There's something deeply humbling about walking through a cemetery filled with thousands of young…read moremen who never got to finish their story. Men who never made it back home. Never saw old age. Never got the life they thought they still had ahead of them. Just endless rows of white stones stretching across the quiet hills of Winchester, Virginia. More than 5,000 Union soldiers are buried there -- many of them killed in the endless fighting that tore through the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. Some have names. Many do not. Winchester itself became one of the most fought-over towns in America. The town changed hands over 70 times during the war and saw THREE major battles: * First Winchester (1862) -- Stonewall Jackson launched a surprise attack that sent Union General Nathaniel Banks retreating north in panic. The victory helped turn Jackson into a Confederate legend. * Second Winchester (1863) -- Confederate General Richard Ewell crushed Union defenses just weeks before Gettysburg, capturing thousands of Union soldiers and opening the road north for Lee's invasion. * Third Winchester (1864) -- one of the bloodiest battles in the Shenandoah Valley. Sheridan's Union forces slammed into Confederate lines around forts, fields, and stone walls surrounding the town. Casualties piled up by the thousands. Walking that cemetery today, you realize you aren't looking at one battle. You're looking at years of accumulated sacrifice from the same valley. Young men from Vermont. Ohio farm boys. Massachusetts factory workers. Immigrants from New York. And now they all rest together beneath identical white stones. That's what Memorial Day is really about -- not just history, but remembering the human cost behind it. We were very impressed with the care this area took to preserve these sacred grounds.

The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation building features a free museum with a small gift shop, some…read moreexhibits, and some fun interactive opportunities for the kids, including period dress-up, coloring and scavenger hunts, and building. They also have a film, the Battle of Cedar Creek, which the staff will happily start for you. The friendly front desk staff were very kind and informative and told us about some of the events they host. There is a small gravel lot on the side of the building. The Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation is a partner of the Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park (National Park Service) and offers their own passport stamp. It is located across from Belle Grove, the plantation home that was utilized by the Union during the battle (and if you go across for a tour there, the guides can show you some of the damage sustained on the exterior), and whose land constitutes much of the battlefield.

Great little museum with awesome staff!!! I helped at the reenactment last year and it was amazing.read more

My uncle recently passed away and my family decided to use this funeral home. The director and his…read morewife were very gracious, comforting, and sincere during our time of grief. They made the process a little easier to manage. Also, while talking with them at the funeral home, you kind of forget it's a funeral home, it just has more of a home feel to it. They are really great people that truly care.

Fantastic place with a fantastic tour. Anyone interested in history, architecture, antique…read morefurniture, the arts, agricultural and seeing a rare living history monument should tour Clermont Farm. Bob Stieg, Jr., (the busy CEO), gave us a personal tour geared to our interests. It is obviously his passion, and he willingly and graciously shared his abundant knowledge with enthusiasm. It was easy to arrange a personal tour with Jessica, the Office Manager, who accommodated our schedule. This tour is a treat, and we recommend highly!!!

Beautiful farm dating back to 1700s. It is not open to the public except for rare special events.read more

The shop and front information are absolutely a must visit place while you're in Harper's Ferry…read more The relief map is mind boggling to see up close. There's no charge to enter the station and every so often real trail rangers come in and talk about the trail conditions. The staff all know every answer to the questions with detail and live conditions of the trail 2-3 times a day. Get the feel and natural hit of it all- and while you are there buy some ATC merchandise OR make a donation for the trail OR DO BOTH! All the proceeds benefit the trail! It's free to enter and enjoy the store and map room and that's a great price! It's a worthy national treasure to support this one!

Great place to stop if you are beginner or experienced hiker…read more They have tons of resources available for you...from restrooms, to places to refill your water, to books, and a lunge for hikers. You can take a break and look through thousands of pictures of hikers who have completed the Appalachian trail or you can chat with one of the volunteers about their experiences. Either way, you will leave with more knowledge than you had when you got here!!! We will be back once we have completed the trail!!!

SOOOOOOO very happy to have a complete source for clay, glazes pottery and sculpture tools so very…read moreconveniently located in the Valley. That Arline and Mike and Holly are so friendly and helpful is an added bonus!

I'm really happy that the Kiln Doctor is within a reasonable driving distance from my home. They're…read morean excellent resource for both materials and knowledge, and the people who run it are more than happy to sit and talk you through any sorts of questions or problems you're having. I haven't had a chance to get to one of their demonstrations or other events, but I'm looking forward to when I can. I strongly recommend them over buying online - support your local businesses, so when your wheel breaks down you don't have to pay hundreds of dollars just for the shipping to get it repaired far away! Just got my VL Whisper from them, and I'm as happy as can be about it.

I could not have been more comforted and content by the Services and Care that were given to my…read moreFamily and Myself for the unexpected Passing of my Husband. Kim, RK, Dawn, Crystal, Noah (Olivia, the voice of an Angel) and everyone else took the time to explain, embrace, advise and guide us through this most uncertain time of our lives. They were always available, always attentive, always welcoming and extremely patient with the repeated questions. While a Funeral Home/Crematorium is not something that you frequent, this is a place of Love, Kindness, Understanding and Guidance. They are all now a part of our Family and will be Remembered on a daily basis. Without their experience and professional but comforting attention, this could have been anything less than perfect. The whole experience was, in fact, Perfect on all levels. Thank You All. We Love You. Could not recommend more. They will give you a warm hug, take your hand and memorialize your Loved One with Grace and Compassion.

Great food, ambience and friendly service. Can't wait to go again! The scones were a definite…read morestandout

My friends and I stopped by this spot on a Wednesday on our way out of town. We loved the vibe…read morewithin the cafe -- lots of artist's work on display and for sale (photography, sculpture, jewelry etc.) There were several places to sit with chairs, tables and comfy sofa-like seats. It was quiet and comfortable inside -- overall a really inviting atmosphere! I ordered an iced tea and a blueberry scone. The black tea tasted great and the scone was packed with blueberries. There were several vegan options on the baked goods menu as well as a variety of non-dairy milk available for your coffee/espresso drinks. The staff was friendly and chatty! I don't live close enough to visit often -- but if you're in the area, I would definitely stop by this place! Just be sure to check the hours, they are only open a few days a week.