Last updated on July 24th, 2023 at 06:21 pm
It is a bonus when you can leave a big city and be in nature’s lap in less than a couple of hours. Thankfully, Mid-Atlantic has got our back. Rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northern Virginia can be experienced from Shenandoah National Park, which is less than 2 hours away from Washington, D.C. Now add a few other interesting adventures (hint – wineries and caverns), and you have the recipe for a perfect day trip.
We recommend you depart as early as possible from DC in order to cover these activities at a relaxing pace. You can easily mix the order of these experiences below but make sure to either drive the Skyline Drive when you enter, i.e., on your way down south or on your way back to DC.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
If you don’t want to do a self-drive itinerary, then consider taking a guided bus tour here.
What is the best time to do this Virginia day trip from DC
Definitely anytime in Spring, Summer, or Autumn, i.e., in the months of April to October. Winter isn’t the best time to visit Shenandoah National Park, but the other two stops will still be fun. We are basing this post considering you leaving DC at 8 am.
Stop #1: Experience Luray Caverns (10 am – 1 pm)
It will take about 2 hours to get to Luray Caverns from Washington DC. If you honestly knew about Luray Caverns before reading this post then pat yourself on the back! Luray cavern is one of those hidden gems that many visitors to DC don’t even know about. Fun Fact: It is the largest cavern in the eastern United States.
Rich in geological wonder, Stalactites, Stalagmites, and other calcites (crystalline limestone) are being assembled for millions of years in Luray Caverns. It’s hard not to notice the beautiful color of these calcites, thanks to the minerals in groundwater such as iron and manganese. We had to pinch ourselves as a reminder of the reality of our Geography school books.
The cavern opens at 9 am, but the closing time varies between 4 – 7 pm, depending on the season. You can find the exact timing information on Luray Caverns official website. In order to go through the caverns, you have to take a guided tour which runs at the top of every hour. The overall tour can take about 2 hours. An adult ticket cost $28 while a child ticket is $15.
The premise includes a few manmade attractions such as caravan museum, a rope park, and a maze, perhaps to attract families to spend the entire day. The caravan museum entrance is included with your Luray cavern general admission. TIP: The cavern temperature is always in the mid-50 degrees so make sure to carry a jacket or scarf with you.
Stop #2: Visit a Virginia Winery (1.30 pm – 3.30 pm)
Virginia is known for its wineries and Shenandoah Valley is home to many wineries that you can pick from. We love Narmada winery for its unique experience. Not only do they have a list of interesting wines but they also help you pair wines with small plate Indian food, something unheard of.
Makes for a perfect stopover at lunchtime. Wine tasting starts at $8. We have written a full review of this boutique winery experience in Virginia that you might want to read. Please have a designated driver for this road trip if you plan to indulge here.
More on visiting vineyards while traveling
- Portland Waterfalls & Wineries- Exploring Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
- Best Wineries in Maryland Near DC
- Exploring the Rhine River Castles & Wine Region
Stop #3: Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park (4 pm-sunset)
Shenandoah National Park is one of the prettiest drives, in our opinion, on the East coast. The Skyline Drive stretches north-south for 105 miles which can take up to 3 hours to finish or more if you take stops.
There are 4 entrance points on the skyline drive –
- Front Royal Entrance (Northern-most point i.e., mile 1)
- Thornton Gap Entrance (at mile 30 point)
- Swift Run Gap Entrance (at mile 65 point i.e., halfway)
- Rockfish Gap Entrance (Southern-most point i.e., mile 105)
Here is the Shenandoah National Park Map that will help you plan this drive. If you are ending the day with Skyline drive, as we recommend, then enter the park at Thornton Gap Entrance and exit from Front Royal Entrance on your way back to DC. In fact, in the summer months when the days are longer you should be able to drive down south till halfway point i.e. mile 50 before turning around.
Wildlife in Shenandoah
Black Bear activities have been in abundance this year in the park so keep your eyes open while driving through. In fact, if you see cars stopped on the curb, stop to ask if they have spotted a bear. We’ve been very lucky to see at least one black bear if not more every single time we go to Shenandoah. TIP: Please keep your distance if you do spot one.
Hiking In Shenandoah
Depending upon your hiking ability, you could add one or two easy hikes on the way. TIP: Little Stony Man and the Dark Hollow Falls hike are easy and two of our favorites.
Sunset in Shenandoah
On your way up north, we’d highly recommend stopping over at Hogback or Signal Knob Overlook for a splendid sunset over Shenandoah Valley. From here, it’s an easy drive back to DC via Route 66.
There are many other fun day trips from Washington DC that you could take.
- Where to Find Spring Flowers in Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland
- Things To Do in Hershey, PA
- Where to See Cherry Blossoms in DC
- Best Indian Restaurants in DC
Where to Stay in Washington D.C
Below are some hotel locations that are a perfect start for this day trip.
- Courtyard Marriott D.C
- Yours Truly D.C
- Hyatt Place National Mall D.C
- The Westin Reston Heights
- Sheraton at Reston
- Aloft by Dulles Airport
- Hilton Garden Inn Dulles
- Airbnb
You can also search for more hotel and accommodation choice via TripAdvisor, CheapOAir, and Momondo.
If you are looking for an alternative to car rentals, try renting a car from Turo which is like Airbnb for cars.
Hope you guys enjoy taking this road trip as much as we always do taking our guests on this path. Don’t forget to share and pin this post for later.
Happy Traveling!
Thank you so much for this post. I followed your itinerary for a day trip with my daughter and we had a fantastic time at the Luray Caverns and the Narmada Winery.
First time I actually enjoyed Virginia wine!
Can’t thank you enough!
Cari
I’ve been living in the DC area for a few years and have done quite a few Vineyards on the way to Shenandoah but haven’t heard about the Narmada Vineyard. So that’s what I’m going to do today! Thanks ☺️
We hope you enjoyed your time in Narmada vineyards Himanshu! 🙂
With such a long list of things to do and see in Washington, DC, it could easily take me ten more trips to the nation’s capital before I felt ready to take a day trip. What’s amazing to me is how little time (or effort) it takes to go from a bustling, congested city to experiences like you’ve shared here!
Haha.. yes definitely there are a million things to do & see in DC but just in case you want a quiet getaway 🙂
What an amazing trip. The photos and scenery looks stunning!
Thanks Rio!
Those caverns look beautiful, I had no idea they were so close to DC. The whole of this post is beautiful and your photography is amazing. Thanks for sharing! If I ever get to DC I will head here too!
Thanks for your lovely comment Amber 🙂
This seems to be such a perfect and fulfilling trip. I had never heard of Shenandoah before. All the pictures specially the sunset pics are superb and gorgeous. I would definitely make a visit there.
Thanks Anjali! 🙂 Shenandoah is one of the US National Parks.. hope you get to visit someday.
This seems like an awesome day trip, full of nature and adventure, the best kind! If I ever visit DC I’d love to take the hike on the Shenandoah National Park, it looks amazing!
I hope you get to do that soon Lyne, thanks 🙂
During my almost 4 years in DC I visited all these places a few times and definitely recommend them to everyone too! The only thing I didn’t do was to stay for a sunset in Shenandoah. You did a great job capturing that moment!
Thanks for the attestation Anya!! 😀 I tell you sunset in the valley is what I come here for … It does get very late driving back home but so worth it.
Looks like an incredible trip! The caverns look amazing!! And your photo of the sunset looks straight up like a painting <3
Thanks Anna! Sunset in Shenandoah has to be my favorite time there 🙂
So beautiful!! I have heard of the Shenandoah mountains but I never imagined them to be so beautiful. Great photography, kudos!
Thanks Lindsey! Shenandoah and Blue Ridge Mountains in the East coast are definitely worth a visit if you ever stop by here 🙂
I have lived in Virginia my entire life, and work full-time in DC, so I’m very familiar with everything on this list! Luray Caverns is definitely NOT a hidden gem; it’s almost always packed. Lol. But it is worth a visit!
You’d be surprised by how many people visiting from outside of the US have no idea about these caverns. I guess it is popular with people living on the East Coast.
I had no idea there was so much adventure right outside of DC. Thanks for the share, those caves look particularly interesting!
Thanks Jenny! It is really very pretty around DC 🙂
Wow, what a great recommendation for a day out. You certainly packed a lot in. I have never heard of Luray Caverns before, they look amazing.
Luckily all of these are in very close proximity so you don’t feel rushed in any way. Yes, it will be a long day for sure 🙂
Take me there now!! Seriously I’ve visited DC so many times and never considered there’s a road trip I can do on a weekend to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. Luckily I know what to do next time you’re there- great post!!
Thanks a lot Dina! Exactly I am hoping to open up the wilderness around DC with posts like these 🙂 Hope you visit next time.
Wow, I didn’t realise how beautiful the areas around DC were – now I need to make a visit!
Surprising isn’t it?! So much political media coverage that surrounds DC and so little on the beautiful wilderness around it, I had to write this one 🙂
Wow what an awesome trip..just love all the pics.i wish to take this trip.
Come on over to DC Madhu 🙂
I remember those layered mountains from Shennadoah! Did you see lightning-bugs and bears? We got really lucky, as right after sunset all the wildlife started appearing. Most of the crowds had left and it was wonderfully quiet and we even saw a mother bear with two cubs! So definitely worth to leave it as the last stop 🙂
Every single time I’ve been to Shenandoah I’ve seen black bears (*knock on the wood*), straight up from the road. I did post a photo of mama and baby bear we once saw in this post 🙂 I never leave this park before sunset!
This sounds like my kind of day trip! It combines my two passions: hiking & wine!
haha glad I’m not alone here 🙂 Thanks!