This recommendation can be credited to Hunter's mom, Julia! This is an old train tunnel under Afton mountain, about .81 miles long and unlit. People enjoy walking and biking through the tunnel. Make sure to bring a flashlight or phone! Most likely, dependent on where you are staying, the eastern side of the tunnel will be your ideal starting point.
For our running, walking, and biking guests this is a 6.9 mile cinder trail that is flat and shaded. It has 5 bridges, some of which are covered.
We love hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and we also love waterfalls! This is a popular hike with the "highest vertical drop waterfall east of the Mississippi" as its focal point. This hike is family-friendly with the first overlook being a few hundred feet from the parking lot on a paved and "gentle" trail. The hike can be continued for up to 4.2 miles out and more overlooks.
As our guests know, we are National Park fans. Shenandoah National Park is our home park and we love it! The closest entrance to our wedding venue is the Rockfish Gap station. There will be a fee upon entry to the park but the hikes, viewpoints, wildflowers, and scenic drives are well worth it.
As a gluten free drinker, cider is always a safe and delicious choice. Upon becoming gluten-free Bold Rock quickly became one of Maggie's go to *fun* drinks and still is. The cidery is located 25 minutes up the road from the venue, along with several other wineries and distilleries. We recommend getting a flight and enjoying their outdoor space!
For our beer enjoyers! This is a Virginia-based brewing company and they have a location right up the road. Maggie recommends the Orange Crush canned cocktail and Hunter likes their Gose collection.
Disc Golf has become a popular weekend activity for us and a sought out excursion or "side quest" on most of our trips. It has also been a way for us to spend fun and meaningful time with our friends and family that *almost* never ends in tears. This is a highly rated course on UDisc in the Charlottesville area about 35 minutes from the venue. This park also has a large lake with a nice beach and swimming area!