Top Things to do in Natural Bridge
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The 5 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Natural Bridge, Natural Bridge
Discover the best top things to do in Natural Bridge, United States including Natural Bridge State Park, Virginia Safari Park, Dinosaur Kingdom II, Great Valley Farm Brewery, Caverns At Natural Bridge.
1. Natural Bridge State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,987 reviews
Once owned by Thomas Jefferson and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 215-foot tall Natural Bridge is a limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek. The park is more than just the bridge; beautiful forests and rolling meadows showcase the area’s karst terrain, and vistas of surrounding mountains and the James River valley display nature’s splendor. Access these via 6 miles of hiking trails, including the accessible Cedar Creek Trail that leads from the bridge to the Monacan Indian Village and Lace Falls with its 30-foot cascade. Living history programs connect you to the past and cover how people once used the area’s resources for survival and inspiration. Start at the visitor center where you will find exhibits and a gift shop. A shuttle from the visitor center to the bridge trail is available for those not wishing to take the stairs.
Reviewed By RhondaP13
We went to Natural Bridge yesterday which was absolutely breathtaking! The cost for a combined ticket with the Caverns was $20.00 pp.. The walk to the bridge was not bad. There are steps down to a concrete walk which then turns into a trail, which was pretty easy to navigate. There was a replica Indian Village and a little further a waterfall.. the round trip was 1.8 miles. They do allow dogs on leashes and people of all ages were marveling at this incredible natural wonder! The Caverns were not within walking distance. You had to get back in the car and drive about a mile maybe to reach them. The signs are very visible!
2. Virginia Safari Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,580 reviews
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ANOTHER GREAT SEASON!! OUR 2018 SEASON HAS COME TO A CLOSE! PLEASE COME VISIT US IN MARCH 2019!! Drive along our 3 mile - 180 Acre natural park, viewing(and feeding) herds of free-roaming animals from your car, such as Antelope, Deer, Elk and Llamas! Walk through the 10-acre Safari Village and see Tigers, Cheetahs, Kangaroos, Primates, Reptiles, a wide variety of birds and much more! Don't forget to feed the giraffe and visit the petting barn! We're located in the Shenandoah Valley, a short day trip from Roanoke, Lynchburg, Staunton, Charlottesville, Richmond, Maryland and DC.
Reviewed By havekiddoswill - Avon, United States
We visited early on a Sunday morning in July in the middle of a heat wave. Our four kids love animals and I figured that the Virginia Safari Park would offer a unique opportunity for them to see bigger animals at a closer distance than what they've experienced in a zoo. Wow, this outing exceeded our expectations and should be added to any animal loving family's bucket list. If you want to keep your car slobber free, you should book the tracker ride. Due to time constraints we drove our car and had Bison slobber all over the inside of our leather and windows. That actually only added to the kid's excitement and enthusiasm about the experience. Go early in the day when the animals are hungry and before it gets crowded and hot. Some of our favorite animals were the baby Rhea (from South America), the Rocky Mountain Elk, the Bongo, Giraffes (feed them the lettuce as it's such a cool experience), the Blackbuck, the Bison, Water Buffalo, Yak and White Rhinos.
3. Dinosaur Kingdom II
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Experience a wooded, walking adventure of the wildest, weirdest, craziest dinosaur park the Washington Post has called Amazing! Brilliant! Hilarious! This is definitely not your father’s dinosaur park! Enter into a time tunnel and discover Stonewall Jackson battling a vicious spinosaurus! get surrounded by deadly meat eaters! See Abe Lincoln after he’s lassoed a pteranodon chewing up the Gettysburg address! witness a stegosaurus being milked! If you like prehistoric creatures and civil war history, you’ll flip out over Dinosaur Kingdom II!
Reviewed By B2486HYbobv
Great find, was really funny, my kids loved it! Also met the owner while he was working and gave us a behind the dinosaur tale. I don't recommend if you don't have a sense of humor, and it's really impressive that it is really just one guy's hobby!
4. Great Valley Farm Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By Hokie67 - Lexington, United States
We were pretty sure as we awakened on a lovely to be Saturday morning that we were going to do something - normal. And we drove to Pure Eats for bagels and coffee for a leisurely discussion. In the past and during early COVID we'd walk to town and have our bagels and coffee and walk back and that would be our walking for the day. Needless to say the COVID nums were increasing as the weather turned seasonal in the fall and we abandoned this simple pleasure. In any case, we decided a picnic was in order, since the temp looked respectable for noon-ish. Something simple - something relaxing. And close by. Voila!!! It was a landslide decision going to the Great Valley Farm brewery just down the road on U S 11 South. Simple turkey and swiss sandwiches and beer and chips from the brewery. We arrived at 11:45 to beat the crowd and eagerly awaited the doors opening at noon. Promptly entered - selected Route 11 chips (best ever) - Barbecue & Dill Pickle (our two favs) - ordered an IPA (Linda's fav) and a Dark Brown Ale for me. And enjoyed a relaxing lunch overlooking the Great Valley and the hazy Blue Ridge Mountains away in the distance. Plus you can get a glimpse of the Llamas(?) showing off below in the Safari Park. No worries about social distancing as the outside tables and chairs are nicely spaced. Dittto for the covered patio. There was a foursome at a nearby table and the women were sipping on a bottle of Great Valley white. I asked what they thought - quite good and not too sweet. So, if you're not into beer, you do have an alternative adult beverage. It's a great place to bring your dog(s) and kid(s) as there is plenty of space for them to be comfortable. BTW, the Hog Back B-B-Q food truck appeared at about 12:30 and looked like they were set up for serving at 1:00 when we were leaving. If you could eat the smoky aroma... you'd be in Hog Heaven. :-) This is what normalcy is all about. Simply enjoying what Rockbridge County is all about.
5. Caverns At Natural Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 493 reviews
Caverns in the Shenandoah Valley that extend 34 stories underground.
Reviewed By meganhartford07 - Bristow, United States
Our tour guide was Ryan, very entertaining & knowledgeable! He was one of the best tour guides I’ve had personally. He even showed me a microorganism, that was so small you’d only know it was there if you’d been shown! Overall a great tour, I recommend wearing good grip shoes, & definitely keeping close to your guide to get the full experience. Thank you again Ryan!! I had a fantastic time! See you again next year!
