Summertime in the Virginia Hills

My husband and I exchanged three weeks for a family vacation, taking my sister and her husband, my niece and her husband, their two children, and our two children. We had a great time, with plenty of opportunities for play, conversation, visiting historical places, and more. The resort offered plenty of activities, from water aerobics to golf, horseback riding, candle making, etc. We didn't participate in too many of these, but that was only because there were so many other things we wanted to do off the resort.

Quick Tips:

The resort calls all the time, trying to get you to take a tour. They finally offered us a prepaid Visa card. We told them we'd take the tour if they doubled the offer and they quit calling us. Not being golfers, we didn't purchase the activity card. There were enough free and low-cost activities that it wouldn't have made sense for us.

Best Way To Get Around:

You've gotta have a car to do this resort. Everything is a distance, and the roads, because they are so curvy and hilly, are not good for walking (too many blind curves, so you could get hurt).

Best Things Nearby:
Civil War battlefields; beautiful, scenic highways and biways; Monticello; Washington, D.C.; vineyards and more

Best Things About the Resort:
There was something for everyone: pools for relaxing, hiking trails and horseback riding for more active folks, golf, entertainment, and the beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains. There was also an abundance of wildlife--I saw a fox my first night, and there were deer everywhere.

Resort Experience:
Eagle Trace is near the top of the mountain, which is great for getting away from the traffic you'll find lower down. On the other hand, it also means you're driving everywhere. We had a group of 10 people, including four children, in three condos, and it was a perfect family getaway. Everyone would sort of do their own thing during the day, and we'd get together for evening meals. The resort has plenty of activities (not being golfers, we didn't buy the card), and there are many places to visit in the surrounding areas. I would definitely recommend this place to any family--it was very comfortable, and except for a few stains on the carpet, very well maintained.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

The drive from Massanutten to Barboursville is gorgeous, and once you get there, well, the wine's not half bad, either. The vineyard has the ruins of a home designed by Thomas Jefferson on the property, where they hold Shakespearean plays in the summer. Check out the vineyard on the weekends, when they have the tastings--it's a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

The home of Thomas Jefferson has been completely restored, and a tour of it should be required for every American. It is truly a tribute to the brilliance of this man who did so much to shape our country. Just about an hour from Massanutten, the tour costs $14 for adults. A visitor center nearby gives you an overview of Jefferson's life and the history of the home, and is also a nice rest stop.