Before heading into Shenandoah National Park and its stunning natural beauty, stop here for some fantastic man-made tackiness. Although it’s an 'educational prehistoric forest,' with more than 50 life-size dinosaurs (and a King Kong for good measure), you’d probably learn more about the tenants by fast-forwarding through Jurassic Park 3. But that’s not why you’ve stopped here, so grab your camera and sidle up to the triceratops for memories that will last a millennium.
Dinosaur Land
Shenandoah Valley
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
26.18 MILES
A relative newcomer to the Loudon district, this solar-powered 20-acre winery in the Waterford Cluster incorporates meticulously restored and rebuilt…
25.28 MILES
The best-known vineyard in the Loudoun Heights cluster, Breaux produces a wide range of wines, the best of which are the the Madeleine Chardonnay and the…
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
27.14 MILES
Historic buildings and museums are accessible to those with passes, which can be found, along with parking and shuttles, north of town at the Harpers…
28.58 MILES
At the southern end of Potomac St, just a few steps from the lower town, take in a view of three states – Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia – from the…
28.53 MILES
Across from Arsenal Sq and one of the park's museums, this three-room gallery gives a fine overview (through videos and period relics) of the events…
Oatlands Historic House & Gardens
28.15 MILES
Established in 1803 by a great-grandson of Robert ‘King’ Carter, a wealthy pre-Revolutionary planter, this plantation has as its focal point a lovingly…
28.51 MILES
Not to be confused with the National Park–run museum, this private wax museum is a kitschy (and rather overpriced) attraction that pays tribute to the man…
22.55 MILES
Middleburg is foxhunting territory (Middleburg's Hunt meets regularly), so it's not surprising that its main museum takes as its focus equine sports…
Nearby Shenandoah Valley attractions
1. Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
9 MILES
Located in the town of Winchester, some 25 miles north of Front Royal, this museum comprises an 18th-century house museum filled with period furnishings,…
11.78 MILES
Boasting rare, white-spiked anthodites – mineral formations that look like sea urchins – these caverns are Front Royal's main claim to fame. Guided tours…
15.57 MILES
The major draw here is the setting: vineyard-covered hills shadow the horizon, like some slice of Northern Italian pastoral prettiness that got lost…
16.67 MILES
Producing an award-winning Petit Manseng, this winery between Winchester and Leesburg is a wonderful lunch stop due to its spectacular location at the…
17.13 MILES
Love visiting wineries but find that the junior members of your household cramp your style? This hilltop winery near Delaplane in Fauquier County is the…
21.6 MILES
Produces some unusual Austrian- and German-style wines, including a Grüner Veltliner, Blaufränkisch and Dornfelder. Often stages live music and hosts food…
22.55 MILES
Middleburg is foxhunting territory (Middleburg's Hunt meets regularly), so it's not surprising that its main museum takes as its focus equine sports…
24.52 MILES
One of the smaller Loudoun Heights operations, this place is best known for its farm-to-table Grandale Restaurant (mains $25 to $32, open noon to 9pm…