How To Make The Most Of Your Trip To Shenandoah Valley On A Budget

The breathtaking Shenandoah Valley is a must-visit destination for any nature enthusiast, history buff, or outdoor adventurer. From stunning mountain views to vibrant downtown areas, this region has something for everyone. However, planning a trip to this scenic destination can quickly become expensive if you’re not careful. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to help you explore the beauty of Shenandoah Valley without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a solo traveler or exploring with family, these tips will help you make the most of your budget-friendly adventure.

Accommodations

During our last visit to this beautiful area, we chose to stay in Harrisonburg, Virginia as it seemed like an interesting area to explore and it was still close to everything we wanted to experience. When we travel, we try to use our credit card points on our accommodations as often as possible. On this trip, we stayed at Hyatt Place Harrisonburg. We commonly stay at Hyatt House and Hyatt Place as their rooms are reliably clean, comfortable, and easily accommodate our family of five. Hyatt’s also offer a complimentary breakfast buffet in the morning which saves us a significant amount of money as well.

We stayed for three nights and our cash price would have been about $437 total, but we used our credit card points (22,500 points) and never had to pay a dime. If you’re interested in learning more about travel hacking and how to help pay for your trips by using credit card points, 10xTravel has a fantastic free course that will guide you step by step. I have no affiliation with them or their site, but the information that they provide has helped our family save a substantial amount of money on multiple trips.

Another way to get a lower price is to sign up for a hotel chain’s free rewards program. Just by becoming a member, Hyatt offers a significantly lower cash price compared to non member fees. You will also be able to earn reward points towards free nights with each paid stay.

Activities

Luray Caverns-This is an incredible natural wonder located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. These caverns are approximately 35-40 minutes north of Harrisonburg. Tickets are $32 per adult ($29 for Seniors) and $16 per child. It’s important to note that children under five are free and if you have a Giant’s or Martin’s rewards card, you can save 50% off the second adult ticket. We do not have either market chain near where we live, so I applied online for a Giant’s reward card for free and they mailed it to our house. I then used the card to receive half off of an adult ticket. Each ticket also includes admission to The Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, Shenandoah Heritage Village, and Toy Town Junction. We didn’t have time to explore these other options while we were there, but would have liked to check out the other activities offered there.

The caverns are well-lit and there are handicap accessible walking paths that guide visitors through the cave system. Some of the highlights include the “Dream Lake,” which perfectly reflects the cave’s stalactite formations, and the “Stalacpipe Organ,” which uses the caves’ natural acoustics to create beautiful music. Overall, a visit to Luray Caverns is an unforgettable experience that will leave visitors in awe of its natural beauty.

Point of View Alpaca Farm– Here, you and your family can have the unique and educational experience of walking with an alpaca in the Shenandoah Valley. The farm is located approximately 30 minutes south of Harrisburg. It costs $30 per alpaca with a minimum of two and children 12 and under are free. For safety reasons, children 12 and under are not allowed to lead their own alpaca on the walk, but they can assist an adult in helping hold the lead. We have three children which means they were going to need to take turns helping with the leads. However, the owners are absolutely wonderful people and one of them allowed our oldest child to assist them so there was no need for a child to wait for a turn.

This was by far one of our favorite stops in this region. As a visitor, you’ll first be greeted by friendly and curious alpacas as well as their lovey owners, Dave and Terri. After a brief orientation, you’ll be paired with an adorable and docile alpaca to walk with through the scenic fields and quiet wooded area. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. If it has recently rained, the trail and pasture may be a little muddy. The hike is about 1.5 miles roundtrip, the trip back to the farm was a slightly more difficult (but very manageable) due to the incline of the fields and the sun becoming hotter in the day.

As you meander through the fields, you’ll learn about the fascinating history and care of alpacas from your knowledgeable guides. You’ll also have the opportunity to take plenty of photos, get up close and personal with the alpacas, and even give them a snack if you’d like. Walking with an alpaca at Point of View Alpaca Farm is a wonderful way to connect with nature and these lovable animals. This is definitely an experience that you and your family won’t soon forget.

Shenandoah Heritage Market– Upon arrival, you’ll find a small pond with a little bridge leading into the indoor market. The pond is full of colorful fish and to the delight of our children, they are attracted to people at the surface and will follow as you walk around their area.

Cross the covered bridge and stroll through the multiple locally owned businesses located within. This made for a nice little rainy day activity and the kids enjoyed the little toy store and browsing the bulk snacks in “Grandma’s Pantry”. We even found a few snacks to purchase and include with our picnic lunches during the following days. The market also has a little café if you wanted to grab a bite to eat while you’re there.

Shenandoah National Park– This is an ideal destination for families who love the outdoors. The park offers a wide variety of activities for all ages, such as hiking, camping, wildlife watching, and scenic drives. The famous Skyline Drive is a must-see, as it offers breathtaking views of the park’s stunning landscapes. With ample facilities like picnic areas, campgrounds, and lodges, Shenandoah National Park provides a perfect opportunity for families to enjoy a fun and educational vacation.

Children can also participate in the Junior Ranger program, where they can learn about the park’s natural and cultural resources while earning a badge. You may purchase a Junior Ranger booklet in one of the visitor centers or print them out at home. We choose to print our booklets and have our children work on some of the activities before we arrive at the park as the activities can be time consuming. Once completed, return to a visitor center and speak with a ranger to receive your free Junior Ranger badge. These are unique souvenirs and are fun to collect when visiting national park sites.

To enter the park, it costs $30 per single vehicle and it is good for seven consecutive days. When we visited, we had a child that was eligible for the free Fourth Grade Pass. With the pass, everyone in the car may enter a National Park for free as long as the passholder is with your party. If you do not have a child in the fourth grade and you’re interested in visiting multiple national parks, you may be interested in an “America The Beautiful” annual pass for $80. Depending on which parks you plan on visiting, this may save you some money on entrance fees as well as other park fees.

Food

While traveling, there are lots of budget friendly ways to save money on meals for the family. We try to stay at hotels that offer free breakfasts, we bring food for our room, and pack picnic lunches. Hyatt Place and Hyatt House breakfast buffets are pretty basic, but usually offer something for all of the picky eaters in our family. You can even grab something like a piece of fruit to snack on later in the day.

We usually bring a sealed bin with us that contains food/snacks for the car and the hotel room. Sometimes the kids are exhausted from a long day of exploring and the idea of getting fast food or having them sit in a restaurant for a meal is unbearable. This is when it’s nice to be able to go back to our hotel and just whip something up quick and let the kids start decompressing from their day. Our kids seem to enjoy the individual cups of mac and cheese and cups of ramen soup. The soup can be made in the room by just heating the water in the coffee pot and the mac and cheese in the microwave. If there isn’t a microwave available in the room, there’s usually one in a common area near the lobby. We typically have other things like granola bars, applesauce, and fruit as well. Not only is this convenient, but it helps to keep some of the costs down on our trips when we’re not dining out for each meal.

When we’re out for the day, we like to pack a picnic lunch, especially if we’re on an outdoor adventure. Shenandoah National Park has a really lovely picnic area near the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. We were able to enjoy our lunch (and snacks from Shenandoah Heritage Market) while watching the deer wander through the area.

Exploring the Shenandoah Valley region can be an amazing experience without breaking the bank. By following some of these money-saving tips, you can enjoy the beauty and adventure of the area while staying within a budget. From finding affordable accommodations to seeking out free activities and attractions, there are many ways to save money while still making unforgettable memories. So why not plan your next trip to the Shenandoah Valley and take advantage of these budget-friendly ideas for an unforgettable adventure?

Do you have more budget friendly suggestions for exploring this area? Feel free to share in the comments below!