Fun Things to do in Shenandoah County’s Beautiful Fall Season September 5, 2023 by Visit Shenandoah County With cooler nights, long evening shadows, and the smell of apple butter in many shops and farm stands Shenandoah County in the fall season is a feast for the senses. Foliage colors fill the Mountains to the East and West which feels like a warm hug from Mother Nature. A fine scenic drive with the windows rolled down is one great way to enjoy the beautiful season but several stops along the way provide highlights of experience to round out a perfect leaf-peeping day. HORSEBACK RIDING Take in the trails and fall leaves on horseback through the George Washington National Forest with a guided tour at Fort Valley Ranch. There you can also bring your RV, bring your own horses, Rent a cabin or do some rustic camping on site. They offer 1 hour, 90-minutes, a half-day, or full day rides, as well as 2-day Ranch Packages. PUMPKIN PICKING A great stop for picking pumpkins is Sycamore Banks Farm in Mount Jackson where you can grab a wheelbarrow and pick your pumpkins straight from the vine. No ordinary pumpkins are grown here, there are many heirloom varieties and gourds of all shapes and sizes. They also have plenty of extra activities for the entire family like a horse drawn wagon ride on their beautiful farm property. They are open from late September through October 31 FARM MARKETS Your one-stop-shop to celebrate fall, Woodbine Farm is an open and airy farm stand that appears to come alive when the seasons change. Large pumpkins and gourds line the front walk on haystacks and a perfect array of garden chrysanthemums and other fall plantings. Inside are gifts and produce, birdhouses, and apple butter, cheeses, country ham and some of the best homemade cookies in the world. Seriously, it’s hard to walk away without one! Jon Henry General Store in New Market offers a huge selection of pumpkins and gourds, some for decorating and some for cooking. While you’re there you can check out the “Art-o-Mat” and stock up on natural and local foods. KINDRED POINTE CIDER Not your typical fall cider experience, leave the kids at home because this is sparkly hard cider with flavors to get excited about The Winery at Kindred Pointe was originally a Horse farm and stable but the barns and outbuildings have been transformed into a winery and tasting room, the grazing fields all lined with grapevines now. A few years after opening the owner couple began making cider as well, and the title “Life is Hard Cider” emerged with flavors such as “Hard Times” “Hard Core” and “Hard Up”. Seasonally there are special flavors like “Seasons Greetings” with hints of all the best holiday spices or “Cherry Bomb” a cherry flavored cider with a jalapeno kick at the end. It is available only for a limited time. Their tasting room is warm and cozy with plenty of room to relax and enjoy Life is Hard Cider. FALL CULINARY & FARM-TO-TABLE DINING After a brisk hike, horseback ride or picking out pumpkins, celebrate Shenandoah County’s agricultural roots by dining in one of many establishments that value locally-grown foods and sustainable farming. The owners of Swover Creek Farm Brewery in Edinburg, and the Woodstock Garden Café all source their ingredients from their own family farms and are committed to serving the freshest foods at their tables. RIVER BLUFF FARM B&B After a visiting a few of Shenandoah County’s Wineries, Breweries, Cideries or Distilleries the River Bluff Farm Bed & Breakfast is a quiet and idyllic place to settle in for the evening, then sit outside and watch the Shenandoah River flowing slow and lazy with a warm beverage and good company from the comfort of an Adirondack chair. Accommodations are described as “rustic elegance” in this lovely log and timber lodging on 20 private acres. River Bluff Farm Bed and Breakfast is located at 183 Quicksburg Mill Lane, in Quicksburg near New Market, VA. The word Shenandoah evokes a sense of beauty. Shenandoah County is filled with beautiful scenery around every turn, and sweet small-town charm in its daily life. There is plenty to do and see over a weekend visit in the Fall, an easy weekend excursion only 90 miles west of Washington DC. Immerse yourself in the landscape, enjoy the friendly atmosphere and have an adventure in Shenandoah County. Other fun things to do in the fall season: Hike the Woodstock Tower to get 360-degree views of the Shenandoah Valley and the 7 Bends of the Shenandoah River. Visit Mowery Orchard or Paughs Orchard for fresh picked apples and other goodies. ATV along Peter’s Mill Gap or Tasker’s Gap OHV Trails. Taste fresh potato chips at Route 11 Potato Chips and watch them be made right before your eyes. Fall also means it’s time for their seasonal Yukon Gold flavor. Enjoy fresh produce 365 days a year at Adam’s Apples & Herbs ©2021, Shenandoah County Virginia | Made with in Virginia by Converge Local
Sustainability is Second Nature in Shenandoah County August 20, 2023 by Visit Shenandoah County Shenandoah County has a long history as an agricultural community and historically was nicknamed “The breadbasket of the south.” The landscape still reflects that history, and many family farms are designated “Century Farms” a distinction that honors a farm that has been continually in use by one family for more than a hundred years. While the term “Sustainability” has a modern feel to it, the concept is not one that is new to Shenandoah County. More than ¼ of the land is covered in National Forest and the town of Woodstock, centrally located, and the county seat is proud to be in its 17th-year as an Arbor Day Foundation “Tree City”. This year, the Town also won the Tree City USA Growth Award for the 10th year in a row, which shows that Woodstock continues to build on its tree program’s success. All of this, of course, helps to promote cleaner air and a natural canopy to keep our area an average of 10 degrees cooler than the large cities to the east. Woodstock is also home to the Indian Spring Wetland. An environmental, interpretive area located on the southern end of town. More information about the wetland and how it functions as pollutant removal, flood control, groundwater control, and wildlife habitat can be found HERE. The landscape in Shenandoah County is not where the sustainability features end. It is with great pride that many of the restaurants and farm stands boast locally sourced foods on their menu and in their shops. Beginning as extensions of family farms, Mowery Orchard, Jon Henry General Store and Woodbine Farm Market are all well-established places to shop for local food items and most of all, fresh produce. Jon Henry General takes it to the next level by offering SNAP and EBT benefits, plus a refund on public transportation so that more members of the community have access to local produce. This commitment to locally sourced foods not only helps the local economy but lessens- even if just a little- the amount of fuel burned and emissions spent trucking things in. A few more businesses that source locally are Pancake Underground in Strasburg. Not only are their menu items creative and cool, they’ve created a list on their website of all of their local and regional sources. In Woodstock, the Woodstock Cafe sources fresh produce from Adam’s Apples and Herbs just down the road. Not to be confused with the Woodstock Garden Cafe whose owners source many fresh foods from their own farm as well. In Edinburg, Swover Creek Farms is a Century Farm that grows its own foods for its wood-fired pizza and hand-crafted beer. Then, neighboring J&L Green Farm provides high-quality pasture-raised meats & specialty farm products for Swover Creek’s delicious sausages made on-site. The town of Mount Jackson is home to the factory where the most delicious potato chips are made. Though originally established in 1992, Route 11 Potato Chips current location was built in 2008 with sustainability principles in mind so that they “could minimize our environmental footprint and get as close as we can to waste-free production.” Some of these efforts include: feeding a local herd of cattle with potato peelings and chip rejects recycling paper, glass, metal, and plastic using local sources of potatoes as much as possible warming the kitchen in the winter through heat exchangers on the cooking kettles reflecting summer heat off of the white membrane roof, reducing energy use They even recycle the dirt off their potatoes. Visitors can stop into a chip-tasting and fry-viewing room to see the process, then purchase their chips and some very cool merch! There are plenty of other ways that the community is educated about sustainability here in Shenandoah County. There is a strong presence of Environmental Science and Agroecology taught at the high school level and there are several non-profit organizations dedicated to maintaining our beautiful landscape and our river including Sustainability Matters, which now serves a much larger footprint regionally, educating and promoting sustainability. It was “rooted” right here in the town of Edinburg. Their mission is to bring sustainability to unexpected places, whether it’s planting native wildflower meadows at landfills, teaching novice gardeners to grow their own food, or helping farmers access funding for conservation. Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River (FNFSR) is an organization that strives to keep the North Fork of the Shenandoah River clean, healthy, and beautiful through advocacy, community action, education, and science. They have also created a partnership with Seven Bends State Park which borders a 1.5-mile stretch of the North Fork. Both organizations are excellent ways to get the community and visitors involved. Their websites offer many opportunities to volunteer. The breadbasket in Shenandoah County is still abundant after all these years, and “sustainability” might just be a new name for a lifestyle that is second nature to its residents, the people who visit and all who are inspired by its beauty.
7 Places to Get Your Oyster Fix in Norfolk, VA October 12, 2022 by Visit Norfolk 7 Places to Get Your Oyster Fix in Norfolk During your next visit to Norfolk, grab some friends and nosh on a freshly-shucked batch of Virginia oysters. However you like to eat them – raw, steamed, baked or fried – we’ve got you covered! When you are in the mood for shucks and fun, check out these seven local favorites to get your oyster fix! Saltine Hilton Norfolk’s The Main hotel houses three restaurants in including the seafood restaurant Saltine, located at street level. Saltine offers an airy, open environment, with garage door windows that open to the main streets of downtown Norfolk. Their happy hour oyster deal is all the rave at 50 cents per oyster! Todd Jurich’s Bistro This downtown bistro has been open since 1992 and offers rotating seasonal menus. Chef Todd Jurich uses fresh ingredients from local vegetable gardens and Virginia produce farms. The Bistro holds the Triple AAA Four Diamond Award and serves hand-harvested oysters from Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Byrd & Baldwin Steakhouse A traditional steakhouse located in a historic building built-in 1906. Executive Chef Carlton Spurlock brings his culinary expertise to every dish served. Byrd & Baldwin serves up the tastiest James River oysters. A.W. Shucks A casual raw bar & grill specializing in oysters, seafood and an array of specialty craft beers. Their oyster menu features favorites from up and down the East Coast. Take a seat at the bar and learn more about the oysters from the bartender, who also tends to the raw bar. Captain Groovy’s Raw Bar This wharf-themed eatery offers regional seafood dishes and casual cuisine with a full bar and patio. Captain Groovy’s proudly serves an array of Virginia oysters in many variations; from oyster stew to East Beach style (topped with spinach, onion, bacon and parmesan cheese). Norfolk Seafood Company & Big Easy Oyster Bar Simply a seafood lover’s heaven, Norfolk Seafood Company & Big Easy Oyster Bar is the quintessential seafood restaurant without the fancy prices. Each night, this oyster bar serves up four to seven different types of oysters from the Chesapeake Bay to New England. Small’s Smokehouse & Oyster Bar Offers freshly caught seafood from Virginia’s Eastern Shore, along with dynamite BBQ. Enjoy a relaxed, down-home family atmosphere and daily promotional specials.
Fairfax County’s Haunted Places & Urban Legends in Virginia October 5, 2022 by Visit Fairfax Bunnyman Legend – Fairfax, VA Legend has it that, each October, the veil between this world and the spirit world grows thinner leading up to All Hallows Eve, aka Halloween. It is a time to remember the dead. And some believe it is a time for the dead to visit us. Over the centuries, however, October 31st changed into something less somber—a holiday filled with candy, pumpkins, scary stories, and haunted trails. Whatever Halloween means to you, you’ll find it in Fairfax County. Some of our most historic sites have been witness to unexplainable encounters with things that go bump in the night. Then there are the urban legends that get dusted off every October to add spice to our lives. And, finally, there are sites that have been carefully engineered by live humans to frighten you into thinking ghouls really do exist. Put it all together and there’s something for everyone, young and old, brave and frightened, living and…well, you get the point. Let’s start with the spooky stories. Founded in 1742, Fairfax County’s roots go deep into American history. A revolution was led from here. Battles were fought here. Founding fathers lived here. And a lot of hardship and triumph took place on our soil. Some say the echoes of these times remain at some of our historic sites and manifest as visions, scents and sounds that can’t be explained. Here are just a few of those tales. George Washington’s Mount Vernon Image courtesy Mount Vernon Going back as far as the 1890s, stories abound. Victorian era members of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association who spent the night in George’s chamber swore his brooding spirit appeared before them in the still moments of the night. In the 1980s, an interpreter saw a full-body apparition of a young woman on the stairs with flowers who disappeared when she reached the bottom. In 2012, a security employee had already emptied the house and locked up when he heard the jingling of a large set of keys moving across the floor in the Washington bedroom. In life, George was known for being heard all over the house, jingling his heavy set of keys. These are just a few of the dozens—if not hundreds—of stories from interpreters, staff and visitors over the years. While you may not be able to be inside the mansion at midnight, Mount Vernon does host a popular trick-or-treating event each year, as well as a Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour and Fall Harvest Festival. Who knows what you’ll encounter? George Mason’s Gunston Hall Image courtesy Gunston Hall George Mason was one of our founding fathers and the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which was used as the basis for the US Bill of Rights. His estate, Gunston Hall, was built in the south end of the county near the Potomac River’s Gunston Cove. Visitors have seen George’s apparition in mirrors, unexplained footsteps have been heard in the halls and staff have seen apparitions of people dressed in period clothing inside and outside the house. It has been suggested that having costumed interpreters working in the home triggers the entities to come forward. While not Halloween-themed, there are a couple of upcoming events at the estate. Try your hand at cooking in a hearth fireplace at the Hearth Cooking Workshops on October 8 and 22, 2022. Or attend Revolutionary War Day on November 5, 2022. The Winery at Bull Run Image courtesy The Winery at Bull Run During the Civil War, two major battles were fought in Manassas/Bull Run. And The Winery at Bull Run is located adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield Park on grounds that were once used for battle. Ghost stories are rampant on the battlefield. Visitors say they see soldiers, smell gunpowder, hear cannon fire and see lights where there are none. And at the Winery, it has been said that some soldiers still visit to this day. They play with lights, appear as apparitions and make their presence known. From now until November 6, 2022, you can attend a haunted wine tour where you can taste wines, “meet” the ghosts through costumed interpretation, learn history and hear the Winery’s ghost stories. But these sell out quickly, so don’t delay! Get in the Halloween mood with this urban legend. Urban legends are a form of folklore, describing events that are rarely ever experienced first-hand, rather they happened to a “friend of a friend.” While there may be a grain of truth in them, most are manufactured to scare and are passed down through word of mouth. The Legend of the Bunny Man is one such tale. It is said that a man in a bunny suit once roamed a neighborhood in Fairfax carrying an ax. Some stories have him scaring off trespassers in the neighborhood. As the legend grew, he was said to harm children who misbehave. Some say he still walks the woods of the neighborhood, armed with his ax and a bad attitude. What makes this urban legend special is its staying power. According to Fairfax County resources, it dates back to the 1940s and some of the sightings were documented at the time. Rather than go searching for a man dressed as a bunny and wielding an ax, however, we recommend the next best thing—Bunnyman Brewing. Themed around the urban legend, the folks at this new microbrewery can fill you in on all the spooky deets of the “real” Bunny Man and you can even wander into their woods for a selfie with the Bunnyman from their logo. Hot tip: Before you head out, sign up for the new Fairfax County Locally Poured Field Guide to get discounts on your beer! Find guaranteed ghosts, ghouls and frights this Halloween. Real-life hauntings are unpredictable. Urban legends are rarely experienced first-hand. But haunted houses and trails of terror always deliver the Halloween frights you seek. Here are the region’s best. None of it is real, but all of it is real scary! Workhouse Haunt: Nightmare Harvest Image courtesy Workhouse Arts Center The Workhouse Arts Center is an arts community filled with working studios and exhibits. It is also set in a former penitentiary. This adds to the creep factor for their annual Workhouse Haunt. This themed walk-through event takes visitors through spooky scenes with costumed characters, then to the site’s abandoned buildings and into the dark woods where terrifying ghouls await. Now through November 5. Not recommended for children 12 and under. Cox Farms Fields of Fear Image courtesy Cox Farms Cox Farms turns dark at night. Its normally friendly Imaginature Trail transforms into the half-mile long The Forest: Back 40 where madmen with chainsaws, creepy spiders and tales of the occult rule the night. If you survive this fright, Fields of Fear will then take you on a Dark Side Hayride or set you loose in the Cornightmare. It’s an evening your screams will never forget. Now through November 5. Not recommended for children under 12. Clifton Haunted Trail Image courtesy Clifton Haunted Trail website After a three-year hiatus, the Clifton Haunted Trail is returning to the woods of Clifton on Saturday, October 29. Explore eight acres of haunted woods featuring scary skits and spooky scenes. The trail itself is half-mile long. This one-night-only event is highly popular and tickets go fast, so keep an eye out for on-sale dates in early October. If you’re planning a visit this October, be sure to check out all our Halloween events. You’ll find pumpkin painting at Sully Historic Site, goblin golf at Burke Lake Park, a Haunted Pond at Hidden Pond Nature Center, and of course, the longstanding tradition of the Vienna Halloween Parade in the Town of Vienna. See you among the spooks! Originally published for Visit Fairfax/FXVA.com
Celebrate Virginia Wine Month and experience Stafford, VA’s Tuscany-Inspired Winery October 5, 2022 by StaffordVA Calling all wine lovers to Stafford, Virginia! Whether you’re looking to relax and unwind, get dressed up, or a little bit of both, consider visiting Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery in Stafford County, Virginia. Potomac Point is situated along interstate 95 and offers a taste of Tuscany in Northern Virginia. This Mediterranean estate offers an up-scale ambiance with award winning wines. Recently featured on the front cover of the Washingtonian for the best Winery Day Trips in the DMV area, this winery offers an escape from your everyday. This winery showcases a variety of unique experience. The hard part? Choosing which one to do first. Potomac Point leans in to each of the seasons, and fall is no different. This fall, make a reservation and taste your way through their new fall bistro menu, highlighting local flavors and your favorite fall cuisine. Put a spin on traditional Halloween traditions with their Fright Flights – where experts at Potomac Point have paired their wines with popular Halloween candies. Take the experience outside and capture your memories onsite. Participate in multiple photo-op locations. Take a picture in front of the wine-inspired butterfly wings known as the “Winery Wings”, the Virginia LOVE barrels, or stroll through the vineyards and capture the rich green color of the vines. During Virginia Wine Month, Potomac Point is offering two complimentary bonus wines to taste as part of the Premier Cru and Grand Cru tasting experience. Make your reservations and cozy up at one of their fire pit tables throughout the season, or book your wine tent reservations from November 23rd through the end of March. Want to bring your best furry friend? You’re in luck! Potomac Point Winery was named one of Virginia’s friendliest wineries for pets. On your way out, don’t forget to purchase your specialty Virginia Wine Month and Halloween custom labels that will make each bottle of wine perfect for you! Whether you’re looking to gather with friends and family or take your experiences on the road, make a day-trip or weekend getaway and tour Stafford, Virginia.
Enjoy a Gastronomic Getaway in Marshall August 25, 2022 by Visit Fauquier Take a deep breath. In Fauquier County Virginia, this is our way – and it’s as relevant a motto as it is a beautiful one. Once you’ve exited I-66, you have officially entered the cozy village of Marshall, any small town lover’s dream getaway where peace is paired with quiet, and invigoratingly fresh air comes right along with the big mountain views. And you can take big bites too! Gastronomy is the art of making food, enjoying food, and celebrating how each person’s culture brings something special to our shared table. The American Heritage Dictionary defines gastronomy as the pleasures of the table, and gastronomic restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and wineries dot the pretty hills of Marshall. To make your visit delicious and nutritious as well as easy-peasy, see our insider’s guide below. But First, Coffee For truly authentic hospitality, visit Hunt Country Coffee. They craft “designer espresso drinks and fine teas” (including organic), and guests are always raving about the almond milk latte, the shop’s comfy and cheerful ambiance, and the nice, bright daylight filtering through the windows. For some beautiful outdoor seating with your morning buzz, go to Half Past Moon Coffee Buzz. Order the honey-cinnamon latte with a pastry, quiche, or some soup, and if your coffee gives you so much energy you just can’t stand sitting anymore, take an energizing walk to nearby one-of-a-kind local shops to experience some of the best that Marshall has to offer. Lunch Spots Whether you’re wanting to dine in or grab what you need on the go, The Whole Ox is a place you really have to visit. This old-fashioned butcher shop specializes in “whole local animals from your neighbors’ farms” with NO added hormones OR antibiotics (yes, please!). They offer fresh meats, eggs, produce and bread, and a various assortment of cheeses—all the right fixings for your cute wicker picnic basket—as well as a wonderful collection of seasonal prepared foods (from Italian meatballs and red pepper tomato soup to cranberry walnut bread pudding). The Whole Ox also serves up some pretty tasty entrees (the most highly esteemed of which is the house burger, but ask about their in-house smoked bacon too!). This cool local spot offers beer and wine, so whether you go for lunch or dinner, you can take a deep, long breath and really sit back in your chair. We’ve got a hidden gem alert for you: The La Palmita Market at the Citgo station has the most authentic Mexican food. Just ask a local pumping gas and they will nod their head vigorously at you! Tacos, burritos, and the best spicy sauces to top things off, The La Palmita Market is a Marshall must. Sometimes nothing can quite hit the spot like a classic diner meal, so if that’s what you’re in the mood for, go to The Marshall Diner. They literally have everything: breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, sides (from English muffins to mozzarella sticks), and they also have Wifi for guests. Cozy up to down-home classics, and revel in the golden-fried perfection served up with a serious side of Southern hospitality. Where To Do Dinner Field and Main is the perfect spot for dinner because the food is amazing AND it comes with a show! Take a seat near the kitchen and then watch in wonder as your chef prepares the meal: shrimp and grits, Bison steak, hearth-roasted sunchokes, seared scallops… the menu is diverse and delectable, and because their desserts are ridiculously good (check out their flower-garnished ice cream, chocolate-chip-marshmallow cookies, classic carrot cake, and pumpkin creme brulee), be sure to save room for your sweet tooth. For fans of al fresco dining, be sure check out the lovely outdoor cabana to up the ante on the entire experience. Air conditioned in summer and heated in the winter, the outdoor portion of Field and Main is ready for you year-round (just be sure to book a reservation in advance!). Johnny Monarchs is the ORIGINAL American bustaurant that serves fresh and delicious food from farm to table, so you can’t visit Fauquier County and not go here. The bus, where you’ll place your everything’s-so-good-it’s-hard-to-choose order, is surrounded by a field of green with pretty plants, a stage for live music, and cozy picnic tables (and when it’s cold out, they’ll even let you eat inside the bus!). The portions are larger than life, and when it comes to fan favorites, Steak Me Away and the Classic Adult Fried Bologna both get cheers (and deserve a second round of beers). For veggie fiends, try the Veetball Sub, Piedmont Harvest Lasagna, or Piedmont Tomato Pie. It’s an unforgettable dining experience with exceptional fare! If you’re down to try something new, consider Tapatios; the area’s brand new taqueria that’s already getting stellar reviews, and their outdoor seating is so fun and festive complete with colorful flags, planters, and lights that we’d recommend going right around sunset and staying a while. As for what to order, you can’t go wrong with Birria (a special, savory stewed beef) tacos or a grilled-to-perfection chicken quesadilla. For a no-regrets, make-everyone-happy kind of meal, order a cheesy hometown pie or other Italian favorite at Joe’s Pizza. Our vote: a large Bianca with a side of calamari. Now, that’s amore! Save Time for Wine and Pie As a lover of all things epicurean, Fauquier has more than great coffee and food; the county boasts more vineyards and wineries than we could possibly list here! And be sure to check out our event calendar to stay in-the-know before you experience this relaxation destination for yourself! One more culinary selling point: Do you remember President Barack Obama raving about this special apple pie one year? It was none other than the famously good apple pie at Red Truck Bakery, home to an apple pie so delicious that he posted about it on the White House website! When you come into town for your own sweet slice, also ask about their seasonal cake (and booze cake) offerings. In the summer, the Meyer Lemon and Honeysuckle & Sweet Tea varieties are heavenly, and in the fall, their Shenandoah Apple Cake is sinfully good. The menu includes gluten-free sweets too, though it isn’t all desserts—you can come here for the great coffee and sandwiches alone, and if you want to try their cake before you actually get here, you’re in luck because they can ship anywhere! We hope you have the best time wining, dining, and breathing in deep here in the village of Marshall and when you snap that pic of yourself with some apple pie or your friend grinning in front of the coolest European double-decker bus, be sure to tag us at #fauquiercounty so we can smile right along with you.