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Independent city in Virginia, United States
Photo: Peter Fitzgerald, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Winchester is a town in the Shenandoah Valley. The town is a good base for exploring the rest of the valley and a picturesque historical site in its own right. It was the first colonial town in the Valley. It has a wonderful historic district with a nice pedestrian mall. The town is full of excellent restaurants, shops and museums. There is one very old inn downtown with a pineapple sign hanging on the porch, plus there is the restored George Washington Hotel.
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Handley Regional Library
A library ornately designed in the Beaux Arts style that opened to the public in 1913. Includes the Nancy Larrick Children's Room, the Middle Kingdom for teens, Information services and the Stewart Bell, Jr. Archives.
The final resting place of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, the proprietor of all of Northern Virginia during colonial times. The tomb is on the grounds of the historic Christ Episcopal Church.
Old Frederick County Courthouse
Civil war museum displaying local artifacts such as insignia and firearms, in a former courthouse built in 1940.
Adam Kurtz House
Interactive, hands-on museum for families, which focuses on the science, mathematics, humanities and the arts.
Historic cemetery
The Union cemetery within Mount Hebron
The Confederate cemetery within Mount Hebron
A mid-19th century two-story log cabin that was the childhood home of country singer Patsy Cline. It is now a museum.
Local history and art museum.
1794 mansion of Robert Wood, the son of the founder of Winchester. The home and gardens are part of the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.
Largely intact Confederate fort
Earthwork star fort involved in the Second and Third Battles of Winchester.
Pick-your-own apples. Buy fruit, vegetables, and baked items.
Held each spring, usually in late April or early May, this festival includes carnivals, pageants, parades, and a circus as part of the celebrations.
Thrilling, chilling, one-and-one-half-hour easy-walking guided tour exploring the ghost haunts of historic downtown Winchester.
Educational 1½-hour easy-walking guided tour exploring the events of the Civil War that were centered in historic downtown Winchester.
Educational four-hour escorted driving tour exploring the events of the Civil War that were centered in the Winchester area.
Stop at the Visitor Center by Abrams Delight and pick up a cassette or CD and take a leisurely drive through Winchester and Frederick County.
A cheap and greasy local favorite that serves delicious mini-burgers, birch beer, and milkshakes. Eat inside or out.
American food including ribs. Outdoor seating during summer.
Beer and burgers
Brewery serving wood-fired pizza.
Luxury suites with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Spa and pool.
Great value with a fantastic breakfast. Very interesting historic inn right downtown with excellent restaurants, shops, pubs, coffee houses, and museums all around. Four extremely comfortable & cozy bedrooms, two with fireplaces.
Features French cuisine W-Su.
Formal clothing.
Home goods.
Boutique with clothing and gifts.
Winchester is located just off of Interstate 81. Winchester is a 1-hour 15-minute drive (75 miles, 120 km) from Washington, D.C., and a 1-hour 45-minute drive (100 miles, 160 km) from Baltimore.
Read in the guideThe historical downtown can be seen on foot, but a car will allow you to explore the nearby Shenandoah National Park and scenic Skyline Drive.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Dulles · International · IAD
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