Rising Hegemon
This Yankee may go south for a while.
Have any of you Hegemaniacs ever stayed at any of these accommodations inside Shenandoah National Park? If so, what's your experience? Any suggestions for places outside the park? Just tell me about the park in general, please. It looks pretty. Would be going in late May/early June.
Thank you.
7 comments:
Never stayed there, but it's a nice park. Skyline Drive is great. Personally, I'd go farther south to the Great Smokies, but Shenandoah is still very nice.
What's the matter? Has life where you are grown flat, stale, and unprofitable? Need to walk abroad and recreate yourself?
Never been there, but it sounds green. Vox
I live in the Harrisonburg area and love it here. Big Meadows is pretty. There are many cool places along the way. Are you looking for a B&B?
I lived outside of Harrisonburg, VA for three years (Massanutten), and I'll second Big Meadows. It's lovely meadow great for deer and bird watching (and the occasional black bear). The meadow is an easy hike and there's fresh blackberry ice cream in the adjacent visitor's center. If you're into caverns, the Luray caverns are very nice - a little weird with the entrance to the cavern being inside the gift shop, but the cavern itself is quite charming. There's an antique car collection next door as well if that's your cup of tea. Also near Luray is this canoe trip shop: http://www.shenandoahriver.com/ - I took my niece and nephew on a canoe trip with this outfitter (I think it was this group). You go by a lot of cow farms, but we did see a mother fox and babies and quite a few birds, and much of the scenery is beautiful. And of course, you won't be too far from Charlottesville. A trip to Monticello in the spring is must. The docents/tour guides at a Monticello are probably amongst the best anywhere. They all seem quite knowledgeable about Jefferson and don't shy away from discussing the most controversial aspects of his life.
By all means, go. I've stayed in the campgrounds plenty of times, but the one time Mrs. P. and I stayed at Big Meadows Lodge it was great. The food is OK even though it's run by (IIRC) ARA, the cafeteria people. The other lodges seem to be at least as good, judging by their public spaces.
And if you're looking for a more upscale place nearby, I highly recommend here.
Hey Res,
You would be close to Little Washington VA too. The Inn at Little Washington is wonderful.
http://www.theinnatlittlewashington.com/
Skyline Drive is gorgeous any time of year. Some great trails of varying difficulties to waterfalls, among other hiking trails. Lots of wildlife.
My daughter and I stayed at a cabin at Skyland a few summers ago (a short drive from the hotel itself). Very 1940s rustic, but comfortable enough and a great view overlooking the valley. Your budget is probably a bit larger than mine was, but there are plenty of mom-and-pop places in Front Royal at the northern end of the park. Not really familiar with the southern end.
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