Will Walk for Food: Hiking and Dining in Harrisonburg

If you live in Harrisonburg, you can’t help but be aware of the natural beauty that surrounds our city. Your Harrisonburg apartment is close to Shenandoah Park and the Skyline Drive, Harrisonburg puts you at the center of a vast array of hiking, biking, fishing and horseback riding opportunities that simply cannot be missed! Residents of Harrisonburg apartment homes also know that dining in our town is a delicious adventure, with lots of options, excellent quality, and a vibrant and exciting craft beer scene.

If you haven’t already mixed these two great features of Harrisonburg apartment living, it’s time to start! There is nothing more satisfying than a delicious meal following a hike to a truly enchanting view.

In Harrisonburg, you can get out and get walking right in your backyard! Here are a few suggestions for “foodies on foot”:

Build an Appetite

Get your stomach rumbling with a hike! Try a few of these options close to home:

Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
On the JMU campus, this beautiful woodland sanctuary is a peaceful haven right in the heart of Harrisonburg. The arboretum preserves native plant species and promotes a general understanding of the botanical and natural world for all ages. In addition to being a beautiful place to walk, the sanctuary also hosts field trips and adult groups and offers educational and age-appropriate tours.

Purcell Park
This 67 acre park includes a large portion of the Bluestone Trail. Conveniently located near JMU and downtown, the park is a great place close to your Harrisonburg apartment home to begin your jog, bike, or hike on the tail. The park itself also contains a 1.5-mile walking trail.

Riven Rock Trail
Riven Rock Park is about 15 miles west on Rt. 33 and contains some strikingly beautiful large rocks and boulders. The short hike allows you to enjoy the gorgeous forest and wilderness. The trail is lightly trafficked, making it an excellent getaway for an afternoon, and a prime spot to backpack with a picnic.

Rocktown Trails
Hillandale Park is the home of the Rocktown Trail system, created to appeal to athletes of all levels. Three levels of difficulty challenge hikers, runners and cyclists depending on their skills and are labelled helpfully on their map.

Destination: Dinner

Okay, so you went for a long hike into the mountains, and now you’re ready for the reward – excellent food right near your Harrisonburg apartment! Here are some of our favorite choices:

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint
Admit it – after a long afternoon of exercise, nothing tastes better than a great big burger and a cold beer! Stop by Jack Browns for a long list of amazing burgers and an equally impressive menu of craft beers, both local and global.

Joshua Wilton House
If sweating on the trail has you longing for elegance, try the Joshua Wilton House. This lovely Late Victorian House was built in 1890 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The elegant house in Old Town offers a refined and creative menu that will impress your palate and your senses.

Local Chop & Grill House
Serving the freshest locally sourced dishes in the area, the Local Chop & Grill House celebrates over fifty local farmers in its offerings. The dining room is located in the renovated City Produce Exchange building. They strive to honor the history of the building by focusing on local sources in a menu filled with creative meat, seafood, and vegetable selections highlighted by mouth-watering sauces and rubs.

So plan your hike today, and make a reservation for a wonderful dinner to celebrate your journey!