Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley

Walk the ground.
Hear the stories.

Explore preserved Civil War battlefields, historic towns and museums, scenic driving routes, and one of America’s most consequential landscapes.

Explore battlefields Find museums & visitor centers Take an audio tour
Step onto historyWalking trails
Find your bearingsVisitor centers
Follow the storyDriving & audio tours

Choose your experience

How would you like to visit?

Start with the kind of day you want—not a list of places. We’ll point you toward the landscapes, stories, and visitor resources that fit.

Colorful autumn landscape at a Shenandoah Valley battlefield
01 · Outdoors

Walk a battlefield

Follow interpreted trails through preserved landscapes and battlefield parks.

Find a trail
Aerial view of the historic courthouse museum in Winchester
02 · Indoors

Visit a museum

Begin with exhibits, maps, films, artifacts, and help from local experts.

Browse museums
Shenandoah Valley battlefield audio tour on a mobile device
03 · Self-guided

Take an audio tour

Turn your phone into a guide for battlefield drives and historic walks.

Choose a tour
National Park Passport stamp graphic
04 · Collect

Find passport stamps

Plan stops around official National Park Passport stamp locations.

See stamp locations
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields event
05 · What’s on

Attend an event

Discover guided tours, lectures, living history, and special programs.

View events
McDowell Museum in Highland County
06 · Plan

Build an itinerary

Match your route to the time you have and where you are staying.

Start planning

First stop

Not sure where to begin? Start here.

These three destinations offer an easy introduction to the Valley’s Civil War story, with exhibits, orientation, and staff who can help shape the rest of your day.

Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum in the historic Frederick County Courthouse Winchester

Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum

Discover the Shenandoah Valley's Civil War Story in Winchester's Historic 1840 Courthouse

Plan your visit
James R. Wilkins Winchester Battlefields Visitor Center Third Winchester

Winchester Battlefields Visitor Center

Get oriented with exhibits, films, maps, books, brochures, and nearby battlefield trails.

Plan your visit
Civil War artifacts displayed at the New Market Battlefield Visitor Center and Museum New Market

New Market Visitor Center & Museum

Discover the Battle of New Market, a remarkable artifact collection, and trails on Manor’s Hill.

Plan your visit

Across the Valley

Explore the battlefields

From the largest battle fought in the Valley at Third Winchester to the mountain landscape at McDowell, these preserved places offer trails, scenic views, and stories best understood on the ground.

See all battlefields

Choose your pace

How much time do you have?

A memorable visit can fill an hour or a weekend. Pick your window and use this simple rhythm to start planning.

One powerful story

Choose one well-oriented stop and give yourself time to look closely.

Begin insideGet the story at a museum or visitor center.
Step outsideWalk a nearby interpreted trail or historic block.
Take it with youPick up a map or save an audio tour for later.

Plan around your location

Where are you starting?

Choose your home base for nearby battlefields, museums, and historic towns.

Before you go

Visitor tools

Everything you need to turn a good idea into a well-planned visit.

Come for the history. Leave with a deeper sense of place.

Ask us for help