Visit the Luray Caverns: My Experience and Review

I came across these caverns during my search of things to see or do in Virginia. Quickly, I found out that this is a very popular tourist attraction. Not to mention they are the largest caverns on the east coast!

They are opened every single day of the year and tours depart every 20 minutes. You have the option of buying tickets on site or online.

Our experience:

Getting the ticketsI

We decided to visit the caverns on Labor Day since the entire family was off. What better way to spend time with the family than exploring a natural wonder, right? It was a three-hour drive for us so we left early. Our goal, like usual, was to get there as close to when it opens as possible. It’s the best way to beat the crowds.

During this time of the year, the caverns open around 9 in the morning, and we arrived around 10. Close enough to opening time.

I had read online, on their website, that if you bought the garden maze tickets along with the cavern tour tickets, you get a discount. Money saved! Hence, why I decided it was easier to just by the tickets on site, so we could get the combo deal.

When we walked back out to get in line, the line just barely started to make it out the door to the entrance. Lucky for us, that meant our turn for a tour would come sooner, rather than later. And good thing we got there early because when we had completed our tour and exited the building, we saw that the line made its way all the way down the sidewalk, past the Toy Town Junction Museum, and up in front of the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum. We definitely beat the crowd and did not have to stand out in that heat! Waking up early was worth it.

While you are waiting in line for your tour to begin, the first thing you see is a green screen that is set up for you to take a group photo in front of. Great way to pass some time and have a way to remember your trip by! The first time we went, the green screen was set just outside of the doors leading into the building, but the second time we went, I guess because there were not that many people when we went, the green screen was setup inside the building. Time of the year you visit makes a difference.

The five of us lined up close and smiled for the camera before continuing to follow the line into the building. Once we entered the building, there were displays setup with memorabilia, historical objects, and information on the history of the caverns. Very interesting stuff! Not to mention, they had restrooms that you could use while you waited for your tour to begin.

The tour

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Every 20 minutes, a tour guide took a group of people through the caverns, and the tour lasted about an hour. The tour guide we got was hilarious and entertaining to listen to while he educated us about the history of the caverns. He made me want to learn more!

The temperature in the caverns is a steady 54^oC year-round. No matter what time of the year you go, it will always be 54^oC down there. Dress appropriately!

What else is there to do?

Included with your general admissions ticket, you have access to three of the museums on site: The Toy Town Junction, The Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, and the Luray Valley Museum.

Toy Town Junction

The museum has different toys that were popular as time went on, from 1850 to the present. They have a timeline setup on the walls which gives some interesting and fun facts about the toys from each time period.

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In the center of the building is a train display where you can watch Thomas and his friends circle the tracks after hitting the button to wake them up. As you near the end of the small museum, there are distorting mirrors that change the way you appear. We spent a good amount of time in front of each of them and laughing at each other on how our limbs and body was distorted.

Car & Carriage Caravan Museum

The name should say it all. The museum has displays of how the cars have changed throughout history. Very cool place to stop and cool down from the scorching sun and look at the different cars from the past.

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At the end of the museum, there is a gift shop if you are interested in buying a souvenir. My favorite souvenir of choice to buy whenever I go someplace new is a magnet. You should see my fridge, it is covered with magnets to the point you can barely see the fridge.

Luray Valley Museum

This museum is the type that you think of when you hear the word museum. It has all sorts of items from history and different displays replicating historical moments. The museum gives you information on the caverns, the family who lived there, and the surround area.

Unlike the above two museums that are located near the caverns, this museum is across the road. Not very far at all, but you have to take a small walk. Everything on the caverns grounds is within walking distance.

Garden Maze

On your way to the Luray Valley Museum, stop by the Garden Maze. When you enter the maze, you are greeted by an employee who hands each person a sheet of paper with four squares. Your goal is not just to make it to the end of the maze, but also find the four stands with stamps to complete the sheet you were handed.

Complete the paper and you just earned yourself a discount at the gift shop!

We really enjoyed the maze. It was a great way for us to bond together while trying to figure out how to get out. Which was not as easy as we thought. We may have looped around in the same spot for a little bit before figuring out which way to go. Shh! Don’t tell anyone.

Fast Facts:

• You can get tickets on site or at luraycaverns.com. No reservations required!
• They are open 365 days of the year, and weather does not affect their tours. Check the website for the hours of operation. Hours may vary depending on the time of the year.
• Tickets will include admission to the caverns and the three museums on site. Garden Maze tickets have to be purchased in addition to general admission ones.
• Tours leave every 20 minutes and last about an hour.
• The caverns are always 54^oC year round. Make sure to dress appropriately and bring walking shoes!
• Don’t forget those cameras, as pictures are allowed.

Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun! Share your stories and experiences at Luray caverns with me below, and what your favorite part was of the tour? Mine was being able to experience complete darkness and the Stalacpipe Organ! Enjoyed the caverns? Ready to visit another cavern? Check out the Shenandoah Caverns nearby, and see the Rainbow Lake and National Geographic famous Bacon Formation!