Discovered in 1878, Luray Caverns are the largest underground caverns on the East Coast and a Registered Natural Landmark. 

The 1.25 mile walking tour (paved walkways), takes you about 16 stories deep into the earth and winds through pristine and natural underground caverns, including the massive, 10-story tall Giant’s Hall.

The path traverses through a few tight passageways with low ceilings as well.

The stalactites and stalagmites are formed by dripping crystallized calcite that collects on the floor or sticks to the ceiling and dries, slowly forming the long pillars. Many of the formations are still growing, at the slow rate of about one inch every 120 years. 

Stalactites (hanging tight to the ceiling) and stalagmites (might eventually reach the ceiling from the floor), reach over 35 feet in some areas.  In other areas walls or sheets of formations have formed hanging curtains.

Near the end of the tour, you’ll stop to hear the Stalacpipe Organ, which uses no pipes, only electrical charges and vibration devices run through stalactites which in turn creates musical tones.  And don’t miss the  “fried eggs” as well.

The Car and Carriage Caravan Museum next door (admission is included in your ticket price) displays a collection of antique cars, carriages and wagons, dating back to 1725.

After your tour, check out the confusing Garden Maze. Using 8 feet tall hedges, maze-walkers must navigate a fog-misted half-mile internal path that allows you to make 40 “which-way-do-we-go” decisions.  But fear not if you get lost, there is an elevated platforms to climb, which gives you a bird’s eye view of your way out.

That is, if you can even find the platform.

Luray Caverns
970 W. Main Street
Luray, VA 22835-1060

Dates and Times – 75-90 minute guided tours start at 9:00 a.m. daily, until 7:00 p.m. through Labor Day. Tours start about every 10-20 minutes, depending on crowds. The caverns close earlier during other seasons.

Tickets – Includes admission to the car museum, Adults – $19.00, Seniors – $16.00, kids 6-12 – $9.00, under 5 – free with adult, and are available onsite.  Garden Maze – Adults – $ 6.00, children 6-12 – $ 5.00

Parking – Free parking is provided.

Note: This tour requires walking and has three staircases and steep grades along the route and is not considered wheelchair accessible.  Strollers are allowed.

Images – from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti
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Post from: The DC Traveler

About an hour and a half west of DC is Luray Caverns, the most non-earthly place in the area. Spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites, some reaching over 35 feet are part of the 1.5 mile tour that descends down to 160 feet below the surface. The temperature is a comfortable and constant (mid-50s), which is a nice change from the 90 degree summer heat of the Shenendoah Valley.

The tour winds through some of nature’s most interesting and breath taking underground caverns. Along with way you’ll experience some massive chambers, including the 10-story tall Giant’s Hall and dozens of smaller ones. The formations are still growing, at a rate of about one inch every hundred years or so. Bring your camera and an extra battery but don’t expect your little flash to capture much beyond about 15 feet. But even close up, you can find some great photo ops. The tour ends with a short pipe organ recital on The Great Stalacpipe Organ. My photos don’t do justice to the sheer size of the caverns, they are massive.

The Car and Carriage Caravan Museum next door (admission included) has a small but nice collection of 18th and 19th century wagons, carriages, as well as antique cars, including Rudolph Valentino’s 1925 Rolls Royce, a couple Ford Model Ts and As, a 1913 Stanley Steamer and other older classics.

The facility is a true tourist attraction, including a half-mile twisting pathway garden maze ($6.00 adults, $5.00 for kids), the Luray Singing Tower – a carillon of 47 bells that play a different times on weekend and several gift shops and places to eat.

Luray Caverns
970 W. Main Street
Luray, VA 22835-1060

Dates and Times – Guided tours lasting about 75-90 minutes run from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. through Labor Day. The caverns close earlier during other seasons.

Tickets – Adults – $18.00 kids 6-12 – $9.00, Seniors – $16.00 and are available onsite

Parking – free parking is provided

Note: This tour requires walking and has several staircases and is not wheelchair accessible.

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Post from: The DC Traveler