We invite you to visit our historic bed and breakfast in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This charming restored mansion sits on a beautiful property and is easily accessible by interstate 81. Each room is uniquely decorated in antique style but equipped with modern comforts. We serve a gourmet breakfast each morning with fresh fruit and local ingredients. We strive to make all of our guests feel comfortable and right at home as they stay with us.
The Friendly City Inn is a restored mansion (circa 1885) that is unique to the Shenandoah Valley. While lodging at the Inn provides the feeling of a historic Civil War-era home, the design and materials are unlike any other Harrisonburg, Virginia bed and breakfast. Two architects from Boston (Richardson and Emerson) creatively adapted the traditional Queen Anne architecture to a stone-and-shingled New England cottage style. Thus, our Inn looks and feels like an old summer coastal home at Newport or Bar Harbor. The Mansion stands on two acres, landscaped with gardens, flowerbeds, and the old horse and carriage barn to complete the picturesque sight.
Just who the Inn’s builder was is obscure, but it is believed to have been a New England sea captain who moved to the area after marrying a valley debutante. Built into the mansion were techniques of construction familiar to the shipyards of the time: voice tubes for communication, distinctive beam structure, and separate family and servant living quarters and staircases. Also of note, the stairways and doors were made wide to accommodate the hoop skirts of guests entering from their carriage. Indeed, the building was constructed to entertain on a grand scale.
There are three finished floors. The first floor (now the basement and innkeeper’s quarters) was used for food and fuel storage, while the main or second floor was devoted to dining, dancing, and entertainment, with hotel-type kitchen facilities for the butler, maid, cook, and stable/handyman, all of whom lived in the back of the mansion.
Leading off the Queen Anne “living hallway” entrance is the grand parlor with impressive beamed ceilings – an ideal spot to meet with friends, read a book, or savor the afternoon light. The third floor, where seven of our rooms are now, provided bed quarters for the family, complete with a nursery and family parlor. Dining areas include the large, outdoor raised deck and, indoors, the skylight breakfast room (our “Paradise Cafe”).
Virginia folklore has it that the attic is still “occupied” by an artist chatelaine (Audrey Long) who used it as a studio in the early 1900s – but that is part of the lure of this charming place. Speaking of artists, we have an extraordinary collection of the limited-edition prints of P. Buckley Moss as well as stunning watercolors by Rachel Goodman.
547 East Market Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
The inn is easily accessible from from interstate 81 and sits about half a mile from historic downtown Harrisonburg. The campus of James Madison University is only 1 mile away.
The Friendly City Inn is also a great place to rest when touring Shenandoah National Park, Massanutten Resort, and the many local vineyards.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the Inn, Harrisonburg, or the Shenandoah Valley area.
Phone: (540) 433-8233
Email: info@friendlycityinn.com
No. To ensure everyone’s enjoyment and preserve the comfortable, quiet, and romantic ambiance of the Inn, we do not allow pets.
For children under the age of 8, please contact us for approval prior to making a reservation.
Depending on your preference we can recommend many places. We love this town and we love the food.
Each morning we serve a gourmet breakfast with fresh fruit, baked goods, coffee and tea. Breakfast is served at a time of your choosing between 8 and 10am. You may choose to eat in our cafe area or on the outdoor deck and patio.
Please inform us in advance if anyone in your party has any dietary restrictions or allergies and we will design a menu to accommodate you.
General
*Exceptions can often be arranged by special request in advance.
Cancellations
All cancellations must be done through e-mail, charges may apply. E-mail info@friendlycityinn.com with your name and the date of the reservation and let us know you are cancelling. Click “View All Policies” below for more information
Pets
To ensure everyone’s enjoyment and preserve the comfortable, quiet, and romantic ambiance of the Inn, we do not allow pets.
Children
For children under the age of 8, please contact us for approval prior to making a reservation.
Smoking
This is a no-smoking property and the use of vaping is strictly forbidden indoors.
If you are looking for an exciting job opportunity in Harrisonburg, VA, the Friendly City Inn may have the perfect role for you! Working at our B&B is dynamic, self-paced, and rewarding. This role offers tremendous autonomy and allows flexibility to invest time in your hobbies and interests.
We are keeping the safety of our guests the top priority during the coronavirus pandemic. We maintained our incredibly high standard of sanitation and have taken additional measures to ensure guest safety. >> More information
Friendly City Inn Bed & Breakfast
Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
547 E Market St, Harrisonburg, VA 22801