Fall is the ideal time to visit the mountains and valley to our west. In our September 2023 issue, we reveal where to go for great hikes and how to see the area by plane or by car. Plus, we’ve found the best places to eat, drink, and shop — and where to kick back and stay awhile.
Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley spans some 140 miles end to end, from Winchester to Natural Bridge. For many, it’s a speedy drive along I-81, complete with big rigs and fast-food chains, but there’s a lot to love about taking it slow on Route 11. There’s a lot that’s delicious, too.
Oak Stone Craft Pizza & Bar
Winchester
Stop in for comfort fare with a twist, wood-fired pizzas, craft brews, and creative cocktails. The menu boasts apps like fried pickles and caramelized pork belly bites. There is a wide selection of pizzas, including Bee’s Knees, which has brie, goat cheese, sweet onions, apples, and honey.
Vault & Cellar
Middletown
For elegant Appalachian-style cuisine, this is the place. Think roasted rabbit, pork belly cassoulet, bacon-braised collard greens, and bread pudding. A 14-page whiskey catalog complements the menu, featuring more than 250 varieties, from sweet and fruity to nutty and smoky.
Route 11 Potato Chips
Mount Jackson
Of course, it’s a must to stop at Route 11 Potato Chips, although interestingly, the potato chip factory is a slight detour from Route 11 and can be easy to miss. While you’re there, you can pick up full- and snack-size chip bags, variety packs, supersize gift tins, and branded baseball caps and T-shirts.
Grilled Cheese Mania
Harrisonburg
Sample more than two dozen inspired grilled cheese sandwiches, including vegan and gluten-free options. Many have fun names, like The Maniac, a double-decker that’s loaded with provolone, cheddar, bacon, pepperoni, pickles, honey barbecue chips, and even macaroni and cheese. There are dipping sauces, too, including horseradish and basil pesto.
Valley Pike Farm Market
Weyers Cave
This reclaimed barn is home to a superstore of state-produced products, from meats and cheeses to beers and wines, even quarts of ice cream and fresh-sliced deli meats. You’ll also find jams, jellies, salsas, and peanuts, as well as fresh-brewed coffee at Rumor Mill Coffee Company.
Wright’s Dairy-Rite
Staunton
Step back in time at Wright’s Dairy-Rite, which offers old-school curb service. Pull into a covered parking space, order your food at the metal box, and wait for it to be delivered to you — or grab a booth inside. Wright’s has been slinging burgers and fries since 1952. Save room for the Wright’s Wheelie, a warm glazed doughnut topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Pink Cadillac Diner
Natural Bridge
Make the Pink Cadillac Diner your final stop for all the nostalgic feelings you can get from a 1950s-style diner. A vintage pink Caddy sits outside, the ideal setting for your Instagram photos. Come hungry for burgers, sandwiches, milkshakes, and banana splits.
Feature image courtesy Oak Stone Craft Pizza & Bar
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This story originally ran in our September issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
