Things to Do in Harrisonburg
Right outside your door…
Harrisonburg is home to James Madison University (JMU), one of Virginia’s top-rated public universities, as well as Eastern Mennonite University and Bridgewater College. Cultural events are abundant in Harrisonburg, including live theater, concerts, county fairs, university sports, and festivals all year round. Harrisonburg is also home to a variety of great businesses and restaurants, and the Harrisonburg Downtown Technology Zone offers a high-tech work environment, making living in downtown Harrisonburg exciting and modern. Harrisonburg is located near the intersection of Interstate 81 and State Route 33, as well as the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. Harrisonburg is truly at the center of it all!
Upcoming Events in Harrisonburg
We invite you to check out Harrisonburg’s upcoming events:
Massanutten Fall Festival
Celebrate autumn at the Massanutten Fall Festival with chairlift rides, crafts, food, live music, kids’ fun, and local vendors each October.
Skeleton Festival
Celebrate fall in Downtown Harrisonburg at Skeleton Festival with trick-or-treating, costume contests, Sip & Stroll, crafts, and fun.
Fear Forest Haunted Trail
Harrisonburg’s Fear Forest lights up each Halloween with haunted trails, corn mazes, themed attractions, a bonfire, DJ, and fall fun for all.
Endless Options…
Harrisonburg offers a robust array of opportunities that allow you to enjoy traditional and unique new entertainment, food, and festivals. Harrisonburg’s vibrant community is supported by active members and leaders who encourage everyone to get involved. There are so many things to do and so many ways you can be a part of Harrisonburg! Use the links below to begin experiencing all that Harrisonburg has to offer:
Dining in Harrisonburg
Great food is easy to find near Colonnade Apartments, with a variety of restaurants just 1 to 15 minutes away. Harrisonburg dining is a collection of great food that was made to be enjoyed with family and friends. As the craft beer culture continues to thrive, Harrisonburg has become the home of delicious brews and brewers who are happy to share their knowledge (over a beer or two, that is). Great bistro and gourmet eateries rub shoulders with outstanding comfort food and traditional Southern fare. Harrisonburg is also gifted with impressive quality and variety, allowing residents to enjoy excellent foreign and ethnic food choices without sacrificing small-town appeal. Dining in Harrisonburg is also family-friendly, allowing you to enjoy “date night” even when you bring the kids along. Below are a few of our favorites:
- Bella Luna Wood Fired Pizza
- Beyond
- Billy Jack’s Wing & Draft Shack
- A Bowl of Good Café
- Brother’s Craft Brewing
- Bruster’s Ice Cream
- Capital Ale House
- Ciro’s Lasagna House
- Clementine
- Cook Out
- Drifters Cafe
- El Charro
- El Sol Taquería Mexicana
- Finnigan’s Cove
- Gator’s Sports Bar & Grill
- Golden China
- Greenberry’s Coffee Company
- Grilled Cheese Mania
- Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
- Kline’s Dairy Bar
- Kyoto Japanese Steak House
- Local Chop & Grill House
- The Little Grill
- Little Italy Pizza
- Macado’s
- McAlister’s Deli
- Mr. J’s Bagels & Deli
- O’Neill’s Grill
- Oriental Café
- Romano’s Italian Bistro
- Three Notch’d Brewing Company
- Thunderbird Café
- Vito’s Italian Kitchen
- Xenia Kabob Grille
Shopping in Harrisonburg
With shopping destinations just 1 to 10 minutes from Colonnade Apartments, Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley are great for shopping close to home. Whether you are looking to decorate your Harrisonburg apartment home, searching for that perfect gift, or simply looking to relax, you’ll find a wide variety of businesses and shops. Enjoy shopping at a diverse group of independent retailers, boutiques, and galleries as well as shopping centers with national brand stores. Wander through unique local specialty shops and antique stores, or shop at the national chains you love. Check out just a few of the many options below:
- Asdelia Mae Boutique
- Booksavers
- Downtown Books
- EccoHollow Art
- Elk Run Mining Co.
- Frame Factory & Gallery
- Gift & Thrift
- Glen’s Fair Price Store
- Great.full Goods
- Green Hummingbird Fair Trade Clothing
- Horizon Gifts
- Heartworn Vintage
- James McHone Antique Jewelry
- Lineage
- The Lady Jane
- Liberty St. Mercantile
- New Creation
- Oasis Fine Arts and Crafts Gallery
- (Parentheses) Books
- Ragtime Fabrics
- Rocktown Games
- Rocktown Gift Shoppe
- Rolling Hills Antique Mall
- The Secret Lair
- Shops at Agora
- Snow and Ice
- Ten Thousand Villages
- Tiller Strings Violin Shop
- Tried & True Thrift Shop
- Valley Mall
- Walkabout Outfitter
- Water Street Vintage & Bohemian
- WithSimplicity
- Wonder Skate & Music
- The Yellow Button
- You Made It Pottery
Harrisonburg Culture & Recreation
With attractions sitting just 1 to 30 minutes from Colonnade Apartments, Harrisonburg offers something for everyone! The city is home to one-of-a-kind museums, historic sites, art galleries, and theaters, along with unmatched recreational activities and world-class hiking trails. Whatever your age or interest, there’s always something new to explore nearby.
- A Dream Come True Playground
- Arts Council of the Valley
- Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline Drive
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
- Explore More Discovery Museum
- Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market
- Heritage Oaks Golf Course
- Hillandale Park
- James Madison University
- Massanutten Regional Library
- Massanutten Resort
- Oasis Fine Art Gallery
- Purcell Park
- Ralph Sampson Park
- Shenandoah National Park
- Virginia Quilt Museum
- Westover Park
Historic Sites in Harrisonburg
With historic sites sitting just 1 to 10 minutes from Colonnade Apartments, Harrisonburg makes it easy to explore the past without going far. This Virginia city is rich in history, and its many well-preserved landmarks attract visitors from near and far. Museums and architectural gems throughout Harrisonburg offer residents and guests a genuine glimpse into our country’s past. Below are a few of the notable historic sites in Harrisonburg:
Annual Events in Harrisonburg
Explore all the events Harrisonburg has to offer! Located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, this city provides something for everyone with fairs, food festivals, concerts, art shows, parades, events, recreational opportunities, and much more.
- Best.Weekend.Ever.
- Blacks Run Clean Up Day
- Block Party in the ‘Burg
- Brothers Craft Brewing Anniversary
- Chocolate Walk
- Christmas Village at the Fair
- Fear Forest Haunted Trail
- Fee Free Shenandoah Park Days
- First Fridays of the Valley
- Fishersville Antiques Expo
- Food Truck Fest
- Harrisonburg Egg Hunt
- Harrisonburg Sunset Market
- Harrisonburg Winter Market
- Historic Garden Week: Harrisonburg
- Independence Day Fireworks
- Levitt AMP Harrisonburg Music Series
- Massanutten Fall Festival
- New Year’s Eve Glow Run
- Red Wing Roots Music Festival
- Rockingham County Fair
- Rocktown Turkey Trot
- Skeleton Festival
- Summer Jam
- Taste of Downtown Restaurant Month
- ValleyFest
- Veterans Day Parade
- Whoville’s Christmas Celebration
- Winter Wonderfest
Events & Activities in Harrisonburg
Learn even more about some of our favorite local events from our blog! Check out these posts for more information:
What residents are saying...
Apartment Ratings
I have been pleased with my decision 5 and half years ago to move into the Colonnade. The apartment managers over the years have always been capable and friendly. This is a friendly building in which to live. And the building is located only a few blocks from the center of downtown, so it is very convenient.
