Exploring Luray, Virginia Outside the Caverns

Walt Disney modeled the entrance to Disneyland after America's quintessential Main Street. He sought to replicate the authenticity found in Luray, Virginia. The town's Main Street holds restaurants, antique shops and historical landmarks that date back to the late 1800's. According to planning commissioner Tom Potts, over the past few years, millions of dollars have been spent restoring the storefronts and investing in the downtown areas near Hawksbill Creek, which runs through the town.

The reason most people only associate Luray with it's spectacular namesake Caverns can be much attributed to something city dwellers are quite familiar with - traffic. Before the mid 1970's, tourists looking for their stalactite fix were forced to navigate the two lane street through the town's center. Townsfolk, tired of wasting two hours driving three blocks to buy milk, successfully petitioned the state to build a by-pass.

Reasons to Visit Main Street

The congestion was solved, but now visitors are missing out the antique shops and restaurants along Main Street. And now there is also the beautiful new Greenway, a wide two lane path winding alongside Hawksbill Creek. Benches and picnic tables offer scenic resting places along the trail, which also has public restrooms.

Art/Festivities

"What's changed the most in the last ten years is the amount of things to do in Luray," says Piney Hill inn keeper Hank Overton. And Potts says more change is coming. The town is now actively pursuing venues and events conducive to introducing its local artists to visitors and local residents. Jim Mayes, a local artist, has organized other artists into displaying their work at the art gallery next to the Artisans Grill, a local restaurant. The gallery offers pastels, landscapes, and portrait work. There's even a local violin maker.

Thanks to the Luray Downtown Initiative, a variety of events appealing to various ages fill the calendar for this year. For example, there's a Mother's Day celebration that will feature a Moon Bounce, a beer garden and a street festival.

Music/Wine

Locally known Celtic musician Iona will be coming in concert at the re-purposed BB&T building/concert hall. And Page County's first winery will be celebrating their inaugural fall crushing at Wisteria in October. Having marked August 2009 as their first month in business, the local winery is already overwhelmed with customers without even advertising.

Restaurants/Bars

The Speakeasy Bar and Restaurant on Main Street offers Wine Lovers Fridays. Located at the Mimslyn Inn, the bar serves comfort food and has Art Deco inspired furnishings. But check the web site for exact operating hours as they have recently been reduced. Also at the inn, you'll find Circa '31, which has an elegant formal dining room, but is only open on Friday and Saturday nights.

A Moment to Remember Restaurant sits across from the old Antique Shop and serves deli sandwiches and Sunday brunch good enough for Matthew Lesko (Yes, the question mark guy, he was at the table next to us). A few feet further down Main Street sits Artisan's Grill which boasts a second floor view of downtown Luray. Uncle Bucks is also highly recommended by the locals.

In 2010 Luray is likely to see itself grow in popularity for same-day getaways as the economy improves, the town continues to pack its calendar and the nostalgia of its quintessential Main Street America feel.