With Valentine's Day sneaking up on us, it is important to place your plans in your calendars! From restaurants to flower shops, there is something for everyone this season and with this guide to the holiday's hottest, you will not be missing out on all that downtown has to offer. So grab your loved one, friend, or furry family member and head on out to take a seasonal taste of all things downtown! more
With the Forbes Center of Preforming Arts and Downtown Harrisonburg being only a 5-minute drive apart, it only makes sense to elevate your night with both dinner and a show. This year, enjoy a wide variety of talented performances hosted by James Madison University and indulge in some of Downtown Harrisonburg’s best restaurants. more
Nestled within the vibrant Turner Pavilion, a space usually reserved for Harrisonburg’s bustling weekly Farmer's Market, a remarkable transformation occurred. Instead of rows of fresh vegetables and tempting local treats, an array of global flavors emerged, courtesy of Harrisonburg's finest local restaurants. Since its inception in 2018, Harrisonburg Virginia’s Downtown Dinner Party has become a cherished tradition, captivating the palates of locals and visitors alike. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR), it's only fitting to honor this milestone with an unforgettable evening filled with delicious delights. more
This Taste of Downtown Recap highlights some faces around Downtown Harrisonburg with a personal flare! We are so thankful for the participants, whether they are businesses downtown, people of Harrisonburg, sponsors, or anyone who contributed to this fantastic month of community! more
Get ready for a new movement to build Downtown Harrisonburg as a destination where dog-friendly businesses thrive and pets enjoy memorable experiences! On this twentieth anniversary year, we are delighted to announce a new focus for the future of Downtown Harrisonburg: developing programs and events that are dog-forward as well as welcoming new dog-focused businesses to the Downtown Harrisonburg community. We look forward to working on this new focus to make Harrisonburg known nationally as "The Dog-Friendly City." more
Looking for fun ways to celebrate Valentine's Day in the Friendly City? Look no further than this year's Valentine's round-up featuring gift ideas, local restaurant specials, sales, and events happening all weekend long! Don't miss out on planning the perfect date night or celebrating your galentine's and loved ones! more
Voting is now open for Virginia Living's Best of 2023. It's no surprise to locals that several Downtown Harrisonburg businesses and attractions have made the nomination list, but we need your help in order to help these nominees place at the top. more
In the location many once associated with the family-owned store Horizons Gifts, a new dog is in town–or should I say cat? Opening this fall, Harrisonburg is welcoming its very first cat café, Aristocat Café! more
And that’s a wrap! Downtown Harrisonburg’s annual Downtown Dinner Party was a huge success! After a couple years away, our community was eager to come together once again in a beautiful celebration of our cities' various culinary expertise and wow–what a beautiful sight it was! With more than a dozen delicious different tasting centers, partygoers were able to get a glimpse into the vast array of options downtown Harrisonburg has to offer as Virginia’s first culinary district! more
It's official, Taste of Downtown 2022 has come to a close. Here at HDR, we had the opportunity to connect with many of the hardworking and passionate people who made all of this possible. Ranging from head chefs to line chefs, bakers to brewers, and managers to support staff, we had so many memorable conversations hearing their stories and seeing their passion first-hand. We encourage you to take the time to read these inspiring stories and get to know some of the people who make downtown dining so spectacular. more