Caverns are truly a wonder of nature. If you are planning a visit to Virginia, be sure to see some of the spectacular caverns Virginia has to offer.

Caverns simply put are large underground caves. Virginia just happens to host some of the most brilliant and stunning caverns in the country. Come discover what makes these top five picks the best.

Luray Caverns

Location: Located in the Shenandoah Valley

Hours: Tours begin each day at 9 a.m.

The last tour departs at:

• 6 p.m., from April 1 to June 14
• 7 p.m., from June 15 to Labor Day
• 6 p.m., from the day after Labor Day to October 31
• 4 p.m., from November 1 to March 31 (5 p.m. on weekends)

Admission:

• $19.00 Adults
• $ 9.00 Children (6 thru 12 years of age)
• No charge for children 5 and under when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• $16.00 Senior Citizen (62 years of age or older)

Features:

• The largest and most visited caverns in Eastern America.
• Group rates.
• Holds the world's only “Stalacpipe” Organ that plays its hauntingly beautiful music on natural formations.
• Car and Carriage Caravan Museum exhibits cars, carriages, and coaches dating from 1725 to 1941.
• Garden maze. Try to find your way through the maze inside the ornamental garden. This is a popular activity for kids!
• The Luray Singing Tower, officially known as the Belle Brown Northcott Memorial, was erected in 1937.
• Offers food and gift shops.

Natural Bridge Caverns

Location: Natural Bridge, VA

Hours:

• Daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from March through November
• Closed December and February

Admission:

• Adult: $10.00
• Adult w/ Hotel: $9.00
• Child: $6.00
• Child w/ Hotel: $5.00

Features:

• Discount packages for attractions located in this area.
• Tour 45 minutes.
• Water-filled cavities slowly drain making the rooms open up. It progresses at about an inch every 125 years.
• Natural Bridge is the East Coast's deepest commercial cavern.
• Nearby attractions include: The Natural Bridge, wax museum, monster museum, toy museum, and Foamhenge, which is a replicate of Stonehenge made entirely out of foam.

Shenandoah Caverns

Location: Shenandoah Valley

Hours:

• June 16 through Labor Day: Tours begin at 9:00 a.m. No tour after 6:15 p.m.
• Day after Labor Day through October 31: Tours begin at 9:00 a.m. No tour after 5:15 p.m.
• November 1 through April 14: Tours begin at 9:00 a.m. No tour after 4:15 p.m.
• April 15 through June 15: Tours begin at 9:00 a.m. No tour after 5:15 p.m.

Admission:

• Adult: $22.00*
• Senior Citizens: $19.00*
• Children 6-14: $10.00*

Features:

• *Admission includes the caverns, Mainstreet of Yesteryear, American Celebration on Parade, and The Yellow Barn.
• Hosts the only elevator in a Virginia cavern.
• Resulted from the movement of water, but, as the great inland sea receded, violent earthquakes also created faults that changed the caverns' formation. This is unlike any other caverns in this region.
• Gift shops and nearby restaurants.

Endless Caverns

Location: New Market, VA

Hours:

• March 15 - June 14: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• June 15 - Labor Day: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• After Labor Day - October 31: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• November 1 - March 14: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Admission:

• Adult: $16.00
• Children: $8.00 (ages 4 - 12)

Features:

• Group rates for 20 or more people.
• Read the interesting history surrounding the founding of this cavern.
• Endless Caverns is also an RV resort.
• They will soon be offering educational programs.
• Located at the foot of Massanutten Mountain.

Gap Caverns

Location: Middlesboro, VA

Hours:

• April 1 - May 29: Weekdays - 10:00 am, Weekends - 10:00 am, 2:00 pm
• May 30 - September 6: Daily at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm
• September 7 - December 31: Weekdays - 10:00 am, Weekends - 10:00 am, 2:00 pm
• January 1 - March 31: Weekends only at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm

Admission:

• Adults: $8.00
• Children: $4.00

Features:

• A 2-hour tour exploring this majestic underground cathedral. During the one-mile tour, you'll walk along the wilderness road trail to the cave entrance, then through five levels of the cave via 183 steps.
• Features the tallest stalagmite in the world. It is located beneath Pinnacle Overlook.
• Tours are given by lantern light.