I was in Winchester for a few days visiting my boyfriend and his family. I had never been to the area before so I knew little about the history (beyond what I learned in high school about the Civil War). We went to the MSV and the Gardens and took a tour of the house (each has its own price - none over $7 - and all are worth it). The Museum is full of antiques - knives, pots, quilts, etc. It gives a very good picture of what life was like during the early years of our country (something I don't get to see too often, as I'm from California), and the Glen Burnie Gardens are spectacular. There is a water garden and a Chinese garden (among more conventional areas such as a rose garden and a vegetable garden) surrounding a beautiful house. The tour of the house is interesting and recommended (cost: $3), though it would have been nice to be able to see more parts of the house beyond the ground floor. To top it all off, the Museum and the House are surrounded by picturesque Shenandoah scenery - cows grazing right by the parking lot, rolling hills, expansive views. I highly recommend seeing everything here, whether or not you're new to the area (my boyfriend has lived in Winchester his whole life and had never been here and loved it, as did I).