Natural Bridge/Luray?

[seaturtle]

I already posted earlier about Six Flags, but my husband thinks it will be super crowded,as this is the water parks opening weekend,and Memorial Day weekend. He is now throwing Natural Bridge into the mix. Our kids have always wanted to go,and love Luray....and I'd guess it will be significantly less crowded. Also,they have a drive thru safari nearby I had never even heard of before. But,I can't help but think it will be boring,and a big disappointment. Money being tight right now,I want to take them all somewhere that everyone will enjoy and appreciate. So,after doing the math,both are comparable in cost - hotel for a night,food,gas,admissions to various attractions both theme parks,and Natural Bridge area - which would you pick - hopefully based on experience - and why? I've got to get this reservation done ASAP. Thanks all...

 

[PrepH4U]

I already posted earlier about Six Flags, but my husband thinks it will be super crowded,as this is the water parks opening weekend,and Memorial Day weekend. He is now throwing Natural Bridge into the mix. Our kids have always wanted to go,and love Luray....and I'd guess it will be significantly less crowded. Also,they have a drive thru safari nearby I had never even heard of before. But,I can't help but think it will be boring,and a big disappointment. Money being tight right now,I want to take them all somewhere that everyone will enjoy and appreciate. So,after doing the math,both are comparable in cost - hotel for a night,food,gas,admissions to various attractions both theme parks,and Natural Bridge area - which would you pick - hopefully based on experience - and why? I've got to get this reservation done ASAP. Thanks all...

Safari is great, you can drive through & also ride their wagons through. If you don't mind camel spit on your car windows and emu's trying to get in your sun roof you will have a blast. We stayed in Lexington when we went, more restuarant & motel choices. Lexington also has a candlelight ghost tour which is ok.

 

[desertrat]

I already posted earlier about Six Flags, but my husband thinks it will be super crowded,as this is the water parks opening weekend,and Memorial Day weekend. He is now throwing Natural Bridge into the mix. Our kids have always wanted to go,and love Luray....and I'd guess it will be significantly less crowded. Also,they have a drive thru safari nearby I had never even heard of before. But,I can't help but think it will be boring,and a big disappointment. Money being tight right now,I want to take them all somewhere that everyone will enjoy and appreciate. So,after doing the math,both are comparable in cost - hotel for a night,food,gas,admissions to various attractions both theme parks,and Natural Bridge area - which would you pick - hopefully based on experience - and why? I've got to get this reservation done ASAP. Thanks all...

Luray is nice. caverns and rafting, etc. It's about 100 miles from the Natural bridge tho. Natural bridge itself was a big disappointment to me. But, maybe you will be impressed.

 

[PrepH4U]

Luray is nice. caverns and rafting, etc. It's about 100 miles from the Natural bridge tho. Natural bridge itself was a big disappointment to me. But, maybe you will be impressed.

Oh and do not eat at the 50's diner close to the safari park :yuck:

 

[seaturtle]

Luray is nice. caverns and rafting, etc. It's about 100 miles from the Natural bridge tho. Natural bridge itself was a big disappointment to me. But, maybe you will be impressed.

May I ask why the disappointment? Here is what I am picturing....Natural Bridge itself to be kind of ,and then done,but there is a nature walk that is included that looks fun - scenic,waterfalls,etc. Plus,Foamhenge! Our kids are 13 and 10,and both into nature,animals,etc. I figured being a two day trip,that we will hit Luray Caverns on the way over,then do the bridge,nature walk,etc.,then the next day spend it at the safari. My understanding from tripadvisor.com is that the safari is a pay once,unlimited trips through deal. I called several times but cannot get an answer.

 

[seaturtle]

Hey,Prep...are the animals pretty friendly? Can I expect them to approach the car easily-or is it more looking from a distance? Your response sounded like they will charge us (tiny Honda Fit-trembling!!)

 

[PrepH4U]

May I ask why the disappointment? Here is what I am picturing....Natural Bridge itself to be kind of ,and then done,but there is a nature walk that is included that looks fun - scenic,waterfalls,etc. Plus,Foamhenge! Our kids are 13 and 10,and both into nature,animals,etc. I figured being a two day trip,that we will hit Luray Caverns on the way over,then do the bridge,nature walk,etc.,then the next day spend it at the safari. My understanding from tripadvisor.com is that the safari is a pay once,unlimited trips through deal. I called several times but cannot get an answer.

You are correct about the unlimited trips through deal. Lots of fun, lots of cool "nosey" animals. Oh they say do not feed the animals, but sell food to throw it. Yeah right! They will chase your car for the food! Lots of kids squealing and laughing in car. Good times!

 

[PrepH4U]

Hey,Prep...are the animals pretty friendly? Can I expect them to approach the car easily-or is it more looking from a distance? Your response sounded like they will charge us (tiny Honda Fit-trembling!!)

Oh they will approach the car! They will not really charge your car, but there is one gate where the camels will try and ambush you. They are a little bit more aggressive than the first group of camels. I went with a brand new car and nothing happened. Except spilled food inside because of emu's trying to steal food from the sun roof. Kids will totally love it!

 

[nomoney]

You are correct about the unlimited trips through deal. Lots of fun, lots of cool "nosey" animals. Oh they say do not feed the animals, but sell food to throw it. Yeah right! They will chase your car for the food! Lots of kids squealing and laughing in car. Good times!

My boys have been once already and really want to go back again. Hold on to the feed buckets tight as the bigger animals (camels mostly) will try to steal the whole thing

If you are leary I suggest going through on the wagon first to get a feel of the different sections of the trail - plus you'll get a narrated version of the different animals. Then go through in your car.

 

[aps45819]

May I ask why the disappointment?

Aside from the bridge itself, it very tourist trappy. There is a huge gift shop where you can find all kinds of cheap crap stamped with NATURAL BRIDGE VA



and there is a nice discount at the lodge if you arrive on a motorcycle

 

[GWguy]

Aside from the bridge itself, it very tourist trappy. There is a huge gift shop where you can find all kinds of cheap crap stamped with NATURAL BRIDGE VA



and there is a nice discount at the lodge if you arrive on a motorcycle

Oh, well..... now that I've seen the picture, I don't need to go there.

 

[seaturtle]

Aside from the bridge itself, it very tourist trappy. There is a huge gift shop where you can find all kinds of cheap crap stamped with NATURAL BRIDGE VA



and there is a nice discount at the lodge if you arrive on a motorcycle

Planning on staying at that lodge if we decide to go....does anyone need verification of this motorcycle

 

[desertrat]

May I ask why the disappointment? Here is what I am picturing....Natural Bridge itself to be kind of ,and then done,but there is a nature walk that is included that looks fun - scenic,waterfalls,etc. Plus,Foamhenge! Our kids are 13 and 10,and both into nature,animals,etc. I figured being a two day trip,that we will hit Luray Caverns on the way over,then do the bridge,nature walk,etc.,then the next day spend it at the safari. My understanding from tripadvisor.com is that the safari is a pay once,unlimited trips through deal. I called several times but cannot get an answer.

Just the underwhelming bridge. It was an ok walk down along the stream and all, but I guess I expected it to be a bit bigger.

 

[desertrat]

Planning on staying at that lodge if we decide to go....does anyone need verification of this motorcycle

We stayed at the lodge and it was nice. Not a bad breakfast either.

 

[seaturtle]

Just the underwhelming bridge. It was an ok walk down along the stream and all, but I guess I expected it to be a bit bigger.

Now,that leads to another question - one of our kids has asthma and some other issues that lead to her not being able to handle a strenuous walk. Is this a leisurely walk,or more like a hike,uphill,etc?

 

[seaturtle]

We stayed at the lodge and it was nice. Not a bad breakfast either.

Is it complimentary? I LOVE the Holiday Inn and SpringHill Suites breakfasts

 

[desertrat]

Now,that leads to another question - one of our kids has asthma and some other issues that lead to her not being able to handle a strenuous walk. Is this a leisurely walk,or more like a hike,uphill,etc?

Lots of steps and fairly steep in places.

Is it complimentary? I LOVE the Holiday Inn and SpringHill Suites breakfasts

I don't recall.

 

[chevylover]

Just don't waste your time on the caverns at Natural Bridge. It was about a 15 minute tour. There is a zoo nearby, too, that was OK. My kids liked it, but nothing beat the safari park.

 

[seaturtle]

Just don't waste your time on the caverns at Natural Bridge. It was about a 15 minute tour. There is a zoo nearby, too, that was OK. My kids liked it, but nothing beat the safari park.

The lodge/hotel on site is offering a package that includes a bunch of tickets to other attractions - some haunted house museum,the caverns,a wax museum,the nature walk,etc. Only adds about 40.00 to the room if you go with the package,so sounds worthwhile,since it would be more expensive just getting tickets to the bridge area separately.

 

[aps45819]

Is it complimentary? I LOVE the Holiday Inn and SpringHill Suites breakfasts

It's central VA, everybody is complimentary but you gotta pay for breakfast.

There is a trolly that will take you up from the bridge.