Shenandoah Caverns Welcomes You with Summer Attractions

Alexandria, VA – An ideal day trip destination, Shenandoah Caverns in Quicksburg, Virginia, has unveiled new attractions for this summer.

The glorious system of caverns, just a right turn off of Interstate 81, has been a popular draw for over a century. And when Earl C. Hargrove took ownership of the caverns in 1966, he multiplied that attraction ten-fold.

In addition to the magnificent cavern system, Shenandoah Caverns features the American Celebration, an astounding tour of all of Hargrove’s parade float designs from every Presidential Inauguration since Truman; the Yellow Barn, an event hall with an entire chicken and goat farm and outdoor garden; Earl’s Place, the historical and spacious Airbnb on the property; and the full-service café inside the old hotel.

To survive 2020, Shenandoah Caverns halted all events, like weddings at the Yellow Barn and wine tastings in the caverns. But current owner, Earl Hargrove’s daughter Kathy Kelly, and General Manager Joe Proctor, whose family has worked with the Hargroves at the caverns for decades, persevered through the pandemic.

Kathy has taken her father’s ten-fold legacy and expanded it yet again. In 2021, vaccines and warmer weather have been the cause for much rejoicing at Shenandoah Caverns, and with that rejoicing came renovating. Your favorite attractions are back at Shenandoah Caverns, they’re better than ever, and only a short drive from the metro area.

Weddings and events at the Yellow Barn are happening again too. To schedule an event, visit the Shenandoah Caverns website (shenandoahcaverns.com). The soft yellow of the barn is a perfect complement to the green hills that roll beyond it. You will find the barn laden with history: Model Ts and bread trucks and photos from the past surround a span of pristine hardwood floors and beams.

Wine tastings will return to the caverns in coming weeks. Yes, that is right! Wine tastings inside the caverns! You can sip Chardonnay in the Grotto of the Gods. In Virginia wine country, surrounded by fantastic vineyards, the wine tastings inside Shenandoah Caverns highlight two of the best natural features of the land.

The full-service café, original to the old hotel on the property, has been entirely redone. “We gave it a whole facelift, and everyone is talking about it,” says Kathy Kelly. From new upholstery to flooring to furniture, the café is a perfect place to meet and eat between attraction visits.

A grand outdoor patio just off of the café will open very soon. The 50×50 sq. ft. area will accommodate groups of any size for outdoor dining. Families can picnic, children can play in the Dinosaur Mining sluice, and friends can gather together, all things that have been on hold for far too long.

The new normal almost feels like the world as we once knew it. People are ready to welcome adventure and friendships and celebrations once again, and Shenandoah Caverns is ready to help them do so.

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