Day Itinerary
5 Activities
Day 1
51 mi
Luray Caverns, Shenandoah, and Barbecue
On the first day of this trip, you'll visit Luray Caverns, the largest caverns in the eastern United States. You'll also drive through Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Choose your own adventure: stop wherever you want and admire the view. Lastly, make a quick stop for some barbecue. You're technically in the South, after all.
10:3045 min
The Apple House
Restaurant
Open Details
No trip to Shenandoah is complete without a trip to The Apple House. Pick up some warm apple butter cinnamon doughnuts here.
There's also a restaurant, a pub, and a huge gift shop, so you may walk out with a couple other things. But please — don't forget the doughnuts.
There's also a restaurant, a pub, and a huge gift shop, so you may walk out with a couple other things. But please — don't forget the doughnuts.
5.8 mi
15 min
11:301 hr 30 min
Shenandoah National Park
National Park
Open Details
Shenandoah National Park is open 24 hours a day. For your first day, enter the park through the Front Royal Entrance and drive down Skyline Drive.
Skyline Drive runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it will take three hours to drive the whole thing if there is no inclement weather. The most beautiful part of this drive is between the Thornton Gap Entrance (mile 31.5) and Swift Run Gap Entrance (mile 65.7), but explore this road however you'd like. There are overlooks along the entire road, where you can pull aside, stop, and enjoy the view.
Please note that there is only one gas station in Shenandoah, so if you have a gas car, make sure you have enough fuel for this drive before entering the park.
For lunch, it's easiest to exit from the Thornton Gap Entrance.
Skyline Drive runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it will take three hours to drive the whole thing if there is no inclement weather. The most beautiful part of this drive is between the Thornton Gap Entrance (mile 31.5) and Swift Run Gap Entrance (mile 65.7), but explore this road however you'd like. There are overlooks along the entire road, where you can pull aside, stop, and enjoy the view.
Please note that there is only one gas station in Shenandoah, so if you have a gas car, make sure you have enough fuel for this drive before entering the park.
For lunch, it's easiest to exit from the Thornton Gap Entrance.
25.3 mi
40 min
13:451 hr 30 min
Triple Crown BBQ
Restaurant
Open Details
Virginia is technically the South, and so it's worth eating barbecue here at least once. Triple Crown BBQ says its food is made from family recipes. It's worth getting a sampler here, so you can try a little bit of everything.
Please make sure to check their Facebook or call them for special openings and closings.
Please make sure to check their Facebook or call them for special openings and closings.
1 mi
5 min
15:302 hrs
Luray Caverns
Landmark
Open Details
Luray Caverns are the largest and most popular caverns on the East Coast.
A National Natural Landmark, Luray Caverns is famous for a wide array of stalactites, stalagmites, mirrored pools, and natural colors. You can take a self-guided tour here along well-lit, paved walkways. There are cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high, enormous stone columns, and what's known as the "Great Stalacpipe Organ," which creates music of symphonic quality from the cavern's stone formations.
It'll feel like it's around 65 degrees in the caverns, so bring a light jacket.
If you have time, you could also check out the Garden Maze here.
A National Natural Landmark, Luray Caverns is famous for a wide array of stalactites, stalagmites, mirrored pools, and natural colors. You can take a self-guided tour here along well-lit, paved walkways. There are cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high, enormous stone columns, and what's known as the "Great Stalacpipe Organ," which creates music of symphonic quality from the cavern's stone formations.
It'll feel like it's around 65 degrees in the caverns, so bring a light jacket.
If you have time, you could also check out the Garden Maze here.
2.9 mi
10 min
18:001 hr 30 min
Rancho Viejo
Mexican Restaurant
Open Details
This Mexican grill is worth checking out. This will be the last stop of the day before heading to the hotel.
15.7 mi
25 min
20:0010 hrsBed and Breakfasts
Hopkins Ordinary Bed, Breakfast and Ale Works
8.6
Go to bed early; you have a long day of hiking ahead of you tomorrow.