Absolutely fascinating history at these caverns! We're Civil War buffs and honestly did not know…read moreabout these caverns. It was amazing. Our tour guide (I forget her name - so sorry) was amazing. She was knowledgeable and mixed historical content with geological content. The fact that experts from The Smithsonian came here to collect the artifacts (both Native American and Civil War) and authenticate several signatures (I believe from further research I did and then saw at the site, they cataloged the signatures as well) gives this site authenticity. For anyone that is into history, just the thought that you are standing in a place where Native Americans were before Europeans came to this continent AS WELL AS where Civil War soldiers etched their name for future generations, this is a MUST SEE. Is it pricy? Sure. But I give grace there. These caverns have been owned by the same family (they are on the 10th & 11th generation) since the original Harrison family acquired the land in 1748 by a land grant from King George. This isn't a gov't owned site. And from what I have seen and read, this family is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the caves. That can't be cheap. And I will say, it's worth it for the history alone. That is what sets it apart from all the other caverns in the Shenandoah valley. Could the gift shop be better? Sure. If you have helpful suggestions for improvement, let them know. They are all incredibly friendly. Don't wait and just complain in a review, We will recommend a visit here to any and everyone who is in the area seeing the sites. In fact, this cave is still being explored and new rooms and spaces are being discovered. Our guide told us they are working on adding a new room to the tour. So do we anticipate we'll be back when in the area again? Absolutely!

Worth the detour and the 1.5 hrs. If you have been in caves before, guess what? This looks like…read morea cave system too. However, unlike any other cave system I'm aware of, these caverns were actively used during the civil war. The evidence is everywhere within the caverns. Pretty neat, unusual. This is a small, quaint, friendly operation. Our guide Reagan was wonderful.

always relaxing to walk through the gardens! summer 2026…read moreexhibit earth and sky sculptures by marguerite elliot

Best ever ! Art , Music, hiking and more !…read more Well kept trails filled with plants , sculptures and views. MSV at Night shows are awesome not to mention the many beautiful acres to explore. It's always a pleasure to visit and see what is new. Become a member and support the Museum- it has many perks and is well worth it.

We stumbled our way into Toy Town Junction since it's included in your ticket admission to the…read morecave. Set aside 10-15 minutes to take a walk down memory lane and see the toys of yesteryear- little people, train sets, you name it. Our crew enjoyed seeing the exhibit. The space is shared with a fudge and snack shop. Overall, it was well done and a fun addition to our rainy morning in the area.

This was a small museum adjacent to the Luray Cavern gift shop. The entrance was free, included…read morewith the Luray Cavern tickets. It had a short passageway to walk with toys put on display between glass barriers. There were plenty of toys from past years. They were cool to see. As I walked thru the place, I couldn't bear the strong smell inside. There was a strong antique shop like odor. The floor was also covered with old tiles. Compared to the several other tourist spots in the vicinity, this one seemed the most underwhelming one.

If you love history, New Market Battlefield is one of those places that gets under your skin in the…read morebest way. The moment you step onto the grounds, you can almost feel May 15, 1864, unfolding around you. The fields are quiet now, but they hold the echo of the day the VMI Cadets -- boys, really -- marched into a real war and changed the course of the battle. The park is immaculately kept. Walking the Field of Lost Shoes with the mountains in the background feels like standing inside a painting and a memory at the same time. The interpretive signs do a great job placing you exactly where key movements happened -- Breckinridge's line, the Union artillery positions, the cadets' charge. If you're a detail-hound, this battlefield lets you connect dots you didn't even know you were missing. Highlights: * The Bushong Farm is a time capsule. You walk through it and suddenly you're in 1864, wondering what the family heard, saw, and feared as the battle rolled over their home. * The terrain itself is the best "exhibit." Once you see the slopes and fields in person, the tactics make so much more sense. * There's an almost sacred calm to the place -- the kind of quiet that makes you pause before you speak. Tips: Wear good shoes, explore the whole field, and take your time. Don't rush it. This isn't a battlefield you see -- it's one you feel. Bottom line: If you're a history buff, this battlefield isn't just worth visiting -- it's essential. It's intimate, haunting, and unforgettable. The New Market cadets left their mark on this field, and somehow, the field still leaves one on you.

Beautiful battlefield well kept up with the history of the battle the farm is well preserved and…read morenice to see how they lived in 1862 the museum on the grounds is beautiful and has the history of the battlefield and muskets and hand guns used in the civil war definitely a place worth exploring

We went out to a campground for a trip during Veterans day weekend. Before we set out to return to…read moreVB I wanted to visit this interesting museum that was in the area. Unfortunately the weather was cold and windy the whole time. But low and behold rental golf carts. We zoomed around to each location and really had a great time. The staff were so informative and really cared about the history being displayed. I really recommend coming to visit as a family and learn more about the area and what things were like for our ancestors.

I'd past this on numerous occasions whilst driving south on I-81 and decided that this would be the…read moreday when I would visit and check it out, having long been interested in Frontier life, particularly in America. Immediately upon my arrival just before noon on a Saturday in early april, I wished that I'd arrived closer to the opening hour as the main parking lot was packed and I ended up about a 5 minute brisk walk to the visitors center. Since I travel 81 somewhat frequently, I purchased an annual pass which cost $30. Be advised that there is considerable walking necessary, a total of 2 miles according to my walking app and fitness tracker, and not all is level.i enjoyed all of the exhibits, some of which were oridinal (from England) and were reassembled here. There was a demonstration on making stew in early England as well as nail making. Ireland and Germany were featured along with living historian type people, all of whom were amazingly knowledgeable. Having some lung issues, I needed to bolt from a smoky dwelling,neither from the stove or a coal-fired nail forge. There is a small gift shop in the visitors center where I purchased a hood sweatshirt, lio balm, and "dirt-scented" soap ( I could not resist!) It's a fun place for my interests, and I shall return, likely in mid-June. Next time I'll arrive earlier!

The Virginia Museum of the Civil War This isn't your…read moretypical "dusty uniforms behind glass" kind of place -- it's personal, emotional, and surprisingly immersive. From the first exhibit, you're pulled right into 1864 -- through artifacts, letters, and faces of people who actually lived it. The section on the VMI cadets hits hard: real boys, barely out of school, called to fight in one of the most defining moments of their young lives. You can feel the weight of their courage in every display case. The museum itself is easy to navigate, the staff genuinely love what they do, and every detail feels intentional -- from the carefully preserved relics to the plaques that make you pause instead of just skim. Verdict: A must-stop for anyone who loves Civil War history, military courage, or a good story told with soul. Don't rush it -- this is one of those rare museums that reminds you why history still matters.

Not handicapped accessible. No elevator. Not told this until almost charged. Did ask him to…read morecancel the transaction and he did. Our wheelchair would not allow us to take her to the bottom floor or the monuments and battlefield. We were expecting a compliant handicap accessibility. This is not. We left

I am visiting the area and kept missing the turn for parking , so if this helps anyone who is…read moreslower like me, park on the left side of the building (facing the building). Haha tons of parking there. The place itself is so fun, lots to do for kids. There are three levels but only the first two were opened. Very clean which is my favorite part. Reasonable ticket prices as well!

We love this place! Ever since we found it on our last trip to Massanutten, it quickly became a…read morerequirement for our vacations. There is so much for the kids to do! Trains, planes, and automobiles included! Probably one of my favorite parts is that it integrates fun with learning. Definitely a must if you have kids.

We stumbled on this terrific small museum during a return trip from Virginia to Pittsburgh. They…read morehad amazing propaganda posters of women in the military. They had many unique ww2 uniforms from Germany, Canada, us, japan. Ive attached some pics to entice others to stop by at this hidden gem. The docent was knowledgable and friendly. They had a donation based cafe. We ordered take out and they slipped in some extra pie for us. Thank you! We ve added the living history event in June to our calendar.

Free museum of the dukes of hazard TV show. They have quite the collection of collectibles. They…read moresell merch and have space for special events. The restaurant was closed when we were there and we were so disappointed. We wanted to try it out while in town visiting from ny. Maybe another time.

It was nostalgic. It people were friendly and helpful. I purchased a souvenir as I grew up…read morewatching the show. The backstory of what went into the stunts and how a lot of it was trial and error and memorization was interesting. The hardest part was realizing my own naivety and flat out ignorance as it related to the confederate heritage that undergirded the show. From the car, the flag and heritage the theme of the show aimed to keep alive was tough to come to terms with and at the same time reminded me of the innocence of being a child and just enjoying the action and comedic experience the show brought. I bought a souvenir and I haven't even unpacked it almost a month later.