I don't know anything about the Shenandoah Caverns but I did enjoy the Luray Caverns.

Three of our favorite hikes along Skyline Drive from south to north: Riprap Trail (park at "Riprap Trail Parking" lot), Blackrock (park at "Blackrock Summit Parking" lot), and Hawksbill, the highest point in Shenandoah National Park (park at "Upper Hawksbill Parking" lot). The parking areas in quotes are marked on the official park map you receive at the entrance station. Hike distances are indicated at each trailhead, and views at all three spots are spectacular)

Luray Caverns are more interesting -- and famous -- than Shenandoah Caverns. We were just at Blackrock Oct 2, and fall colors are just getting started. Lows at night around 50 degrees. Have a great trip.

From Skyline Drive take route 211 east to Luray and the Caverns. Take 211 west toward New Market for the Shenandoah Caverns. www.shenandoahcaverns.com. Also on the grounds of or across from the caverns is American Floats on Parade, a display of floats from major parades across the country.

Less than a mile down the road is the Route 11 Potato Chip factory where you can see the chips being made and also sample and of course purchase. Delicious. From there you can drive through the nearby Meems Bottom covered bridge to route 11 which will take you back to New Market.

Also in New Market is the New Market Battlefield and Museum. It was this battle that the cadets from VMI marched to from Lexington.

There is a sidebar at www.shenandoahcaverns.com and if you open "news", you will find a full color report for the area.

This is not in Shen NP, but on Rte 56, about 10 minutes off the BRP in the Jefferson NF. A definite must. I was just there after all the rain and it was an incredible spectacle. Great even if the water flow is not all that high. The big falls are 1.7 miles up, but the first half mile is also great with a continuous series of falls, cascades and chutes dropping steeply down the mountain.

http://www.summitpost.org/route/207534/crabtree-falls.html

> We're relatively young and in shape
> so we could probably handle a somewhat strenuous hike

I've made almost a dozen trips to SNP over the years, and my two favorite hikes -- both of which are beyond "moderate" -- are the Old Rag Trail and the Whiteoak Canyon Trail. Both are full-day walks for those in shape, but worth the walk if you plan well.