Oh Shenandoah… what a place to visit!

We live on the East Coast within a day long drive from many beautiful vacation destinations. Just 75 miles west from Washington DC, lying on both sides of the Blue Ridge Mountains is Shenandoah National Park, our target picked for last year’s summer trip. Visited by my husband previously, thanks to the work related stay, the park became a place he insisted we needed to see as a family.

We started planning few months ahead knowing that the chances of finding a decent hotel decrease with the desired dates approaching. We booked Homewood Suites by Hilton in Charlottesville for the duration of our trip as it was conveniently located, affordable, and had good ratings. We were not disappointed, as the hotel had clean and spacious suites, perfect for family of four. Often times we gathered at the kitchen table to have light supper after an exhausting day.

According to Google Maps, the trip was calculated for 6.5 hours and if left around 10:00 a.m., we should have reached Charlottesville around 6:00 p.m. However, our family loves to make many stops on the way. Necessary or not, the stops add more fun to the ride. This time was not different, and we got to the hotel just in time for a good night sleep.

According to the plan, the next morning we headed towards the Shenandoah Park. We were able to find lots of useful information about the park including maps, on the National Park Service website. A fee of $30 covered unlimited entries for one car and all passengers for seven days. It was a very reasonable price for what we soon realized, the park had to offer.

There are 26 hike trails along the Skyline Drive, the only public road through the park, which runs 105 miles north and south and is open at four entrance stations.

As soon as we entered, we all fell in love with the beauty of the nature – terrain, vegetation, even weather. We were mesmerized by the views, sound of the wind gently blowing through the greenery, insects buzzing in the hot sun and on occasion a thick fog blinding us from seeing anything further than hundred feet.

During our stay we visited the park multiple times, usually enjoying the views from the scenic overlooks and daring, on one occasion, to climb one of the summits – Hawksbill Summit. The trail was described as moderate, 1.7-mile round trip. I am not an experienced hiker and was not sure what “moderate” was really describing. After constant uphill climbing, even with multiple rest stops, I was exhausted. The reward however was well worth the effort!

I am going to share here one more photo from the park taken at the sunset as we made sure to witness the magic at least once during our stay.

While staying in Charlottesville, one is strongly encouraged to visit Jefferson’s house and grounds of Monticello, which is about 10 minutes ride from the downtown.

Ticket prices vary depending on the type of house tour. If someone is not interested in visiting the house, an option for touring gardens and grounds alone is also available.

Since 1987, the site is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Jefferson designed the mansion himself and it is well maintained by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation since 1923.

Apparently, Jefferson liked to eat vegetables and is known for saying: “The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture.” His 1,000-foot-long, terraced vegetable garden is cultivated to some degree till this day.

To fill the day while staying in one area, we enjoyed a walk on the 2-mile long (one way) Saunders-Monticello Trail which was designed according to Jefferson’s idea of how he wanted his home to be approached as he wrote: “Of prospect I have a rich profusion – it may be successfully offered, & in different portions through vistas…with the advantage of shifting scenes as you advance on your way.“

Tired a bit from the hot weather we happily welcomed an idea to visit the caves.

Shenandoah Valley Cave system offers rock formations that are incredibly unique. We were impressed with Luray Caverns and the unearthly experience they offered. Ticket prices were from $16 to $32 and covered tour in the Caverns, Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Shenandoah Heritage Village, and Toy Town Junction. Additional attractions included Rope Adventure Park and Garden Maze for which, tickets were sold separately.

For those who plan to visit the caverns I recommend taking light jackets as despite high temperatures outside, inside is 54 degrees Fahrenheit. No food or drinks are permitted into the caverns, but the tour does not take longer than 1.5 hours.

After seeing most of the offered attractions and watching kids climb at the Rope Adventure Park we got really hungry. We were happy to find two places that offered decent food – the Stalactite Cafe (next to Toy Town Junction) serving fast food and the Heartpine Cafe located in the Burner Barn at the Shenandoah Heritage Village, which offered fast casual dining.

While looking for a variety of attractions for few more vacation days we had left, we discovered Maymont Gardens. A little over an hour ride from the hotel, located in Richmond VA, this 100-acre Victorian estate contains Maymont Mansion, Italian Garden, Japanese Garden and Arboretum, a carriage collection, native wildlife exhibits, a nature center, and Children’s Farm.

It could be that last year, due to Covid-19, the estate was operating with limited staff as we noticed many areas in need of maintenance. Perhaps that was the reason for allowing tourists a free entrance. Nevertheless, I would recommend visiting the grounds and gardens as the beauty of the nature, manicured or slightly neglected, works miracles on people’s mood.

As all good things must come to an end, our trip was ending as well. We were coming back home with recharged batteries and great memories, some of which we were able to capture on our cameras. We were very happy with the place we chose for our vacation.