Mackintosh Fruit Farm

Mackintosh Fruit Farm

Friday, June 24, 2016

About 10-15 minutes east of town, between Winchester and Berryville, lies Mackintosh Fruit Farm. They grow a variety of fruits for you to come and pick during different seasons. Strawberry season is just ending but they have a nice supply of blueberries and raspberries coming in! As you drive in there is a friendly little dog who greets you and on the particular day we visited there were three free kittens available (that the owners had found in a box on the side of the road). Clearly the owners are animal lovers! 

An attendant will help by giving you a basket to put your desired fruit in and you're off! You can traverse the rows in their fields and hunt for ripe strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. Once you finish picking you weigh your fruit and pay (a very reasonable price). There are plenty of tables and chairs if you'd like to sit and try some of their baked goods or even the fruit you picked. I would recommend arriving earlier in the day to avoid crowds and to enjoy picking the fruits in the coolest part of the day. 

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Valerie Hill

Valerie Hill

Monday, June 6, 2016

My husband and I recently visited Valerie Hill near Stephen's City to do a wine tasting. We really enjoyed the premises and asking about the history of the home. We sipped on several different wines, and our personal favorite was the Vidal Blanc (we'll be stopping back by for a few more glasses this summer I'm sure). There was a beautiful event tent outside with views of the vineyard. While you visit you can move around to several different rooms in the home to find some privacy, sit on the patio, or walk down to the event tent and enjoy some music if an artist is present that day. The winery is only a few minutes outside of Winchester and could provide an easy, relaxing afternoon this summer.

Visit their website here. 

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First Night 2016

First Night 2016

Thursday, January 14, 2016

First Night Winchester takes place downtown with participating churches and businesses. A variety of acts (such as magicians, musicians, and performers) will come and show their acts to enthralled audiences. To participate there is a $10 price tag per button. These buttons get a new design every year and by wearing it for the evening you get admittance to all of the shows. If you're ever looking for something fun to do on New Years Eve, give First Night a shot on the downtown walking mall.

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Shenandoah University: The Arts

Shenandoah University: The Arts

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

I recently went to a performance of Romeo & Juliet at the Ohrstrom Bryant Theatre. The university adds value to the community that I believe is often over-looked. First, for students, it is possible to get to free tickets to nearly every performance. For citizens of Winchester there are occasional free performances (such as the upcoming Navy Band Concert on January 15). 

The performances are worth the cost and the students are very good at what they do. Whether you're interested in theater, chorales, or jazz music you can certainly find your niche. 

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Hill High Farm

Hill High Farm

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Hill High Farm is a locally owned business that invites people onto their land to pick apples and pumpkins, navigate a corn maze, take a hayride, and pet some animals. In one week they will open their Haunted House as well. 

Their corn maze covers several acres and you're given a punch card before you enter. There are six stations placed throughout the maze that you and your team are supposed find. There are pictures and jokes spread on each sign and a hole punch, so you can tag your card and prove you found all six stations. 

There are funnel cakes, pork rinds, apple cider, pies, and much more for sale along with autumn-themed gifts.

If you and your family decide to take a hayride you'll hop aboard and a tractor will pull you through the farm. For $6 you get a hayride, a pumpkin, and a short educational talk with the owner, Vernon, as he rides his horse (Bo or Rooster) with his farm dog Max trailing alongside him. 

There are also several animals such as donkeys, goats, and calves to pet and interact with. Kids and adults both will be sure to have a lot of fun at the farm. If you're looking for more information check out their website or their Facebook.

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Family Drive In

Family Drive In

Sunday, July 5, 2015

If you're in Winchester for the summer and are looking for a unique experience, you've found it. Did you know the Family Drive-In has been open for 58 years? It's well-deserved. Having grown up in the area, the drive in was a key part of summer evenings for my family. We would grab the truck and either an air mattress or lawn chairs and head to Stephen's City for an evening filled with food and movies. 

There are two screens at the drive in, one of which is usually family & kid-oriented so everyone can have a good time. When you get your tickets at the booth they direct you to the screen your movie will be playing at, then you park your car next to one of the radios. You can extend it into your car (pictured below) and listen to class tunes before the show starts. While you're here make sure to take a look at their movie reels and grab some concessions, which are reasonably priced. You can also bring your own food for $5, so you could order a pizza and bring it with you. If you have kids there is a play ground near Screen 1 with swings and a jungle gym too. 

This is a great experience for families, dates, or a group of friends to enjoy. Many people haven't been to a movie at a drive in theater so make sure to drive down and visit (10-15 minutes outside Winchester).

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Restaurant Week: Jack Knuckle Gourmet

Restaurant Week: Jack Knuckle Gourmet

Monday, March 2, 2015

Today kickstarts Winchester's annual Restaurant Week. This is a great weeklong event that is put on by local businesses downtown to entice customers to try new places and new foods. If you have old favorites you can still stop in for some varying menus and affordable food. Most participating restaurants are either offering three course meals for $25 or 2 for $25 deals. 

Our first stop is a little non-traditional this week. Jack Knuckle Gourmet is participating in Winchester's Restaurant Week and is creating meals for two people for $25. What's unique about them is that they are a food truck that roams around the town. You can check out their Restaurant Week Menu here. For the event week the truck is parked right behind Winchester Towers on Cameron Street. Grab some friends and try out their soups, sandwiches, and sides. 

Tonight my husband and I tried out the gourmet grilled cheese, cream of asparagus soup, and falafel along with two drinks all for $25. Since it's a little chilly out and we live close to downtown we decided to eat at home, but you could sit along the wall on Cameron Street to eat and chat if you desire. As we were getting our food, three more families showed up to try out the food truck. The employees delivered service with a smile and I'm interested in testing out their other sandwiches in the weeks to come.

Interested in finding out what other businesses are participating? There are a bunch in our historic downtown and you can check them all out on their website or facebook page.

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Shenandoah: North Marshall

Shenandoah: North Marshall

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Virginia truly shines during the fall season. The leaves begin changing and perfect temperatures there's no place I'd rather be. This past weekend we followed up from our previous hike at South Marshall and decided to try out the North Marshall trail. It was only a 1.6 mile or so hike total with a beautiful overlook to the East. There's an uphill grade, but it's short so if you're ever looking for a quick hike with high rewards, I'd recommend the North Marshall trail on the Appalachian Trail.

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Shenandoah: South Marshall

Shenandoah: South Marshall

Monday, September 16, 2013

Yesterday I went up on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park with a group of friends. We were looking for a short hike near the north end of the drive to take up an hour or two of our afternoon. So, after stopping at Dickey's Ridge and watching their video about the park, touring the museum, and buying a park magnet in the shop, we headed down to mile marker 15.9 and hiked south on the Appalachian Trail for about a mile until we came to two overlooks. The Shenandoah Valley looked incredible and it was a gorgeous day.

We're planning on doing a picnic in the near future at the same spot when the leaves change. It'd be incredible to watch the changes happening from summer to winter with the beautiful foliage we get in Virginia in the fall.

To Do: Hit up Skyline Drive and grab a pair of hiking boots. There are a lot of trails within a half an hour of Winchester that you can utilize all year round. The year pass is only $30.

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