Blue Ridge Escape Guidebook
Food scene
If you're in the mood for a great cup of coffee, a delicious cookie or pastry, breakfast or lunch, this is the place! Many vegetarian friendly options, great salads, sandwiches and desserts. Our favorites- avocado toast for breakfast, chocolate chip cookies for anytime! Closed on Sundays. https://ggrounds.com/menu/
85 locals recommend
Gathering Grounds Patisserie & Cafe
24 E Main StIf you're in the mood for a great cup of coffee, a delicious cookie or pastry, breakfast or lunch, this is the place! Many vegetarian friendly options, great salads, sandwiches and desserts. Our favorites- avocado toast for breakfast, chocolate chip cookies for anytime! Closed on Sundays. https://ggrounds.com/menu/
This is a great wine bar that also serves beer, ciders, and a variety of menu items. Just a short walk from the house, it's the perfect place to hang out in after a day of hiking or shopping in town.
41 locals recommend
The Valley Cork
55 E Main StThis is a great wine bar that also serves beer, ciders, and a variety of menu items. Just a short walk from the house, it's the perfect place to hang out in after a day of hiking or shopping in town.
Great Mexican food with a lot of options on the menu. Their queso (cheese dip) is delicious! Dine in, take out or delivery options.
31 locals recommend
Rancho Viejo
709 E Main StGreat Mexican food with a lot of options on the menu. Their queso (cheese dip) is delicious! Dine in, take out or delivery options.
This local brewery is a short walk from the house and a great place to sit outside on a nice day. On weekends you can grab a delicious snack or meal from the BBQ food truck parked nearby.
70 locals recommend
Hawksbill Brewing Co
22 Zerkel StThis local brewery is a short walk from the house and a great place to sit outside on a nice day. On weekends you can grab a delicious snack or meal from the BBQ food truck parked nearby.
Delicious sandwiches, paninis, and salads. Outdoor picnic tables are a bonus!
47 locals recommend
West Main Market
123 W Main StDelicious sandwiches, paninis, and salads. Outdoor picnic tables are a bonus!
Delicious pizza and Italian dishes- a short drive from the house. Offers carry out, dine in (indoor and outdoor) and delivery.
22 locals recommend
Gennaro's Italian Restaurant
402 W Main StDelicious pizza and Italian dishes- a short drive from the house. Offers carry out, dine in (indoor and outdoor) and delivery.
Broad porch sells locally ground coffee and tasty pastries and snacks. My favorite is the savory toast- fresh tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, ricotta cheese and olives over homemade toast- yum!
27 locals recommend
Broad Porch Coffee Co.
20 W Main StBroad porch sells locally ground coffee and tasty pastries and snacks. My favorite is the savory toast- fresh tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, ricotta cheese and olives over homemade toast- yum!
One of Luray's newest places to dine, this two level restaurant and bar has lovely decor, a tasty menu, and a fun vibe. Make your dinner reservations at least a day ahead, as tables are limited!
Watch & Warrant Restaurant
One of Luray's newest places to dine, this two level restaurant and bar has lovely decor, a tasty menu, and a fun vibe. Make your dinner reservations at least a day ahead, as tables are limited!
Shopping
This is a wonderful shop that combines beautiful floral arrangements with farmhouse home decor. The owners are friendly and I always end up buying something for the house every time I go there.
14 locals recommend
Nest & Hive
10 E Main StThis is a wonderful shop that combines beautiful floral arrangements with farmhouse home decor. The owners are friendly and I always end up buying something for the house every time I go there.
This lovely gift shop has home decor, local wines and food items, a whole section for children's gifts, and an antique store section. It's a must- see if you want to pick up something to remember your trip to Luray and is one of my favorite shops in town.
21 locals recommend
Virginia Gift Shop
16 E Main StThis lovely gift shop has home decor, local wines and food items, a whole section for children's gifts, and an antique store section. It's a must- see if you want to pick up something to remember your trip to Luray and is one of my favorite shops in town.
This unique shop has two levels of home decor, antique items, homemade food items, jewelry, pottery and art made by local artisans, and more. It's the perfect place to pick up a gift, a snack, or something to remind you of Luray when you go home. It's also virtually impossible for me to go there without buying something!
22 locals recommend
Hawksbill Trading Company
139 Virginia AveThis unique shop has two levels of home decor, antique items, homemade food items, jewelry, pottery and art made by local artisans, and more. It's the perfect place to pick up a gift, a snack, or something to remind you of Luray when you go home. It's also virtually impossible for me to go there without buying something!
A wide variety of organic teas can be found in this lovely shop, along with clothing, scarves, and jewelry made by the owner.
9 locals recommend
Compass Tea Room
5 S Broad StA wide variety of organic teas can be found in this lovely shop, along with clothing, scarves, and jewelry made by the owner.
Sightseeing
This beautiful 2 mile walking and biking trail along Hawksbill Creek provides beautiful views of nature and runs through the heart of Luray. It's a great place to walk the dogs, go on a bike ride, and see the town.
16 locals recommend
Luray Hawksbill Greenway
Luray Hawksbill GreenwayThis beautiful 2 mile walking and biking trail along Hawksbill Creek provides beautiful views of nature and runs through the heart of Luray. It's a great place to walk the dogs, go on a bike ride, and see the town.
Seeing the caverns in Luray is a must while you're in town. Plan to go early as the lines can get long, especially during peak tourist seasons.
432 locals recommend
Luray Caverns
101 Cave Hill RdSeeing the caverns in Luray is a must while you're in town. Plan to go early as the lines can get long, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Kennedy Peak Hike
Fort Valley RoadThis hike boasts some of the best views around!
Fun outings
A trip to a winery is a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends and family! Indoor and outdoor seating available.
24 locals recommend
Castle Vineyards
2220 Mims RdA trip to a winery is a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends and family! Indoor and outdoor seating available.
Reservations are recommended for groups of 6 or more. Wisteria is an adult only property, so only guests 21 and older are allowed.
59 locals recommend
Wisteria Farm and Vineyard
1126 Marksville RdReservations are recommended for groups of 6 or more. Wisteria is an adult only property, so only guests 21 and older are allowed.
This is a great activity for a rainy day, or for groups wanting to tackle a fun challenge together.
9 locals recommend
Escape 211 - Team Building Escape Room Attraction
1440 U.S. 211This is a great activity for a rainy day, or for groups wanting to tackle a fun challenge together.
Horseback riding in the mountains is a wonderful way to make special memories. Be sure to book early as reservations can be hard to come by during peak spring and summer seasons.
30 locals recommend
Jordan Hollow Stables
657 Pine Grove RdHorseback riding in the mountains is a wonderful way to make special memories. Be sure to book early as reservations can be hard to come by during peak spring and summer seasons.
Bear Mountain has a zipline, a children's ropes course for ages 5 and up, and a climbing wall. Fun for the whole family!
37 locals recommend
Bear Mountain Ziplines
2354 US-211Bear Mountain has a zipline, a children's ropes course for ages 5 and up, and a climbing wall. Fun for the whole family!
This is the place to go for canoeing, kayaking, or river rafting- with day trips available for all ability levels.
84 locals recommend
Shenandoah River Outfitters
6502 S Page Valley RdThis is the place to go for canoeing, kayaking, or river rafting- with day trips available for all ability levels.
Drinks
Head here for a delicious mojito or mixed drink with an open, airy vibe. Great place to hang out before grabbing a bite to eat somewhere else- no food is served.
Blue Shepherd Spirits
Head here for a delicious mojito or mixed drink with an open, airy vibe. Great place to hang out before grabbing a bite to eat somewhere else- no food is served.
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
Many shops closed on Sundays
Luray is a small town that observes more limited shopping hours on weekends than most metro areas. Most shops on Main Street close by 6pm, and many are not open on Sundays.
Book before you go
Horseback riding
If you are interested in horseback riding during your stay, be sure to book early as same day weekend reservations are hard to come by during peak spring and summer seasons.
What to pack
Pack for your activities
Visitors in Luray often plan to do some hiking during their stay. It can get cool in the mountains, so in addition to packing comfortable hiking shoes, plan to bring an extra layer on outdoor excursions, even in the summer months. Don't forget to pack your swimsuit for the hot tub and pool, and of course, sunscreen!