Awards & Designations

• Harrisonburg is among the top 10 Cleanest Places to Live in the U.S., according to the American Lung Association
• Harrisonburg was named one of eight Virginia Towns that Could Star in a Hallmark Christmas movie – Travel Awaits, 2021
• Harrisonburg was ranked 9th among over 350 metro areas in Dwellsy’s guide to Top Cities for Renters. It was the only Virginia metro area ranked to land in the top 50. – Dwellsy, 2021
• Harrisonburg was listed as one of the Best Cities for First Time Homebuyers – CNBC, 2021
• Harrisonburg was named the Best City to Retire in Virginia – Insurify, 2021
• Harrisonburg was picked as one of the best tiny towns to visit in 2021 – Film Daily, 2021
• Harrisonburg was picked as one of the best cities in the South to move to after the pandemic – Business Insider, 2020
• Harrisonburg was selected as the Editor’s Choice for a Top Dating Destination – DatingAdvice.com, 2020
• Harrisonburg was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Places for Millennials to Move to in the US – Reviews.org, 2019
• Harrisonburg was recognized as a Tree City USA – The Arbor Day Foundation, 2019
• Harrisonburg was recognized as one of the Best Places in the Country for Students Seeking a High-Quality Education – College Factual, 2019
• Harrisonburg listed as the region’s Best Biking Meccas – Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, 2018
• Harrisonburg listed as a Small Town Perfect for a Winter Getaway – House Method, 2018
• Harrisonburg named runner up as the Best Place to Retire in Virginia – Forbes, 2018
• Harrisonburg was named one of the eight best “Fall Foliage Cities.” – Where to Retire Magazine, 2018
• Harrisonburg was recognized as a 2017 Tree City USA – The Arbor Day Foundation
• Harrisonburg was ranked #10 in Virginia for Safest Cities – Safe Home, 2017
• Harrisonburg was listed as #2 of 30 Most Gorgeous Fall Towns – CarRentals.com, 2017
• Harrisonburg named one of 10 Best Blue Ridge Bike Town, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, 2017
• Harrisonburg ranked #1 most popular mid-size city to relocate – Movebuddha.com, 2017
• Bluestone Trail has been listed as a Virginia Treasure – Commonwealth of Virginia, 2017
• Harrisonburg is named one of 15 Affordable Small Towns We Love – Southern Living, 2017
• Harrisonburg is named one of the 20 Best Mountain Bike Towns in America – National Geographic, 2017
• Heritage Oaks Golf Course voted #1 Golf Course in the Shenandoah Valley – Virginia Living Magazine, 2017
• Harrisonburg has been listed as one of the most charming college town Main Streets for 2017-18 – Best Value Schools
• Harrisonburg is one of the cities in the US with the cleanest air – ‘State of the Air ‘ reports by the American Lung Association, 2017
• Massanutten WaterPark Named Top 10 Best Water Parks of 2016 – Parents Magazine, 2016
• Shenandoah National Park is listed in the 50 Most Beautiful Places in America – Conde Nast Traveler, 2016
• Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint ranked #19 of 50 Best Burger Joints in America – Business Insider, 2016
• Little Grill Collective ranked #123 of 240 Reaseons to Celebrate America Right Now – Time Magazine, 2016
• CubanBurger is listed as the Most Over-The-Top Burger in Virginia – Esquire, 2016
• By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages is listed in the Top 10 Little Known Inns in VA – Onlyinyourstate.com, 2016
• Corgans’ Publick House is listed as one of the 9 Extrememly Tiny Restaurants That Are Actually Amazing – Onlyinyourstate.com, 2016
• Harrisonburg ranked #6 in America’s Favorite Towns – Travel & Leisure, 2016
• Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza is listed in the Top 10 Italian Restaurants The Will Make Your Taste Buds Explode – Onlyinyourstate.com, 2016
• Harrisonburg ranked as one of the 10 Best Blue Ridge Bike Towns – Blue Ridge Outdoors, 2016
• Harrisonburg ranked #3 in Happiest Towns in the Mountains – Blue Ridge Outdoors, 2016
• Harrisonburg is considered the Pizza Capital of Virginia – WTVR-TV, 2016
• Harrisonburg was ranked as #10 on the Fastest Growing City in Virginia – HomeSnacks, 2016
• FoodBarFood among the 14 Restaurants that Prove Brunch is the Best Meal of the Day – Onlyinyourstate.com, 2016
• Xenia Kebab Grill is listed in the Top 13 “Hole in the Wall” Restaurants that will blow your taste buds away- Onlyinyourstate.com, 2016
• Harrisonburg Farmers Market is one of the 14 Incredible Farmers Markets in VA that is a Must Visit – Onlyinyourstate.com, 2016
• Harrisonburg made the list for Most Popular Regional Travel Destination for Mountain Bikers – Singletracks, 2015
• Harrisonburg named one of America’s Top 10 Mountain Bike Towns – National Geographic Society, 2015
• Harrisonburg ranked #32 for Best Small Places for Business & Careers – Forbes, 2015
• Harrisonburg ranked #6 in Virginia’s Safest Cities From Severe Weather – HomeownersInsurance.com, 2015
• Harrisonburg named one of 10 Most Exciting Places in Virginia – Movoto, 2015
• A Dream Come True Playground was named one of 13 inclusive playgrounds that are downright awesome – Red Tricycle, 2015

Designations and Honors

• Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market named 2017 Green Travel Leader – Virginia Green Program, 2017
• Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center named 2016 Virginia Green Visitor Center of the Year – Virginia Green Program, 2016
• Honored as a Bronze Award Bicycle Friendly Community – League of American Bicyclists, 2015
• Downtown Harrisonburg named Virginia’s first Culinary District –  City of Harrisonburg, 2014
• By the Side of the Road Inn and Cottages Joins Diamond Collection – Bedandbreakfast.com, 2014
• Home to over 33 Virginia Green businesses, organizations, and events – Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
• James Madison University honored as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly University – League of American Bicyclists, 2013
• Eastern Mennonite University honored as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly University – League of American Bicyclists, 2012
• Downtown Renaissance receives National Trust Main Street Accreditation, 2011
• Elevated to a Bronze Level Ride Center – International Mountain Bicycling Association, 2011
• Honored as a Bronze Award Bicycle Friendly Community – League of American Bicyclists, 2011
• Designated an Appalachian Trail Community – Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 2011
• Designated a Preserve America Community,  2009
• Designated a National and Virginia Historic District – National Park Service, 2004
• Designated a Tree City USA Community – Arbor Day Foundation, 2004
• Designated a Virginia Main Street Community, 2004
• Designated an Arts and Cultural District in Virginia, 2001