Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure

We took two young teenagers into Virginia to explore the caves and found a whole lot more! Stopped at Gettysburg along the way, which gave everyone some perspective of the sacrifices made by the people of Virginia during the Civil War, and then made sure to stop at all the memorials along the drive into Harrisonburg. We were blown away by the natural beauty of the area--old mountains, clear rivers, and spectacular caves.

Quick Tips:

Make sure to take the time to explore at a leisurely pace. We went horseback riding to get a feel for the wooded countryside, hiked to the top of the mountain to check out local butterflies and plants, drove along Skyline Drive both during the day and at twilight, stopped at almost all of the outlook points, and made sure to set aside a whole day for Luray Caverns.

Best Way To Get Around:

You definitely need a car, but once you reach your destination (Luray, hiking trails, Natural Bridge, etc.) you can park and walk for hours.

Best Things Nearby:
Skyline Drive, Luray Caverns, Natural Bridge National Park, University of Virginia at Harrisonburg

Best Things About the Resort:
Fireplace, separate spa room with jacuzzi and sauna, loft with extra sleeping room, Jennaire grill in kitchen. . . and waking up to deer at the back door in the mornings!

Resort Experience:
Rustic decor with plenty of room to spread out. Huge outdoor swimming pool, and an indoor pool, squash courts and excercise facilities. The golf course winds through the villas. Loved the kitchen with the indoor grill, and the oversized whirlpool/hot tub (along with a sauna room) right in the unit, for relaxing after being on horseback for an afternoon. Good on-site restaurant and located close to grocery stores and shopping, if you want them.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

A national landmark that's also a part of history, this rock formation has a clear bubbling stream underneath that must once have been a raging river, carving the bridge right out of the rock. Make sure to look for the initials George Washington carved into the rock face, and pay attention to the story of how the bridge played a part in making bullets for the Civil War. A beautiful walk to the lace waterfalls is worth doing. Take a picnic!

The most beautifual and largest caverns outside of Carlsbad! The interior of these huge caves is big enough to hold large tour groups walking along stone pathways. The tour guides are knowledgeable and friendly, and the sights absolutely breathtaking.

Standing in the massive centre of the cavern, surrounded by 20 foot (and higher) stalagmites, you are treated to the sounds of a natural stalactite and stalagmite "organ", with the rocks chosen to match notes of the scale. The sound of "Shenandoah" played in this setting brings tears to your eyes! As a bonus, there's also a classic car museum near the site.