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We are taking our first trip to Shenandoah Crossing in October. Does anybody know of anything to do in the area other than lounge at the resort? I would be ok with just hanging out but my kids might get a little restless.
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If you're up for a drive, Luray Caverns are about 80 minutes away. We loved Luray Caverns, and our kids did too--very fascinating, very cool! It might be the best thing we've ever done on vacation, because everybody enjoyed it. Our kids were 6, 10, and 15 at the time, I think. There's also an antique car museum there and a hedge maze. And a carillon tower that wasn't ringing when we were there. -
Having lived in Fredericksburg for 13 years, about an hour from Gordonsville, I know the area pretty well.
First of all, there is a lot of history in Fredericksburg (Revolutionary and Civil Wars), to include the Spotsylvania Battlefield and George Washington's boyhood home.
About 30-45 minutes the other way is Charlottesville . . . home of UVa and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.
Richmond is a little over an hour away, making the historical sights there pretty close as well. Depending on what time of the year you're going, you could take in a day at Paramount's Kings Dominion amusement park in Doswell, which is just north of Richmond on I95. It's a decent amusement park, with fun for kids of all ages.
A day trip to Washington, DC could be done but probably not recommended unless you would consider doing an overnight up there. I think it's about 2 1/2 hours to DC on a good day, with little traffic. When you find that day, let the rest of us know. It is probably more likely a 3-4 hour drive each way, hence the recommendation to do an overnight in Northern VA (Springfield, Alexandria, etc).
If you have some specific activities that you're interested in, let us know and maybe we can come up with additional suggestions. Also, what time of the year you'll be there would be helpful too.Comment
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Fredericksburg is really nice, a great walking-around town. Little shops and cobbled streets. Nice people, too.Comment
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I am a history nut. It will probably take more than one trip to satisfy me. My kids need a little persuasion but usually have a good time visiting historical sites once they get there. We took them to Williamsburg when they were tiny but I don’t think they remember the trip. Fredericksburg and Richmond sound great. I think we will be rather close to Charlottesville so I’m sure we will check out the sites there first. Having ancestral ties to Amelia and Nottoway Counties makes the trip exciting for me. I could spend my time doing genealogy research but everyone else would not like that too much.Originally posted by TimeshareVon
We will be there the first part of this coming October.
Thanks for the info.
ToddComment
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We went to Mary Washington's house (GW's mother) in Fredericksburg a few years ago and I'm sorry to say it was excruciating. And we go to a LOT of historical sites.
Maybe they've improved it in the past couple of years, but I remember it as $$$ (as these things go) and really dull and only a very few public rooms and a garden to look at (the garden is the best part). Which is too bad because Mary Washington was pretty much of a crabby old bat and it could be an interesting presentation.Comment
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Thanks for the heads up! It really stinks when you pay good money for something that is a dud and could be easily improved with a little management.Originally posted by wackymotherComment
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Maybe this is why.Originally posted by wackymother
The Cherry Tree by M. L. Weems:
When George was about six years old, he was made the wealthy master of a hatchet of which, like most little boys, he was extremely fond. He went about chopping everything that came his way.
One day, as he wandered about the garden amusing himself by hacking his mother's pea sticks, he found a beautiful, young English cherry tree, of which his father was most proud. He tried the edge of his hatchet on the trunk of the tree and barked it so that it died.
Some time after this, his father discovered what had happened to his favorite tree. He came into the house in great anger, and demanded to know who the mischievous person was who had cut away the bark. Nobody could tell him anything about it.
Just then George, with his little hatchet, came into the room.
"George,'' said his father, "do you know who has killed my beautiful little cherry tree yonder in the garden? I would not have taken five guineas for it!''
This was a hard question to answer, and for a moment George was staggered by it, but quickly recovering himself he cried:
"I cannot tell a lie, father, you know I cannot tell a lie! I did cut it with my little hatchet.''
The anger died out of his father's face, and taking the boy tenderly in his arms, he said:
"My son, that you should not be afraid to tell the truth is more to me than a thousand trees! Yes - though they were blossomed with silver and had leaves of the purest gold!''Comment
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You know that Parson Weems made all that stuff up out of his own little head, right? He was a creative fellow. Anyhow, I think the Fredericksburg house is the one that GW bought for Mary later in her life, not the one where he grew up. I can't remember...it's all a grayish blur now....
Mount Vernon is a GREAT site, btw--probably too far to go from Gordonsville but the tours are terrific.Comment
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BTW, King's Dominion is fun but expensive--$52 admission for anyone over 48 inches tall. Ouch!Comment
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Drive straight west on rte 33 about 30 miles, 40 minutes to Shenandoah National Park. Drive through the park especially on Skyline Drive, stopping along the way. There are some short 'family' trails to walk, some as short as .2 mile.
Nice to have a snack at the visitor center, explore the 1930's decor and memorabilia and to sit out on the deck out back overlooking the mountains.Comment
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GW Boyhood Home - Ferry Farms
More info: George Washington's Boyhood Home
It appears that a major restoration project is being planned by the US National Park Service, but few details are available thus far: NPS PEPC - George Washington's Boyhood Home (Ferry Farm) NHL Programmatic Agreement .Comment
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I think there are some winery places in the valley.Comment
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Horsing Around
My 13-year-old daughter is bringing a friend. They are both experienced riders. They are very excited that SC has riding stables. I hope they aren't disappointed. I know when we visited the Wilderness Club (without daughter) the riding stables looked rather tourist oriented.
First and foremost they would like to ride (endlessly). Maybe they also will be able to volunteer for some chores or something. Sounds crazy, but they would love it!
Does anybody have any experience with this?Comment
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When we stayed there, we enjoyed Monticello, the UVA tour, President Madison's home, Fredericksburg and two other civil war battlesites, and Luray Caverns. We also drove north on skyline drive and played golf at that end, and south on skyline drive and played golf at that end. Also visited Staunton (not sure of spelling) and some historic sites there, including woodrow wilson's boyhood home.Comment
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