If you are planning a trip to Waynesboro, you have a lot of options when it comes to places to see and things to do. The city is an independent city in Virginia. You can check out the Grand Caverns, the Shenandoah Valley Art Center, the Plumb House gallery, and Shenandoah National Park, among other places. The city also offers many other things to do, which make it an excellent destination for a weekend trip.
Grand Caverns
Located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley in Grottoes, Virginia, the Grand Caverns is the oldest cave show in the country. Founded in 1806 and formerly known as Weyer’s Cave, this limestone cavern is a popular attraction with visitors of all ages.
This historic attraction was first discovered in 1804 by Bernard (Barnette) Weyer while trying to recover a trap. In 1806, he opened the cave for public tours. The cave is now the oldest continuously operating show cave in the U.S., and its rock formations are stunning. It is located just a short drive from Waynesboro.
Grand Caverns was originally owned by the Upper Valley Regional Park Authority. Then, in 2009, the Upper Valley Regional Park Authority decided to donate the cave to the Town of Grottoes. However, the authority was soon disbanded. This allowed the Town of Grottoes to manage the area.
Visitors can tour the caves on foot or take a guided tour. The underground tour lasts about an hour and a half. It is a must for anyone visiting Waynesboro. It’s also possible to visit the Blue Ridge Tunnel, built in the 1850s during the construction of the Blue Ridge Railroad. At one point, it was the longest tunnel in the world. Claudius Crozet, an engineer of the tunnel, designed the tunnel for the railroad and crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains at Rockfish Gap. The tunnel was used by the Virginia Central Railroad until 1868 and by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway for several decades.
In addition to the caverns, the caves also have picnic shelters, an accessible trail, and a miniature golf course. The caverns’ ambiance and beautiful surroundings will make the visit an enjoyable one. It is also a great place to watch birds, especially during migration season.
Shenandoah Valley Art Center
The Shenandoah Valley Art Center is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2016. Since it’s inception in 1986, the center has grown to serve a much larger area of the state. The art center is planning a cookout in the parking lot to celebrate the milestone.
The Center is a non-profit community art center that features exhibit spaces and artist studios. It also holds the largest art show in the Shenandoah Valley. Throughout the year, the Center is open to the public for free. The building contains an art gallery, artist studios, classrooms, and offices. The complex is considered a cultural center in Waynesboro and has won multiple awards.
The Waynesboro Street Art Festival features a mix of performing and visual arts. It celebrates urban culture and is themed around a multicultural theme. Visitors will be able to enjoy graffiti, murals, stencil art, live painting, and other forms of urban art. You’ll also find a variety of food trucks and live entertainment.
The SVAC provides community art education for all ages. They also support working artists through a program of business development. The center also offers off-site exhibits and working art studios. In 2018, the organization plans to implement two new programs: Artists and Makers Bootcamp, a week-long conference designed for creative business owners; and Project Box, which will provide materials for public school art teachers and lesson plans for Waynesboro public schools.
Plumb House gallery
If you’re looking for a place to visit in Waynesboro, Virginia, then look no further than the Plumb House Museum. This historic house is open to the public on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The Plumb family owned the property until 1994 when it was bought by the town of Waynesboro. Today, the museum houses over 10 galleries.
The museum includes artifacts from the town’s founder, as well as a comprehensive regional history told in postcards. The Plumb House is a significant site in Waynesboro’s history, having played an important role in the Battle of Waynesboro in 1865.
The museum also includes an audio-visual room and permanent galleries devoted to different topics. A mini-exhibit featuring apples and milk, which were important to the early economy of Waynesboro, is another highlight. During our visit, we were greeted by Shirley Bridgeforth, an attendant at the museum.
Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Waynesboro is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and world-class historical sites. The area is home to a wide variety of local shops and farmers markets, and endless recreational opportunities. The Plumb House is one of the town’s oldest dwellings. Other attractions include the P. Buckley Moss Museum and many local festivals.
Shenandoah National Park
If you’re looking for some outdoor recreation, the city of Waynesboro is a great base for exploring the Shenandoah National Park, located just three miles from the city. Among its most popular attractions, the park features 500 miles of hiking trails and spectacular panoramic views. A segment of the Appalachian Trail runs through the park, making it one of the most popular hiking destinations in Virginia. Other popular hiking trails include Stony Man and Blackrock Summit.
The Blue Ridge Tunnel is an easy 7.2-kilometer out-and-back trail that celebrates an almost forgotten feat of engineering. The tunnel was built in the 1850s as part of the Blue Ridge Railroad, and at the time, it was the longest railroad tunnel in the United States. Built 500 feet below Rockfish Gap ridge, this tunnel provided the Virginia Central Railroad with a crossing of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
A visit to Waynesboro is also a great way to see the area’s beautiful countryside. The town offers many outdoor activities, and is just minutes from Charlottesville and Richmond. Visitors can also enjoy the slower pace and charm of a small town.
Visitors should be aware of black bears in the park. Fortunately, these creatures are usually shy and will quickly run away if they see humans. Copperheads and rattlesnakes are also common in the area, so take caution when hiking. Also, remember to follow the posted speed limits on the park roads. Using a map is essential when hiking in this park. You can buy excellent trail maps from the Potomac Appalachiah Trail Club. Another good resource is the USGS online topoView.
Visitors should also visit the Byrd Visitor Center near Mile 51, which is located near the Big Meadows Lodge. This center is a great place to learn about the park’s history. It contains exhibits that teach visitors about the park’s human history, as well as information about park rangers’ work.
Eastside Speedway
Waynesboro has several great outdoor activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. A 9-hole Frisbee golf course is located at Coyner Springs Park, and the area is home to the Eastside Speedway. This speedway is located on Al Gore Lane, off US 340. Other nearby attractions include a golf course, a mini golf course, and a farmer’s market.
In addition to its racing events, Eastside Speedway also celebrates Easter Sunday every year. Most years, the event is celebrated with the appearance of Bunny Burkett, a famous local car enthusiast. Although this year’s Easter Sunday event was postponed due to rain, the event took place the following week. The event was just as loud and fast as usual.
Another great place to visit in Waynesboro is the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is located near the town. This scenic drive will take you to beautiful valleys and mountains. There are several scenic overlooks along the way. You can also fish if you have a permit from the park.
If you’re looking for something a little bit different, Waynesboro is also home to a 4-mile section of the South River. This is an excellent place to go for a picnic, as there are picnic areas and a footbridge over the South River. The park is also home to one of the state’s two stocked urban trout fisheries. Getting on the water can be a fun activity in the area, with several companies renting tubes and watercraft.
