Caanan Valley vs Luray
 

After a trip to Washington DC, we're going to spend a few days in a cabin in the Virginia/West Virginia area. We are looking at cabins Caanan Valley and Luray. Can someone tell me which would be better?
Thank you very much in advance

Better for what?

Luray gives you access to Shenandoah National Park (hikes, scenic drives), Luray Caverns, canoeing on the Shenandoah River, guess there are even some wineries. If I remember, I wasn't overly excited with the actual town, but there are lovely cabins in the outlying parts of the area.

I've never been to Caanan Valley; assume this is the area of the ski resort? I'm sure it's a lovely area as well, but, Luray would be, in my opinion a TRUE summer/fall destination, whereas Caanan Valley is a ski area, trying to make some extra bucks in the off-season, which is what most ski areas do in the off-season, some delivering a higher quality experience than others....of course, this being the case, if you just want to sit in a nice cabin, and the ski area HAS nice cabins, you could get high quality lodging at a bargain price, maybe with fewer tourists. (Remember, thought, I've never been to Caanan Valley, so anyone else, feel free to correct my perceptions for tcapp!)

I know I'd enjoy either area for what it has to offer....but, you have to decide what you are looking for....

We spent 4 days in Caanan over Memorial Day. Blackwater Falls state park had very nice hiking. We stayed in a rental house near Timberline, and it was a lovely area to walk in. Saw lots of deer. There was an adventure biking event going on that weekend. We also hiked in Dolly Sods Wilderness area. Son and husband played golf at Caanan Valley State Park. Lots of outdoor activities. A nice weekend. My sister in law and her family just spent a weekend on the Shenandoah River not far from Luray last weekend. They loved having the river right in front of the cabin, went horseback riding, canoeing, etc. Bopth of these places are going to be very low-key, no night life, shopping, etc., just outdoor activities. I think Caanan is much cooler at the higher altitude, which is great in summer. Be aware that it took us 5 hrs. to drive from DC to Caanan each way (Fri. at noon from northern VA and back Sun afternoon). It looks like it should be 4 hrs, but the W. VA. part is two lane road w/speed limits and it does take a long time.

The previous post is right, it is a longer drive than it looks on a map to Caanan Valley. Up and down a to many mts to count on a two lane road (US 50). However, Blackwater Falls is beautiful and worth the drive and the State Resort at Caanan Valley is pretty nice. If you are going in ski season it will be pricy. Luray has lots of Civil War histroy in the area plus Sky Line Drive, and is only about 2 hr out of DC.

Be careful about booking your accommodations. We just rented a condo in "Beaver Ridge Resort" for $180/night and it was awful. Very uncomfortable beds (visible coils!), arrived to wet towels in the washing machine and 6 missing or blown light bulbs. Required to wash the linens before we left and take out the trash (carrying it by car several miles down the road to a dumpster); failure to perform the latter results in a $25 assessment. No housekeeping. All would have been fine for 1/3 the price, not the premium $180. Beware!

I would recommed Canaan Valley over Luray. I have been to both and found that there is more to do in Canaan. While there we visited Black Water Falls State Park, took the ski lift up at one of the ski resorts and hiked,went horseback riding, and visited Seneca Rock(they have a climbing school there if your so inclined).