Friday: Campground/Hotel Check-in and Dinner at a Brewery or Winery

Where to Stay in Luray

Luray is a popular camping area, and you can find some great camping, glamping, and RV resorts. Try Luray RV Resort or Jellystone Luray, both of which have lakes to fish in and loads of other activities (including water parks if you visit in summer). Luray RV Resort also has an on-site playground, a sports area, a bike obstacle course, and an outdoor remote-controlled car racetrack.

If camping isn't your thing, The Mimslyn Inn and Hillside Hotel are close to all of Luray's attractions. The Mimslyn offers a more luxurious retreat, while Hillside is a pet-friendly motel with a fire pit area.

Kid-Friendly Breweries and Wineries in Luray

Many breweries and wineries in Luray are family-friendly and a great way to kick off the weekend. Hawksbill Brewing has lots of space inside and an outdoor area with picnic tables. Coal Ridge Brewery is about 15 to 20 minutes from Luray and has a swing set on its lawn for the kids. If wine is more your speed, Castle Vineyards has a similar vibe, with lots of wide-open green space and a menu that appeals to both kids and grown-ups, including charcuterie meats and cheeses, hummus and pita chips, and apple juice.

See impressive rock formations, underground lakes, and more at Luray Caverns.  

Saturday: Caverns and Shenandoah National Park

Morning: Check out the Caverns

Luray has three different caverns to explore: Endless Caverns, Skyline Caverns, and Luray Caverns. They're all different, but they're all very cool. Endless Caverns is a smaller, more intimate experience. Skyline Caverns is also small, but has a train ride and a mirror maze. And Luray Caverns is large with a lot of caverns to explore, as well as other on-site attractions including the Car & Carriage museum, the Shenandoah Heritage Museum, and even a garden maze.

Afternoon: Peep the Fall Foliage

If you're in Luray in the fall, you're in for a treat—Shenandoah National Park is known for its beautiful autumn colors set against the mountains. Drive along Skyline Drive to see the leaves from the comfort of your car, or do a kid-friendly hike in the park to take in the beauty of fall in Luray. Stop at the Front Royal or Luray visitor's center on your way into town for a map to see exactly where you can enter and exit Skyline Drive. Tip: Plan your route ahead of time, because GPS signals are spotty up in the mountains.

If you choose to walk amongst the beautiful autumn colors and scenery, Shenandoah National Park has lots of hiking trails, many of which are kid-friendly. Try the Limberlost Trail (Skyline Drive Mile 41), the Dark Hollow Falls Trail (Skyline Drive Mile 50), the Stony Man Trail (Skyline Drive Mile 41 in the northern Skyline parking lot), or the Millers Head Trail (Skyline Drive Mile 42.5), which are all easy, short hikes with gorgeous fall foliage and great valley views.

Evening: Dinner at a Kid-Friendly Restaurant

Take your pick of kid-friendly restaurants in Luray. Anthony's Pizza serves up delicious, adult-approved pizza, and Il Vesuvio has pizza and other Italian classics. Triple Crown BBQ offers mouth-watering BBQ, and Southern Kitchen has the "best fried chicken in Shenandoah County," serving family-style meals.

Sunday: Take in Vintage Charm

Option 1: Luray Zoo

Visit retired zoo animals, unwanted pets, and other reptiles, mammals, birds, and more at this small animal-rescue zoo, home to one of the largest venomous snake collections on the East Coast. There's an on-site petting zoo where kids can get up close with several animals.

Explore Front Royal's charming and historic downtown. 

Option 2: Front Royal

Check out of your hotel and head back towards DC, but not before stopping in this cute town less than 30 minutes from Luray. Front Royal was incorporated in 1788 and has a historic downtown, with several businesses still showing off original features. On Sundays there is a farmer's market in the Town Square. There's also a LOVE sign by the visitor's center to take pictures in front of and an old train caboose to play around.

Get brunch at Main Street Daily Grind, which has indoor and outdoor seating, a variety of coffee drinks, and lots of kid-friendly food options. You order at the counter, so if the line is too long for the kids to wait (which happens—this place is good!), DL Campus Coffee on Main and Downtown Local are other good options. After brunch, stroll along Main Street (it's a short walk from the start of Main Street to the Town Square) to take in the downtown murals before returning to DC.

Tips for a Great Fall Weekend in Luray, Virginia

Be Ready for Any Weather

Fall in Northern Virginia can be unpredictable, especially when camping! Wear layers and comfortable shoes.

Book in Advance

Fall is a popular time to visit Luray, and campgrounds, camping resorts, and hotels can book up fast. So, reserve them as far in advance as you can. The caverns in Luray are also very popular, so buy your tickets online before you go.

Pack Snacks and Drinks

Whether you're relaxing at the campground, checking out the caverns, or hiking, having some water and snacks on hand is always a good idea.

Leave the Daily Grind Behind

Luray may be close to DC, but it truly offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Take the time to unplug, be in the moment, and enjoy quality time with your family!

Read More: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary for a Loudoun County, VA Fall Getaway

All photos by the author

Disclosure: We may earn a small commission if you click through our link and make a purchase. This revenue helps us maintain this site, so thank you for supporting us.