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D.R. Horton offers a range of new homes for sale in Winchester, Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley. Known as the “Apple Capital,” Winchester boasts the beauty of a rural town while maintaining a suburban feel. Baltimore, Maryland and the Washington DC area are both less than two hours away, so urban conveniences are still accessible. Many of our communities in and around Winchester come with amenities to enjoy, and all of our new construction homes offer spacious open floorplans and smart home technology.

Why choose Winchester, VA

Winchester has been a farming community since colonial times, and though it is known as the “Apple Capital” and home of the Apple Blossom Festival, local farms produce all kinds of fruits and vegetables grown in the area–not just apples. While it has a reputation for its farming and produce, Winchester is a growing area with plenty to do and explore. There are numerous museums in the area, and Old Town Winchester features shops and events in a beautiful historic district that serves as the heart of the town.

Convenient to Interstate 81 and Route 50, Winchester appeals to people who want a peaceful lifestyle while maintaining access to the events and excitement of surrounding cities. The area has plenty of places to enjoy outdoor activities, and it is encompassed by two school systems: Frederick County Public Schools and Winchester City Public Schools.

Community life in Winchester, VA

As you might imagine, apples are an important part of community life in Winchester. The “Apple Capital” is home to both The Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival in the fall and The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in the spring, which are major tourist attractions in the area. The Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival features food concessions with plenty of apple-inspired fare as well as traditional festival eats. Visitors of the festival enjoy competitions for baking with apples and apple pie eating, and all proceeds from the events support local nonprofits. Though the festival in the fall is certainly popular, the 10-day-long Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in the spring is one of the largest annual events in Winchester, with nationwide recognition, more than 50 events, and annual crowds of more than 250,000 visitors. This event is not only fun but also provides a benefit for the local economy thanks to heavy tourism and festival-related purchases. The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival also extends to wine, with the Bloomin’ Wine Fest operating two of the 10 days of the festival. Local and national celebrities regularly attend the Apple Blossom Festival and even feature in some of the events.

Outside of Winchester’s best known events, the town always has something going on. In the summer, Old Town Winchester, a 45-block area registered as a historic district, produces a Summer Concert Series, “First Friday,” featuring live music on the first Friday of the month from April to October. The area also hosts the Hop Blossom Craft Beer Festival in June, which features many local breweries and a homebrew competition. As the weather cools off, Winchester hosts a variety of cultural and holiday events. Old Town hosts Celebración, an annual event to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month; Hallowinchester, the area’s Halloween celebration; and Windependent Weekend, the area’s version of Small Business Saturday. The holiday season, of course, offers many different options for events ranging from Old Town Winter Village and Holly Jolly Old Town Celebration to candlelight tours of historic homes hosted by the garden society and Holiday House Tours hosted by the Preservation of Historic Winchester.

Many local organizations connect people in the area. Winchester Parks and Recreation offers numerous athletic programs, leagues, and fitness classes for all ages. The Shenandoah Arts Council organizes ShenArts Fest, which showcases local art, music, and performances. Winchester Little Theatre, a local all-volunteer community theatre, produces five theatrical productions and a children’s summer program each year.

Agriculture is still an important part of the community and contributes more to a lot more than Winchester’s apple-related events. Farms still operate and provide locally grown food. Marker-Miller Orchards farm market allows residents to pick their own fruits and vegetables. Nearby farms also sell eggs, meats, and other fresh, local foods. Residents can also shop one of the many farmers’ markets in the area; the Old Town Farmers Market on Saturday mornings from May through September is a particular favorite.

These and other activities provide a range of options for residents and visitors to engage in fun and social events throughout the year.

Outdoor fun in Winchester, VA

Located in the northern-most area of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester residents can easily take advantage of the parks and trails in the region. The Shenandoah National Park is only a short drive away and has trails through forests and along the Blue Ridge Mountains. The trails vary in difficulty, but there is no shortage of beautiful scenery. A few trails, such as Lands Run Falls and Overall Run Falls, lead hikers to scenic views of cascading waterfalls.

The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, in Winchester, is another area locals can go to enjoy nature. It has acres of gardens and trails, in addition to its galleries of paintings, furniture, and other artwork from the region and around the world. Visitors can learn about the area's background while seeing plants, birds, and other wildlife.

Locals can also explore the area’s history and natural beauty by searching for and completing the puzzles contained on the area’s two geocaching trails. The Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau collaborated with local geocachers to create the puzzles and hide the caches.

If you prefer a golf game to hiking or geocaching, Winchester has courses for all skill levels. The Winchester Country Club features an 18-hole course, a pro shop, and an on-site restaurant with a seasonal menu. Members have access to amenities beyond golf as the club also has a pool, tennis courts, and pickleball. The Rock Harbor Golf Course, on the outskirts of Winchester, has two 18-hole courses. The course is designed to accommodate players of different skill levels with six different tee boxes and nine different pin placements for each hole.

There are also plenty of lakes and rivers near Winchester, and fishing is another popular activity for locals. Wilkins Lake is a spring-fed lake in town stocked with trout, bass, and catfish. Jim Barnett Park has a fishing area, and Lake Holiday is just over twenty minutes away and is home to a variety of fish ranging from walleye to yellow perch. Anglers can easily find largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill. About a half hour away, Lake Frederick is known for largemouth bass reaching up to 10 pounds. Fly fishermen enjoy the many excellent streams in the Shenandoah Valley, such as Back Creek and Mossy Creek, where there are plenty of trout.

Those who prefer to enjoy the outdoors on horseback will find plenty of options at the several stables and equestrian centers near Winchester. They provide lessons for beginners and advanced instruction. Magic Mountain Farms and The Rocking S Ranch both offer trail rides, and those willing to drive a little can also opt to enjoy a trail ride through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest starting at Fort Valley Ranch.

With so much natural beauty in the area and so many outdoor destinations, Winchester residents have ample opportunity to be active and enjoy nature throughout the year.

Businesses and economics in Winchester, VA

Winchester’s proximity to job centers in Northern Virginia allows residents the option to commute to the many industries in the area while living in a quiet community. There are plenty of employment opportunities in the town as well. Winchester is the county seat of Frederick County, making it home to numerous local government employment opportunities. The American Woodmark Corporation, which makes kitchen and bath cabinets, is headquartered in Winchester, and the Valley Health System is another major employer in the area. Winchester is also home to many local businesses, including local retailers, restaurants, and shops. The Winchester-Frederick County Chamber of Commerce is active in the community and regularly hosts events and programs that support local businesses and community growth.

Some residents choose to commute to the Washington DC area, though a bit of a drive, as it opens up a wide variety of job opportunities in DC’s top sectors, such as technology, news media, retail, and higher education.

What makes Winchester a great place to live

Winchester offers a small-town community with access to both outdoor beauty and urban resources. The area is known for historic Old Town Winchester, which has shops and restaurants in restored 250-year-old buildings that embrace the city’s heritage while creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere for events, festivals, and community building. The area supports local business, but its location near Northern Virginia and Washington DC offers residents additional options for jobs in a variety of fields across the metropolitan area.

The area caters to people with different needs and desires, and Winchester is a great place to make a home. Families appreciate the many outdoor recreation activities and the local schools, which are known for academics and extracurricular activities. Professionals appreciate the work-life balance created by the small-town charm with urban access. Retirees enjoy the area’s quiet atmosphere, local activities, and driveable distance to the Washington DC area.

Winchester new builds

D.R. Horton's new homes in Winchester, Virginia, are great for people at any stage of life. With access to job opportunities, good schools, and many activities and conveniences, D.R. Horton communities in Winchester offer something for everyone. Browse our listings of new homes for sale in Winchester, or visit our model homes today.