016 concert series. Tickets to the May 21 show will be $25 at the door, with cash, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover all accepted.
Lime Kiln Theater’s summer concert series is sponsored by Devils Backbone Brewing Company and Charles W. Barger & Son Construction. Devils Backbone beer, Kind Roots Café food, and Rockbridge Vineyards wine will be available for purchase at all shows.
Darrell Scott is a Grammy-nominated performer and recording artist, a highly in-demand multi-instrumentalist, and an ASCAP Songwriter of the Year. Darrell delivers his soulful performances in solo, duo, trio, band, and string quintet configurations, all equally dynamic and powerful. Songwriting credits include the Grammy Award-winning “Long Time Gone” and “Heartbreak Town”, and he also performs in Robert Plant’s Band of Joy. Darrell’s new record, Couchville Sessions, will be released just a week before he takes the Lime Kiln stage.
Hoppie Vaughan is a Nashville-trained musician who currently lives in Roanoke, Va. Hoppie’s musical style could be described as rhythm and blue-eyed soul. In Nashville, he learned how to write songs and developed his skills as a performing artist. Having appeared or performed alongside acts ranging from Delbert McClinton to Ronnie Milsap, Hoppie now plays solo and with The Ministers of Soul.
Lime Kiln Arts, Inc. is a non-profit (501c3), operating at Lime Kiln Theater in Lexington. It opened in 1984 and is rooted in and inspired by the magic of a natural, outdoor theater. After a brief hiatus that started in 2012, Lime Kiln Theater is thrilled to begin its third straight summer season of live music featuring local, regional and national acts.
For more information, visit Lime Kiln on the web at www.limekilntheater.org, or check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LimeKilnTheater.