Are you looking for things to do in Shenandoah Valley with kids? We’ve got you covered!
Virginia is a fantastic state with so many things to do! From the beach to the mountains, this state offers something for everyone.
The Shenandoah Valley is one of the top destinations in Virginia, thanks to unique attractions like Shenandoah National Park, Natural Bridge State Park, and Luray Caverns.
Many people also visit the area for its history, including the many civil war sites.
The area makes a great stop on a Virginia road trip. Or even an add on to a weekend in Charlottesville.
We’ve visited the Shenandoah Valley several times and found plenty of things to do that we hadn’t done before. And there are still more things we still need to do!
The guide below shares some of the best things to do in Shenandoah Valley with kids (or even without!). Let’s start planning your trip!
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Things to Do in Shenandoah Valley With Kids
1. Shenandoah National Park
Let’s get the most obvious one out of the way first! Shenandoah National Park is the main reason families visit the Shenandoah Valley. In fact, it’s one of the best east coast hiking destinations.
Visitor Tip: There is a fee to enter Shenandoah National Park. If you have a National Park Pass or an Every Kid Outdoors Pass, you can enter for FREE. Otherwise, keep your receipt after you pay, as it is good for entrance to the park for 7 days.
Shenandoah National Park is a 197,439-acre park spanning eight counties in Virginia. And honestly, there are so many things to do in the park itself that you might not get to any of the other things to do in the Shenandoah Valley.
But that’s up to you and your family to decide!
Some of our favorite things to do in Shenandoah National Park are the awesome hiking trails (like Dark Hollow Falls) and cruising on Skyline Drive to catch the beautiful overlooks.
2. Natural Bridge State Park
Natural Bridge State Park is another popular Shenandoah Valley attraction. The 215-foot-tall arch draws visitors from all over!
But the natural bridge is just one of the attractions at the park. We enjoyed taking the “hike” to Lace Falls along Cedar Creek. It’s about 1-mile long (one way) and mostly flat, except for the 137 steps from the visitor center to the trail.
There is a fee to visit Natural Bridge State Park, but it’s worth it to see the amazing natural structure in person. Pictures just don’t do it justice!
3. Shenandoah Valley Caves
The Shenandoah Valley is home to many beautiful caverns. Each one has its own unique features to make them worth a visit.
Visitor Tip: These Shenandoah Valley caverns are cold inside! They stay at 56° Fahrenheit, so you’ll want to wear a sweatshirt or light jacket when touring them.
Skyline Caverns (and Mirror Maze)
Skyline Caverns in Front Royal, VA, are the only caverns with anthrodites, mineral formations that look like flowers.
Skyline caverns also offers a miniature train ride and mirror maze for an additional fee.
Shenandoah Caverns
The Shenandoah Caverns in Quicksburg, VA are the only caverns with elevator service to the cavern floor, making it both wheelchair and stroller accessible. It’s one of the best caves in the Shenandoah Valley.
Shenandoah Caverns also has a few museums on the property, including a parade float museum.
Luray Caverns
One of the most famous caverns in the state, Luray Caverns are the largest caverns in the eastern United States and one of the biggest draws to Luray, itself.
Their new entrance into the caverns removed the need for stairs, making the caverns wheelchair and stroller accessible. Your ticket also includes admission to three on-site museums. They also have a maze and ropes course for an additional fee.
Endless Caverns
Located in New Market, VA, Endless Caverns earned its name for a reason: The caverns are composed on underground tunnels that are over 6 miles!
Endless Caverns also offers tent and RV camping, hiking trails, and other activities on the property.
Grand Caverns
Grand Caverns in Grottoes, VA, have been rated one the best caverns by Parade Magazine. They are the oldest, continually-operated caverns in the United States.
Grand Caverns property also contains hiking trails, fishing, a playground, and miniature golf, making it a great way to spend the day!
Caverns at Natural Bridge
Right down the road from Natural Bridge State Park is the Caverns at Natural Bridge. This cave is 34 stories below ground and requires navigating 185 steps. Tours last for about an hour.
The Caverns at Natural Bridge are open daily March through November, and weekends only December through February. They also offer gem mining for an additional fee and hiking on-site.
4. Massanutten Waterpark
Massanutten Resort is an excellent place to stay in the Shenandoah Valley. It’s close to many attractions on this, and it offers numerous things to do.
However, you don’t have to stay at Massanutten Resort to enjoy their waterpark! You can visit their indoor waterpark year-round. The outdoor waterpark is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Hours and rates vary depending on the time of year, so visit their website for the most updated information.
5. Skiing at Massanutten
If you’re looking for some Shenandoah Valley attractions for the winter, you’ll want to stop by Massanutten Resort for some skiing and snowboarding. They even have snow tubing!
Before you start planning your visit, check out their website for mountain conditions.
6. Zip Lining and Adventure Courses
Massanutten Family Adventure Park
Another win for Massanutten! The resort really has so many things to do. This time, you can explore their Family Adventure Park. They offer zip lining, a fun kid’s adventure course, and even rock climbing and rappelling.
Many of the adventure attractions at Massanutten Family Adventure Park are seasonal, so visit their website for up-to-date information.
Bear Mountain Ziplines
Located in Luray, VA, Bear Mountain Ziplines has zip line and ropes courses for all ages. Their Mama Bear course features 2700 feet of zip lines over seven courses. You must be at least 8 years old and 70 lbs to participate.
However, younger kids can try the Baby Bear course! This course is designed for kids 5 years old and up and features ten fun obstacles, including a zip line to end the course! They also have a climbing wall for the little ones.
Rope Adventures at Luray
The Rope Adventures at Luray is a great addition to your visit to Luray Caverns. This affordable option allows guests to climb through several obstacles on a multi-level structure. It’s another fun activity in Luray.
7. Natural Bridge Zoo
The Natural Bridge Zoo is a small zoo near Natural Bridge State Park and the Caverns at Natural Bridge. You could easily do all three attractions in one day.
The zoo is open from March through November and features a fun selection of animals like elephants, lemurs, giraffes, and tigers.
8. Virginia Safari Park
Another excellent animal attraction in Shenandoah Valley is Virginia Safari Park. It’s located in Natural Bridge, VA, so it’s close to many other activities, like the state park, zoo, and cave.
Virginia Safari Park has a drive-thru where you can visit with and feed animals from your car. You can also walk through the village to see many of the other animals up close.
The safari park is open from March – November, with hours varying depending on the season.
9. Dinosaur Kingdom II
If you’re looking for a kitschy roadside attraction in Shenandoah Valley, then you need to stop at Dinosaur Kingdom II. With fun and surprises around every corner, including a water gun fight with Big Foot, your face will be sore from laughter when you leave.
Dinosaur Kingdom II is open seasonally, April through October, with hours varying. Visit their website for the most up-to-date information. They offer combination tickets with other nearby attractions like the Natural Bridge Zoo and Caverns.
10. Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum
When it comes to things to do in Shenandoah Valley with kids, nothing tops the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum. This 19,000 square foot children’s museum features all kinds of fun, hands-on exhibits, like veterinary office, Native American homes, bees, and more!
Located in Winchester, VA, the museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, with additional Sunday hours in the summer. There are even more fun things to do in Winchester. You can spend a while day enjoying the town.
11. Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
With art galleries, formal gardens, historic homes, and art trails, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, VA, has a ton of things to do!
You can visit the art trail and Rose Hill Park for FREE. Otherwise, the galleries, formal gardens, and tour of the Glen Burnie House require admission.
Hours and attractions vary depending on the time of the year. Visit their website for the best information.
12. Frontier Culture Museum
Let history come to life at the Frontier Culture Museum! This living history museum, like Colonial Williamsburg, aims to educate its visitors about what life was like in the past.
The museum showcases the life and work of people in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries from the many countries that influenced the culture in Virginia.
The Frontier Culture Museum is open almost every day (closed on some major holidays), with hours varying depending on the season. Visit their website for the most up-to-date information.
13. Civil War Stops
The Shenandoah Valley has many ties to the Civil War. As you drive through the area, you can visit some of the battlefields of the war.
Many locations are significant to Stonewall Jackson, the infamous Major General of the Confederate Army, like his headquarters in Winchester and his home in Lexington.
There are also some excellent museums about the Civil War, like the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum in Winchester, as well as the Virginia Museum of the Civil War and the New Market Battlefield Military Museum, both located in New Market, VA.
14. Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Many people can name some US Presidents from Virginia, like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. However, not everyone knows that Woodrow Wilson was also a native Virginian.
As the 28th President of the US, Woodrow Wilson was responsible for many social and economic reforms like the Federal Reserve Act, the Child Labor Reform Act, and legislation supporting working Americans’ fair treatment.
You can learn more about Woodrow Wilson at his Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton, VA. The museum includes his birthplace, gardens, and exhibits about his time in office.
The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum is open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (it opens at noon on Sundays).
15. Vineyards & Breweries
With exploring all of the fun things to do in Shenandoah Valley with kids, you’re bound to get thirsty. Thankfully, there are many excellent wineries in the Shenandoah Valley. Some are family-friendly!
Some kid-friendly wineries and breweries in the Shenandoah Valley include Blue Mountain Brewery, Stable Craft Brewing, Great Valley Farm Brewery, Kindred Pointe, and Castle Vineyards.
16. Massanutten Storybook Trail
We love all of the hiking trails available in the Shenandoah Valley. However, sometimes it’s fun to do an easy walk to beautiful overlook.
The Massanutten Storybook Trail is an short, accessible trail that leads to an overlook over the Page Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. You can see part of Shenandoah National Park from the overlook!
The trail is .4 miles to the overlook, about a 10-minute walk. It’s a fun and easy thing to do in the Shenandoah Valley!
Where to Stay in Shenandoah Valley With Kids
The Shenandoah Valley is huge! So choosing a place to stay might depend on which activities appeal the most to you.
Staying in towns like Winchester and Front Royal (we enjoyed our stay at the Hampton Inn) will keep you close to many of the activites on the northern end of Shenandoah Valley.
You can rent homes or villas near Massanutten Resort, which is centrally located within Shenandoah Valley.
There is also a beautiful historic hotel across from Natural Bridge State Park that is close to many of the above attractions.
Things to Do in Shenandoah Valley Wrap Up
With all of the Shenandoah Valley things to do, you might have to plan an additional trip to Virginia! There is even more to do in nearby Charlottesville and even fun hikes nearby in West Virginia.
But even if you’re just stopping by on a road trip through Virginia, you’ll find something in Shenandoah Valley that pleases everyone in your family.
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