Waynesboro is a unique town perfect for outdoors enthusiasts. It has something for everybody. There’s hiking, biking and scenic drives. There’s paddling and world class fly fishing in the South River. The community is quaint with a walkable downtown featuring vibrantly colored murals throughout the small village. And in the heart of the area’s art galleries, shops and restaurants there’s even a nice theatre.
This is one of my favorite places I’ve ever traveled within the state of Virginia. Here are a few suggestions when planning your visit.
Stay
The Best Western Plus Waynesboro Inn & Suites
This award-winning hotel has been voted the Shenandoah Valley’s favorite for four years in a row. Located between a Cracker Barrel and The Fishing Pig, you can’t beat the location or the price. Pro-tip: Ask for a room facing the mountains. Head over to my Instagram Stories (Highlights) to see my room tour.
What To Do
Go Fly Fishing with a professional guide at South River Fly Shop
If you’ve been following me for a while on social media, you know that I’ve been fly fishing for almost two years now. South River Fly Shop provides guided fly fishing and instruction for those looking for a day full of fun on the water with some of the most sought after professionals. The shop offers fly rods, fly reels and gear all within one place. They are open 7 days a week. I recommend stopping by and saying hello.
Explore the Waynesboro Art Trail
Waynesboro has partnered with Traipse, a free smartphone app known for “puzzle hunt” tours of local attractions and businesses, to create a self-guided walking tour of the beautiful murals and other public art located throughout the small village.
Traipse (similar to virtual geocaching) allows visitors to engage with each location by answering riddle-like questions at each stop along the tour. Questions are only unlocked when you are physically present at the location of the site. Upon correctly answering the riddle at each stop, you will unlock another clue in the Bonus Challenge, as well.
Download the free Traipse app to get started on this 16-stop tour that takes roughly two hours. Get ready to experience the many marvelous murals adorning downtown Waynesboro and beyond, with a fun, scavenger hunt twist! This tour does not have to be completed all at once, so come back as often as you need to finish it. It can also be completed in any order, but we recommend starting at Stop #1 where there is free parking and you can easily walk to the first 11 stops, before moving your car to complete Stops #11-16. Make sure to snap a lot of fun photos on your journey. Be sure to tag @VisitWaynesboro and #LoveWaynesboro for a chance to be featured on their Instagram.
Hike or Bike The Blue Ridge Tunnel
The Blue Ridge Tunnel is a historic railroad tunnel built during the construction of the Blue Ridge Railroad in the 1850s. The tunnel was the westernmost and longest of four tunnels engineered by Claudius Crozet to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains at Rockfish Gap in central Virginia. You can find a nice little waterfall inside the tunnel where I noticed a few locals collecting water in their refillable water bottles. Pro Tip: Wear a headlamp or bring a small flashlight to add to the fun of your adventure and make it easier to see all the inner beauty this cute tunnel has to offer.
Hike or Bike Shenandoah National Park
Pro-Tip: Family Friendly Hike the Blackrock Summit
Drive the Scenic Drive along Skyline Drive or Blue Ridge Parkway
Where to Eat & Drink
The Blue Ridge Bucha
Owned by husband-and-wife team Ethan and Kate Zuckerman, this company was one of the first Kombucha on Tap rooms to ever open on the East Coast. The Zimmermans opened up Blue Ridge Bucha with a mission to make delicious local kombucha in a refillable bottle. It’s been over one decade later and their commitment has saved over 1 million bottles and still counting.
The Blue Ridge Bucha team is still handcrafting their kombucha in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. They brew with the same culture that Ethan began working with over a decade ago, using Certified Organic ingredients to create refreshing, bright and unique flavors.
You can choose delicious local kombucha in a refillable bottle and take a step for the health of your body and your planet. I am confident that you will love an appreciate this company’s efforts to bring you the best tasting and most earth friendly kombucha in the state of Virginia.
Breakfast at The French Press
This has to be my favorite coffee cafe. It’s deceptively large inside. Don’t let the outside fool you. This boutique coffee shop has it all: great relaxing and chill vibes, the most delicious and appropriately caffeinated coffee you will ever taste, a wonderful array of breakfast bites and the most tempting treats on the menu! If I could have any coffee shop in my home neighborhood, it would be this one. We left feeling happy and ready to begin our day!
Lunch at Stella, Bella & Lucy’s
Stella, Bella & Lucy’s is nestled along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Main Street of Waynesboro. This charming little restaurant is a local favorite and upon entering, you will understand why everyone loves this place. The decor is reminiscent of an old fashioned era complete with lacey table decor, doilies and vintage plates. Warm and fuzzy vibes could be felt throughout the place, as the staff really takes care of their customers. Our lunch was absolutely delicious! I took the recommendation of our server and got the Pineapple boat with Chicken Salad and it was both beautiful in it’s presentation and also absolutely filling and yummy! My husband got the Reuben Sandwich and declared that it was the freshest tasting Reuben he’d ever had in his entire life. The kids shared a few plates and literally ate everything on their plates—ready to finish the day completely nourished and happy. This restaurant is definitely worth a stop! They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Dinner at The Fishin Pig
The Fishin’ Pig is a Southern Fusion Restaurant consisting of a combination of Grady’s slow-smoked pork and chicken BBQ, Memphis Style dry-rubbed ribs, beef brisket and Shorty’s Famous seafood and chicken. The restaurant specializes in fish tacos, fried green tomatoes, homemade macaroni-n-cheese, collard greens, hush puppies, homemade coleslaw and of course, some of the best BBQ in the state of Virginia. There is literally something for every foodie in your party. We could not get enough! We arrived hungry and left happy!
Shop
Rockfish Gap Outfitters
This is a one stop shop for all your adventure gear needs. They have top labels such as Buff USA, Patagonia and North Face. I stopped by to get a few neck gaiters and some short sleeved tees for the family. Friendly customer service and a beautiful store!
There’s so much more to do in Waynesboro and we can’t wait to go back. For more information planning your trip, be sure to visit www.visitwaynesboro.net and also check my Instagram for all the behind the scenes of our adventure! Add Waynesboro, Virginia to your bucket list!
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