Virginia is for lovers!
It is also for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, wine connoisseurs and more. From the mountains to the sea, this beautiful state has plenty of unique places to visit. We love to explore Virginia outdoors, so we compiled a list of a few of our favorite natural wonders!
Luray Caverns
Luray is a beautiful little town nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. It sits at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Shenandoah River. These particular caverns are the largest on the Eastern side of the United States. It is home to millions of geological structures including one that is confirmed over 7 million years old! There is a “stalacpipe” organ situated in one of the largest rooms. There are solenoids attached to stalactites throughout a portion of the caverns. These solenoids have little rubber mallets in them that produce specific musical notes.
Luray Caverns is opened through the year, with guided tours running every 20 minutes. Included with your ticket is admission to the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Luray Valley Museum, and Toy Town Junction, all of which are located on the property.
Grand Caverns
Grand Caverns is located in Grottoes, Virginia… another beautiful little town tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This set of caverns has been operational since 1806, just 2 years after being discovered! It boasts being the oldest continually operational “show cave” in the United States, even operating through the civil war. There is so much history in this cave. They have a “Civil War Wall” that has over 200 verified signatures of Union and Confederate soldiers. These caverns are situated on grounds that also offer hiking and biking trails, mini-golf, a swimming pool, picnic areas, and river access for fishing. You could spend a whole day at this natural wonder!
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge, Virginia is home to quite a few captivating natural wonders! While Natural Bridge is an entire town, the actual Natural Bridge is hailed as one of the seven natural wonders of the modern world. It is the centerpiece of a town that has a lot to offer. You can take a stroll down the Cedar Creek Trail. The 2-mile out-and-back trail will take you directly below the 215-foot high bridge. It eventually reaches the view of Lace Falls. Along the trail, you will see a living history area where they have events that connect you to the past, a saltpeter cave and a lost river! Upon your return, you can visit the interactive exhibit area at the bottom level of the visitor’s center. While you are in the area, you can stop by the Virginia Safari Park to feed majestic animals, such as elk, zebras, and buffalo, right from your vehicle. Check out our visit here.
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park might be my favorite thing about Virginia. While Skyline Drive itself is not the natural part of this wonder, you will find yourself awestruck by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains as you wind your way through the park. Along Skyline Drive, there are parking areas for visitors to stop and take in the scenic overlooks. Technically, you could enjoy the beauty of this place without ever having to leave your car. However, there are over 500 miles of trails inside the park to discover! This is where my favorite part comes in. We spend so much time hiking at SNP throughout the year that I have gathered together a list and description of many different hikes for all abilities. You can check that out here!
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway begins where the National Park ends in Waynesboro and extends 469 miles to Cherokee, North Carolina. The Parkway is a part of the National Park Service. However, you are not required to pay admission to drive it. There are traces of history and a large diversity of plants and animals everywhere you look. We are just beginning to discover the Blue Ridge Parkway, so I certainly hope that you will check back to see what we uncover!
See Related Articles:
Virginia Safari Park – A Unique Drive-Thru Safari in Natural Bridge, VA
Have you ever been up close and personal with an elk?… had a buffalo put his big head right in your car window or feed
Great Family Hikes At Shenandoah National Park
As the seasons change, we are often reminded how lucky we are to live in a place that has such beauty at our doorstep. Living
We have been tot he Luray Caverns and loved them! We saw a bear with two cubs on the Blue Ridge Parkway. What a great trip you had (having)!
Bears are plentiful in the area for sure! We even have them hang around our house now and then.
We did the Blue Ridge Parkway once – it was beautiful!
The natural bridge is amazing. There are so many caverns to choose from. Thanks for sharing.
We just brushed the surface of the caverns! I can’t wait to see all the others!!
Those caverns are so beautiful! Would love to explore and also check out that natural bridge. Love those views!
Virginia is such a cool state! I adore the caverns.
I can see why you have such a love of Virginia. I’ll be sure to keep these caverns in mind if I ever get to Virginia. I can’t wait to see what you discover about Blue Ridge Parkway
Love it and I have intentions to see them all
They are some awesome places I’d like to go photograph
So much more I need to explore in Virginia!! I’ve always loved traveling through there on our way to and from Michigan.
I love Virginia! These caverns look very impressive! I would love to go someday!
Virginia is so beautiful! We’ve taken a few trips to destinations in Virginia, and I would love to visit more. Twenty-two years ago, I happened to live in Front Royal for about six months for my husband’s job. While we were there, I happened to have my oldest child! I love Skyline Drive. Great memories!
I’ve only been to Virginia once, and it was beautiful! I would love to go back and visit the caves and all of the hiking trails!
Beautiful natural wonders
I lived in VA and never went to Luray Caverns!! This makes me regret it even more. Next time I visit, we’re going for sure
We did drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, but we did not see those caverns. Stunning!
Those caverns are amazing! The remind me of the ones in New Zealand. I had no idea we had some that cool in the states!
We visited Virginia last summer and it has some beautiful natural wonders. We missed the caverns, but we will visit again!
I lived in Virginia Beach for a few years, and my mom lived there for over 20 years. We love Virginia! After reading your article, it looks like a trip back to Virginia is in order!
I would love to visit the caverns. There is something mysterious about caves that I enjoy.
Virginia looks like an amazing place to explore with kids. So much natural beauty! My daughter would love those caverns.
There are some beautiful places to visit here by the looks of it. Thanks for highlighting them.
I have to return to VA to see the natural bridge! Somehow we missed this on our summer trip.
I went to boarding school in Virginia, so I have been to a couple of the “natural wonders”. I will save this for later when I get to see the rest!