Things to Do in Martinsburg

Hidden throughout the 6-acre corn maze at River Valley Ranch are nine map fragments. Using these clues, lucky visitors can find the hidden bridge to exit the maze, only to discover a whole host of fall-themed activities to get lost in. From hayrides and pony rides to a moon bounce and a classic pumpkin patch, Maizefest takes advantage of every aspect of the fall harvest. Adults and older kids can race each other towards victory in an inflatable obstacle course, while smaller kids have their own corny fun inside homemade corn boxes, that are kind of like sandboxes, but with more corn. Should all that fall-themed fun kindle an appetite, the ranch also offers snacks or full meals at the concession stand, with options including homemade chili, barbecue, and funnel cakes.

Blank teapots, plates, mugs, and figurines line the shelves at I Made This!, awaiting finishing touches guided by the artful eyes of do-it-yourselfers. The studio carries all of the materials necessary to complete each piece, including paints, glazes, and a 1,800-degree kiln, where pieces of pottery, like really good barbecue or really bad pizza, requires about 20 hours to cook. A team of knowledgeable employees stays on hand to answer questions regarding the glazing and firing processes. The ideal activity for a range of ages and groups, painting pottery at I Made This! can enliven a sunny Saturday morning or a ladies' night out with a customer-provided bottle of wine, with the option of reserving a private party room.

When Dan and Alyce Weinberg purchased the Tivoli in the late 1950s, they imagined its ornate chandeliers and sweeping ceilings watching over concerts and performances that would keep the auditorium as full as it was in the theater's 1920s heyday. After a devastating flood in 1976 almost decimated the space, the Weinbergs and other community members restored the historic theater, which now flourishes as a home for live entertainment, films, and the performing arts.

Craig and Cammie Cole, the husband-and-wife team behind Soaring Eagles Adventures, believe that life was not meant to be lived within cubical walls. Even though they’ve been sharing the wonders of the wilderness for nine years, the sight of a bald eagle's massive wings as it soars gracefully overhead has never lost an ounce of splendor. To them, each canoe excursion they lead is a much-needed break from the stressors of the modern world, so their trips venture into river valleys devoid of human interference, where bald eagles carry on their lives as they’ve done ever since Bigfoot stopped supplying them with toupees. The pair leads guests on half-day, full-day, and overnight camping trips, and share tips for surviving the wilderness and even marriage through podcasts and regular seminars.

The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley includes 6 acres of lush gardens and a purpose-built museum facility designed by architect Michael Graves. Visitors can marvel at the exterior of the Glen Burnie Historic House as they explore the unique design and languid paths of the public gardens, which knit together the stately Grand Allée, the mini Hidden Garden, and a tranquil water garden that flooded the original garden of old chia pets. The museum showcases four main galleries, displaying Valley memorabilia, a Civil War exhibition, and a collections of miniature houses and rooms, paintings, furniture, and portraiture dating to the mid-eighteenth century to the formerly private collection of benefactor Julian Wood Glass Jr.

It was 1955 when Fred and Evelyn Greenberg finally realized their dream of founding an outdoor camp for children, choosing the sweeping vistas of the Shenandoah Mountains as its home. They started with three camps, gradually combining them into one—Timber Ridge Camp & Resort. Today, they maintain a staff of directors, activity specialists, and counselors brought from university outdoors programs across the country to supervise children through the camp’s 45 onsite activities and programs.

Camp staff leaves coed attendees ages 6–16 free to choose their own activities. Campers team up in land sports such as beach volleyball, soccer, and basketball on hardwood courts or rehearse for inclusive theatrical productions and highflying trapeze acts to earn roles as Batman’s sidekick. They also take on nature itself with water-based excursions ranging from canoeing and tubing to waterskiing on the Shenandoah River or cavort under the watchful eye of Red Cross–certified lifeguards at the outdoor pool. On other adventures, they study animals at the nature center and petting zoo or arm-wrestle gravity into submission on a high-ropes course with a 40-foot climbing tower and 150-foot zipline. Staffers keep campers fueled for daily physical activity with regular themed dinner nights, each with kosher alternatives.