Three Levels, Three Days

Each ticket to the Caverns includes admission to several other on-site attractions including indoor and outdoor museums. There’s so much more to discover at Luray Caverns.

WANDER IN THE WONDERS BELOW

“Down below, your imagination will soar” at Luray Caverns. Visit Geology’s Hall of Fame — and the largest caverns in the eastern United States, now one of the few underground wonders providing both a stair-free entrance and tours on all-paved, lighted walkways.

Take in the sights of delicately folded stone formations and enormous chambers filled with towering stone columns, shimmering draperies and mirrored, crystal-clear pools. As the tour continues through the national landmark, stop to marvel at Dream Lake, the Saracen’s Tent, “fried egg” rock formations and the Great Stalacpipe Organ.

CONTINUE TO THE WONDERS ABOVE

After marveling underground, head to other on-site attractions included with your ticket. “Take a spin through time” at a Car and Carriage Museum, home to more than 75 historic vehicles. See the precursor to the Chevy Volt, the 1908 Baker Electric, and take in the indulgence of a 1925 Rolls Royce once owned by silent film star Rudolph Valentino. At the center of the collection is an 1897 Mercedes-Benz, one of the oldest cars in the country still in operating condition.

“Experience the real ‘Toy Story’” at the Toy Town Junction, a vast collection of trains and toys from yesteryear. Featuring several thousand toys and train-related artifacts from a collection that was donated to the Caverns, the self-guided junction also includes displays of pre-World War II toys from Luray Caverns’ private collection.

And step back in time at the Shenandoah Heritage Village museum complex. Featuring a 7-acre re-creation of a small, 19th-century farming community, the site includes the 1835 home of Page County’s first delegate, the area’s first Black school, the Hamburg Regular School and the signatures of Union and Confederate soldiers scrawled on the walls of the Elk Run Dunkard Church. The Luray Valley Museum, also at the Shenandoah Heritage Village, houses items from pre-contact Native peoples to life in the Valley’s 1920s.

PAUSE FOR A POND-SIDE PICNIC

Pack a lunch or grab a bite on-site and head to the grassy front grounds of the Caverns, where shaded picnic tables and a scenic pond and fountain make an ideal spot to stop. The grounds also feature the county’s wooden-log LOVEwork, “Logs of Love.” Crafted from yellow pine harvested from forests bordering Shenandoah National Park, the 2-ton creation celebrates Luray and Page County’s designation as “Cabin Capital” in the state — where “Virginia is for Lovers.”

The giant “love letters” serve as a one-of-a-kind backdrop for keepsake photos (be sure to share them with us through #visitluraypageva and #LoveVa) and is within view of the Luray Singing Tower, a 117-foot carillon featuring 47 bells with regularly scheduled recitals through the spring, summer and fall.

MORE ADVENTURES ABOUND ABOVE GROUND

There’s even more to explore at a Garden Maze — a 1-acre ornamental garden and the largest hedge maze in the Mid-Atlantic. Navigate through more than 1,500 Evergreen hedges that create a half-mile pathway while searching for hidden goals. The maze is handicap accessible and accommodates baby strollers. A cooling mist helps beat the heat in summer, and umbrellas are provided during light rain.

Take on two levels of high-flying fun at a Rope Adventure Park. A low ropes course is closer to the ground and suitable for little adventurers, while a high ropes course challenges climbers to push their limits as an individual or team through communication, problemsolving and coaching.

Whether it’s a lazy day floating with friends on tubes, an overnight kayak excursion with family or a romantic down-river rendezvous on canoe, the Shenandoah River offers a unique way to take in the beauty of the Valley.

WATER SUN AND FUN

The outfitters that call the Shenandoah Valley home offer a variety of options to see the mountains and the sky from the middle of the river. Our outfitters not only provide the gear and a guide, depending on the activity, but arrange for drop-off and pickup.

Take in Valley views by renting a canoe, tube or kayak from Appalachian Adventures. The family-owned business also offers jet skis, party boats and fishing excursions.

The 50-year old Shenandoah River Outfitters also offers an array of ways to explore and enjoy the outdoors with flat-water and beginner white-water adventures, from tube rentals and canoes, to rafts and kayaks.

SHORE-SIDE SERENITY

Take in the beauty of the river from the shore by packing a lunch or picking one up from a local eatery to enjoy on or along the water. Luray’s West Main Deli offers a variety of unique sandwiches, salads and soups, as well as party platters. Or pick up daily baked goods and treats at Main Street Bakery and Catering or Baby Moons in Downtown Luray.

Enjoy river views during any season at the Town of Shenandoah’s River Park and Landing. The park features several riverside picnic spots, including picnic tables and grills for cookouts. A gazebo on-site is available to rent. The park additionally features swings, a paved trail and wildlife.

Before heading to the Shenandoah River Park, stop by Boxcar Deli and Subs for sandwiches and desserts or Rudy’s Diner for Southern-style food like hand-cut fries, burgers and fried chicken.

From Valley views seen from high in the Blue Ridge Mountains and hundreds of miles of hiking trails to the scenic Skyline Drive and a chance to see wildlife in its natural habitat, Shenandoah National Park offers a full day of adventures in the Great Outdoors.

TACKLE THE TRAILS

With more than 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail, the Shenandoah National Park offers dozens of options for hikers at various levels on trails that range from easy to strenuous.

Take in the sights on a kid-friendly hike on the 1.2-mile Fox Hollow Loop (mile 4.6 along Skyline Drive), or take on a slightly longer trek on a 3-mile Snead Farm Loop (mile 5.1) to an old barn and viewpoint.

Waterfall lovers can see falls along several trails, like Rose River, South River and Jones Run Falls, or tackle a 5.1-mile hike to Overall Run Falls — the tallest waterfall in the park at 93 feet.

Experienced hikers in search of a true challenge can try their skills at the park’s most popular hike, Old Rag Circuit. Rated “very strenuous” with a 2,348-foot elevation gain, the 9.4-mile hike features adventurous rock scrambles and 360-degree views.

‘RIDE THE SKY’

Take in the beauty of Shenandoah National Park and the Valley below from Skyline Drive, a 105-mile National Scenic Byway that traverses through Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Nearly 70 scenic overlooks offer stopping points for views and photo ops, with scenes of the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the rolling Piedmont to the east. Roadside wildflowers put on a show year-round, while wildlife like deer, black bears, wild turkeys and a host of other woodland animals often make appearances.

DINE AT SUNSET

Situated at Skyline Drive’s highest elevation — 3,680 feet — Skyland’s Pollack Dining Room serves farm-to-fork flavors for breakfast, lunch and dinner and house specialties like milehigh Blackberry Ice Cream Pie (a nod to the resort’s elevation). Head over to a Mountain Taproom for a lighter fare menu and beer, local wines and nightly family-friendly entertainment. A Grab ’n Go offers sandwiches, salads, pastries, snacks and drinks.

At Big Meadows Lodge (mile 51.2), a Spottswood Dining Room features a rustic setting for three meals each day. A New Market Taproom offers specialty drinks and spirits and nightly entertainment. Opt for open-air dining at a pet-friendly terrace. Guests can also request a Lunch to Go at the lodge’s front desk.

Several wayside food stops also scatter Skyline Drive, with locations every 25 miles, including Elkwallow Wayside (mile 24.1), Big Meadows Wayside (mile 51) and Loft Mountain Wayside (mile 79.5).