Name: Budget Travel LLC
Price range: $

"Mom, you can't trick us-we know you can't drive a house!" my children told me. The more I explained about our RV vacation, the less my kids believed me. They thought the part where the dinner table changed into a bed was either the biggest whopper of all or proof that Mommy had magical powers. In the parking lot at the start of our trip I felt no supernatural talents as I stared in fear at our home on wheels away from home: a rented Winnebago measuring 32 feet-much longer than my living room. But after an hour-long training session, we were on our own. The next day we negotiated the spectacular curves of Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. The grown-ups sat in the Barcalounger-type reclinable front seats watching through the four-foot-tall windshield as turkey vultures circled above the tree-covered mountainsides. Sky, clouds, birds, blooming dogwood trees, green valleys, more mountains, large iced drinks in cup holders, two kids buckled in at their own table with toys and a view: "Mom," they announced, "this is the life."


Our plan was to travel across Virginia comparing private, public, franchise, and nonfranchise types of campgrounds. Of course, our vehicle itself provided amenities and entertainment. We had a week's worth of groceries and our own electricity and water. We were protected from the bad weather that ruins many a camping vacation and shielded from the wild behavior of vehicle-bound children that ruins many a road trip. (When we reached orange alert levels we-gasp!-popped a movie in the DVD player.) These comforts gave us more time to experience the places we visited. And at all the campgrounds, whether rustic or developed, my kids did not want to leave.


Not your average bear Yogi Bear's <a href="http://www.campjellystone.com" target="_blank">Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts</a>. These popular campsites, the first type we visited, are filled with families seeking man-made, outdoor fun. RV site prices are usually on the higher end, at some 70 Jellystone Parks across the U.S. and Canada. All of them promise easy-to-RV level sites, where you can pull through to park and quickly hook up water/electric/sewage lines; clean rest rooms and laundry facilities; a pool; a video theater and game rooms; a well-stocked convenience store; and, most important, entertainment. Although the particulars vary, every Jellystone Park offers activities of some kind-theme weeks or weekends, hayrides, arts and crafts, ice cream socials-and equipment like fully loaded playgrounds, sports courts, and bounce houses. Schedules of events are listed on their site; some activities may cost extra.

<figure><img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/Guadalupe-Splashground-1024x678.jpeg" data-image="194387" alt="Jellystone park waterslide"><figcaption>Jellystone park waterslide - Courtesy of Jellystone Park</figcaption></figure>

We stayed at a Jellystone Park in Luray, Virginia. The campground was as RV-friendly as expected. It took us about 10 minutes-in the dark, no less-to park, make the RV level, and connect to the hookups for our very first time. In the morning my kids took one look at the 400-foot water slide and the playground with eight slides and dressed themselves at warp speed. The camp-type activities, such as Yogi's birthday week, are in full swing in summer. In the spring and fall, theme weekends ("Junior Ranger: Bugs!") are scheduled. Parental advisory: If you go to the giftie-filled camp store with your kids, expect to endure a heavy round of begging.


Uncle Sam, you, and a view<a href="https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-100573141-13414687?url=https%3A%2F%2Frvshare.com%2Fnational-parks" target="_blank"> National Park campgrounds </a>(reserve by searching <a href="http://www.nps.gov/" target="_blank">nps.gov</a>). Outdoors enthusiasts can stay in the scenery at many National Park campgrounds. <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/" target="_blank">Recreation.gov</a> handles some parks; private concessions manage reservations for others. Some parks only permit camping on a first come, first served basis-get there early! The National Park Web site gives reservations details and tells which parks offer full hookups and which offer no facilities and less-than-RV-friendly warnings, like "RV sites may not be level." On average camping usually costs less than $50, (not including park admission) but really varies by park and season.


We left Yogi's Jellystone for Shenandoah, a real national park, where the amenities are mostly those provided by Mother Nature. The campsites at the edge of the quiet Big Meadows campground provide a high-altitude sleeping spot overlooking a beautiful series of valleys and mountains. <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100573141-13414687?url=https%3A%2F%2Frvshare.com%2Fblog%2Ftop-10-campgrounds%2Fshenandoah-national-park" target="_blank">RV sites</a> (some pull-throughs) with picnic tables and fire grates cost $30. There are no hookups, but there are stations to fill up your water tank and dump that other tank. Generators can only be used until 8 p.m. After that, for hot running water you can use the bathhouse with its coin-operated showers. We headed out to the Appalachian Trail and ate ice cream, fresh pineapple, and strawberries-a picnic made possible with the help of an RV kitchen.

<figure><img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/shenandoah-national-park.jpeg" data-image="32535" alt="Shenandoah National Park"><figcaption>Shenandoah National Park</figcaption></figure>

Follow the yellow-signed road <a href="https://koa.com/" target="_blank">KOA</a> or Kampgrounds of America. Bright-yellow signs with a tent logo lead the way to more than 500 franchises of KOA in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Vacationing families come, snowbird retirees come, overnight visitors en route to other destinations come-millions of campers a year stay at a KOA. Most sites cost $40 to $80. Visitors know that certain facilities are standard: clean rest rooms and laundry rooms, full hookup pull-through sites, an inviting pool, playground, game room, and a fully stocked store. Entertainment, however, varies with the individual KOA's location. Some franchise owners offer pancake breakfasts, river tubing, 25-person hot tubs, rental cars, and wireless Internet connections; some offer quiet country settings. 

We stayed at the Charlottesville KOA, which has a peaceful, woodsy setting with hiking trails, a fishing pond, and all the KOA offerings. The friendly owners have preserved the traditional sleeping-in-the-woods experience. Many of the sites, including the one we stayed at, are shaded by trees. In the summer, family movies are shown nightly at a central pavilion, and Saturday night is ice cream social time.


The Governors' own State park campgrounds. State parks offer all kinds of inexpensive, unspoiled opportunities that only the locals may know about. You have to research state by state because there are no complete clearinghouses for state parks. Search state park or campground and the name of the state you want to visit. You may even find reservation systems for some states. The site www.reserveamerica.com lists campgrounds in 44 states. There is a may be a charge for reserving through this site. State tourism offices and web sites also provide camping information.

I was amazed to find that <a href="https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/recreational-vehicles" target="_blank">Virginia State Parks</a> has 23 reservable RV campgrounds. Most offer electric and water hookups, usually <a href="https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/camping-fees" target="_blank">$40 to $50 </a>a site, including park admission. We stayed at Chippokes Plantation State Park in the peanut-farm country of Surry. This park was full of surprises-we could tour the plantation's mansion, formal gardens, and agricultural area complete with chickens, cows, and crops. Or we could swim (the pool was huge), hike, fish, or look for marine fossils on the beach. In the campground, the host helped us back into our site. We had hookups for water and 30-amp (one appliance at a time) electricity. We felt like we had the woods to ourselves. We roasted marshmallows way past bedtime and were able to wash off all the stickiness. For our next day's adventure, we drove onto the Pocahontas, a free ferry, to cross the river into Jamestown and Williamsburg. My husband and I argued over who could drive onto the ferry. (I won.)
 
<figure><img src="https://img.budgettravel.com/iStock-1169150918.jpg" data-image="194388" alt="Chippokes Plantation State Park - Istock"><figcaption>Chippokes Plantation State Park - Credit: IStock - Douglas Rissing</figcaption></figure>

Stop at Mom-and-Pop's Local, independent campgrounds. An independently owned campground might be located just where you want to stay. It might be cheaper than a franchised campground. It might have all the amenities you want-or, it might not. Sites like <a href="https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US" target="_blank">Hipcamp</a> and <a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100573141-13414687?url=https%3A%2F%2Frvshare.com%2Fblog%2Ftop-10-campgrounds" target="_blank">RVshare</a> have RV campground searched that you can use.

Our final campground, <a href="https://aquiapines.com/" target="_blank">Aquia Pines Camp Resort</a> in Stafford, a privately owned, nonfranchise operation, was actually the most high tech of all. Free WiFi, there was a well-stocked store, pool, game room, and an elaborate playground. After we ate our Indian dinner, we sat outside, faintly hearing one neighbor's birthday party and another's reggae, and enjoyed the campfire we made in a big, old washtub.


When we switched vehicles for the trip home, our car crammed with all the goods so neatly stowed in our RV, my kids started asking, "Are we there yet?" My husband and I laughed-we hadn't heard that once on our RV vacation.

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RV Campsites

Inspiration

National Parks

Road Trips

Family

<h2>For insight into where travelers are heading as the leaves change colors, the platform <a href="https://www.campspot.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Campspot</a> consulted the booking data for its roster of family campgrounds, RV resorts, glamping sites, and more to determine the most in-demand destinations for autumn camping, based on the number of reservations from just after Labor Day through October. In no particular order, here are the top 10 places Campspot campers are flocking this fall. </h2>
Editor's note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and always follow government advice.

<img alt="An aerial view of Big Timber Lake RV Camping Resort" title="Big Timberlake_Campspot_Tyler D. Way.jpg" width="850" class="rounded shadow-md lazyloaded" src="https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2020-09/Big%20Timberlake_Campspot_Tyler%20D.%20Way.jpg?auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;sharp=10&amp;vib=20&amp;ixlib=react-8.6.4&amp;w=850" style="border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(226,231,234);vertical-align:middle;height:auto;" />Near Cape May, Big Timber Lake is an RV resort with plenty of amenities © Tyler D. Way/Campspot<h2>Cape May, New Jersey</h2>
Less than 20 miles from the family-friendly beaches, old-school boardwalks and historic painted Victorians of <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-jersey/cape-may">Cape May</a> is <a href="https://www.campspot.com/search/guests2,0,0/big-timber-lake?location=Big%20Timber%20Lake%20RV%20Camping%20Resort&amp;latitude=39.128909&amp;longitude=-74.810742" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Timber Lake RV Camping Resort</a>, a sprawling site with basketball, volleyball, bocce, and shuffleboard courts, kayak rentals, mini golf, an arcade, and a 2,000 square-foot pool. 

<img alt="Cabins among trees at Lake Rudolph Campground, Indiana" title="Lake Rudolph Campground _ RV Resort_Credit_ Sun RV Resorts.jpg" width="850" class="rounded shadow-md lazyloaded" src="https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2020-09/Lake%20Rudolph%20Campground%20_%20RV%20Resort_Credit_%20Sun%20RV%20Resorts.jpg?auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;sharp=10&amp;vib=20&amp;ixlib=react-8.6.4&amp;w=850" style="border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(226,231,234);vertical-align:middle;height:auto;" />Holiday seekers can get into the spirit of the season in Santa Claus, Indiana @ Sun RV Resorts<h2>Santa Claus, Indiana</h2>
It’s never too early for Christmas in southwestern Indiana’s Santa Claus, and its <a href="https://www.campspot.com/search/guests2,0,0/lake-rudolph?location=Lake%20Rudolph%20Campground%20%26%20RV%20Resort&amp;latitude=38.121378&amp;longitude=-86.921736" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lake Rudolph Campground &amp; RV Resort</a> has Christmas cabins and holiday cottages, not to mention Santa's Splashdown Waterpark, which has two big tube slides and a reindeer-themed water playground. 

<img alt="A cabin in a gravel lot with a grill at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Quarryville" title="Quarryville_Campspot.jpg" width="850" class="rounded shadow-md lazyloaded" src="https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2020-09/Quarryville_Campspot.jpg?auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;sharp=10&amp;vib=20&amp;ixlib=react-8.6.4&amp;w=850" style="border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(226,231,234);vertical-align:middle;height:auto;" />Camping in Quarryville offers a front-row seat for the fall-foliage action © Campspot<h2>Lancaster County, Pennsylvania</h2>
Southeastern Pennsylvania’s fall foliage <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/ultimate-new-england-fall-foliage-road-trip">rarely disappoints</a>, and <a href="https://www.campspot.com/search/guests2,0,0/quarryville?location=Yogi%20Bear%27s%20Jellystone%20Park%E2%84%A2%20Camp-Resort:%20Quarryville&amp;latitude=39.856842&amp;longitude=-76.125044" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Quarryville</a> offers a front row seat for the action. It’s situated on 65 wooded acres abutting a 100-acre county park, but it’s more resort than camp, with two swimming pools, two hot tubs, a water zone, and a giant inflatable jumping pillow, plus laser tag and escape rooms for an extra charge. 

<h2>Myrtle Beach, South Carolina</h2>
<a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/the-south/myrtle-beach">Myrtle Beach</a> is a party town at the height of summer, and though it’s more low-key during the cooler months, there’s still plenty to do. Guests at <a href="https://www.campspot.com/search/guests2,0,0/carolina-pines-rv-resort?location=Carolina%20Pines%20RV%20Resort&amp;latitude=33.844512&amp;longitude=-78.841729" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carolina Pines RV Resort</a> may not want to leave the premises – there’s a bistro and a yoga studio on-site as well as a mini golf course and an arcade – but for those who prefer to get out and explore, the beaches and trails of Myrtle Beach State Park are just 20 minutes away. 

<img alt="An aerial view of Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Luray, Virginia" title="Jellystone Park Luray_Campspot_2.jpg" width="850" class="rounded shadow-md lazyloaded" src="https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2020-09/Jellystone%20Park%20Luray_Campspot_2.jpg?auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;sharp=10&amp;vib=20&amp;ixlib=react-8.6.4&amp;w=850" style="border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(226,231,234);vertical-align:middle;height:auto;" />The restorative scenery of Shenandoah National Park is less than two hours from the nation's capital © Campspot<h2>Shenandoah National Park – Washington, DC</h2>
An hour and a half west of DC, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/virginia/shenandoah-national-park">Shenandoah National Park</a> is <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-washington-dc-day-trips">an easy day trip from the nation’s capital</a>, but it feels a world away. The Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in nearby Luray, Virginia, provides the chain’s signature amenities, from mini golf and gem-mining to pools and water slides; accommodations include pet-friendly cottages, RV sites, and primitive tent camping. 

<h2>Central Michigan</h2>
The lakes of Michigan are a picture-perfect setting for a summer getaway, but they’re not too shabby in fall colors either. Central Michigan’s Cedar River plays host to <a href="https://www.campspot.com/search/guests2,0,0/gladwincitypark?location=Gladwin%20City%20Park%20and%20Campground&amp;latitude=43.979&amp;longitude=-84.491824" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gladwin City Park and Campground</a>, a back-to-basics set-up with rustic cabins and sites for tent and RV camping, while Beaverton’s <a href="https://www.campspot.com/search/guests2,0,0/calhouncampground?location=Calhoun%20Campground&amp;latitude=43.875448&amp;longitude=-84.504674" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Calhoun Campground</a> has Ross Lake-facing rustic, electric, and full hookup sites. 

<img alt="A cream-colored cabin with a green roof at Jellystone Park in Western New York" title="Jellystone Park_Western New York_Credit_ Sun RV Resorts.jpg" width="850" class="rounded shadow-md lazyloaded" src="https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2020-09/Jellystone%20Park_Western%20New%20York_Credit_%20Sun%20RV%20Resorts.jpg?auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;sharp=10&amp;vib=20&amp;ixlib=react-8.6.4&amp;w=850" style="border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(226,231,234);vertical-align:middle;height:auto;" />Accommodations at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Western New York include this two-bedroom A-frame chalet with cable and WiFi @ Sun RV Resorts<h2>Buffalo, New York</h2>
In a few months, only the hardy will be taking camping trips in upstate New York, but for now, the region that boasts natural beauties like <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york-state/buffalo">Niagara Falls</a> and <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york/lake-george">Lake George</a> is a solid option for leaf-peeping. About an hour outside of Buffalo, <a href="https://www.campspot.com/search/guests2,0,0/jellystone-western-new-york?location=Yogi%20Bear%27s%20Jellystone%20Park%E2%84%A2%20Camp-Resort:%20Western%20New%20York&amp;latitude=42.642224&amp;longitude=-78.315994" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Western New York</a> has chalets, cabins, wooded and open tent sites, and full-hookup RV sites, all pet-friendly with WiFi access.

<img alt="A row of cabins at Wine Country RV Resort" title="Wine Country RV Resort_Credit_ Sun RV Resorts.jpg" width="850" class="rounded shadow-md lazyloaded" src="https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2020-09/Wine%20Country%20RV%20Resort_Credit_%20Sun%20RV%20Resorts.jpg?auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;sharp=10&amp;vib=20&amp;ixlib=react-8.6.4&amp;w=850" style="border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(226,231,234);vertical-align:middle;height:auto;" />In Paso Robles, the Wine Country RV Resort has RV sites as well as chalets and cottages © Sun RV Resorts<h2>Paso Robles, California</h2>
There’s nothing like winery-hopping on a brisk sunny day, and between the shopping, the golf, the wining, and the dining, San Luis Obispo County's <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/california/paso-robles">Paso Robles</a> region has more than a few options for oenophiles. <a href="https://www.campspot.com/search/guests2,0,0/wine-country?location=Wine%20Country%20RV%20Resort&amp;latitude=35.646818&amp;longitude=-120.63999" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wine Country RV Resort</a> is centrally located,  with pull-through and back-in RV sites as well as chalets and cottages. 

<h2>Arches National Park – Moab, Utah</h2>
The red sandstone of <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/southwest/arches-national-park">Arches National Park</a> creates a stunning setting for one of nature’s biggest playgrounds, and nearby Moab serves as the gateway for outdoor adventures in the vicinity. Six miles south of the park gates (and less than 40 miles east of Canyonlands) is <a href="https://www.campspot.com/search/guests2,0,0/canyonlands?location=Canyonlands%20RV%20Resort%20%26%20Campground&amp;latitude=38.564748&amp;longitude=-109.549538" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CanyonLands RV Resort &amp; Campground</a>, where the region’s signature red rocks overlook the swimming pool. Tent and RV sites are available, as are cabin rentals. 

<img alt="A red cabin with a mountain range in the background" title="Gardnier_Campspot_2.jpg" width="850" class="rounded shadow-md lazyloaded" src="https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2020-09/Gardnier_Campspot_2.jpg?auto=format&amp;fit=crop&amp;sharp=10&amp;vib=20&amp;ixlib=react-8.6.4&amp;w=850" style="border-style:solid;border-color:rgb(226,231,234);vertical-align:middle;height:auto;" />The Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Gardiner serves as a base of operations for exploring the Hudson Valley's Minnewaska State Park Preserve @ Campspot<h2>Minnewaska State Park Preserve – Kerhonkson, New York</h2>
A 22,275-acre park in the Hudson Valley, <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york/hudson-valley/attractions/minnewaska-state-park-preserve/a/poi-sig/1516379/1314484">Minnewaska</a> draws outdoorsy types year-round for everything from rock climbing to snowshoeing. Six miles away, the sprawling <a href="https://www.campspot.com/search/guests2,0,0/gardiner?location=Yogi%20Bear%27s%20Jellystone%20Park%E2%84%A2%20Camp-Resort:%20Gardiner&amp;latitude=41.679949&amp;longitude=-74.163575" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park</a> in Gardiner has rustic tent sites and premium cabins, as well as luxe lodges and full houses for rent.

These are fall's most popular US camping destinations, according to Campspot

Families, foodies, nature lovers, and retro-seekers will find plenty to love about Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Despite being located just outside Washington, D. C.’s congested Beltway, it could easily be mistaken for Mayberry, U.S.A. An easy drive from much of the Northeast corridor, this welcoming slice of Americana oozes small town hospitality and best of all, the prices here are anything but big city. If you’re looking for a road trip with a genuine throwback quality, you’ve met your match. Here are 10 things to do in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
<h3>Visit Shenandoah National Park</h3>
Visiting this region without experiencing majestic <a href="http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm">Shenandoah National Park</a> is like going to Rome and skipping the Colosseum. Motorists will marvel at the Blue Ridge Mountain views as they ramble along the 105-mile Skyline Drive—be sure to get out of the car to explore the park’s pristine beauty up-close. It’s a hiker’s delight with more than 500 miles of trails and countless nature opportunities. Ranger-led programs are free each day in summer and on weekends during colder months. The park also offers a variety of inexpensive overnight accommodations—camp out at one of four peaceful sites or stay at Skyland Resort or Big Meadows Lodge, where accommodations range from rustic cabins to rooms with gorgeous mountain views.
<h3>Ride down a lazy river</h3>
<a href="http://shenandoahriveradventures.com">Shenandoah River Adventures</a> offers a fun, refreshing way to get acquainted with the serene Shenandoah River. There’s beauty in spades along the water, and floating down it gives you an excellent vantage point. Rent a tube, canoe, or kayak and launch yourself into an adventure.
<h3>Check out the caverns</h3>
Head underground and explore one of the numerous caverns located in the valley. Those stalagmites you learned about in high school geology class are strikingly beautiful. <a href="http://luraycaverns.com">Luray Caverns</a> in Luray are the largest and most popular caverns in eastern America. A guided one-hour tour will take you on paths crammed with otherworldly formations and crystal-clear pools. Music is part of the experience, as the world’s only Stalacpipe Organ is here, creating live music of symphonic quality from the dazzling stone formations. Remember to wear a jacket as the cavern temperature is a constant 56 degrees.
<h3>Zip-line Bear Mountain</h3>
Adrenaline junkies, rejoice! <a href="http://bearmountainadventure.com">Bear Mountain</a> in Luray offers multiple zip-lines and climbing walls spread across 50 acres of scenic forest. Mature trees provide shade, so you can focus on the adrenaline-pumping excitement while hardly breaking a sweat.
<h3>Go back in time at Dinosaur Land</h3>
Step into the prehistoric past with a visit to <a href="http://dinosaurland.com">Dinosaur Land</a>. This roadside attraction in White Post is a sculpture park with 50 life-size dinosaur statues fabricated out of fiberglass. Kids (and kids at heart) will delight in climbing on these realistic-looking giants.
<h3>Watch an old-school Drive-In Movie</h3>
The venerable <a href="http://www.thefamilydriveintheatre.com">Family Drive-In Theater</a> in Stephens City opened in 1956. In many ways, it seems frozen in time, but you can expect a quality 21st century viewing experience, complete with digital projection. The best part: Every night is double feature night with two films screened for the price of one. From the tasty food served at the concession stand to the on-site playground for restless kids, movie buffs won’t want to miss this refreshing blast from the past.
<h3>Spend a day on the farm</h3>
The agriculturally rich Shenandoah Valley is a great place to connect with your food source. Depending on when you visit, you may pick your own apples, pumpkins, peaches, and strawberries. <a href="http://www.mackintoshfruitfarm.com">Mackintosh Fruit Farm</a> is located in rural Berryville, where this family-owned farm sells fresh produce at their farm stand, or head to their fields and orchards and do it yourself. They also host delectable farm dinners in summer. Families favor <a href="http://www.greatcountryfarms.com">Great Country Farms</a> in Bluemont, where you'll find activities like a seasonal corn maze, wagon rides, and pig races. Plump donuts warm from the fryer and fresh-pressed cider are absolutely delicious and hard to resist.
<h3>Feast on local favorites</h3>
Comfort food rules in the Shenandoah Valley, so prepare your palate for down-home delicacies, large portions, and low prices. The <a href="http://thethunderbirdcafe.com">Thunderbird Café</a> outside Harrisonburg serves Southern classics in a casual environment. Breakfast is an eye-opener with creamy grits, pancakes, country sausage, and homemade biscuits providing sustenance for the entire day. <a href="http://ggrounds.com">Gathering Grounds, </a>located in Luray, is a local hangout where the pie is always fresh and the coffee piping hot. Hearty sandwiches and homemade soups are easygoing options. Rumor has it First Lady Michelle Obama dined here when she visited the caverns, so it has the executive seal of approval.
<h3>Bring on the brew</h3>
Virginia is in the midst of a bona fide beer renaissance and the Shenandoah Valley is fast developing a reputation as a hops and barley hotspot. <a href="https://brotherscraftbrewing.com">Brothers Craft Brewing</a> in Harrisonburg is a popular watering hole. Their mission is to brew delicious craft beers while supporting the community and adhering to earth-conscious practices. Wet your whistle with a selection of balanced brews that should appeal to a broad spectrum of beer lovers.
<h3>Indulge in sweet desserts</h3>
There are several branches of <a href="http://www.klinesdairybar.com">Kline’s Dairy Bar</a> scattered throughout the Shenandoah Valley, where the ice cream and frozen custard have been made fresh daily since 1943. Prices seem frozen in time, too, so there’s nothing stopping you from indulging in a creamy Kline’s cone on a steamy day.
For more info and Virginia vacation ideas, please visit <a href="http://www.Virginia.org">www.Virginia.org</a> and <a href="http://www.Goblueridgetravel.com">www.Goblueridgetravel.com.</a>
This article was written by Allison Tibaldi, a native New Yorker who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto, and Los Angeles. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish and laughably adequate in French. When she's not traveling, she's scouring NYC for delectable eats. As a freelance travel writer, she focuses on family, culinary, and car-free travel. She's also a senior travel writer at <a href="http://offmetro.com/" target="_blank">offMetro.com</a>.

10 Things To Do In Shenandoah Valley

Budget Travel Lists

Travel writer <a href="http://stefjack.blogs.com/" target="_blank">Stefani Jackenthal</a> spent the past year exploring wine regions around the country for her new book <a href="http://www.wanderlustwining.com/" target="_blank">Wanderlust Wining</a>. She hit all the classic regions, of course&mdash;Napa, the Finger Lakes&mdash;but she also stumbled upon some lesser&ndash;known gems. Here are her favorite new discoveries: ten under&ndash;the&ndash;radar wine regions worth visiting. Get there before the crowds do!
1. Loudoun, VA
Where: Dubbed “D.C.’s Wine Country,” Loudoun is a quick 30&ndash;minute drive from the heart of our nation's capital.
Why go: This is the wine region for history buffs. Tasting rooms are sprinkled across historic landscapes, battle sites, and former president’s plantations. 
Regional specialties: For reds, you'll find Merlot, Cabernet Sauvigon, and Cabernet Franc, along with a hefty amount of Petit Verdot&mdash;a varietal quickly gaining notoriety. For white wine lovers, there’s plenty of Viogner and Chardonnay. 
Winery to try: Named the “Best Winery in Loudoun County” for eight consecutive years, the family&ndash;owned <a href="http://www.tarara.com/" target="_blank">Tarara Vineyard and Winery</a> (13648 Tarara Lane, Leesburg, VA) is situated on a meticulously manicured 475-acre farm paralleling the Potomac River. They craft crowd&ndash;pleasing Charval and Rose’ ($20.00 per bottle). 
2. Mendocino, Calif.
Where: About 90 miles north of San Francisco, Mendocino is sandwiched between the Mayacamas Mountains and the Coastal Mountain Range. It’s a remote, rugged landscape, with ancient redwood trees, lakes, and rivers.
Why go: Want to sip and save the Earth? This is your place. Mendocino may be the greenest wine region in the country, with nearly 30 percent of the 40&ndash;plus wineries here growing certified organic grapes. Many ahdere to biodynamic or fish&ndash;friendly farming methods, too.
Regional specialties: Mendocino’s cool climate is best for Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer. As for reds, look for Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Rhone blends. 
Winery to try: True to Mendocino’s reputation as a green winery region, <a href="http://www.parducci.com/" target="_blank">Parducci Wine Cellars</a> was the first “carbon neutral winery” in the country (501 Parducci Road, Ukiah, Calif.). Inside its red&ndash;tile roofed tasting room, the redwood&ndash;barrel bar and brick walls are a great atmosphere in which to sample their Gold&ndash;medal winning Chardonnay and True Grit Petite Sirah (from $30 per bottle).
3. Palisade, CO
Where: Set on the western slope of the sunny Grand Valley region, Palisade is a 12&ndash;mile drive east of Grand Junction Airport on Interstate 70.
Why go: The weather here seems made for sipping: Palisade&ndash;Grand Mesa averages 290 days of sunshine annually. 
Regional specialties: Over the last decade, the area has become known for its lively Riesling, sturdy Syrahs and spicy Cabernet Francs.
Winery to try: Look for the “Chardonnay Chicken” standing guard outside of <a href="http://www.plumcreekwinery.com" target="_blank">Plum Creek Winery’s</a> (3708 G Road, Palisade, CO) rustic tasting room. The seven&ndash;and&ndash;a&ndash;half&ndash;foot metal fowl is something of a local landmark and was created out of old farm equipment by local artist Lyle Nichols. Inside the bright, lofty barn&ndash;turned&ndash;tasting room, a redwood tasting bar takes center stage with cozy couches tucked in the corner and a quaint picnic area outback. The award&ndash;winning Riesling features peach and fig flavors, while the Merlot ($13 per bottle) is a dark-fruit delights. Winemaker Jenne Baldwin&ndash;Eaton is one of a handful of women winemakers in Colorado.
4. Hudson Valley, NY
Where: An hour and a half drive north of New York City, the Hudson River Valley is one of America’s oldest winemaking and grape&ndash;growing regions, with some of the country’s oldest vines.
Why go: Concord grapes make up the majority of the varietals harvested here, and most are used in grape juice, jellies, and jams. But the region's wine production has exploded in the last 20 years. There are now more than 25 operating wineries. 
Regional specialties: Expect crisp whites, such as Sevyl Blanc, Riesling, and blends. The reds here vary from light and fruity Beajoulais&ndash;style to dark fruit Cabernet Sauvignons and Shiraz. 
Winery to try: The tasting room and wine bar at <a href="http://cascademt.com/" target="_blank">Cascade Mountain Winery</a> (835 Cascade Mountain Road, Amenia, NY) sells pate and cheese plates, which are ideal to nibble in their picnic area. Try their snappy Seyval Blanc before moving onto the Riesling, Old Vine Zinfandel ($14 per bottle) and Petite Syrah. 
5. Shenandoah Valley, VA 
Where: Shenandoah's wine country&mdash;or SWX, as it's known locally&mdash;starts about an hour’s drive west of Washington D.C. and spans from north of Winchester to south of Roanoke. 
Why go: This is a hotspot for endorphin&ndash;junky oenophiles! The area has fantastic hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails, while the road cycling is fantastic along Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway, both in nearby Shenandoah Valley National Park. There is also the one hundred&ndash;million&ndash;year&ndash;old “Natural Bridge” to see, along with an assortment of caverns, such as the famous Luray Caverns, the largest in eastern America.
Regional specialties: The main focus here is on Viogner, Reisling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Petit Verdot, and fruit wines. 
Winery to try: Nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, <a href="http://www.crookedruncellars.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Crooked Run Cellars’</a> (1685 Crooked Run Road, Mount Jackson, VA) tasting room is built in an old Pennsylvania Bank Barn dating back to the early 1900’s. The barn has a horseshoe pit, badminton nets, charcoal grills for use, and a quaint picnic area overlooking the estate's 120&ndash;acre property. House favorites include the Equitation&mdash;a Chianti&ndash;style red&mdash;Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay. 
6. The Southern Region, Ore.
Where: The Southern Region is a rugged mountain valley that stretches 125 miles from south of Eugene to the California border. It's edged by the Cascade Mountain Range to the east and the Coast Range to the west. 
Why go: Known for its thunderous waterfalls, covered bridges, diverse wildlife, and awesome overlooks, the Southern region also produces nearly 12 percent of Oregon's wines. Leafy vineyards pepper the green valley, along with majestic mountains, breathtaking volcanic formations, and the 7,000&ndash;year&ndash;old Crater Lake&mdash;the deepest in all of North America.
Regional specialties: Notably warmer than up north in the better known Willamette Valley, the southern region grows rich dark fruit with higher sugar levels and intense flavors. Big, bold beefy reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc do well here. However, there are cooler areas of this region in the higher sections, which produce floral Viogner, crisp Riesling, savory Gewurtzraminer and spicy Syrah. 
Winery to try: A boutique family-run winery, J. Scott Cellars (tasting room located at <a href="http://www.jscottcellars.com" target="_blank">“The Wine Place”</a> on Hwy 101 &amp; 4th street, Eugene, OR) produces hand&ndash;crafted, award&ndash;winning Viogner, Pinot Blanc ($15.00 per bottle), Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Syrah. 

7. New Mexico Wine Country
Where: Who knew they make wine in Albuquerque? New Mexico is actually home to 42 wineries and tastings rooms, most located in the super sunny southern part of the state.
Why go: It's all about the bubbly! Sun&ndash;kissed days and cool nights in the high desert climate allows grapes to slowly ripen and chill&ndash;out at night to retain essential acids. The area produces some great sparkling wines. 
Regional specialties: Along with sparklers, some of the area’s specialties include Chardonnay, Johannisburg Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
Winery to try: Established in 1983, <a href="http://www.gruetwinery.com" target="_blank">Gruet Winery</a> (8400 Pan American Freeway N.E., Albuquerque, NM) was founded by brother and sister duo Nathalie and Laurent Gruet, who are sparkling&ndash;wine specialists and originally from the Champagne region of France. Their high&ndash;end vintage and reserve bubbly wines will put a dent in the bank, but many of their award&ndash;winning non&ndash;vintage sparklers like Brut, Rose, and Blanc Noir ($13.75) sell for under $20 and are available at stores and restaurants across the country. They also make terrific Chardonnay, Pinot Noir ($11.00) and Syrah. 

8. Wisconsin Wine Country
Where: The Badger State has five diverse wine regions, with 36 wineries across the state. The regions include Northwood in the north, the semi-central Fox Valley, Door County along the east coast, Driftless in the southwest, and Glacial Hill in the southeast. 
Why go: Wisconsin winemaking reaches back to the early 1840s, when Agoston Haraszthy, a Hungarian immigrant, established a vineyard and winery overlooking the Wisconsin River. Most tasting rooms are open daily and&mdash;not surprisingly&mdash;serve local cheese to pair with their wines. 
Regional specialties: Many Wisconsin wineries produce Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Domaine du Sac, a bright Beaujolais&ndash;style red. 
Winery to try: <a href="http://www.wollersheim.com" target="_blank">Wollersheim Winery</a> (7876 State Road 188, Prairie du Sac, WI), in Sauk City, is nestled in the hillside overlooking the Wisconsin River. The fun, friendly tasting room is terrific for swirling, sniffing and sipping Chardonnay, Domaine du Sac ($12.00 per bottle), Prairie Sunburst Red, and Domaine Reserve ($20.00 per bottle).
9. Missouri Wine Country
Where: With over 100 wineries, Missouri wine country is broken into five separate corridors: the Hermann Wine Trail, the Route Du Vin, the Missouri Weinstrasse, the Missouri River Wine Trail, and the Ozark Mountain Wine Trail. 
Why go: This is where it all began. Missouri winemaking dates back to the late&ndash;1830's, when German settlers arrived and planted grape vines in the town of Hermann, on the flanks of the Missouri River. That makes it the oldest wine region in the country. 
Regional specialties: Some of the area’s standouts whites include Chardonnay and sparkling wines. In red, look for the rich, robust, rustic Norton, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot ($39.00 per bottle). 
Winery to try: <a href="http://www.mountpleasant.com" target="_blank">Mount Pleasant Winery</a> (3125 Green Mountain Drive,Branson, MO) is one of the oldest and largest in the state, with over 150 years of winemaking experience. They offer classes, “bottle your own dessert wine” clinics, and daily tastings of their Bethelem Valley Chardonel, Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, and Bethlem Valley Norton ($28 per bottle). 
10. Mason-Dixon Wine Trail, York, Penn.
Where: This tasting trail winds through 14 family&ndash;owned wineries, from the Susquehanna River Valley in Pennsylvania to just south of the Mason&ndash;Dixon Line in Maryland. 
Why go: At these warm and friendly boutique tasting rooms, the winemaker is often on&ndash;hand to answer questions and discuss wines. 
Notable wines: Look for Riesling, Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin and fruit wines. 
Winery to try: Founded in 1975, <a href="http://www.naylorwine.com" target="_blank">Naylor Wine Cellars</a> (4069 Vineyard RoadStewartstown, PA) is the oldest winery in York County. With 35 acres of grapes, their award&ndash;winning Intimacy ice wine ($30 per bottle) is a crowd&ndash;pleaser as is the Vidal Perfection, Blush, Cabernet Franc, and Chamborcin. 
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The 10 Best Wine Regions You've Never Heard Of

<h4>Shenandoah Valley, Va.</h4>
107 miles from Washington, D.C.
A collection of 10 independent cities make up the Shenandoah Valley, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, an idyllic watercolor landscape and outdoor adventure haven.
<h4><a href="http://www.budgettravel.com/slideshow/photos-one-tank-escapes,8749/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SEE OUR SUMMER ROAD TRIPS!</a></h4>
Shenandoah National Park is famous for its outdoor beauty, accessible via both easy and difficult hiking trails, some of which are part of the park's 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail (540/999-3500, <a href="http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nps.gov/shen</a>, $15 per vehicle, $8 per person). The Limberlost Trail takes you past lush mountain laurel; Old Rag Mountain offers panoramic vistas. To refuel, perch in the Pollock Dining Room's taproom at Skyland Resort Lodge and order a Prohibition Punch, featuring local (legal) moonshine ($7.50), and a slice of famous blackberry ice cream pie, made from scratch from the season's harvest (540/999-2212, <a href="http://www.visitshenandoah.com/dining/skyland-restaurant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visitshenandoah.com/dining/skyland-restaurant</a>, Prohibition Punch $7.50, blackberry ice cream pie $6). Not outdoorsy? Stroll through downtown Winchester with a guided tour of the Patsy Cline Historic House, where the country star lived for five years (540/662-5555, <a href="http://celebratingpatsycline.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">celebratingpatsycline.org</a>, $8), or pick your own flowers in the fragrant fields at White Oak Lavender farm in Harrisonburg (540/421-6345, <a href="http://www.whiteoaklavender.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whiteoaklavender.com</a>, tours $5).
WHERE TO STAY Instead of camping out with her hubby FDR in Shenandoah National Park in 1936, Eleanor Roosevelt opted for luxury in Luray: "Franklin, you can rough it if you want, but I'm staying at the Mimslyn," she allegedly told the president. Even today, the property has opulent touches like Doric columns, formal gardens, and fine dining courtesy in the hotel's "upscale Southern" Circa '31 restaurant—necktie recommended (800/296-5105, <a href="http://mimslyninn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mimslyninn.com</a>, from $160).
DRIVING TIP I-81 runs the length of the valley and connects large towns like Winchester, Harrisonburg, and Stanton. Consider jumping onto Skyline Drive to take in some of the most beautiful mountain vistas in the U.S.
<h3>Yountville, Calif.</h3>
56 miles from San Francisco
A walkable mecca for wine and food enthusiasts, Yountville offers glasses of big California reds, award-winning bites, and lush Napa Valley scenery that's a refreshing change from San Francisco's cityscapes.
To sample vino, hop the Napa Valley Wine Train that chugs through the heart of town: It serves meals onboard, and visits local wineries for tours (800/427-4124, <a href="http://winetrain.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">winetrain.com</a>, from $135). Or go rogue and create your own tasting of five wines at Cornerstone Cellars (707/945-0388, <a href="http://www.cornerstonecellars.com//index.cfm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cornerstonecellars.com</a>). Get Michelin-star-quality flavor for less at chef Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc restaurant by partaking in the evening family-style four-course menu (707/944-2487, <a href="http://www.adhocrestaurant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adhocrestaurant.com</a>, $45); also, make time to walk through Keller's French Laundry Garden, which nurtures fresh vegetables and fruits used at French Laundry and Bouchon Bistro—it's free and open to the public. On a weekend morning, stop by Bouchon Bakery for the somewhat elusive chocolate doughnut—brioche dough filled with decadent chocolate pastry cream and topped with chocolate frosting and chocolate-covered Rice Krispies. But go early (it opens at 7) to score one (707-944-2253, <a href="http://www.bouchonbakery.com/yountville" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bouchonbakery.com/yountville</a>). Then float above the horizon on a group hot air balloon ride for eight to 12 passengers or take a romantic trip à deux with Napa Valley Balloons (800/253-2224, <a href="http://napavalleyballoons.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">napavalleyballoons.com</a>, from $210).
WHERE TO STAY For a French country feel, book a room at Maison Fleurie, a B&amp;B with a morning breakfast buffet and complimentary wine, tea, and hors d'oeuvres in the afternoon. Borrow bicycles from the front desk and go for a leisurely ride when you tire of tippling (800/788-0369, <a href="http://maisonfleurienapa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">maisonfleurienapa.com</a>, from $145).
DRIVING TIP The most direct route from San Francisco is I-80 East, over the Bay Bridge, to Highway 37 West and then Highway 29 through Napa Valley.
<h3>New Braunfels, Tex.</h3>
175 miles from Houston
If you visit New Braunfels and don't (a) eat German food or (b) get wet, you're doing something wrong. The town is well known for the innovative 65-acre Schlitterbahn Water Park, but its German history, food, and freshwater activities are equally compelling.
Floating down the spring-fed Comal River on giant inflatable "toobs" is essential in New Braunfels. Rent one for the day or take a guided group trip at Rockin 'R' River Rides (830/629-9999, <a href="http://rockinr.com/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rockinr.com</a>, call for a group trip quote). Quell your post-river appetite with one of 10 types of schnitzel, pan-fried bouletten (meatballs), or classic brats at Friesenhaus, one of the area's specialty German restaurants (830/625-1040, <a href="http://www.friesenhausnb.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">friesenhausnb.com</a>, schnitzel from $15). No German meal is complete without a hearty dessert, so pop into Naegelin's Bakery, "the oldest bakery in Texas, since 1868," for a big hunk of apple streudel—a whole one is more than two feet long (830/625-5722, <a href="http://naegelins.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">naegelins.com</a>).
WHERE TO STAY The 30-unit Greune Mansion Inn, right on the Guadalupe River, has a quiet, Victorian feel, with multiple historical buildings broken up into residences that guarantee each guest his or her own entrance and porch. Many of the units have river views (830/629-2641, <a href="http://gruenemansioninn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gruenemansioninn.com</a>, from $190).
DRIVING TIP Take I-10 to I-46, making sure to avoid Houston rush hour if you can help it.
<h3>Hood River, Ore.</h3>
62 miles from Portland
Orchards, wineries, and outdoor recreation are all hallmarks of this Columbia River Gorge destination.
Taking a drive on the whimsically named Fruit Loop steers you through 35 miles of orchards, vineyards, forests, and farmland (541/386-7697, <a href="http://www.hoodriverfruitloop.com/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hoodriverfruitloop.com</a>). Sampling the area's up-and-coming viticulture is another must: Columbia Wine Tours shuttles from two to 24 people to four wineries in four hours and provides bottled waters and snacks along the way (541/380-1410, <a href="http://hoodrivertours.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hoodrivertours.com</a>, two-person tour $140). Or if you prefer hops to grapes, swing by the Full Sail Brewing Company Tasting Room &amp; Pub for a sip (or three) of Full Sail Amber (541/386-2247, <a href="http://www.fullsailbrewing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fullsailbrewing.com</a>). Dubbed the "windsurfing capital of the world" by some, Hood River is an ideal place to test your mettle on the water: Hood River Waterplay offers five different levels of windsurfing classes, plus equipment rental if you need it (541/386-9463, <a href="http://hoodriverwaterplay.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hoodriverwaterplay.com</a>, from $69).
WHERE TO STAY Seven Oaks Bed and Breakfast describes itself as a "garden oasis," surrounded by two acres of flowering plant life and fenced in by Douglas firs. The four-unit house (plus separate cottage) provides storage for recreational equipment and serves organic eggs, jams, and pastries (541/386-7622, <a href="http://sevenoaksbb.com/amenities.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sevenoaksbb.com</a>, $160).
DRIVING TIP I-84—a.k.a. the Columbia River Highway—is a straight, gorgeous shot from Portland. Look for both mountains: Mount Hood and Mount Adams.
<h3>Harbor Country, Mich.</h3>
26 miles from Chicago
Hitting the beach in the heart of the Midwest is possible at Harbor Country, a group of eight towns on the white-sand beaches of Lake Michigan. The southern beaches of New Buffalo and Warren Dunes State Park are biggest, but individual townships have access too (harborcountry.org).
Charter a fishing boat in the New Buffalo Harbor with Cap'n D Charters to hunt down salmon, trout, bass, and blue gill (574/232-0436, <a href="http://capndcharters.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">capndcharters.com</a>, $500 for up to four people for six hours) or try surfing or stand-up paddleboarding in New Buffalo or St. Joseph, assisted by Third Coast Surf Shop (269/932-4575, thirdcoastsurfshop.com, $75 for a 90-minute private lesson). Afterward, head to Three Oaks to the brand-new organic Journeyman Distillery, nestled in a former corset-making factory, and kick back in the tasting room for a sample of Featherbone Bourbon, a nod to the turkey feathers that the corsets were fashioned out of (269/820-2050, <a href="http://journeymandistillery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">journeymandistillery.com</a>). Soak up the booze at Skip's in New Buffalo, famous for its ultra-tender prime rib (269/469-3330, <a href="http://skipsrestaurantandcatering.info/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skipsrestaurantandcatering.info</a>, from $22).
WHERE TO STAY Directly across the road from its own private beach, the 31-room Lakeside Inn, built in the late 1800s, has a front porch filled with rocking chairs, plus an on-site café (269/469-0600, <a href="http://lakesideinns.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lakesideinns.com</a>, from $80).
DRIVING TIP Stick to highways 90 or 94. Creatively taking the back roads will only lead you into stop-and-go traffic.
<h3>Clarksville, Tenn.</h3>
207 miles from Memphis
How to describe Clarksville? "Think Carrie Bradshaw meets Dolly Parton," suggests the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce's website. With entertainment offerings just as diverse as those two pop culture icons, Clarksville manages to be a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll.
The tobacco trade—specifically stemmeries—brought in the big bucks in Clarksville in the late 1800s: Tour the Greek Revival/Italinata-style Smith-Trahern mansion, built in 1958 by a wealthy tobacconist - the slaves' quarters out back are still standing, as is an adjacent 1700s cemetery (931/648-5725, <a href="http://fceclarksville.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fceclarksville.org</a>, $2). Continue exploring the past via the trails at Fort Defiance Civil War Park, between the Red and Cumberland rivers. The site was a Confederate fort that fell to Union soldiers in 1862; soon after, it served as a safe place for freed and runaway slaves (931/472-3351, <a href="http://fortdefianceclarksville.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fortdefianceclarksville.com</a>). Or, hike one of three trails at Dunbar Cave State Park—the caves were once mined for gunpowder (931/648-5526, <a href="http://tn.gov/environment/parks/DunbarCave/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tn.gov/environment/parks/dunbarcave</a>). Cool off afterward amid 1870s architecture downtown, at the Blackhorse Pub &amp; Brewery, which makes its own beer onsite, including the signature Barnstormer Red Ale, made with Bavarian Hallertau hops. Pair it with one of the eatery's specialty pizzas, like the Whitehorse, a pie topped with alfredo sauce, fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, feta, provolone, and mozzarella (931/552-3726, <a href="http://www.theblackhorsepub.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theblackhorsepub.net</a>, from $15.50).
WHERE TO STAY For an authentic 1800s experience, drive 15 miles southwest of Clarksville to Lylewood Inn Bed &amp; Breakfast in Indian Mound, run by Mandy Williams. The rich antebellum décor—some rooms have claw-foot bathtubs—is matched in decadence only by the group meals: In addition to the requisite country breakfast, home-cooked dinners can include glazed pork loin, garlic cheese biscuits, and fresh berry cobbler (931/232-4203, <a href="http://lylewoodinn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lylewoodinn.com</a>, from $75).
DRIVING TIP Take Highway 40 to Highway 24, but don't fear the backroads. Visit the Tennessee Trails and Byways website for multiple mapped driving routes from different destinations - like the "Screaming Eagle" trail that begins in Nashville (<a href="http://tntrailsandbyways.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tntrailsandbyways.com</a>).
<h3>Excelsior Springs, Mo.</h3>
28 miles from Kansas City, Mo.
Soak up the late-18th and early-19th century history of Excelsior Springs, a Missouri town that boomed due to its wealth of pure, natural springwater. Early tourists came from miles around to bathe in the mineral-rich H2O and hopefully heal their ailments, and the city has preserved that craze via historic buildings and walking tours.
Belly up to the world's longest water bar, housed in the Art Deco-style Hall of Waters and Cultural Museum, built in 1937, where you can taste the mineral waters that put Excelsior Springs on the map (816/637-2811, <a href="http://visitesprings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visitesprings.com</a>). A few blocks down, stop into Oooey Gooey Chocolates for a chocolate-dipped Twinkie on a stick—your choice of either milk or white chocolate (816/630-9255, <a href="http://www.oooeygooey.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oooeygooey.com</a>, $2.25). Or get away from it all at the 40-acre Knott Nature Sanctuary, which features education and recreation programs that include hiking, camping, and gardening and landscaping (816/630-2872).
WHERE TO STAY Notorious characters Al Capone and Bugsy Malone reportedly threw their own bathtub gin and gambling parties at The Elms Resort and Spa, which reopened this year for its 100th anniversary after a multi-million-dollar renovation that includes a spa with a hydrotherapy grotto. The hotel is perhaps best known, though, for being the place Harry S. Truman found out he'd defeated Dewey for the presidency in 1948 (816/630-5500, <a href="http://elmshotelandspa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elmshotelandspa.com</a>, from $139).
DRIVING TIP The quickest way to get to Excelsior Springs: Catch I-35 North from downtown Kansas City, then take Highway 69 to Excelsior.
<h3>Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.</h3>
30 miles from New York City
Indulge your love of literature, the arts, and lifestyles of the rich and famous in this storied region north of New York City.
Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman live on (in spirit, anyway) in the Sleep Hollow Cemetery, which author Washington Irving name-checked in his 1820  story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Walk the grounds for free and visit cemetery residents including Irving himself, Andrew Carnegie, Elizabeth Arden, and William and J.D. Rockefeller, or take a two-hour, lantern-lit guided evening tour—if you dare (914/631-0081, <a href="http://www.sleepyhollowcemetery.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleepyhollowcemetery.org</a>, guided tour $25). For a quick bite, select a hot "Fleetwood original" calzone (stuffed with pepperoni, sausage, peppers, onions, mozzarella, and tomato sauce) from Fleetwood Pizzeria, founded by the Guzzo family in 1965 (914/631-3267, <a href="http://fleetwoodpizza.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fleetwoodpizza.com</a>, $5.75). Drive two miles northwest, on Bedford Road, to Pocantico Hills to see how the other half lived at Kykuit: The Rockefeller Estate. Drift through the main rooms of the six-story stone house, past the fountains and sculptures dotting the expansive gardens, and tour the underground art galleries, replete with works by Picasso and Warhol (914/631-8200, <a href="http://www.hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/kykuit/tours" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/kykuit/tours</a>, from $23).
WHERE TO STAY Venture eight miles north of Sleepy Hollow to bunk at the Alexander Hamilton House, an eight-unit Victorian B&amp;B with an eight-foot-deep swimming pool and a giant lawn chess set in the backyard (914/271-6737, alexanderhamiltonhouse.com, from $135).
DRIVING TIP Allow traveling time for New York City traffic—the 25-mile drive can take much longer than an hour, even during off-peak hours.

One-Tank Escapes From 8 American Cities

DAY 1 From the San Juan airport, my friend Josh and I hit the ground running. We'd normally rent a convertible no matter what the weather was like, but with blue skies and an 80-degree day there's no question--the ragtop PT Cruiser is ideal. 
Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since 1917, but the 51st state it is not: The culture is Latin and the language is Spanish. Even the automated tollbooth on Highway 3 blurts out "Gracias!" after we toss in a few coins.
We're headed to El Yunque National Forest, a 28,000-acre tropical rain forest that's home to more than 200 species of trees. About four miles after the town of Río Grande, we turn south on tiny Route 191, and our view morphs from large roadside restaurants to corner stores, then to fields fringed by palms and bamboo. El Yunque is in the Luquillo Mountains, and as we drive up the two-lane road, the air grows cool and damp. At El Portal Rain Forest Center, we pick up trail maps and then continue our drive to the Mount Britton Lookout Tower trailhead--the start of an <a target="_blank" name="SLIDESHOW"></a>easy half-mile hike, most of which is paved.
At the top, Josh and I climb the steps of the lookout tower, a 30-foot-tall stone structure that resembles a chess rook. We meet a pair of honeymooners from Kansas City and enjoy sweeping views of the cloud forest canopy. It's peaceful, but we're anxious to reach the peak of El Yunque, so we start up the trail that leads to the summit.
Josh, a photographer, is dying to get shots of the scenery, which looks as if it belongs inKing Kong: Giant tree ferns line the path, and in the distance jagged green peaks sit engulfed by a thick, swirling fog. There's another hour before the park closes, so after completing our first trek of the day, we drive to the Palo Colorado Visitor Center parking lot. We hike hurriedly to the main attraction, La Mina Falls--a 35-foot-tall waterfall. Swimming in the natural pool is against the rules, but many people are doing it anyway.
Josh and I hotfoot it back to the car. We have a 45-mile drive to Yabucoa, and we're starving from our long day of hiking. But at the family-runParador Palmas de Lucía, we hear some bad news. "Can you recommend any restaurants in town?" I ask Anna, the receptionist. "At this time of night?" she says. It's 7:15 p.m., and apparently most of the restaurants in Yabucoa close by 6 p.m. Fortunately, Parador Palmas de Lucía has a restaurant, so Josh and I toast our day with Medalla Light beer, dine on skirt steaks and stuffed plantain fritters, and retire to our room with a view of the sea.
Lodging
<ul>
<li>Parador Palmas de LucíaRte. 901 at Rte. 9911, Yabucoa, 787/893-4423, <a href="http://www.palmasdelucia.com" target="_blank">palmasdelucia.com</a>, from $84</li>
</ul>
Activities
<ul>
<li>El Yunque National ForestRte. 191, 787/888-1880, <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean" target="_blank">www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean</a>, $3</li>
</ul>
DAY 2 There's not much to do in Yabucoa, so we get directions from the receptionist and drive off. It'll be the first of many times we're told to make a left when we really should be going right, but the detour takes us past a roadside fruit stand where we buy bananas, baby pineapple, and juicy yellow mangoes for breakfast. Realizing our miscue, we turn and make a beeline for La Ruta Panoáámica, a scenic stretch of winding one-lane roads that cut through the center of the island.
Soon we reach theSantuario Diocesano Virgen del Carmen, a Catholic church and holy site (a woman who is locally revered once lived and worshipped there). There's a grotto, too, and we're told by the bookstore's cashier that the spring water cures cancer and other illnesses. Curious, we walk down a series of steps to find an elderly woman whose adult son is splashing water on her eyes. With our rudimentary Spanish, we learn that she has cataracts. We're all for divine intervention, but our focus soon turns to lunch.
As we roll into Guavate, it's easy to see why the small mountain town is known for its roast pig. The main drag is lined with restaurants proudly displaying pigs roasting on spits. We chooseEl Rancho Original, an open-air, cafeteria-style restaurant that roasts at least two pigs a day. We order plates of the house specialty, rice and beans, and fried plantains, then grab a seat at a shady picnic table on the porch.
It's 50 miles to Ponce, so after lunch we get on fast-moving Highway 52. Our first stop in Ponce, a bustling city, is thePonce Museum of Art. With more than 3,000 pieces, including an important collection of Pre-Raphaelite works, the museum is a refreshing surprise, literally: The air-conditioning is as enjoyable as what's hanging on the walls.
Later that day we check into theHotel Meliá, a 73-room inn in the heart of the city's historic zone; our room has a balcony overlooking the main plaza. For dinner, the receptionist recommendsPito's Seafood, about four miles southwest. It's a romantic spot right on the water, and as we dine on fresh cobia, we can't help but lament the absence of our significant others.
Josh and I skip a sit-down dessert in favor ofKing's Cream, a popular ice-cream shop located on the ground floor of our hotel. At 9:30 p.m., the line is out the door. We eventually order cones ofguanábana (soursop) and stroll around Las Delicias Plaza.
Lodging
<ul>
<li>Hotel MeliáCalle Cristina, Ponce, 787/842-0260, <a href="http://www.hotelmeliapr.com/" target="_blank">hotelmeliapr.com</a>, from $95</li>
</ul>
Food
<ul>
<li>El Rancho OriginalRte. 184, Guavate, 787/747-7296, pig plate $7</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Pito's SeafoodRte. 2, Ponce, 787/841-4977, cobia $22</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>King's CreamCalle Cristina, Ponce, 787/843-8520</li>
</ul>
Activities
<ul>
<li>Santuario Diocesano Virgen del CarmenRte. 7740, San Lorenzo, 787/736-5750, free</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Ponce Museum of Art2325 Ave. Las Américas, Ponce, 787/848-0505, <a href="http://www.museoarteponce.org/" target="_blank">museoarteponce.org</a>, $5</li>
</ul>
DAY 3 Josh has a real sweet tooth, so when I tell him that we're going to Ricomini Bakery for breakfast, he's delighted. We've been tipped off about the brazo gitano--sponge cake rolled with fruit and cheese and then dusted with powdered sugar. It's traditionally a special-occasion dessert, but it sure goes well with morning coffee.
The bakery is in Mayagüez, an industrial city on the west coast, and when we finally get a taste of the guava-filled cake, we agree that all the wrong turns were worth it. We're tempted to see what else is nearby, but the laid-back surf town of Rincón is just 15 miles northwest.
Lined with towering palms, the winding Route 413--known locally as the Road to Happiness--allows us our first glimpse of the Atlantic. We stop right away atRincón Surf &amp; Board, a surf school and hotel that also rents surfboards. Cobby, who moved from San Diego to Rinóón to become a surf instructor, helps us rent nine-foot longboards and offers to escort us to Maria's Beach, one of nearly a dozen local breaks, which he swears is "going off."
Josh and I stick our boards nose down in the backseat and follow Cobby. The waves are chest high, perfect for us East Coasters. By the time we dry off, it's happy hour at theCalypso Cafe, an outdoor bar steps from the beach. We grab a cool rum punch each and watch the sun dip into the ocean.
AtThe Tapas Bar at Casa Isleña, we eat the best food of the trip so far: small plates, starting at $3, of dishes such as seared yellowfin tuna, empanadas stuffed with beef and olives, and skirt steak marinated in ginger, garlic, and soy.
We have a reservation for tonight atBeside the Pointe, a guesthouse where the beachfront location makes up for the below-average rooms. It has one of the liveliest bars in Rincón, where we drink one too many Heinekens on the deck.
Lodging
<ul>
<li>Beside the PointeRte. 413, Sandy Beach, Rincón, 888/823-8550, <a href="http://www.besidethepointe.com/" target="_blank">besidethepointe.com</a>, from $70</li>
</ul>
Food
<ul>
<li>Ricomini Bakery101 Calle Méndez Vigo, Mayagüez, 787/833-1444</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Calypso CafeMaria's Beach, Rincón, 787/823-1626, <a href="http://www.calypsopr.com" target="_blank">calypsopr.com</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Tapas Bar at Casa Isleña Puntas, Rincón, 787/823-1525, <a href="http://www.casa-islena.com/" target="_blank">casa-islena.com</a></li>
</ul>
Activities
<ul>
<li>Rincón Surf &amp; BoardPuntas, Rincón, 787/823-0610, <a href="http://www.surfandboard.com/" target="_blank">surfandboard.com</a>, board rental $20</li>
</ul>
DAY 4 Nearly everyone we met the night before raved about breakfast at La Rosa Inglesa. Opened in 2006, the hilltop B&amp;B is run by Ruth and Jethro Wickenden Rivera, a cheery couple who met in Britain and moved to Rincón. They constructed the building from the ground up, and, says our waitress, "have been serving the best breakfast in town ever since." After trying the huevos rancheros and limeade, we couldn't agree more.
We're used to getting lost by now, and we take some time to findRío Camuy Cave Park, home to one of the world's largest cave systems. The guide's humor feels canned, but once inside the main cave, we pay little attention. The place ishuge. My childhood trip to Virginia's Luray Caverns was nothing like this. The dome is 170 feet high, and there's a giant stalagmite directly below that's 30 feet in diameter. Each step is more eye-popping than the last.
We drive north to the coastal city of Arecibo. Ice-cream trucks and food vans line the road nearArecibo Lighthouse &amp; Historical Park, and dozens of cars are parked at all angles. But where is everybody? After climbing the steps of Los Morrillos Lighthouse, we're still baffled--until we spot La Posa, a packed, crescent-shaped beach. When we go down for a closer look, we see a massive tidal pool. It's jammed with kids and other shallow-water swimmers; Josh and I are convinced that we're the only tourists.
It's our last chance for a swim before our drive to San Juan, so we dash for the water. A little while later we visit a food truck formofongo al ajillo--made with mashed plantains and garlicky shrimp--then drive east on scenic Route 681. The ocean-hugging road doesn't last as long as we'd like it to, but neither did our time in Puerto Rico.
Food
<ul>
<li>La Rosa InglesaEnsenada, Rincón, 787/823-4032, <a href="http://www.larosainglesa.com/" target="_blank">larosainglesa.com</a>, eggs $7</li>
</ul>
Activities
<ul>
<li>Río Camuy Cave ParkRte. 129, 787/898-3100, $12</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Arecibo LighthouseRte. 655, Arecibo, 787/817-1936, <a href="http://www.arecibolighthouse.com/" target="_blank">arecibolighthouse.com</a>, $9</li>
</ul>
Finding Your Way To get a copy of Puerto Rico's tourist mag, Qué Pasa!, in advance, contact Puerto Rico Tourism Co. (800/866-7827, <a href="http://www.gotopuertorico.com/" target="_blank">gotopuertorico.com</a>). Also, a GPS navigation system like the Garmin StreetPilot will come in handy. As for your rental car, stick with an economy or compact, especially if you're driving along La Ruta Panorámica. The one-lane roads can be fairly difficult for larger vehicles.

An Outdoor-Lovers Guide to Puerto Rico

Fabled in song and story-remember Shenandoah! the movie (with James Stewart) and Broadway musical?-Virginia's Shenandoah Country welcomes visitors with a full agenda of compelling things to see and do: Civil War history, wine tastings, nineteenth-century villages, cave tours, antiques shopping, a museum filled with colorful Rose Parade floats, tubing on the Shenandoah River, a visit to a gourmet potato chip factory. Happily, many of these activities are free, and the rest won't bust your budget. Similarly, chain motels quoting rates of $55 to $65 for two are plentiful, and you can dine nightly on roast ham, fried chicken, tasty pork barbecue, and other Virginia treats for about $10 per person. Consider this four-day, 450-mile drive a down-home getaway.
By Shenandoah Country, I mean both Shenandoah Valley and Shenandoah National Park. The 110-mile-long valley is tucked between the Blue Ridge Mountains on the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west. Traced by the meandering Shenandoah River, it is a popular regional playground. The national park embraces a 100-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge, where forested peaks climb above 4,000 feet. On this circle tour, you will drive south through the valley and return north on Skyline Drive, the park's scenic ridgetop road.
A fertile region of farms and orchards set among green, rolling hills, the Shenandoah Valley has played an important role in American history. In the early eighteenth century it was the raw frontier, where a young Colonel George Washington commanded Virginia troops during the French and Indian War. In the Civil War, it became the breadbasket of the Confederacy, feeding General Robert E. Lee's troops until almost the end. General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Lee's valued lieutenant, earned his first laurels defending the valley. Both are buried in Lexington, a pretty Shenandoah Valley college town that today is something of a Southern Civil War shrine.
In a hurry, you can drive the length of the valley from Winchester in the north to Lexington in the south in a little over two hours on busy I-81. But on this trip, we'll stick mostly to U.S. 11, the Old Valley Pike, a lightly traveled, mostly two-lane road that covers the same route at a more leisurely pace. As a city dweller, I often pull over to watch newborn farm animals-calves, colts, kids, and lambs-scampering in the fields.
Getting started
Fly into one of the Washington, D.C., area's three airports. Generally, the best fares are available into Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) in suburban Maryland, a hub for Southwest Airlines, America's largest discount airline. America West, another discounter, also operates out of BWI. But the most convenient airport is Washington Dulles International (IAD) in suburban Virginia, served by a trio of discount carriers: AirTran, America West, and JetBlue. Discounters ATA and America West fly into Washington's third airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), just minutes from the White House and the U.S. Capitol.
This drive begins at Dulles, located less than an hour from Shenandoah Valley. Dulles is 60 miles from BWI and 35 miles from Reagan National. Rental cars average $175 a week at various Dulles counters.
Day one: On the road
From Washington Dulles International Airport to Winchester, Virginia, 60 miles. The drive gets off to a scenic start, crossing through Virginia's affluent horse country. Stately stone mansions stand surrounded by acres of broad green pastures, where aristocratic-looking steeds graze contentedly. Jacqueline Kennedy lived and rode here. To view the rich, stop in Middleburg, the hub of the horsey set. Browse its elegant antiques shops just to see the museum-quality items for sale.
A few miles west, the road (U.S. 50) skirts the little village of Paris and climbs a modest Blue Ridge pass called Ashby Gap. From the summit, you descend into the Shenandoah Valley. In minutes, you will cross the Shenandoah River, which flows rather lazily in summer en route to its confluence with the Potomac River. This drive crisscrosses the Shenandoah many times.
Winchester claims to be the first city established west of the Blue Ridge. At least eight structures in the Old Town district date back to the late 1700s. Among them is George Washington's Office, a log-and-stone cabin preserved as a museum (adults, $5). It focuses on the year 1755 to 1756, when Washington was assigned to protect the western frontier from attack.
Nearby, the white home with a cannon on the lawn is Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters (540/667-3242; $5), a museum detailing Jackson's stay from 1861 to 1862, when his troops fought off Union attempts to seize the valley. Winchester is said to have changed hands more than 70 times during the Civil War.
Country music fans will want to see the home, grave site, and other landmarks celebrating the life of singer Patsy Cline, who was born and raised in Winchester. Pick up free brochures about local area attractions at the Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center (800/662-1360; 1360 S. Pleasant Valley Rd.).
Details
From Dulles, take Virginia Route 28 south five miles to U.S. 50 west to Winchester. Stay at the 113-room Red Roof Inn (540/667-5000), $60; or the 62-room Super 8 (800/800-8000), $55 weekdays, $65 weekends. Dine with the local folks at the friendly, funky Amherst Diner (540/665-4450), where the pork chop plate with dressing and vegetables is priced at an easy $7.25. More romantic is the Cork Street Tavern (540/667-3777). Try the broiled trout at $9.95. Information 800/662-1360, visitwinchesterva.com.
Day two: Winchester to Lexington, 160 miles
Today's drive mostly follows U.S. 11 past prosperous farms and quiet nineteenth-century towns, each with a special attraction.
Still a breadbasket, the Shenandoah Valley markets lots of locally grown produce. But perhaps its most famous edibles are the gourmet potato chips made at Route 11 Potato Chips, a small factory in Middletown, just south of Winchester. The chips are fried the old-fashioned way-hand-stirred in small batches in bubbling kettles. Visitors can watch through the kitchen window (no charge). Samples on Friday and Saturday; best to come before 11 a.m.
On October 19, 1864, Middletown was the setting for the last great Civil War battle in the valley, when the North finally claimed victory. The story is told at the Cedar Creek Battlefield Visitor Center ($5), which overlooks a landscape little changed since then. In the distance stately Belle Grove ($7), an eighteenth-century plantation home, is maintained as a museum by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. You don't have to tour the house to enjoy its magnificent Blue Ridge views. Walk among the gardens and orchards at no cost. Both sites are part of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historic Park.
Down the road in Strasburg, browse the Great Strasburg Antiques Emporium, where 100 dealers display objects (some expensive, most not) from America's past. My wife frequently snaps up fancy porcelain serving dishes at a bargain. Treat the kids to a swim at Half-Moon Beach Park ($5 adult, $3 ages four to nine, add $2 on weekends), a 16-acre rock-quarry lake in the woods with a five-acre white-sand beach. It's the Strasburg swimming pool.
On to Edinburg, home of Shenandoah Vineyards. In recent years, Virginia's more than 70 wineries have begun winning raves for quality vintages. Judge for yourself at the vineyard's rustic tasting room, a red barn in the midst of 40 acres of grapevines. I stopped recently to sample a fruity Chardonnay and the offbeat Shenandoah Ruby. No charge for tasting, and the view is grand.
Now it's the youngsters' turn for fun again. Take them to American Celebration on Parade ($8), a massive museum of famous parade floats located south of Mount Jackson. The museum displays 27 huge floats, all but three of which appeared in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.
I'm a Northerner, and my sympathies do not lie with the Confederate cause. This said, I can admit that I came away touched by the story told at the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park ($8) in New Market. On May 15, 1864, a band of 247 teenage cadets, hastily assembled at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, charged an attacking Union line and helped win a Southern victory. The Visitor Center movie, Field of Lost Shoes, which focuses on the death of one young Confederate hero, is especially poignant.
Enough sightseeing for the day? Relax and enjoy the scenery as you cover the remaining 75 miles to Lexington. En route, take a look at Staunton's beautifully restored nineteenth-century town center. And connect here to Virginia Route 252 to Lexington, one of the valley's loveliest roads. A twisting, two-lane pathway, it tops a series of rolling hills, yielding a view of farm-country America as beautiful as you could hope to find. Every turn presents a landscape worthy of a painting: a grand old farmhouse on the far hilltop; a tall, brick silo looking worn but solid; bales of hay rolled up in the fields; a pasture of Black Angus cattle knee-deep in lush, green grass; lots of sheep, of course; Moffatts Creek tumbling by the roadside; and thick stands of trees, where the branches reach across the road to form a shimmering tunnel in the sunlight.
Details
From Winchester, take U.S. 11 south to Staunton, connecting to Virginia Route 252/39 into Lexington. Stay in Lexington at the 50-room Super 8 (800/800-8000), $65 weekdays, $72 weekends; or the 148-room Red Oak Inn (800/521-9131), $65 weekdays, $75 weekends. Dine at Aunt Sarah's Restaurant (540/464-5227); the cod plate is $7. Information 877/453-9822, lexingtonvirginia.com.
Day three: Blue Ridge Vistas Lexington to Skyland Resort, 140 miles
Spend the morning touring Lexington on foot. Pick up a map at the Visitor Center (106 E. Washington St.).
Visit Robert E. Lee's tomb at Washington and Lee University, where Lee served as president after the Civil War, and the Stonewall Jackson House ($5), which Jackson bought when he was a professor at Virginia Military Institute. Pay your respects, too, to their famous horses. Lee's horse Traveller is buried on the grounds of Washington and Lee; Jackson's mount, Little Sorrel, stands as if alive at the VMI Museum. In a glass case nearby is the raincoat Jackson was wearing when he was accidentally shot. Look for the fatal bullet hole below the left shoulder.
From Lexington, begin the return trip north on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We will cover only 20 miles of the famed 469-mile ridgetop parkway, but it's enough to give you a taste of this spectacular drive. Keep an eye open for deer, which are plentiful. Glide down from the mountains on Virginia Route 56 to Vesuvius to visit the McCormick Farm (no charge) in yet another gorgeous pastoral setting. Here in 1831 Cyrus McCormick demonstrated the first successful mechanical grain reaper in the fields near his farm. Tour his blacksmith shop and gristmill, and a museum.
Head back into the mountains at Waynesboro, southern gateway to Shenandoah National Park. The park's 105-mile Skyline Drive was built to show off the scenery. Flowing like a stream among the rocky peaks, it offers grand valley views. Far below, green pastures and golden fields form a patchwork quilt, and the Shenandoah River makes silvery loops.
Skyline tempts motorists to stop at nearly 80 overlooks. That's one way to see the park. The best way, though, is to go for a walk in the woods. About 28 miles into the park, Ivy Creek Overlook provides an opportunity to hike a short, rock-strewn stretch of the Appalachian Trail. You might bump into a bear here, but don't count on it.
Tonight's stay is in the park. At dusk, watch the lights twinkle on in the valley.
Details
From Lexington, take U.S. 60 east to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Travel 20 miles north and exit on Virginia Route 56 west. At Steeles Tavern take U.S. 11/340 north to Waynesboro and the entrance to Shenandoah National Park. Follow Skyline Drive to Skyland Resort. Stay at 174-room Skyland (800/999-4714), beginning at $55 weekdays, $70 weekends. Also in the park is 97-room Big Meadows Lodge (800/999-4714), beginning at $70 weekdays, $85 weekends. Dine with a grand view at Skyland Resort or Big Meadows. At Skyland, the fried-chicken plate with apple fritters is $9.55. Information 540/999-3500, nps.gov/shen.
Day Four: On the River Skyland Resort to Dulles Airport, 100 miles
From Skyland, drop back down into the valley for one last look. In Luray, consider a one-hour tour of Luray Caverns ($16), which claims to be the region's largest cave. A guide leads the way through cathedral-size chambers of fantastical stone formations. Easier on the budget is the adjacent Garden Maze ($5), a one-acre footpath puzzle formed by eight-foot-tall evergreens.
Save time for a Shenandoah River trip. At Bentonville, 14 miles north, Downriver Canoe Company (800/338-1963, downriver.com) will put you on the Shenandoah in a canoe, rubber raft, kayak, or inner tube. A three-mile, three-hour tube float with shuttle service costs $14 per person. Or plan a picnic at Shenandoah River State Park ($3 per car), which boasts five miles of river frontage. And then head for the airport and home.
Details
From Skyland Resort, head north ten miles, exiting west to Luray on U.S. 211. From Luray, take U.S. 340 north through Bentonville to Front Royal. Return to Dulles quickly on I-66 east to Virginia Route 28 north.

Exploring Shenandoah Country

<h2>What's Included</h2>
<ul><li>Accommodations for two adults (18 and older) in a Standard Room with a King or Queen Bed, April 1 - June 27, 2024<ul><li>$179 per night ... Room-only; Sundays-Thursdays</li><li>$279 per night ... Weekday Package; Sundays-Thursdays</li><li>$689 for 2 nights ... Weekend Package; Fridays-Saturdays</li></ul></li><li>The Travelzoo-exclusive packages come with:<ul><li>One welcome bottle of wine (per room; $30 value)</li><li>One dinner for two at Forty at Thorn Hill Restaurant (one starter or salad and entrée per person; reg. up to $176)</li><li>Daily breakfast for two adults (reg. $50 per day)</li></ul></li><li>This offer applies to the following rooms: Mt. Pierce, Mt. Webster, Eisenhower, Monroe, Jackson, Adams, Stanford White and Trailside Cottage (based on availability)</li><li>Not available: April 5-8; May 17-18, 24-26</li><li>Price is per room, not per person</li></ul><h2>More Reasons to Go</h2>
<ul><li>There are only 16 rooms, each individually decorated with colonial-style furnishings, gas fireplaces and Whirlpool tubs </li><li>Let's not forget the food—hotel dining options range from casual pub food at the Tavern to gourmet specialties, all of which come with mountain views </li><li>There's a full-service spa on site if you're looking to indulge in some R&R. You'll also find loads of restaurants and boutique shopping in North Conway (just a 15-minute drive away) </li><li>The White Mountain National Forest offers a bevy of year-round activities, including hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking</li></ul>

Travelzoo

Idyllic New Hampshire inn this spring, 50% off - $179

<h2>Discover the USA’s most charming state on two wheels</h2><ul><li>Starting in bustling Burlington, swap city lights for peaceful nights as you cycle through rolling hills and verdant farmland towards the delightful town of Middlebury.</li><li>Visit the country’s smallest state capital, Montpelier, where you’ll pedal past the beautiful Vermont State House and stop by a family-run maple syrup farm.</li><li>Take on the Smugglers Notch Loop, a challenging climb followed by a freewheeling descent down through some of Vermont’s most charming towns.</li><li>Spend 2 nights in the idyllic New England village of Stowe, so beautiful even the Von Trapp Family call it home.</li><li>With a local leader to guide the way, you’ll find out what they love about Vermont and learn about the state’s history, culture and landscapes as you cycle.</li></ul><h1>Budget Travel readers get 15% OFF Use Intrepid coupon code: 691016</h1>
Read <a href="https://www.budgettravel.com/intrepid-coupon-terms-and-conditions" target="_blank">Terms and Conditions</a>

Intrepid

Cycle Vermont

Luray is the county seat of Page County, Virginia, United States, in the Shenandoah Valley in the northern part of the commonwealth. The population was 4,895 at the 2010 census.The town was started by William Staige Marye in 1812, a descendant of a family native to Luray, France. The mayor of the town is Jerry Dofflemyer.

Luray, Virginia

Established in 1998 as America’s favorite Go-To travel magazine, Budget Travel inspires and empowered millions of Americans to become savvy travelers and see more for less. For over two decades, Budget Travel has provided readers with the how-to advice they won’t find elsewhere: Destinations where the dollar goes the farthest; authentic, under-the-radar tips; and a template for getting the most from each travel experience. We focus on U.S. domestic travel, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, road trips, cool small towns, American cities of all sizes, weekend getaways, theme parks, cruises, national and state parks, round-ups of the best budget destinations, island escapes, start-today tips and how-to stories. Budget travel is not about cheap places and backpacking, it is about creating the best travel memories with whatever money you have. That's why our new site experience integrates a private booking platform with discounts of up to 50% in all sorts of hotels, from 5-stars, chic boutique hotels, and even motels.

<title>Budget Travel | Luray</title>

Luray

Rappahannock County is a county located in the northern Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, US, adjacent to Shenandoah National Park. In 2019, the population was estimated to be 7,370. Its county seat is Washington. The name "Rappahannock" comes from the Algonquian word lappihanne (also noted as toppehannock), meaning "river of quick, rising water" or "where the tide ebbs and flows." The county is included in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Rappahannock County is a county located in the northern Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia, US, adjacent to Shenandoah National Park. In 2019, the population was estimated to be 7,370.  Its county seat is Washington. The name "Rappahannock" comes from the Algonquian word lappihanne (also noted as toppehannock), meaning "river of quick, rising water" or "where the tide ebbs and flows." The county is included in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Rappahannock

Madison County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,308. Its county seat is Madison.

Madison

Front Royal is the only incorporated town in Warren County, Virginia, United States. The population was 14,440 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Warren County.

Front Royal  is the only incorporated town in Warren County, Virginia, United States. The population was 14,440 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Warren County.

Front Royal

Greene County is a county in Virginia in the eastern United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 18,403. Its county seat is Stanardsville.Greene County is part of the Charlottesville, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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Idyllic New Hampshire inn this spring, 50% off - $179

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