Beauty Prevails in the Top of Virginia

^ Belle Grove Plantation located in Middletown, VIriginia

Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber The Top of Virginia Region has so much to offer for residents and visitors alike. We invite you to explore the Valley if you have lived here for a while. There are wonderful businesses that bloom every day. If you are visiting, we welcome you to the region we are very proud to call home. Abram’s Delight Museum visitwinchesterva.com This home-turned-museum features antiques and artwork. As one of the oldest homes in Winchester, built in 1754, this site was the region’s first Quaker meeting house. Appalachian Trail appalachiantrail.org Hundreds of miles of the gorgeous Appalachian Trail are ideal for exploring the great outdoors. Starting at Shenandoah National Park and extending to the border of West Virginia and Maryland, the Appalachian Trail makes a great backdrop for adventures. Barns of Rose Hill barnsofrosehill.org Two restored dairy barns are now the site of this cultural arts and community center in Berryville, Virginia. The venue features classes, live music, and exhibits.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema drafthouse.com/winchester This movie theater offers full-service dining and a bar serving cocktails and local craft beer. Belle Grove Plantation bellegrove.org Built in 1797, this antebellum abode was home to Mayor Isaac Hite and his wife,

Hikers pause to enjoy the one of the many scenic overlooks found on the Appalachian Trail.

The entrance to Mount Hebron Cemetary whisks visitors away to different times as they enter four cemetaries and can find gravestones that date back hundreds of years.

Bright Box Theater brightboxwinchester.com Head on over to Bright Box Theater for film festivals, comedy shows and concerts. The theater also hosts special events.

Clarke County Historical Association clarkehistory.org Dedicated to the preservation of Clarke County’s history, the Clarke County Historical Association’s Museum is located in the Coiner House and the Burwell–Morgan Mill. Artifacts highlight the area’s past, with stories of the Civil War and notable individuals.

Family Drive-In Theatre thefamilydriveintheatre.com Catch the new blockbuster at the Family Drive-in Theatre. Don’t forget snacks at the concessions stand.

Handley Library handleyregional.org The library provides outstanding information, resources, programs and services to enrich our diverse community.

Josephine School Community Museum jschoolmuseum.org Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this restored 1882 schoolhouse is now a cultural center dedicated to preserving Clarke County’s African American heritage.

Lake Frederick dgif.virginia.gov/waterbody/lake-frederick Spanning a depth of 50 feet, and with other convenient community offerings, Lake Frederick is ideal for casting a line. Anglers can reel in channel catfish, black crappie, northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish. Long Branch Plantation visitlongbranch.org This 200-year-old estate and 400-acre farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds are perfect for exchanging vows, are open for tours, and host events throughout the year.

Mount Hebron Cemetery mthebroncemetery.org Mount Hebron Cemetery, composed of four adjoining cemeteries, is the final resting place for more than 2,500 Confederate soldiers and gravestones that date back

to the mid-to-late 1700s. History buffs will not want to pass up this attraction.

Museum of the Shenandoah Valley themsv.org Open Tuesday through Sunday, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley boasts a collection of 11,000 works of art and pieces of furniture. It also hosts exhibitions and has a gift shop. Old Town Winchester Events oldtownwinchesterva.com Taking place in Old Town Winchester throughout the year, these events include movies, a farmers market, live music, wine tastings and art exhibits. When the temps heat up, head on over to the splash pad to cool off.

Patsy Cline Historic House celebratingpatsycline.org Open from April to October, the Patsy Cline Historic House features tours and a gift shop.

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival thebloom.com A series of more than 40 events includes band competitions, dances, parades, carnival, dinners, luncheons, wine festival, a 10K race, the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah, two large parades and celebrities. The festival is an event the whole family can enjoy.

Shenandoah National Park goshenandoah.com The beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Shenandoah National Park are a must-see. Visitors and residents alike enjoy rock climbing, horseback riding, hiking and camping.

Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University su.edu/conservatory Known as the artistic gem of the community, the Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University features more than 400 concerts and performances.

Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Association shenandoahatwar.org SVBA works with partners to preserve the hallowed group of the Valley’s Civil War battlefield, to share its Civil War story with the nation and to encourage

Historic battlefields throughout Clarke County and Frederick County, Virginia pay homage to the history that shaped this region. ^

tourism and travel to the Valley’s Civil War sites.

Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum civilwarmuseum.org Tour the Old Court House that was built in 1840 to serve Winchester and Frederick County. Now a museum, the site houses a renowned collection and offers tours of the building. The museum is open year-round.

Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum discoverymuseum.net Explore the wonders of science, mathematics, the arts and humanities at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum. Fun for all ages, the museum is ideal for children.

State Arboretum of Virginia blandy.virginia.edu/arboretum Located on 172 acres on the Blandy Experimental Farm, the arboretum features more than 5,000 trees and shrubs from around the world, including 300 ginkgo trees, 162 kinds of boxwood and a 36-tree Cedar of Lebanon walkway.

Winchester Ciderworks winchesterciderworks.com Tasting room featuring handcrafted Virginia hard cider from Frederick County apples.

Winchester Little Theatre wltonline.org For nearly 90 years, audiences have been entertained by the outstanding productions of the Winchester Little Theatre. Performances in the 2019-20 season included “La Fin du Silence” and “Steel Magnolias.”

Winchester National Cemetery cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/winchester.asp Pay respects to the soldiers who lost their lives in the battles of Winchester, New Market, Front Royal, Snickers Gap, Harper’s Ferry, Martinsburg, and Romney by visiting the 15 monuments spanning the Winchester National Cemetery.

Wineries shenandoahvalleywinetrail.com Sip on reds and whites while enjoying the ambiance of the vineyards featured on the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail. Most venues host special events and live music.

Worlds Away Escape worldsawayescape.com Teams work together to complete puzzles and solve the mystery before time runs out.