Searching for the top things to do in Luray with kids? Well, having spent 8 years as parents visiting Luray multiple times a year, we're pretty much experts. So, we are delighted to share some well known places and hidden gems to make your family's trip to Luray a total success!
It doesn't get much cooler than feeding tigers, petting porcupines, and getting up close and personal with lemurs! For a small fee, your family can have the zoo all to yourselves and enjoy unique encounters with some of the most amazing creatures. We send all of our friends and family to do a tour with Mark, and some of our cabin guests have commented that it was the best thing they did all year.
Visiting one of natures greatest wonders is fun for the entire family. The caves in Luray stay a consistent 65 degrees, so they're perfect for rainy days or winter visits. If you're traveling with a stroller, rest assured that the pathways are smooth and wide enough for you and your little ones.
Aside from the cavern tour there's a ropes course, labyrinth, antique car museum, and an old fashioned homestead where your children can visit a blacksmith and pan for gold. You can also indulge in local fudge, pretzels, and ice cream!
Looking for an easy trail to introduce your kids to the joy of nature? Lion's Tail Trail is a mostly flat loop through the forest with small bridges and interesting posts documenting a lion's journey through the woods. It was originally designed for blind and hearing impaired hikers to safely enjoy hiking. There's also a small pond that is teeming with tadpoles and frogs in the Spring.
Soak in the beauty of the legendary Shenandoah Mountains as you float down the river. For families, a raft is the safest and most stable choice. Most times of the year you don't even need to paddle, the river current pulls you along down to the pickup point.
Parent Tip: pack a cooler full of snacks and drinks to enjoy on your trip and don't forget sunscreen!
While not technically in Luray, the nearby Massanutten Resort provides year-round family activities. Their indoor water park and nearby arcade are a ton of fun for kids of all ages. There's skiing, tubing, and ice skating in the winter. Mountain biking, zip lining, trail riding, and go-karting are fun available activities for the rest of the year.
Make Family Moments
Being away from the city gives you ample opportunities to make moments with your children. Toast s'mores, stargaze, catch fire flies, have a picnic, skip rocks, search for wild flowers. Do all the little things that you're too busy to do at home. The magic of Luray is in its beautiful simplicity.