VIRGINIA’S SHENANDOAH VALLEY

EVEN EASIER TO VISIT THIS FALL

"Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you. . ."--"Shenandoah" lyrics

The varied attractions and easy convenience of the Shenandoah Valley are what attracts thousands of visitors annually. In the fall, the colorful foliage makes leaf-peeping a highlight for many Shenandoah Valley visitors. Easily-reached by interstate, via I-81, I-64, and I-66, and within a one-day drive for half the population of the U.S., the Shenandoah Valley is one of the nation’s most interesting regions year-round.

Now, thanks to a new program, it’s even easier to plan a trip and visit the Shenandoah Valley. A new advanced traveler information system (ATIS) will be in place by mid-September, providing visitors with access to important travel information and traffic alert conditions before and during their trip. With fall foliage season and I-81 widening quickly approaching, the timing for this new system couldn’t be better. Called “Travel Shenandoah,” the integrated traveler information service will provide comprehensive, timely, and useful information on traffic and travel conditions, traveler services, tourist destinations, and emergency services along the main travel corridors for the Shenandoah Valley.

The ATIS system will help travelers at home with pre-trip planning information, traffic alert bulletins while traveling, and traveler information services during their stay. Before and during their trips, travelers will be able to receive this information through several varied delivery modes: the internet (www.travelshenandoah.org); landline phones, cellular phones, and PCS/digital wireless phones (???/???-????); pagers; and cable television. In addition, information will be passed on through roadside kiosks, changeable message signs from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and highway advisory radio stations.

From vehicle breakdowns to toothaches and from pet illnesses to finding lodging or dining, Travel Shenandoah will help visitors locate the nearest towing facility, dentist, veterinarian, hotel, restaurant, and much more. Running from Winchester down to famed Natural Bridge, Travel Shenandoah will serve 11 counties in the Shenandoah Valley: Frederick; Clarke; Warren; Shenandoah; Page; Rockingham; Alleghany; Bath; Highland; Augusta; and Rockbridge.

The initiative is being provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT); the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC); the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association (SVTA); Shenadoah National Park; ShenTel (Shenandoah Telecommunications Corporation); and Virginia Tech’s Center for Transportation Research (CTR). With Travel Shenandoah, they’ve all made visiting the Shenandoah Valley easier than ever.

VISITING THE VALLEY

The first place to start planning a trip to the Shenandoah Valley is through Travel Shenandoah’s website (www.travelshenandoah.org). This comprehensive and interactive website will provide a wide range of information about visitor services and attractions throughout the region, as well as links to organizations like the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, and many local tourist offices, attractions, and lodging and dining establishments. More than 6,000 travel-related businesses will be on Travel Shenandoah. Because there’s so much to see in the Shenandoah Valley it’s the perfect place to start.

Made famous by song and history, Shenandoah is an Indian word, meaning "daughter of the stars." This picturesque area is flanked by wooded hills and mountains, ranging in elevation from 3,000 to 5,000 feet. The "Valley" is generally 10 to 20 miles wide and features many small towns and lots of rolling farmland. I-81 runs the entire length of the beautiful Valley, making it convenient for quick stops at points of interest. However, for those with time, historic Route 11 offers a slow-paced drive, with much more to see and explore along the way. The entire length of the Shenandoah Valley also features smaller roads, leading to many friendly towns and tourist attractions.

This is certainly a region for leisurely driving and lingering. There's incrediblescenery year-round, historical sites, world-famous caverns, renowned wineries, antique shopping, and a full array of tourism services. Accommodations range from quaint B&Bs to large resorts. Visitors can use one place in the Shenandoah Valley as a base for exploration or easily cover the entire length for a complete overview.

The outstanding Virginia Civil War Trails program is prevalent throughout the Valley, as the "Avenue of Invasion." A map and other information, which can be obtained by calling (888) CIVIL WAR, provides lots of background about various Civil War Trails sites, as well as specific driving routes and more.

The Civil War is a main focus for many visitors, but the Shenandoah Valley's various attractions, activities, dining, and accommodations draw others. From spring wildflowers to summer activities and through to legendary fall foliage and winter sports, the Valley is popular from north to south anytime of year.

The large Virginia portion of the Shenandoah Valley begins in the Winchester and Frederick County region. Nowhere else can you walk the streets that George Washington, Stonewall Jackson, Admiral Richard E. Byrd, and Patsy Cline have all trod.

Berryville and Clarke County to the east provide more history, culture, and outdoor activities. At the Berryville/Clarke County Chamber of Commerce, visitors can pick up acopy of the "Berryville Walking Tour" and copies of the two driving tours of ClarkeCounty.

Next, visit Front Royal and Warren County and find the entrance to Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive, and more than 370 miles of trails in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Near Front Royal is Skyline Caverns, one of the only places in the world to feature anthodites, the "orchids of the mineral kingdom." As the "Canoe Capital of Virginia," popular outdoor activities include canoeing and tubing, as well as hiking, horseback riding, and excursions to George Washington National Forest or the Appalachian Trail.

Deep in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Route 11 passes through Shenandoah County, with incredible beauty, as mountains rise to the skies on both sides. Along the way, friendly towns are perfect places to stop for a look at small-town Valley life. Visitors to New Market will enjoy the New Market Battlefield Military Museum and New Market Battlefield State Historical Park, where VMI cadets bravely turned the tide of battle in 1864.

East of New Market, the Luray and Page County area draws many visitors to its historic streets and colorful caverns. The town is also a great base for exploring the surrounding mountains in the Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, and along the Skyline Drive. Luray also lures many people to Luray Caverns, one of the Shenandoah Valley’s most popular attractions.

The drive down to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County passes through Civil War battlefields preserved in farmland and an abundance of history. Harrisonburg is the home of James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite College, nearby Bridgewater College, and is surrounded by the giant playground of George Washington-Jefferson National Forest. Ten miles east of Harrisonburg, Massanutten Resort is a nationally-known four-season haven.

The road down to Staunton is short and sweet. This beautiful hilly town, one of the Valley's most varied stops, deserves more than a brief visit. Highlights here include: downtown (just one of Staunton's five National Historic Districts); "Jumbo" (a remarkable antique fire engine); the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace; The Statler Brothers Museum; and the Frontier Culture Museum, featuring 17th, 18th, and 19th working farms.

West of Staunton, the Waynesboro area is another ideal Shenandoah Valley base, with many attractions in town or nearby. The Waynesboro-Augusta County Chamber of Commerce right on Main Street can provide all kinds of information and assistance.

The Homestead, one of America's premier mountain resorts, is located in the village of Hot Springs, in bucolic Bath County. Nestled on 15,000 lush acres at the westernmost tip of the Shenandoah Valley, this magnificent resort has attracted travel-weary visitors for 233 years. Today, the 517-room resort beckons visitors with an array of leisure activities, luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and shopping.

Lexington appeals to travelers with its abundance of history, outdoor adventure,and scenic beauty. A 19th century college town, Lexington is home to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and Washington & Lee (W&L).

South of Lexington is Natural Bridge, one of seven natural wonders of the world. Other Natural Bridge attractions include the Natural Bridge Wax Museum, Natural Bridge Caverns, and the Natural Bridge Zoo.

Though not yet in Travel Shenandoah’s system, the Roanoke Valley beckons just a few miles further south. Roanoke is the Valley's largest city and is the southern end of this famous region. It is known as the "Capital of the Blue Ridge," symbolized by its proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Once in the Valley, Travel Shenandoah still helps visitors through a variety of services. Traveler information can be accessed by calling the toll-free Travel Shenandoah number (roaming or other charges may apply). In addition, emergency alerts on accidents and road delays (including alternate routes) are provided through the internet; landline phones, cellular phones, and PCS/digital wireless phones; pagers; and cable television. Frequent Shenandoah Valley visitors can even utilize a “Push” alert subscriber service to learn of problems.

With all of these new services coming this fall, travelers planning a fall foliage or any other Shenandoah Valley visit should be sure to visit Travel Shenandoah’s extensive website (www.travelshenandoah.org) or call their toll-free Travel Shenandoah number.

Shenandoah Valley native Lynn Seldon is a travel writer and photographer. His work has appeared in a wide variety of international magazines and newspapers. One of his eight books, Country Roads of Virginia (800/323-4900), is now in its second edition. The Shenandoah Valley chapter is the longest in the book.

EDITORS: For further information, additional photography, or to receive this story in text format by email, call Bob Myers (540) 984-5106 or (888) 889-4001.