By Robyn Smith
As a community, Harrisonburg is nestled between the beautiful and spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the warm bustle of budding urbanization in the Shenandoah Valley. It’s got a lot to offer for just 17.4 square miles, and you shouldn’t miss out on one of Virginia’s cutest and tastiest destinations just because you’ve spent most of your time at one of Virginia’s most popular colleges. Read below for a step-by-step guide for how to spend your day in Harrisonburg on a ramen noodle budget. Whether you’re headed down for the day or the weekend, you’re in for a fun-filled trip. The best part? The adventure starts as soon as you hit the road.
At 116 miles of rolling hills and grassy farms, the two-hour trip down I-66 and I-81 is another one of the several reasons to head down to H’Burg. Once you get there, check out any of these places to share a meal, explore art or enjoy natural beauty, off-campus.
Where to eat breakfast:
Mr. J’s Bagels
Address: 1731 S. High St.
Hours: Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
Price range: Less than $1-$20
What to order: Locals love Mr. J’s so much, JMU even sells them on campus. Not to be ignored, there are three tasty locations of the popular bagel bakery. However, the South High Street location has plenty of tables for you to relax and take a load off before any sightseeing or exploring. While any of the 14 fantastic fresh-baked bagels will satiate your taste buds, check out the multigrain with egg and cheese. It’s pretty cheap, too—the fresh-baked option is the same price as the thawed-out variety popular in this area.
Where to go for a scenic stroll:
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
Address: 780 University Blvd.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, open until dark
Price range: Free
What to look for: The EJC Arboretum was voted Best Place to Take Guests, Best Place to Propose Marriage and Best Place for Rest and Relaxation by the local newspaper. With a serene pond, lush gardens and adorable wildlife, this botanical oasis is popular for students, locals and tourists alike.
Where to learn for fun:
Virginia Quilt Museum
Address: 301 S. Main St.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Price range: $5-$7
What to look for: For the past 20 years, the VQM has been the official quilt museum of Virginia. It houses almost 300 quilts, a Civil War gallery and antique sewing machines. The house itself, which was built in 1856, is haunted by Joseph “Boy Major” Latimer, who died while being treated there after he was wounded in Gettysburg during the Civil War. He is occasionally seen clad in full uniform at the top of the stairs. This is an unconventional sight to see for anyone considered a novice in quilting, but the beautiful patterns and fabrics are convincing enough for anyone to come in.
Where to eat lunch:
Vito’s Italian Kitchen
Address: 1047 Port Republic Road
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Price range: $5-$18
What to order: Tucked away in a suburban-type shopping center next to the local Food Lion, Vito’s Italian Kitchen is H’burg’s quintessential Americanized Italian restaurant. The mozzarella sticks are wonderfully crispy on the outside but still ooze cheese when you sink your teeth through the salty crumb crust. The pizza is also worth biting into, but what really stands out are the garlic knots that come complimentary with every entree. They also have white paper tablecloths that you can draw on with crayons, which is entertainment for all ages.
Where to splurge on trendy clothing:
The Yellow Button
Address: 217 S. Liberty St.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
What to look for: This is one of the more upscale clothing boutiques in the area, carrying brands like Free People and Birkenstock. The style is a little on the bohemian side, but there’s something that would appeal to everyone. The owner, Miranda Ebersold, opened the store in 2009, and her husband runs the coffee shop next door. Designer dresses can go upwards of $100 and other goods, like San Diego Hat Company hats, are in the $40-$60 range, but the boutique does offer seasonal storewide sales and a clearance section.
Where to get cheap art supplies or prints:
Larkin Arts
Address: 61 Court Square
Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
What to look for: Larkin Arts is a fine arts hub for the entire area. It sells art supplies, prints and original work from local artists; offers classes for both children and adults; and boasts a gallery and studios to boot. Whether you come in for a new paint brush or a new pair of handcrafted earrings, you’ve found a home in Harrisonburg’s thriving arts community. Since it caters to art majors at JMU or Eastern Mennonite University, the prices for supplies are at a student rate.
Where to get a mid-afternoon snack:
Kline’s Dairy Bar
Address: 58 E. Wolfe St., 2425 S. Main St.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday noon-10:30 p.m.
Price range: Nothing on the menu is over $10
What to order: Maybe ice cream isn’t really considered a snack, but the sweet treats at Kline’s don’t deserve the wait-till-after-dinner rule. You’re on vacation anyway, so you might as well splurge. This classic counter serves up some of the greatest ice cream in the area. You don’t want to miss the flavor-of-the-week special, but basic flavors like chocolate or vanilla are also worth a try. Memorable specialty flavors include brownie batter and peanut butter cookies and cream.
Where to see a film or show:
Court Square Theater
Address: 41-F Court Square
Hours: Depends on event
Price range: Depends on event
What to look for: This independent movie theater hosts theater both live and from the big screen. Whether they’re playing the hottest indie out now, hosting a film festival or running a Valley Playhouse production, Court Square Theater always has something going on.
Where to watch the sunset:
James Madison University ISAT-CS patio
Address: 701 Carrier Drive
Hours: Monday-Sunday, open to public 24/7
Price Range: Free
What to see: Sunsets made the Friendly City Instagram-famous. This particular scenic spot is located right in front of the main entrance to JMU’s integrated science and technology and computer science building. With a massive statue of James Madison and enough steps to fulfill your daily workout requirement, this patio lets students and tourists enjoy the view of the beautiful Shenandoah sunset. Patrons are highly encouraged to bask in the perfect landscape views of mountain peaks and quiet city life.
Where to get dinner:
Clementine
Address: 153 S. Main St.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Price range: $4-$23
What to order: Anything. Have fun with the eclectic menu and try something new, like shrimp and grit fritters or pecan-crusted pork tenderloin scaloppini while you listen to live music and enjoy the warm atmosphere. The more artisanal items on the menu are pretty cheap for what you get, too, as Clementine’s portion sizes tend to make customers the stomachache kind of full upon completion. In the basement lies Ruby’s, a popular bar among locals and college students that hosts nightly entertainment, including trivia competitions, open mic nights or indie band concerts.
Where to get after-dinner drinks:
Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
Address: 80 S. Main St.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Price range: $11-$30
What to order: The craft beer industry has a tight hold on Harrisonburg. A local treasure, Jack Brown’s offers over 100 craft beers made both nearby and internationally. Plus, you can sober up a little with their overtly creative burger menu: A highlight is The Elvis, which comes with peanut butter, mayonnaise, bacon and cheese. Is your mouth watering?