Mountain town with great views and close-knit charm
Shenandoah is a quiet mountain town along the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, 21 miles northeast of Harrisonburg. "It's a little piece of heaven," says Parwin Saidi, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Chantilly Ventures, who has over 13 years of experience. "It's a different corner of the world. You don't deal with traffic and are five minutes away from the best views." Tourism plays a modest role in Shenandoah's economy due to its proximity to Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Still, most residents work in small businesses or commute to nearby towns for employment. "If you want to get close to shopping and things like that, it's not for you," Saidi says. "But if you love quiet country life and being in a small town where everybody knows everybody, it's for you."
Homes with charming 20th-century architecture
Shenandoah's homes are a mix of ranch, cottage and farmhouse styles dating to the early 20th century through today. Most are set close together along sidewalk-lined streets in the center of town with features like covered patios and decks; some have detached garages or gravel-packed driveways, while others offer street parking. Newer homes are typically more spacious on the outskirts of town, with larger lots and attached garages. The median sale price is $280,000, compared to $340,000 in Harrisonburg.
Dual-enrollment at Page County Public Schools
Shenandoah is part of Page County Public Schools, which serves about 3,000 students and earns a C-plus from Niche. At the B-minus-rated Page County High, teens can take dual-enrollment courses for credit at Laurel Ridge Community College.
Pocket parks and Shenandoah National Park
The 68-acre Big Gem Park is the go-to spot for picnics or playground visits, and its fishing pond is stocked with largemouth bass and channel catfish. There's also a paved trail system popular with morning joggers, dog walkers and cyclists. Shenandoah Landing & River Park features a boat launch on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, with grills for cookouts. Other highlights around town include the Shenandoah Dog Park, the WigWam Village Playground and the Shenandoah Tennis Courts.
About 30 miles away, Shenandoah National Park spans about 200,000 acres of protected wilderness, including waterfalls, wildlife and a stretch of the Blue Ridge Mountains. "There are 500 miles of trails; you have very easy trails for kids, and then the hard ones where you go up and down," Saidi says. "When you can hear the waterfalls, it's so peaceful." Birders in the park may spot tree swallows, fox sparrows and cedar waxwings.
Mom-and-pop shopping and dining
"There are little places you can't find in the city," Saidi says. Taste the Southern Market offers fried chicken, deli meats and basic groceries, while the Shenandoah General Store sells souvenirs and artisan jewelry. Rudy's Diner is a relaxed spot for morning coffee or a hearty brunch with country staples like chicken and waffles, fried bologna and biscuits smothered in sausage gravy. For a date night, Mamma Mia serves Italian dishes, like Sicilian pizza and chicken cacciatore, with patio seating. Just across the street, Mr. Garcia's is the spot for margaritas and flavorful Mexican fare, such as chorizo tacos and steak fajitas. Nearby, Karen's Frozen Favorites has served homemade ice cream for nearly 30 years. From August through October, the Daughter of the Stars Farmer's Market is held at Shenandoah Landing and River Park. Elkton is 6 miles away for a wider selection of stores and restaurants.
Seasonal traditions and events
In May, the town of Shenandoah Memorial Festival is a three-day event that includes a parade, community yard sale and flag retirement ceremony. The Music in the Park concert series runs from May to October at Big Gem Park and is another highlight for its acoustic and country musicians. In October, there are ghost stories at the Town of Shenandoah Museum and a Halloween costume parade. For Christmas, there's a tree-lighting ceremony with hot chocolate and caroling. There are also events throughout the year at the Shenandoah Community Library, like game nights and story time for kids.
Getting around Shenandoah
Residents are car-dependent. U.S. Route 340 passes through town, leading 6 miles away to Elkton and U.S. Route 33, which grants access to Harrisonburg, 21 miles away. Sentara RMH Medical Center is 20 miles away, and Dulles International Airport is 96 miles away.
Flood zone by the river
Areas near the South Fork of the Shenandoah River have a 1% chance of flooding each year.
