Awards & Designations

Awards and Recognitions
  • 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