Something for Everyone at Massanutten

The Summit at Massanutten is such an all-around great place that it’s hard to pick memorable moments…. there were so many. For us as a family, the best thing was the amount of quality time spent TOGETHER doing interesting, out-of-the-ordinary things. This was no small thing, because "the kid" we had in tow was 17! We tie-dyed, made candles, painted birdhouses, ski-lifted, fished, swam, scuba-dived, all without leaving the resort. It was the stuff wonderful memories are made of. The beauty of the location, nestled in the Shenandoah Mountains made it even more spectacular.

Quick Tips:

My best suggestion would be to purchase an activities card () when you get there. It will save you money if you take advantage of at least several things on the activities list. I would also STRONGLY advise that you plan what you want to do, including crafts, within 24-36 hours of arriving, and make reservations accordingly. The most popular activities fill up quickly, with good reason. The resort puts out a "summer activities bulletin" that is extremely comprehensive.

Best Way To Get Around:

The activities center, craft center, pools and rec center are quite a distance from the accommodations…. a car is a must. The "day trips" available are also well worth the drive. Blue Ridge Pottery (14 miles), Shenandoah Caverns (40 min), Antique mall in Harrisonburg, River Adventures picks you up at the resort, Washington D.C. (2+) hours, are all worthwhile.

Best Things Nearby:
There are a multitude of things to do and places to see near Massanutten. We went to see Shenandoah Caverns (40 minutes) because the admission was free with the purchase of our activities cards at the resort. However, Endless Caverns, as well as Luray Caverns, are all within an hour of the resort. If you like shopping, Harrisonburg (30 minutes) offers a large antique mall, the Heritage Farmer’s Market, and other assorted shops. For history buffs, there’s the New Market Battlefield State Park, the Shenandoah Valley Folk Art & Heritage Museum Center in Dayton (just south of Harrisonburg), as well as Washington DC several hours away. Within the Mcgageysville area you will find river activities, horseback riding, motorcycle rental, etc. You could not really ask for more, but did I mention that the famous Skyline Drive is accessible off of Rt. 33?

Best Things About the Resort:
The best thing about the resort for our family (of non-golfers and non-skiers) was the MULTITUDE of worthwhile crafts, activities, facilities, and amenities on site at the resort. These people work really hard at having something for everyone, and don’t just cater to the golfing set. It was really a time when we could do unusual things together, like scuba-dive in the enormous pool, or tie-dye T-shirts. We did a LOT, but did not make a dent in the list of things to do.

Resort Experience:
We stayed in a wonderful two-bedroom unit in the Summit section of Massanutten, as a timeshare exchange with RCI. The rooms were extremely spacious and well appointed. The master bathroom had an enormous whirlpool tub surrounded by mirrors, which was a no-brainer for us girls to do "spa night"! There was a washer/dryer, fully equipped kitchen (even though it was classified as partial), two televisions, and the whole unit was clean and tastefully decorated. In addition, the balcony, which was a considerably steep drop, had a view of the mountains that was just magnificent. The staff, from the check-in personnel to the craft-people, was exceptionally courteous and helpful. The resort itself is within driving distance of many worthwhile attractions, some of which I will elaborate on in the "activities" category. All in all, the Summit at Massanutten is truly a four-seasons-something-for-everyone resort!

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

There are many caverns to see, all within close proximity to Shenandoah Caverns. We chose to visit this attraction, because we had free admission ($13 value each) with the activity pass we had purchased at our resort.

The guided tour was very informative here, and the cavern itself was most impressive. The "bacon" formations, Rainbow lake, and all the other things that you read about were neat to see. The caverns are a cool 55 degrees F, so dress appropriately.

The other part of the display, the American Celebration on Display, was a little uninspiring, at least for us. It would have been better for young kids. The gift shop was fairly typical, as were the grounds. I suspect that if I were paying full price for a ticket, I might opt for Luray or Endless Caverns. That's just a guess though because I have not been to either of those attractions.

Since Massanutten is a four-season resort and offers great skiing, the off-season use of the chair lifts for a scenic view of the mountains is a great idea. It was another one of those things that made purchasing the activities pass ($99) worthwhile. Regularly it would cost $15/adult, $9 for children to go up the lift. However, since it was sort of a freebie, we went for a ride! The lift runs M-W-F from 9AM ‘til 3PM weather permitting, and starts near the Ski Lodge deck.

The weather was almost perfect the day we went, but it was a bit hazy so the views were not quite as clear as they might have been. The lifts accommodated the usual 2 passengers, so I rode solo as the picture-taker. The ride itself was so relaxing, just taking in the scenery on the way up to Massanutten Peak. I think we changed lifts about halfway up. Once at the top, we were free to walk along the trails and see more spectacular views…a panorama of the surrounding hills and valleys. The chair lift ride was well worth the time, especially relaxing after a full morning of more active pursuits.

The resort at Massanutten offered a Vineyards Tour, which left the resort at 1 PM and headed for two of the local wine cellars: Barboursville and Horton. The tour was restricted to ages 21 and over, for obvious reasons. The bus we took was extremely comfortable and clean, one of those coach-style touring buses. Our guide from Massanutten was very personable and knowledgeable, and told us some of the regional history on the way to the first stop.

When we arrived at Barboursville, I was impressed with the beauty of the place, the buildings, the vineyards, and the grounds. I could imagine Thomas Jefferson and company sipping wine at sundown on this beautiful site. The tour of the winemaking facility and the explanation of the processes were fascinating to me. Then, we went into the wine tasting section of the shop, and tested many of the wines they had available. So many kinds, so little time! Then, it was off to Horton Vineyards.

The tour was open to all ages over 21, but I found, at least that day, that it is was mostly retired folks. I also noticed that the bus got considerably "chattier" after the first stop! Horton Cellars was much the same, very classy and interesting. They also had samples available for tasting, and purchase. Although we are not wine aficionados by any means, we found that Horton’s Blackberry wine was our favorite, and bought some there and have purchased from them subsequently through the phone. Both vineyards have a website, but you cannot order online.

The afternoon was very relaxing and educational for us, although I suspect some of the others had another agenda!