Have Fun (safely!) as Waynesboro Reopens

Virginia has cautiously entered Phase 3 of its reopening, meaning many Waynesboro businesses and attractions are now open to the public, though following some new guidelines. Social distancing, mask wearing, and heightened sanitization practices are all things you’ll encounter in Waynesboro. Many of our local businesses have used time in quarantine to develop new ways to serve the public, including new procedures, fresh programming, and creative digital content. Here’s how to enjoy Waynesboro’s best!

Food and Beverages

Dining

Waynesboro’s eateries vary in their offerings, but during Phase 3, they are doing their best to accommodate customers in the safest ways possible. Most restaurants are welcoming diners with a combination of indoor and outdoor seating, and some have even opened new patios and developed new menus for dining in and carryout. Lookin’ at you, Fishin’ Pig! Be sure you check with individual restaurants before making plans. You might even be able to catch some live music while you’re out enjoying a meal! Try the new River Burger Bar for happy hour specials and music on Thursdays.

Waynesboro Farmer's Market

The Waynesboro Farmer’s Market in Constitution Park welcomes mask-wearing, socially distancing visitors on Saturday mornings from 9 am-12 pm. Customers may also order fruits and veggies, eggs, meat, baked goods, and more online for curbside pickup. Try something new, such as versatile micro greens from Poplar Ridge Farm, or Guatemalan Dark Roast whole bean coffee from 7th Sunrise Coffee.

Vineyards and Breweries

Spread out and enjoy beverages, picnics, and views at Waynesboro-area vineyards and breweries. Barren Ridge Vineyard will be hosting live music, streaming virtual concerts, and sharing educational videos about the winemaking process. Afton Mountain Vineyard offers lawn, patio, and pavilion seating as well as curbside pickup of your favorite wine.

If you’d rather sip beer, most breweries along the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail are open for business with both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as beer to-go! In fact, Basic City Beer Co. and Seven Arrows Brewing have both built brand new decks to accommodate more outdoor customers. Get your Beerwerks Passport stamped at eight breweries and earn a new, cool t-shirt!

Entertainment

Wayne Theatre

The historic Wayne Theatre is “safely and cautiously” opening up for a few “Curtain’s Up” in-house events. These include Monday Movies and a live benefit concert and auction with music by Jimmy O on August 1. The Wayne will also be continuing it’s “At Home with the Wayne” pay-what-you-will digital programming. Programming includes acting and singing tips, live streams of past performances, behind-the-scenes programs, and much, much more.

Shenandoah Valley Art Center

The gallery at Shenandoah Valley Art Center has opened its doors for socially distanced visits to view the shows. Summer camps have been canceled this year, but the art center is offering weekly “Take It and Make It” kids’ kits for ages 5-10. Past projects have included pet rocks, peg people, and sock monsters. SVAC also plans to host a new exhibit in September that explores Covid-19 and social distancing.

Zeus Digital Theater

2020 might not be the year for new summer blockbusters, but Zeus Digital Theater is showing some of our favorite classics, including The Lord of the Rings, Jaws, E.T., Back to the Future, and The Big Lebowski. All tickets may be purchased online. Want to have the theater all to yourself? Zeus will rent you an entire auditorium to watch whatever you want with your closest friends. You even get bottomless popcorn and fountain drinks.

Waynesboro Golf and Games

Plan some wholesome family fun at Waynesboro Golf and Games, where the procedures and courses for par 3, footgolf, and mini golf allow for plenty of social distancing. You can actually play golf without having to interact with another person when you pay electronically and use the scoring app!

Eastside Speedway

Missing the sound of engines and the smell of racing tires? Spectators can once again watch the action at Eastside Speedway. The 2020 drag season continues through October.

The Great Outdoors

Waynesboro City Parks

Plan to get outside and have fun at Waynesboro City’s wealth of parks and greenways, including athletic fields and playgrounds. The City’s own Waynesboro Water Trail welcomes paddlers of all abilities, and nearby Rockfish Gap Outfitters has plenty of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards for rent or purchase.

Shenandoah National Park/ Appalachian Trail

Shenandoah National Park is almost fully open now, including trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, overlooks, and the Skyline Drive. Popular destinations like Old Rag and Whiteoak Canyon might be crowded at times. Keep social distancing in mind; if a trailhead seems too busy, consider picking a less populated trail. This is the perfect opportunity to explore lesser-known trails and adventurers!

Wildlife Center of VA

The Wildlife Center of VA's mission is to rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife and educate the public about our native species. During the Covid-19 crisis, the center has continued its work with animals, but has been closed to in-person tours. Instead, visitors can take advantage of a full weekly calendar of virtual programs and live-streamed events, including fun for kids, private virtual tours, critter cams, and new episodes of Untamed.

Grand Caverns

Escape the heat underground at Grand Caverns, where you’ll finally learn the difference between stalagmites and stalactites. Though Fountain Cave Adventure Tours and Historic Off Trail Tours are not being held at this time, visitors can learn history and explore the incredible geology of the caverns with guides while maintaining social distance and wearing face masks.