Vacation stop along I-81? (Roanoke, Abingdon: home, theatre, school)

[soccerphysio]

Our family is planning on driving through VA along I-81 this summer on our way up to the northeast. Are there any interesting attractions along the way that we could spend the day enjoying, to help break up the trip? My wife and I traveled this route many years ago (pre-kids), and remember it was beautiful country, but cannot recall if there were any cultural or historic sites that would be of interest with kids (ages 8-14).

Thanks!

[ReblTeen84]

Plenty. Many of the caverns are along 81, shenandoah state park, etc. Depends on what you like.

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[Bigfoot424]

Luray Caverns is a short ride off I 81 in Luray. IMO the best of the caverns in the area.

[Scott94]

You could check out the Natural Bridge area along with the zoo. Lots of caverns and small historical downtown areas along the way as well. Downtown Roanoke is also only 5-10 minutes off the interstate and there is plenty to do and see there along with a mountain top zoo of its own.

[roanoker 4]

Historic sites would definately include New Market Battlefield, it has a very interesting museum about the civil war. While in New Market visit the Johnny Appleseed restaurant, great Shenandoah Valley food. Luray is a Must I agree,
Lexington is home of Robert E Lee, Stonewall Jackson, VMI quaint little village a great visitor center there. Natural Bridge is unique and worth a stop, although pricey. Downtown Roanoke is always worth a stop off I-81/581 with over 60 restaurants, art museums, Train museum, soon a major museum in the U.S. devoted to butterflies. Abingdon has the famous Barter Theatre and the Martha Washington Inn...I could go on and on. There is so much to enjoy in this state!

[slowlane3]

Some suggestions:

http://www.visitroanokeva.com

http://www.lexingtonvirginia.com

FCMV Home

Luray Caverns > Home

Virginia's Caverns - Virginia Is For Lovers

http://www.shenandoahmuseum.org

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

http://www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

[soccerphysio]

Wow! Thanks to everyone for the replies! I personally am a big fan of natural attractions such as caverns, so I will definitely look into those. But the civil war attractions would fit perfectly with some of the topics the kids learned in school; we may have to make several stops along the way.

BTW -- I agree that VA is a beautiful state with lots to do; if I could chose one area to settle down permanently, it would be there!

Thanks again!

[emsman]

There's Grand Caverns in Grottoes, VA. (exit 235, go east about 6 miles, on right). It's not as impressive as Luray Caverns but alot closer to I-81.

There's a beautiful covered bridge just south of Mount Jackson, VA off US 11. Exit 263 I think, turn east to US 11(approx. 3/4 mi.), turn north on 11, about 1 mile up, you'll see signs pointing left. You can drive or walk across it.

You could always hop off and take part of the Blue Ridge Parkway(it's free), multiple points to get back easily to I-81 from Roanoke to I-64.

If you like history and civil war stuff, definetly the New Market Battlefield, in my opinion the best preserved civil war battlefield next to Gettysburg.

[cbl1]

I have not gone but, as mentioned above, the zoo at Natural Bridge that you drive your car through I have heard a lot of good things about. That is right off I-81.

You could go to Natural Bridge and do the zoo. Then spend the night downtown Roanoke . . there are nice restaurants to walk to downtown and there is a highly rated new art museum. You can also drive up the the Mill Mountain Star that overlooks the city at night for a peaceful break.

[soccerphysio]

Thanks again! My wife and I went to the Natural Bridge, but I don't remember a zoo there. I'll have to check that out!