Harrisonburg, Virginia · Published by Emberlight Studios
Updated October 2026 · 9 places · Harrisonburg
Quick answer
Our top picks are Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, Purcell Park and Hillandale Park.
These year-round options are free and physically located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Parks and trails are outdoor spaces; the museums listed have free admission, though their opening days and hours vary.
780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum is a public botanical garden and woodland preserve with trails and native plants. Visitors can walk its shaded paths and look for wildlife and seasonal wildflowers.
Best for: woodland walks
41 Monument Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Purcell Park is a 67-acre city park with a 1.5-mile path around the park. The path is a popular local route, and the park offers space for picnics and recreation.
Best for: walking and picnics
801 Hillandale Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Hillandale Park is a 74-acre city park with a walking trail, picnic shelters, and playground equipment. It is also the entrance to Rocktown Trails, whose shared-use routes offer different levels of difficulty for walkers, runners, and cyclists.
Best for: trails and cycling
End of Suter Street near North Liberty Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
The Northend Greenway is a shared-use path in north Harrisonburg, built in phases to connect neighborhoods and local destinations. Its existing surfaced sections are used by people walking and biking.
Best for: walking and cycling
101 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
The Larry W. Shifflett Fire Museum presents the history of Harrisonburg’s fire department. Its displays include uniforms, medals, equipment, old fire alarms, and photographs; admission is free.
Best for: local history
212 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
The Valley Turnpike Museum is inside the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center and explores the history of the Valley Turnpike. Its exhibits include a scaled model depicting Harrisonburg during the Civil War; admission is free.
Best for: local history
Downtown Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
The Downtown Harrisonburg Art Walk is a self-guided route among public artworks around downtown. The works include murals, mosaics, and sculptures, and the guide gives context and history for them.
Best for: public art walk
150 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Explore More Discovery Museum is a hands-on children’s museum in downtown Harrisonburg. It offers free admission during its monthly First Friday opening, with art activities; admission is otherwise not always free.
Best for: children and families
710 Hillandale Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Rocktown Trails is a shared-use trail system at Hillandale Park, developed with volunteers and the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Its loop trails range across three difficulty levels for walkers, runners, and cyclists.
Best for: mountain biking and trail running