This past October, my mom and I were able to enjoy a mountain adventure in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. This serene corner of northwestern Virginia has long been a beloved haunt of mine.
The Appalachian Mountains, towering over the fertile Shenandoah Valley, are simply breathtaking. Beyond its natural wonders, each mile of this region is steeped with history from ancient Native American cultures to Revolutionary and Civil War stories to the heart of America today.
Virginia’s Shenandoah Corridor is the perfect destination to discover beauty, adventure and step back in time.
In the first post of this series, “Shenandoah Adventures,” I’ll share an overview of our itinerary and trip highlights. We’ll then dive deeper into specific destinations and travel tips.
Our trip: Quick Overview
We spent several days at the incredible Massanutten Resort, a four-seasons family destination offering everything from an indoor/outdoor waterpark, two golf courses, a spa, restaurants and a top class ski resort. It was our first visit to Massanutten, and I can confidently say it’s one of the best trips we’ve taken. The resort is stunning and the perfect mountain getaway
The resort is centrally located, offering easy access to a variety of attractions. To the west lies the eclectic college town of Harrisonburg (home to James Madison University), while Charlottesville (home to UVA) is a short thirty-minute drive to the southeast. Massanutten is also just thirty minutes from Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. With countless hiking trails and national forest land, nature lovers will find plenty to explore in the Massanutten area.
Day One: Sunday, October 27th, 2024:
The road to Massanutten:
The crisp fall air and brilliant blue sky beckoned us onto the road as we set off from Raleigh to Massanutten Virginia. The four and a half hour drive meanders through relaxing countryside, from ambling farmland to the rising of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the horizon.
We stopped for dinner in the charming town of Lynchburg, which is a gem to visit in its own right. Founded in 1786 and has a complex and interesting history from the founding years of early America to the Civil War. While we didn’t have time to explore Lynchburg on this trip, it is definitely worth a detour. The city has a fantastic history and art museums. You can also visit Thomas Jefferson’s second home, Poplar Forest.
For more information:
As the sun began to set, a fiery sky illuminated the mountains. The copper colored ridge line danced in colors of yellows and burnt reds before being eclipsed by the night. Darkness creeps in earlier this time of year.
We arrived at Massanutten Resort just before eight p.m. where we checked in at the resort’s Woodstone Lobby. The friendly staff filled us in about the resort’s over 6,000 acres of amenities and activities, including restaurant options during our stay. The resort offers a variety of accommodations depending on your needs at affordable prices. Book your trip here
“You’ll be staying in our cozy Woodstone condos, located just a few minutes’ drive from here. If you need anything, our convenient on-site market and general store has you covered.” The desk agent explained. “We have lots of fun activities throughout the week, including art classes and a cooking demonstration. Let us know if you want to sign up for anything and we’ll be happy to accommodate you.”
“Sounds fun! Can’t wait to explore the area tomorrow.”
The Woodstone area is closer to the base of the mountain resort, near a picturesque golf course. The condos have been recently remodeled and feature a full kitchen, as well as a fireplace.
Tired from the drive, my mom and I enjoyed relaxing by the fireplace, planning our itinerary for about an hour before going to sleep.
Day Two: October 28th, 2024 (Monday)
“Wow, Mom, look at this amazing view,” My jaw slightly agape as I motioned her to the window. “You can see mountains all around. The fall colors are just peaking too, even this late in the season.”
“Stunning…and check out the porch. What a nice spot to relax with a cup of coffee as you enjoy the scenery.”
“Speaking of coffee, should we grab a cup from the cafe before we head on to Shenandoah?”
“Definitely, my day doesn’t start without my cup of coffee.”
While the condo has a coffee maker, in the interest of time we decided to just grab java from the nearby market before heading out for our daily adventures.
For our first full day in the mountains, we decided to explore Shenandoah National Park. Established in 1935, the park offers stunning views along the scenic Skyline Drive. The park’s Skyline Drive runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As you wind along the Skyline Drive, 75 overlooks offer visitors a glimpse into the heart of the mountain wonders.
My mom and I have been fortunate to visit Shenandoah many times, usually staying in the park at Big Meadows Lodge or Skyland. No matter how often I visit, the beauty of these rugged hills never loses its magic. Each season in the park offers a new wonder, from the blossoming flowers of spring to the firestorm of color in the fall.
Looking at the map, we decided we’d enter Shenandoah near The Big Meadows Lodge and then drive up to the northern park terminus at Front Royal. We would then loop back down to Massanutten by nightfall.
The winding roads from Massanutten to Shenandoah resembled something out of a painting, the trees in their full autumn color dappled with sunlight. The blue sky peeking through the trees, scattered with cotton candy clouds. Nothing is more relaxing to me than driving on a country road on a beautiful fall day. There is a peace that surpasses understanding, where you just bask in God’s creation and enjoy the moment like the wind passes through the trees.
We reached Big Meadows just after eleven-thirty. Our stomachs rumbling, we decided to grab lunch in the lodge’s historic dining room. The Big Meadows Lodge is a must stop for lunch if you have time. The lodge is situated atop a rugged cliff, overlooking the mountains and valley in the distance. The dining room affords guests fantastic views, especially around sunset as the sky puts on its color show nightly.
I’ll detail more travel tips and itineraries for Shenandoah in an upcoming post, but for more information about Big Meadows click here.
After lunch we headed north on the Skyline Drive, spending the next two hours stopping at overlooks and pausing to admire the tranquil scenery.
The highlight of the day was driving through a stretch of the forest that my mom described as ‘nature’s cathedral.’ The trees towered above us like a cathedral apse. The mix of evergreens with the burnt orange and yellow hues of deciduous trees creating a tapestry of color. It felt like stained glass. The leaves were softly falling, giving way to the changing of the guard. It was a deeply moving moment.
We exited the park through Front Royal at 4:30 p.m.
“It looks like we’ll have to drive through the town of Luray on the way back to Massanutten. I wonder if we can visit the caverns today, or if we should come back tomorrow?” My mom and I discussed stopping for gas.
“It looks like Luray Caverns is open until six. Let’s try to visit today, then we’ll explore another area tomorrow,” I suggested after checking their website.
I will dedicate an entire post to the Luray Caverns, but suffice it to say it is a MUST SEE while in the region. Learn more here.
Upon arriving back at Massanutten around eight we grabbed a late dinner at The Virginia BBQ and Pizza company, before settling back into the condo to rest and recharge. We finished the night playing a new Lord of the Rings board game by the fireplace.
Day Three: October 29th, 2024 (Tuesday)
We spent the first part of the day just relaxing at Massanutten and exploring the over 6000 acre resort. Massanutten’s Ski Village area is particularly beautiful in the fall. You drive up towards the summit, able to see thousands of colorful trees and expansive vistas. In the winter this area transforms into a wonderland of snow, where skiers can hit the slopes from late November through early March. Massanutten offers some of the best powder in the southeastern U.S.
The town of Staunton is a well-kept secret. Its charming historic downtown is lined with eclectic restaurants and shops. It is also home to one of the premier theatres in the US; The Blackfriars Theatre is an exact replica of Shakespeare’s original theatre, and produces professional Shakespearean performances and Broadway quality plays throughout the year. Since opening in 2001, the Playhouse has welcomed nearly one million theater goers to over 6,000 performances. To get your tickets, click here.
Another favorite stop from prior visits to Staunton is the Frontier Culture Museum, a living history museum showcasing the lives of Native Americans to the early European settlers in the Shenandoah Valley.
This time in Staunton we just enjoyed a quick stop downtown, before heading on to Charlottesville.
Charlottesville is a cultural hub, home to The University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and James Monroe’s Ashlawn-Highland. With dozens of wineries and orchards, it’s a must-visit destination. I’ll feature Charlottesville in a more in-depth blog post soon.
One of my favorite things to do in Charlottesville is the drive up the mountain road where Monticello and Ashlawn-Highland are located. This short drive is steeped in history and offers stunning views. Unfortunately Monticello was already closed when we arrived, but we were able to make it to the best apple picking spot in the region, Carter Mountain Orchard.
In late October, the orchard offers a pumpkin patch and apple picking. The best thing about the orchard is their freshly pressed hot cider and other farm to table treats for sale in their gift shops. For adults, you can test the Bold Rock Cider or their Carter Mountain wines. We ended up purchasing three bottles of their wine.
Day Four: October 30th, 2024 (Wednesday)
We spent our last morning at Massanutten relaxing in our room, savoring the stunning views one final time before heading back to Raleigh.
Always up for an adventure, my mom and I took the long way home via the Blue Ridge Parkway. The parkway is my ‘happy place,’ and I make a pilgrimage to The Blue Ridge Parkway (in NC or VA) whenever I get the chance.
Driving on the parkway this year (October 2024) was particularly special, as it had recently reopened after the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which ravaged the landscape of the region. Being able to meander through the ridge line and take in the breathtaking views put things in perspective. It’s a reminder that every day is a gift and to cherish even small moments with wonder.
We stopped for a late lunch at an American Nomad favorite, The Peaks of Otter Lodge, which is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 85.6, about thirty minutes north of Roanoke. The Peaks of Otter area has been a travel spot for centuries. The Native Americans would find rest in this area, while early settlers, including Thomas Jefferson would visit the ‘Peaks’ for relaxation. The lodge grounds include a 19th-century log cabin, ‘Polly Woods Ordinary,’ which was an old school ‘air bnb’ – travelers would stay with innkeeper Polly Wood and pay a fee for the bed and a meal.
The current lodge dates to the late 1960s and features a beautiful dining area with views of the namesake Peaks of Otter and Abbott Lake.
Peaks of Otter has little WIFI and zero cell reception, so it is a place to truly unplug, relax and soak in the views. Plan your Peaks of Otter stay here.
We arrived home in Raleigh around eight p.m., after a fulfilling day of exploring the parkway. I can’t wait to return to Virginia’s Blue Ridge for more adventures on American Nomad.
