Things to do off I81 through VA?
 

My husband & I, along with our 10 year old son and 12 year old daughter have decided to hit the road after base/softball all stars in July and head to Williamsport PA to see where the Little League World Series is played. We have always avoided car trips longer than 5 or 6 hours but now that the children are older we are going to give it a shot! My question is....any suggestions for things to do, places to see, great food to eat, fun to be had along the way to break up the trip? We don't mind venturing off I81 a bit as we find interstate travelling a huge bore but want to make sure we do it in all the right places!! Thanks!

Where is your starting point on I-81? Knowing that will make answering your question easier.

Tennessee was mentioned in the other topic.
Natural Bridge VA to Williamsport PA is 340 miles in 6 hours.

How about visiting Luray Caverns? It's only 15-20 minutes off of I-81 getting off at New Market. I bet the kids would love it and you will, too, especially if you've never been in a cavern before. There's also a garden maze, which is a good way to stretch your legs and for the kids to burn off some energy. An added bonus is that it'll be cool in the caverns -- a welcome relief from the July heat.

http://www.luraycaverns.com/

> things to do,
> places to see

What to recommend depends completely on what YOU think would want to experience. I could list things *I* found enjoyable for ME, but that may or may not be something YOU would enjoy. If you could be a LOT more specific on YOUR choices, then perhaps we could give you some meaningful advice. Otherwise, we're just telling you about OUR likes.

Paul, I believe Allison is ASKING us what our likes are... she is not familiar with the area.

Lexington is also a worthwhile stop. It's a lovely town and is home to both Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute. Lots of history here.

Definitely the Blue Ridge Parkway which parallels I-81 for much of the way; also I'd highly recommend, time permitting, a sampler of Thomas Jefferson's works, in particular his Poplar Forest "retreat" outside of Lynchburg, and of course his masterworks around Charlottesville, Monticello and the University of Virginia campus. Stunning stuff; your kids are just the right ages.

Here's a trip report we did covering the area last month: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ring-break.cfm

Hope you will enjoy your trip. Are you stopping overnight anywhere?

Natural Bridge is right off of I-81 and while touristy, it is interesting to see. There is also a "Safari park" in that area where you can drive through and feed the animals.

http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/

http://www.virginiasafaripark.com/geninfo.html

Charlottesville, VA, is only about 30 minutes east off of 81 and is the home of Thomas Jefferson and UVA.

You may want to do part of your trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline drive to get off the Interstate.

http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/

http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisi...line-drive.htm

The Frontier Culture museum in Staunton, VA is terrific and will interest the kids.

http://www.frontiermuseum.org/

If you stop in Lexington (which I recommend), you might want to stay overnight so you can go to Hull's Drive In theatre. I haven't been yet, but this may be the summer I go. That would be a real "retro" experience for you and the kids. See: http://hullsdrivein.com/

Another good stop might be Staunton, Virginia. I've heard a lot of good things about the Frontier Culture Museum there. I went to the Blackfriars Theatre there a few years ago and enjoyed the experience of being in a theatre which is a re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theatre. There are a number of Shakespeare (and one Oscar Wilde) performances this summer and they will all be excellent. We saw "Hamlet" there (which is being performed this summer) and it was great! http://www.americanshakespearecenter.com/v.php?pg=1
http://www.visitstaunton.com/attract...ns_museums.htm

Definately the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton

Mew Market:
Lunch or dinner in the famed Southern Kitchen restaurant.
The New Market Museum and Battlefield
Route 11 Potato Chip factory. View making of chips and lots of samples.
Go to route 11 via Meems Bottom covered bridge.
Continue north on route 11 a Scenic Byway through Mt Jackson, Edinburg, and Woodstock.

Woodstock:
See the still in use card catalouge in the Woodstock Town Library.
Smoots Drug store for a milkshake or malted at their soda fountain
See the 1795 Shenandoah County courthouse, the oldest courthouse in the country west of the Blue Ridge still in use.
Drive up to the Woodstock Tower and look down on the Seven Bends of the Shenandoah River and see matchbox sized vehicles on I-81 in the distance.

Continue north on route 11 through Toms Brook (North Mountain Vineyards) and Strasburg (Hi Neighbor Restaurant) toward Middletown. Visit the Belle Grove Plantation and Battlefield just before Middletown, and further up, the Drive In Theater.

You have a lot to choose from, don't you? The Safari Park that Schlegal mentioned seems like the tackiest destination in Virginia but, let me tell you, it's a blast. I brought two young teen girls and we were in stitches the entire time.

Bridie, I am embarrassed to admit it and have a lot of guilt of it but we LOVE Safari Park, too!

Wow! Thank you all so much for the great ideas!! Yes wrongfoot, I was asking about all good experiences everyone has had! We love sports, nature, history, art & architecture but I would hate to miss out on anything new & interesting by making my questions too specific. With all of this to choose from perhaps we should think of extending our trip a few days. I've started my to do list! Thanks again everyone!

re Belle Grove Plantation, the recently new name for it is Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Park. So new that the gov't is now advertising for a building in the area to be used as an information center.

(Assuming this is for 2015)
I'm in the Williamsport, PA area, So,
Welcome to the Area ..

Some useful links:

LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL® WORLD SERIES Schedule
. http://www.llbws.org/gameinfo/schedule.htm

Check out the Museum at the field, top of the hill.
A local artist also has some hand-tinted prints of the
Little League Baseball World Series Stadium
. http://kbsb.com/kbflag/default.htm

If you are in the area for a few days,
consider Knoebles Grove:
Knoebels is a Free-Admission amusement park for families, with rollercoasters, classic rides, award-winning food, campgrounds, a golf course & a pool!
. http://www.knoebels.com/

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland
. http://reptiland.com/

Best of luck on your trip !

STOP STOP STOP

THIS IS 4 YEARS OLD

Fascinating.
SLB joins Fodors, and his(?) first and only post is to advertise places in Central PA on a four-year-old post. I wonder why we haven't had more ads from SLB for these places?

My apologies Paul ..

1) There was no YEAR in the date that I could find, so I thought responding would be helpful. I even stated I was assuming a year.

2) The OP stated they were going to the Little League Stadium in Williamsport, PA:
".. head to Williamsport PA to see where the Little League World Series is played .."

3) The items I offerred are all tied to the DEFINED DESTINATION and area.

=
I have since determined HOW to find the YEAR embedded within the
Month and Day for the posts; so again, Forgive Me.

Happy 4th of July

Your apology is accepted.
Welcome to Fodors, and we all hope that you will be giving out useful advice for many years to come.