Traveling with a 5 and 2 year old -- Luray caverns vs shenandoah caverns

[Anonymous]

We would like to see some caverns while traveling in Shenandoah. We have a 5 and 2 year old. Is Luray caverns doable for those ages? I know there are a lot of steps. How about Shenandoah caverns? It has an elevator, but are the caverns not as impressive? Thanks !

[Anonymous]

Luray. No question. Isn't there handicapped/stroller access?

[Anonymous]

Luray has some other neat stuff close by so its not just the caverns. There is a fun rope/climbing course, a maze, a little museum, and some other stuff I can't remember. There is also a little downtown area of Luray where there is an ice cream shop, a used bookstore, etc.

Never been to shenandoah caverns.

[Anonymous]

it's COLD down there - even in summer. Take lots of sweaters, socks, etc.

[Anonymous]

My 5 year old is kind of spooked by stuff - scary movies, petting zoos, dark museum exhibits like the Pirates one at National Geo last year. For a cave I'd be prepared for your 2 year to be like, uh-uh, no way.

[Anonymous]

would a preteen enjoy the Luray caverns?

[Anonymous]

Luray. Been to both with then-3yo twins (shenandoah) or 4yo twins (Luray) and both are doable, but Luray was prettier and had more little kid stuff close by.

[Anonymous]

We just went to luray with our 4 yr old twins. They were a little nervous about being in the caverns and kept close to us and held our hands. The indirect lighting does make it kind of spooky. The tour is long - about an hour and about 1 or 2 miles of walking underground and we did end up carrying g them for a few stints. But overall they had a great time. A cross from the entrance to the cave is a museum with an outdoor gem sluice of water. We didn't buy the bag of sand, but the running water kept my kids entertained for a long while. We had a nice dinner in downtown Lurray before heading back to DC.

[Anonymous]

I don't know what it is but I found Luray to be terribly boring. My 4yr old wanted no parts of the tour. Lots of stopping, talking, history.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what it is but I found Luray to be terribly boring. My 4yr old wanted no parts of the tour. Lots of stopping, talking, history.

I'm with you. Though it could be that I grew up here, and took several field trips there as a kid. It takes hundreds of years for there to be any significant changes to those caves, four trips in about a 6 year span is more than enough for me!