This modest cavern, located just north of New Market, offers Bacon Hall (once featured in National Geographic), Rainbow Lake, Grotto of the Gods and other underground staples. An added attraction, called American Celebration on Parade, features relics from old department-store window displays and parade floats; an animated Cinderella scene has 15 animated figures and a line of model soldiers passing endlessly down a miniature historic Pennsylvania Avenue. The effect is a weird mix of defunct American commercialism, early 20th century patriotism and Chuck E. Cheese without the pizza. Among area caves, Shenandoah, equipped with elevators that take you to a tour requiring no steps, offers the best access for seniors and people in wheelchairs, so it might be a good outing for grandparents. The tour takes about an hour.
-- by John Kelly and Craig Stoltz
Words to the wise: Note that the admission fee is for a combination ticket to Shenandoah Caverns, American Celebration on Parade, and Main Street of Yesteryear, a stretch of antique window displays. Bring a sweater or jacket because the caverns are 56 degrees year-round.
Notes: An elevator takes you into the caverns, but the passageways are covered in gravel.
Food: There's an on-site coffee shop, open seasonally.