Shenandoah Caverns’ aptly named Diamond Cascade entranced 7-year-old James and 5-year-old Charlotte. They gazed wide-eyed at the tall configuration of white calcite crystals that fell in folds, sparkling like a jewel-encrusted frozen waterfall. Exploring the caverns, along with hiking and horseback-riding, rounded out our family getaway. We wanted two leisurely days in the country with enough adventures for both the kids and us.
About a two-hour drive from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah County, Virginia, lies between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. The county, a lesser-known, budget-friendly gem, is a green swath of small towns, farmlands, rolling hills, thick woods and river bends dotted with parks, breweries, wineries, and the intriguing caverns.
