Things To Do
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
This has been Sawyer's dream wedding venue since they were a little kid. By the time we were looking into venues, this place was booked for the entire season. We started looking at alternates, but Sawyer always had a nagging feeling that the MSV felt like it was meant to be. In early February of this year, Sawyer reached out again to see if they had any spaces available, even in the smallest corner. We got an email back that day saying that our date had magically become open due to a cancellation that morning! It felt like fate, serendipity, or "Invisible String" by Taylor Swift. We visited the MSV together for the first time in Summer 2022. Inside, they had put in a brand new exhibit: 123 I Love You. It's about queer love and history in the valley and the story behind the Glen Burnie house that stands in the gardens. After looking at each detail, we sat and cried, holding hands and thinking about our future together. The exhibit is still there; we encourage you to seek it out.
Handley Regional Library
Sawyer's favorite library in the whole world! We did ask them if we could get married there and they said no. We still love them anyway! The money to build the Handley Library and John Handley High School was donated through Judge John Handley's will in 1895. He requested two things: a library "for the free use of the people of the city of Winchester" and schools for the poor. These two buildings are beautiful and on the National Register of Historic Places! If you get a chance, drive by the high school (on Handley Boulevard). In Amanda's words, "That giant building is a high school? It looks like a government building!" In her defense, Handley High’s front lawn holds a football field, two soccer fields, and a park with room to spare, so Sawyer can see where she's coming from.
George Washington's Office
You all know we're history nerds. This is a super cool piece of history that is right in the center of Old Town. If you have time, we also recommend traveling north a ways to Berkeley Springs, WV to see George's bathtub (I promise it's cooler than it sounds)!
Dinosaur Land
3848 Stonewall Jackson Highway, White Post, VA 22601 While a little further out, this roadside attraction is truly and unironically one of our favorite places on Earth. The horrifyingly bad, papier-mâché-esque dinosaur (and various animal) shaped lumps bring a tear of joy to Sawyer's eye. You can sit in the hand of a to-size replica of King Kong and then get a bedazzled shirt from the gift shop. What more could you want from a place like that?
Patsy Cline Historic House
Patsy Cline was an incredible country/rockabilly/pop singer whose music has been spinning on our record player frequently. She was from Winchester and helped develop the iconic "Nashville country sound" you can hear in more of our favorite artists, such as Loretta Lynn, Kasey Musgraves, Trixie Mattel, and Brandie Carlile. Like another one of our favorite artists, she was one of the first women musicians to successfully transition from country music to pop music!
Polka Dot Pot
One of our first Winchester dates was here! When living in Buckhannon, we would go paint pottery in Weston about once a month. It is just so fun to create little gifts and trinkets that we get to paint ourselves!
Winchester Book Gallery
Sawyer has spent HOURS in this bookstore over their lifetime. It's a welcoming place with amazing books and recommendations. We try to buy all of our books from here to support their business!
Back to the Media
Almost any time we're walking through Old Town, we stop in here. We've added a lot to our vintage record and game collections from here! They also recently opened a vintage (I'm so sorry I keep calling the 80s and 90s vintage) arcade in the back of their shop!!
Tin Top Art & Handmade
Our gifts to each other from the last several holidays have all come from here. If you've been to Bloom in Thomas, WV, it's like a miniature version of that store! We own a tiny poptart ornament from here after someone (not naming names, but it wasn't Sawyer) accidentally knocked it off the display and it broke. We call it our Poptart of Shame.
Handworks Gallery
We discovered this shop together on one of our many walks through Old Town. It is such a cozy little corner with so many fun nooks and crannies of stuff!
Hideaway Café
We love grabbing a coffee and breakfast sandwich (at any time of day) at the Hideaway and heading to the library! Sawyer and Amanda's suggestion: Sausage, egg, and cheese croissant and an iced mocha with hazelnut
Macado's
An awesome Virginia chain, Macado's has the best vibes and biggest sandwiches in town. No seriously, their sandwich menu is a foot and a half long and their buns are as big as our heads. This was a family favorite from Sawyer's childhood that they now get to share with Amanda! Sawyer's suggestion: McDuffy Amanda's suggestion: either Julius Caesar or Mona Lisa
El Centro
We eat here almost too much (like two or three times a month). They have the best cheese dip ever!! Sawyer's suggestion: Chicken chimichanga Amanda's suggestion: Steak fajitas
The Cider House
This place opened just a few weeks after we moved. It was one of our first date nights out in our new city! Sawyer's suggestion: House Mac & Cheese Amanda's suggestion: Bangers & Mash
Red Fox Creamery
The cutest little ice cream shop (for our Buckhannon family, it has similar vibes to Sweet A Licious)! The milkshakes are the best, their hand-dipped ice cream in a waffle cone is to die for, and their homemade chocolates and baked goods make the perfect sweet treat. Sawyer's suggestion: Chocolate ice cream with sprinkles in a waffle cone! Amanda's suggestion: Cookies and cream milkshake