Absolutely fascinating history at these caverns! We're Civil War buffs and honestly did not know…read moreabout these caverns. It was amazing. Our tour guide (I forget her name - so sorry) was amazing. She was knowledgeable and mixed historical content with geological content. The fact that experts from The Smithsonian came here to collect the artifacts (both Native American and Civil War) and authenticate several signatures (I believe from further research I did and then saw at the site, they cataloged the signatures as well) gives this site authenticity. For anyone that is into history, just the thought that you are standing in a place where Native Americans were before Europeans came to this continent AS WELL AS where Civil War soldiers etched their name for future generations, this is a MUST SEE. Is it pricy? Sure. But I give grace there. These caverns have been owned by the same family (they are on the 10th & 11th generation) since the original Harrison family acquired the land in 1748 by a land grant from King George. This isn't a gov't owned site. And from what I have seen and read, this family is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the caves. That can't be cheap. And I will say, it's worth it for the history alone. That is what sets it apart from all the other caverns in the Shenandoah valley. Could the gift shop be better? Sure. If you have helpful suggestions for improvement, let them know. They are all incredibly friendly. Don't wait and just complain in a review, We will recommend a visit here to any and everyone who is in the area seeing the sites. In fact, this cave is still being explored and new rooms and spaces are being discovered. Our guide told us they are working on adding a new room to the tour. So do we anticipate we'll be back when in the area again? Absolutely!

Worth the detour and the 1.5 hrs. If you have been in caves before, guess what? This looks like…read morea cave system too. However, unlike any other cave system I'm aware of, these caverns were actively used during the civil war. The evidence is everywhere within the caverns. Pretty neat, unusual. This is a small, quaint, friendly operation. Our guide Reagan was wonderful.

always relaxing to walk through the gardens! summer 2026…read moreexhibit earth and sky sculptures by marguerite elliot

Best ever ! Art , Music, hiking and more !…read more Well kept trails filled with plants , sculptures and views. MSV at Night shows are awesome not to mention the many beautiful acres to explore. It's always a pleasure to visit and see what is new. Become a member and support the Museum- it has many perks and is well worth it.

We stumbled our way into Toy Town Junction since it's included in your ticket admission to the…read morecave. Set aside 10-15 minutes to take a walk down memory lane and see the toys of yesteryear- little people, train sets, you name it. Our crew enjoyed seeing the exhibit. The space is shared with a fudge and snack shop. Overall, it was well done and a fun addition to our rainy morning in the area.

This was a small museum adjacent to the Luray Cavern gift shop. The entrance was free, included…read morewith the Luray Cavern tickets. It had a short passageway to walk with toys put on display between glass barriers. There were plenty of toys from past years. They were cool to see. As I walked thru the place, I couldn't bear the strong smell inside. There was a strong antique shop like odor. The floor was also covered with old tiles. Compared to the several other tourist spots in the vicinity, this one seemed the most underwhelming one.

If you love history, New Market Battlefield is one of those places that gets under your skin in the…read morebest way. The moment you step onto the grounds, you can almost feel May 15, 1864, unfolding around you. The fields are quiet now, but they hold the echo of the day the VMI Cadets -- boys, really -- marched into a real war and changed the course of the battle. The park is immaculately kept. Walking the Field of Lost Shoes with the mountains in the background feels like standing inside a painting and a memory at the same time. The interpretive signs do a great job placing you exactly where key movements happened -- Breckinridge's line, the Union artillery positions, the cadets' charge. If you're a detail-hound, this battlefield lets you connect dots you didn't even know you were missing. Highlights: * The Bushong Farm is a time capsule. You walk through it and suddenly you're in 1864, wondering what the family heard, saw, and feared as the battle rolled over their home. * The terrain itself is the best "exhibit." Once you see the slopes and fields in person, the tactics make so much more sense. * There's an almost sacred calm to the place -- the kind of quiet that makes you pause before you speak. Tips: Wear good shoes, explore the whole field, and take your time. Don't rush it. This isn't a battlefield you see -- it's one you feel. Bottom line: If you're a history buff, this battlefield isn't just worth visiting -- it's essential. It's intimate, haunting, and unforgettable. The New Market cadets left their mark on this field, and somehow, the field still leaves one on you.

Beautiful battlefield well kept up with the history of the battle the farm is well preserved and…read morenice to see how they lived in 1862 the museum on the grounds is beautiful and has the history of the battlefield and muskets and hand guns used in the civil war definitely a place worth exploring

Kid volunteering here was AMAZING he built wooden thing that was VERY impressive. This guy needs a…read moreraise or an award or something. He was probably only like 14 too.

We went out to a campground for a trip during Veterans day weekend. Before we set out to return to…read moreVB I wanted to visit this interesting museum that was in the area. Unfortunately the weather was cold and windy the whole time. But low and behold rental golf carts. We zoomed around to each location and really had a great time. The staff were so informative and really cared about the history being displayed. I really recommend coming to visit as a family and learn more about the area and what things were like for our ancestors.

Ona Sunday afternoon, this turned out to be a good stop, the kind of place where you walk in…read morethinking you already know a fair amount about the Civil War and still end up learning more. The museum isn't huge but it's thoughtfully put together and easy to take in, starting with the movie in their small theater. The movies rotate and today it was about the Field of Lost Shies that does a great job of laying out the Battle of New Market and the strange mix of desperation and poor decision making that led to teenage VMI cadets being pulled into a losing fight. It also gives helpful context for everything you see afterward so the displays feel more connected to the story instead of just being artifacts behind glass. The exhibits themselves are compact but potent, with uniforms, personal items and battlefield pieces from the various encounters and skirmishes that took place in the Shenandoah Valley, a region that saw both sides passing through often enough to leave a dense trail of history behind. One of the more interesting things to learn was the "origin" story of Moses Jacob Ezekiel, the sculptor who fought here as a cadet before going on to a long artistic career, and it's the kind of detail that makes the visit feel more personal because it ties the battle to someone whose name you might already know from a completely different context. It was too hot today to walk the battlefield itself but even without stepping onto the grounds the museum gives you a clear sense of what happened and why it mattered, and it's the sort of place that rewards slowing down for an hour or so on a drive through the valley. It's not overwhelming, it's not trying to be something it isn't, and it manages to tell a focused story in a way that sticks with you after you leave. [Round number review 26400 overall - 1221 of 2026 - 1586 in Virginia]

The Virginia Museum of the Civil War This isn't your…read moretypical "dusty uniforms behind glass" kind of place -- it's personal, emotional, and surprisingly immersive. From the first exhibit, you're pulled right into 1864 -- through artifacts, letters, and faces of people who actually lived it. The section on the VMI cadets hits hard: real boys, barely out of school, called to fight in one of the most defining moments of their young lives. You can feel the weight of their courage in every display case. The museum itself is easy to navigate, the staff genuinely love what they do, and every detail feels intentional -- from the carefully preserved relics to the plaques that make you pause instead of just skim. Verdict: A must-stop for anyone who loves Civil War history, military courage, or a good story told with soul. Don't rush it -- this is one of those rare museums that reminds you why history still matters.

This museum was so nice! We took our toddler here and he loved it. There are two floors with plenty…read moreto do. What struck me is how clean and new everything looked. The price was reasonable and the tickets are for all day. Would definitely recommend this place if you're in Harrisonburg with kids.

I am visiting the area and kept missing the turn for parking , so if this helps anyone who is…read moreslower like me, park on the left side of the building (facing the building). Haha tons of parking there. The place itself is so fun, lots to do for kids. There are three levels but only the first two were opened. Very clean which is my favorite part. Reasonable ticket prices as well!

We stumbled on this terrific small museum during a return trip from Virginia to Pittsburgh. They…read morehad amazing propaganda posters of women in the military. They had many unique ww2 uniforms from Germany, Canada, us, japan. Ive attached some pics to entice others to stop by at this hidden gem. The docent was knowledgable and friendly. They had a donation based cafe. We ordered take out and they slipped in some extra pie for us. Thank you! We ve added the living history event in June to our calendar.

I was just driving down the road on my way to Elvis's Graceland from Maryland after finding a four…read moreleaf clover, and by the grace of God I saw my childhood's favourite tv show The Dukes of Hazards Museum also known as Cooter's Place. I was filled with Joy that | haven't felt in a long time, and those who saw me knew it, and had to giggle at me a little because this good old country boy drove up in a 2014 Toyota Prius plug-in loaded down with camping gear with a bumper sticker that says, "0 to 60 Eventuall..." to a place that doesn't normally see a Prius from California. Since I was there I had to pay my respects to Ben Jones by ordering Cooter's Classic Burger, and this nice lady told me about the other Cooter's restaurants that | could visit, I didn't realize it was Alma Viator the late Ben Jones (aka Cooter) widowed wife. The cashier/cook lady kindly told me who she was, and my jaw dropped. I felt so blessed that someone like her would talk to me just a little country boy from a small town called Cere's California. I was so incredibly nervous to be around such Redneck royalty, so I mustered up my strength to tell her how so many rednecks loved her & her husband in Ceres California, and how amazing Cooter's Place is to me growing up. Truly a holy place for country boys like me, but unfortunately I forgot to mention to her that it was the character Cooter inspired me to be a dealer mechanic, but unfortunately I forgot all about it at the time. I also wanted to give her my deepest condolences for her loss, I wish I could have met Ben, he truly was a talented man, so inspirational in so many ways. For a little while I was in Heaven surrounded by so many memories of the joy that the Dukes of Hazzard brought to my childhood. I truly hope to visit this place again someday. Cooter's Place holds a special place in my heart. Thank you Alma for making this experience so incredibly memorable for me. I appreciate your' hard work keeping Cooter's Place open, I know it hasn't been easy for y'all.

It was nostalgic. It people were friendly and helpful. I purchased a souvenir as I grew up…read morewatching the show. The backstory of what went into the stunts and how a lot of it was trial and error and memorization was interesting. The hardest part was realizing my own naivety and flat out ignorance as it related to the confederate heritage that undergirded the show. From the car, the flag and heritage the theme of the show aimed to keep alive was tough to come to terms with and at the same time reminded me of the innocence of being a child and just enjoying the action and comedic experience the show brought. I bought a souvenir and I haven't even unpacked it almost a month later.