Jessica Hudson Photo
Because I have been to Mammoth Cave several times and most Kentuckians consider it a natural treasure, I was not sure what to expect when I visited Luray Caverns in Luray, Va., Monday.
We are in the Shenandoah Mountain area and my daughter found out that Luray Caverns was the largest caverns in the eastern United States — as well as the most visited in the U.S.— and thought it might be worth a trip.
She was right. It was a great place to visit.
It’s not like Mammoth Cave at all. It is a U.S. Natural Landmark and we had such an enjoyable 90-minute, self-guided tour through Luray Caverns. There’s an easy lighted, paved path that follows the natural trail through the cave system but what jumped out at me was the overall beauty of the caverns.
Maybe it’s not as long mileage-wise as Mammoth Cave but it is hard to take more than five steps without wanting to stop and look at another special site.
Federal and state laws prohibit touching the formations but you are so close to them and they are so gorgeous that you have to make yourself resist the urge to do just that.
There are 119 special spots marked during your 1 1/4-mile walk through the caverns that were originally discovered in 1879. They were all special but my favorite had to be Dream Lake that creates the illusion of underground stalagmites that is so cool. Dream Lake is the largest body of water in Luray Caverns covering about 2,000 square feet even though the deepest part is only 18 to 20 inches. Trust me, it’s hard to believe you are seeing a reflection and not underwater rock formations when you walk by.
The Wishing Well is the deepest body of water in the Caverns at six feet and each year two to three feet of coins will be on the pool’s floor. The coins are collected annually with money given to charitable organizations and so far almost $1.2 million has been raised.
It’s just impossible to accurately describe the huge stone columns and enormous chambers.
Luray Caverns admission includes a tour of the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Toy Town Junction, and the Shenandoah Heritage Village.
The Dominating Giant’s Hall is a 47-foot tall column that is spectacular. The Double Column is two basic cave formations — the stalactite and stalagmite — coming together as one massive wonder of nature.
But what makes Luray Cavern even more unique is that the admission price includes the Car and Carriage Caravan, Shenandoah Heritage Village and the Luray Valley Museum.
I was not sure what to expect in the Car and Carriage Caravan but it was a great historical look at our transportation. I even found an electric car — 1908 Baker — from over one hundred years ago and perhaps the neatest looking tricycle I had ever seen. There were also iconic baby carriages along with some priceless automobiles from over 100 years ago that I had never seen in person, including an 1892 Benz.
The Shenandoah Heritage Village has local, restored historic buildings from a 19th century farming community. It includes the Luray Valley Museum with a lot of local artifacts, including some from as far back as 1750.
At Toy Town Junction, my favorites were the toy trains.
For an extra charge, you can try to navigate The Garden Maze. My grandchildren thought it would not be that hard but had to admit it was a bigger challenge than they realized and that only made it more fun for them. There is also a two-level Rope Adventure Park but we did not have time to try that.
Attraction information
Admission is $32 for adults with children 6-12 $16 and children under 6 free. Maze admission is $10 and the rope park is $11.
Luray Cavern at 970 US Highway 211 West is not far from the central entrance to Skyline Drive and 15 minutes from I-81 at New Market, the site of a famous Civil War battle.
