At the southern end of the US-11 split near Harrisonburg, this traffic island holds a monument to…read morethose who lost their lives fighting for their country during the First World War. The well worn monument features a Liberty, seated. She appears to be staring off into the distance, perhaps sadly or witfully. She has a rifle in the crook of her arm and is holding an olive branch, extended. On the base, it reads "They Tasted Death In Youth That Liberty Might Grow Old." and at her side are listed the 49 names of men from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County who died in service during World War I. There is not much parking nearby but I found a spot to stop. The statue is a bit elevated on a traffic island so she should be safe from accident. [Review 15624 overall - 1355 in Virginia - 1128 of 2021.]

Not all of these markers depict positive stories or happiness. This is one of the dark ones and…read moreit's sad that this happened in America. I believe that times have changed but it's important to remember the past. The marker reads, "About a dozen disguised people took Charlotte Harris from the custody of jailers in eastern Rockingham County on the night of 6 March 1878 and hanged her from a tree approximately 13 miles southeast of here. This is the only documented lynching of an African American woman in Virginia, and it received nationwide attention. A grand jury that met here failed to identify any of the lynchers. Harris had been accused of inciting a young African American man to burn the barn of a white farmer. This man was later acquitted on all charges. More than 4,000 lynchings took place in the United States between 1877 and 1950; more than 100 people, primarily African American men, were lynched in Virginia." There is a summary with more details and chronology here: https://sites.lib.jmu.edu/valynchings/the-lynching-of-charlotte-harris/. I don't know what more to say. [Review 15623 overall - 1354 in Virginia - 1127 of 2021.]

Really enjoyed it. Had a great guide, Luke. Nice history of a 200-year-old oldest in the country…read more They hold events there still, we can concerts. Large rooms, easy to see all the formations in the walkways are easy to pass through. Quite a few steps for those who are challenged to do physical walking but otherwise it's pretty cool. Been to quite a few caverns and this was one of the better ones and a lot to see.

Such a fun experience! Make sure to wear good tennis shoes or hiking shoes. There are rocks along…read morethe path that can roll your ankle. I made the mistake of forgetting my tennis shoes at home.

This marker is located in downtown Harrisonburg near the county courthouse. It points out the…read moreearliest settlement of this area. The marker is in good condition and there is parking nearby. It reads, "Here Thomas Harrison and wife deeded land for the Rockingham County public buildings, August 5, 1779. The same act established both Louisville, Ky., and Harrisonburg, May, 1780. Named for its founder, the town was also known as Rocktown. It was incorporated in 1849. In its vicinity battles were fought in 1862 and 1864. The present courthouse was built in 1897. Harrisonburg became a city in 1916." Harrisonburg is the county seat of Rockingham County. is home to James Madison University, a public research university with an enrollment of over 20,000 students, and Eastern Mennonite University, a private, Mennonite-affiliated liberal arts university. The city has become a bastion of ethnic and linguistic diversity in recent years. Over 1,900 refugees have been settled in Harrisonburg since 2002.. As of 2014, Hispanics or Latinos of any race make up 19% of the city's population. [Review 15622 overall - 1353 in Virginia - 1126 of 2021.]

Named after Harrison Ford, and the site of 3 of his 4 non-fatal helicopter crashes (there haven't…read morebeen any fatal ones yet, although he did have a fatal moment SPOILER ALERT in the almost-most-recent Star Wars END SPOILER at the hand of his SPOILER ALERT own son END SPOILER ALERT). Anyway I shall have to Carrie the load for this review since my friend who usually writes them for me is off trying his hand at being a Fisher man. So it's a beautiful underrated mountain city hidden away in the Blue Ridge of Virginia. Most famous for being the home of James Madison University, but now also famous for J Petal. One location is in Brooklyn and the other is right here and it has absolutely delicious Crepes and drinks and other Asian Delights. Now I have to go and shave my eldest. Nobody wants to have a Hairy son - bleurgh.

If you've toured the Grand Caverns walking tour and find yourself peering into the dark recesses of…read morethe cavern, the Fountain Cave adventure tour is a must on your next visit. Visiting on a day when temperatures were only forecast to reach a high of 42F, it was pleasantly warm inside Fountain Cave and did not require bundling up for most people. Long sleeves, long pants, and boots, are required due to the terrain you "may" cover in addition to keeping the [damaging] oils from your skin off the cave features. Helmets, mounted lighting, gloves and knee pads are provided and were all in good condition. The floor of the 1800s walkway is mostly dry but moist areas are present throughout the tour and can be very slippery; following the instructions provided by the tour guides (three points of contact) will ensure everyone stays upright in these areas. Dana and Ashelynn were our guides for a group of 7 and always took point and rear to ensure everyone was safe and accounted for. Dana took the prominent role in discussing the history, and geology, of Fountain Cave and was a very engaging guide. While Fountain Cave is not as large as Grand Caverns, getting to tour this cave by headlamp and put yourself INTO the exhibit is truly an awesome experience. The bonus comes in the form of the Adventure "opportunities" that run near or parallel to the original 1800s pathway; for those not able or interested in taking the Adventure routes, you simply stay on the 1800s walkway and meet up with the rest of the group a small distance down the path. There are a few instances on the tour where a break is taken in total darkness. The first is a short ways into the tour and is designed to show you the amount of light that can be picked up from the entrance way after your eyes are given time to adjust. The second sets the stage to show how the cave would have been illuminated by a small candle. Note: please be respectful of the other guests if taking photos in these black-out moments; lowering your camera to the lowest brightness setting and staying back from the group prevents ruining the experience for others. IMO, the only way to make the Fountain Cave tour better is to increase the length of time spent within. Just like the Grand Caverns tour, I still found myself peering into the areas off the guided tour path wondering...is there more to this cave that hasn't been discovered yet.

This is a hidden treat for those who have an adventurous side, are athletic, and want to stay away…read morefrom the crowds at Luray. As avid rock climbers and athletes, this was perfect for us - crawling around in hidden passages, scrambling over formations, and challenging our comfort zone. Our guides - Karen and Abby - were incredible! The amount of knowledge, stories, and personality is what made this tour not just great, but amazing! Highly recommended. Be wary, it is physically strenuous.

[Adding this review back to the Yelp universe after it was removed by the hamsters who don't…read moreunderstand what a firsthand experience as a customer of the business looks like. Maybe they missed the pictures I posted? Maybe they can't read? Hamsters.] Standing next to a bank [THAT I VISITED!], this marker points out an important part of Civil War history. The marker reads, "A mile and a half east of this point, Turner Ashby, Stonewall Jackson's cavalry commander, was killed, June 6, 1862, while opposing Fremont's advance." On July 23, 1861, Brigadier General Joseph E. Johnston appointed Ashby lieutenant colonel of the 7th Virginia Cavalry. In October 1861, Ashby led an attack on Harpers Ferry, the armory having returned to Union control, but lost to Union forces led by Colonel John W. Geary in what became known as the "Battle of Bolivar Heights". Ashby's vigorous reconnaissance and screening were factors in the success of Jackson's Valley campaign in the Shenandoah Valley in 1862. However, Ashby failed Jackson in some instances. At the First Battle of Kernstown, Jackson attacked a retreating Union column that Ashby had estimated to be four regiments of infantry, about the size of Jackson's force. It turned out to be an entire division of 9,000 men, and Jackson was forced to retreat. At the First Battle of Winchester, as Union forces under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks were retreating, Ashby failed to cut off their retreat because his troopers were plundering captured wagons. As Jackson's army withdrew from the pressure of Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont's superior forces, moving from Harrisonburg toward Port Republic, Ashby commanded the rear guard. On June 6, 1862, near Harrisonburg, the 1st New Jersey Cavalry attacked Ashby's position at Good's Farm. Although Ashby defeated the cavalry attack, the following infantry engagement resulted in his horse being shot, so Ashby charged ahead on foot. After only a few steps, he was shot through the heart, killing him instantly. His last words were "Charge, men! For God's sake. Charge!" waving his sword, when a bullet pierced him in the breast and he fell dead." This was about three months prior to the massive battle Antietam and I visited that battlefield yesterday. The marker mentions a monument that is a mile and a half east. It is on the campus of James Madison University. I may seek it out the next time I am in the area. [BUT IT IS SEPARATE FROM THIS ONE, YOU HAMSTERS.} [Review 15641 overall - 1356 in Virginia - 1145 of 2021.]