The Caverns

Throughout central Virginia, there are many caves and caverns that dot the landscape. Over the course of eons, these caverns have developed into wonders of nature. Today, many of these caverns are available for tours and photo opportunities.

Perhaps the most popular cavern in Virginia is the Luray Caverns – 64 acres of underground tunnels and works of art. Some of the rooms have ceilings 140 feet above your head – and the natural colors inside the cave will astound you. This particular cavern has enormous stalagmites, stalactites, rivers, flowstones, and draperies that are the result of calcite deposits dripping into place over the course of millions of years. The limestone columns formed by this natural phenomenon is still taking place even today. The biggest attraction of the Luray Caverns is the Great Stalactite Organ, which a mathematician created in the 1950’s. When on the tour, you can hear the sounds of this organ, which uses the stalagmites and stalactites to make music. After hearing these organ notes reverberate throughout the cave, you will never think of the popular song, “O Shenandoah” the same ever again.

In addition to touring the Luray Caverns, the price of admission also enable you to peruse through the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum, which is a collection of antique cars and carriages. The gift shop is located beyond this museum, as is the food court. If you want to experience the Outdoor Garden Maze, also featured at Luray Caverns, the admission costs extra. The Luray Singing Tower, a stone carillon with 47 bells, is right around the corner and free concerts are held from spring through autumn.

The Grand Caverns are also in this vicinity, and this cavern is not as popular (statistically speaking) as Luray Caverns. However, because not as many people frequent this cavern, this cavern is more true to nature and unspoiled. Discovered by a trapper in 1804, it became open to the public in 1806. Grand Caverns is still changing with the slow yet persistent drip- drop of calcite. This cavern is so extensive that 85% of it is still considered “alive” (untouched by human hands) and was rated second best cavern in all of America. Weddings used to be held in here and the receptions too. In the mid-1800s, people used to feast, drink, dance, and play music in the “reception hall” with thousands of lit candles around them. Tours are available here, so if you want to see an incredible underground environment but don’t want to be around throngs of tourists, the Grand Caverns is for you.

The Luray Caverns, The Grand Caverns, and the other assorted smaller and caverns are ripe tourists destinations, so the areas around them offer plenty of places to stay and eat, as featured in our “Places to Stay” and “Places to Eat” options on our homepage. However, these caverns are not located near cities, so bar hopping and going to the nightclubs is out of the question. All of the caverns are easy to get to, especially if you are traveling down I-81 through the Shenandoah Valley. And last but not least, a very important tidbit of information: underneath the ground, the temperatures remain at a steady 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are planning a trip to the caverns, remember to bring a jacket!



Virginia Tourists Guide - The Caverns