Heather and Jon 
Do you love exploring caves and caverns? Do you love hiking interesting trails that don’t involve lots of elevation gain? If you answered yes to these questions, the Blue Ridge Tunnel (a.k.a. the Crozet Tunnel) offers a one-of-a-kind experience! With two entrances (one near Waynesboro VA, the other in Crozet VA), the Blue Ridge Tunnel … Read more
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just a few hours south of Washington DC, Charlottesville is widely regarded as one of the best mountain towns in Virginia. Foodies will appreciate the fact that C’ville consistently ranks in the Top 20 for having the most restaurants per capita (along with much larger cities like … Read more
We love our home in Harrisonburg VA because it’s close to so many wonderful Shenandoah Valley attractions and activities. Nature lovers and history buffs alike flock to this area all year-round for the national parks, vibrant Blue Ridge Mountain towns, and the plethora of festivals and activities. The Shenandoah Valley begins about 90 miles west of … Read more
Winter weather in Virginia varies greatly, depending on whether you’re in the Virginia mountains or along the coast. But, as longtime VA residents, we generally find the Virginia climate agreeable– not too hot, and not too cold. So Winter activities in Virginia can run the gamut from snow skiing and snowboarding at mountain resorts to … Read more
Our latest visit to Gatlinburg, Tennessee elevated all our senses, seeing breathtaking scenic vistas, hearing local bluegrass bands, and tasting Southern cuisine from some of the best places to eat in Gatlinburg. We feasted on traditional Appalachian food (fried chicken, BBQ, fresh local trout), had some amazing Tex Mex, and enjoyed standard American fare as … Read more
If you dream of a European snow skiing trip, but prefer to avoid the hassles of international travel, we recommend the charming Winter wonderland of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Nestled in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Gatlinburg combines the look and feel of the Bavarian Alps with loads of Southern hospitality, moonshine, and bluegrass music. As a gateway … Read more
During an Autumn trip to Gatlinburg, we visited Ober Mountain, an amusement park in the Smoky Mountains that celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2023. After sampling all their warm weather offerings, we knew we had to come back during Winter to experience snow skiing in Gatlinburg TN. Ober Mountain is Tennessee’s #1 destination for skiing, … Read more
As longtime Harrisonburg residents, we love celebrating Christmas in Richmond VA to get into the holiday spirit! Coming from the more rural Shenandoah Valley, we really appreciate Richmond VA’s stately old hotels, department stores, and big city charm during the Christmas holidays. The beautiful city of Richmond seemingly transforms into a Hallmark movie set, with … Read more
Christmas events in the Shenandoah Valley can be delightfully old fashioned, and yet also quite modern. We’ve lived in Harrisonburg VA for several decades now, and we never get tired of exploring things to do for Christmas in the area. From candlelight to LED Christmas lights, from horse-drawn carriages to camels, Christmas in the Shenandoah … Read more
Located 3 miles from Downtown Staunton VA, the Frontier Culture Museum is the largest living history museum in the Shenandoah Valley and one of the top family-friendly tourist attractions in Virginia. This self-guided walking tour has a wheelchair and stroller-friendly pathway. There’s also a complimentary shuttle available, or you can opt to rent a golf … Read more