Luray & Page County—Great Views and Small Town Charm

by Lynette Johnson

Luray and Page County Tourism Information

Springtime is beautiful with redbuds and dogwoods in bloom along the winding country back roads in and around Page County and Luray. The Virginia bluebells are blossoming along the Shenandoah River. With mountains, valleys, rivers, trails, and unmatched scenic beauty, Luray and Page County are well worth the short drive on US211 from New Market, in the Shenandoah Valley.

Spring is a great season to explore nature here. You’ll find opportunities galore for hiking, bicking and horseback riding. Keep an eye out for the does and fawns! The town parks offer great trails for birding and walking. Follow the signs to Big Gem in Shenandoah, Hawksbill in Stanley, and the Greenway and Lake Arrowhead in Luray.

Just a short drive away are excellent hiking trails with great vistas and even waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park. Though in Page Valley it may seem that spring has arrived, with trees and flowers in full bloom, winter may be just ending up on Skyline Drive!

Start your day with a hearty country breakfast at Brookside Restaurant or Farmboys. Then, before heading out of town, pick up sandwiches for a trailside picnic at A Moment to Remember or Ciro’s Pizza in Stanley. A sweet treat from Main Street Bakery hits the spot any time. If you’re in the area on a Saturday, stop by the Farmers Market in Luray to see what’s fresh!

After lunch, spend some time browsing the area’s many antique shops, local boutiques, and specialty stores, or stop at Happy Valley Greenhouse or the Page County Farmers Co-op to get your first garden plants of the season.

In the evening, head back to any of the restaurants and relax and unwind over a first-class dinner. If you’d like some evening entertainment, just ask around—many evenings you’ll find live music at an area venue or two, and fine live community theater is often on tap in Luray as well.

It’s too pretty and peaceful here not to stay a while, so check out the local lodgings. There are lots of options available, from rustic cabins and comfortable motels, to fantastic mountain-top lodges and the newly-renovated grand hotel, the Mimslyn Inn.

Mark your calendar now for the Spring Festival in Luray May 8 and the Wildflower Weekend in Shenandoah National Park May 8-9. If you love a parade, you’ll want to be here for the Shenandoah Memorial Day Parade May 31, too!

Article text ©2010, Shenandoah Specialty Publishing, LLC.
May be printed for personal use only.

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