Hiking
Shenandoah National Park is a few miles down the road and you will find over 500 miles of trails with various terrane, duration, and difficulty. The National Park Service and other sites provide helpful guides.
Appalachian Trail Head
The Thornton Gap Entrance of the Shenandoah National Park provides an entrance to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the 2,190 mile long footpath from Georgia to Maine.
Canoeing and Tubing
Available on the Shenandoah River with outfitters in Front Royal and Luray, there are trips for all levels during the season.
Distillery and Brewery Tours
The Copper Fox Distillery is the home to Wasmund's Single Malt Whisky and other specialties. The Hopkins Ordinary Ale Works, Pen Druid Brewing, and Skyline Brewing offer local brews.
Wine Tasting
With award-winning wineries all around the area, there are several options for tastings and tours. Within about 5 miles, you will find Rappahannock Cellars, Quievremont Vineyard & Winery, Little Washington Winery, Gadino Cellars, and others.
Caverns
A short drive into the mountains will take you to the town of Luray, which is famous for the Luray Caverns.
Skyline Drive
Take a scenic drive along the 105 mile roadway that runs the entire length of the Shenandoah National Park along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains with 75 scenic overlooks.
Farmers Markets
During the season, the Rappahannock Farmers Market can be found in Sperryville and the Warrenton Farmers Market can be found at Lee and Ashby Streets.
The Inn at Little Washington
When you search for the best restaurant in DC, Virginia, and Maryland, people are surprised to find The Inn at Little Washington at the top of the list as one of the few restaurants earning 3 Michelin Stars in the region.
Washington, D.C. Museums
The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum complex with 21 museums and the National Zoo. All of the museums are free and open most days.
Washington, VA and Sperryville, VA
The small towns have a few stores, restaurants, inns, and walking trails. Check out the river trail and general store in Sperryville and the Tavern Shops and the Clun Forest in Little Washington.
Air and Space Museum (Virginia)
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center consists of large hangars filled with over 3,000 objects, including over 200 aircraft and spacecraft located in Chantilly, VA (near Dulles airport).
Front Royal
The town recently enjoyed a visit from England’s King Charles and boasts a quaint downtown along with other local sites.
Eldon Farms
This 7,000-acre working farm is a special place that has been preserved by the Akre family. They run workshops, house a local nursery and help demonstrate sustainable farming practices for others.
Oak Spring Gardens
This special 4,000-acre garden preserve was developed into a foundation for ongoing stewardship by the Mellon family. They offer programs, tours, and special events.
Tyson's Corner Shopping
If your idea of hiking involves the aisles of Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, then you may wish to check out the options at Tyson's Galleria and other nearby shopping meccas.
Golf
There are several golf courses in the area that welcome guests including: the South Wales Golf Course and the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club (best VA public golf course in 2025). There is also an executive short course in Sperryville called The Schoolhouse Nine.
County Park
The Rappahannock County Park is a 7-acre public park just down the road and has a variety of activities for kids and tennis players. It is also featured as one of the three county parks in the USA to be designated as a Dark Skies Park by the International Dark-Sky Association. It is also certified as a Audubon at Home Wildlife Sanctuary.
Equestrian
Northern Virginia is known for the horse farms, training, and events. Whether your interest is racing, dressage, fox hunting, polo, or riding, there are places for each of these activities nearby. Best to check the organizing sites for more information.
National Audio-Visual Conservation Center
This new campus of the Library of Congress is home to 4.5+ million film, TV, and audio recordings in an underground conservation center located on its own campus in Culpeper.