FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
Wherever Awards

Two Days in Shenandoah National Park

by Angelique Platas

Oct 19, 2020

Photo: Angelique Platas

Travel Tips

Hiking in Shenandoah National Park. Photo: Angelique Platas

With a couple coinciding days off and a full tank of gas, my sister and I made an impromptu decision to head to Shenandoah National Park for some fall hiking. Shenandoah is a 4.5-hour drive from New Jersey, and one of the closest national parks within driving distance that I could think of, so we hit the road for Luray, Virginia, our chosen gateway to the park.

 

Settling into town a little later than expected, we still had a couple hours of daylight to burn and headed for the park’s Thornton Gap Entrance. Just a 15-minute drive from Hotel Laurance, our home for the weekend, Thornton Gap was the closest entrance to the park and, coincidentally, a great starting point for hikers on day one with limited time.

 

We opted for the South trail exit once inside Shenandoah and parked at the first parking lot we found, Panorama parking grounds. Our eagerness to get on the trails paid off, as we happened to park at the gateway to Mary’s Rock trail, a challenging but short trail with jaw-dropping views at the peak and a downhill return.

 

Hiking in Shenandoah National Park. Photo: Angelique Platas

The steep, winding and beautiful trail opened up after several miles to sweeping views of Shenandoah.

 

We opted for Mary’s Rock with limited time before impending rain and darkness, but a better-planned timeline would give wise hikers the option for several other connecting trails, including Skyland, another seven-mile trek from Mary’s Rock.

 

The hike back to the car was all downhill and much faster than we anticipated, so we caught the gorgeous full sunset at the car and on the road to the hotel — and the rain we feared never came, a gift and curse of the Valley region.

 

Mary’s Rock landing, Shenandoah National Park. Photo: Angelique Platas

We utilized the map we were given at the park entrance (a real paper map, who knew) and made plans for a full day of hiking the next day, with trails lined up between sunrise and sunset.

 

Pro tip: Like many trips into a national park, the drive to the Thornton Gap entrance is a steep, winding road. Try to travel during the day, and in high-visibility/pleasant weather to avoid any undue stress weaving along the mountainside.

#WhereverFamily

Insta Feed
Destinations / Europe
Apr 22, 2025

Railbookers Launches New Culinary-Focused Rail Journeys in Europe

Foodie family travelers have a new reason to head to Europe. Rail travel operator Railbookers introduces 11 new European rail journeys, highlighting Europe’s culinary traditions. These new tours range from seven to 17 days and feature a variety of experiences, including guided food tours and cooking classes.

Madrid: A Destination for All Ages

However one is traveling, what matters is having fun and creating unforgettable memories. Among many ways to travel, multigenerational trips — on which grandparents, parents and children get to spend quality time together — are gaining popularity. Setting out on this sort of adventure? Madrid has something to offer everyone!

Destinations / North America
Apr 22, 2025

Where to Hike on New England’s Tallest Mountains

Have your kids ever spent a day hiking along a rocky ridge, looking down on clouds? Or climbed through the forest beside a mountain stream that drops in a series of splashing waterfalls? Or watched the trees grow smaller and smaller as they climb higher, until the forest disappears entirely in a landscape of rocks and tiny alpine flowers? If not, and you love the out-of-doors, your family should travel to New Hampshire’s White Mountains for a hiking vacation.

Hotels
Apr 22, 2025

Get Up to 100,000 Bonus Hyatt Points When You Glamp This Summer

Family travelers with a World of Hyatt credit card won’t want to miss this unbeatable deal this summer. All World of Hyatt credit cardmembers can earn 20 total bonus points per $1 spent (up to 100,000 points) when staying at any of Under Canvas’ 13 camps, as well as ULUM Moab between June 1 and Sept. 7.

Cruises
Apr 21, 2025

Norwegian Cruise Line Welcomes Its Newest Ship, “Aqua”

Norwegian Cruise Lines has a lot to celebrate this year as it welcomes family travelers to yet another new ship to its fleet. Aqua, the latest addition to NCL’s Prima Class of ships, recently arrived in America, and I had the opportunity to join her as she set sail on her christening voyage from Miami April 13.

Destinations
Apr 21, 2025

Exodus Adventure Travels Announces New Wildlife Trips

Tour operator Exodus Adventure Travels invites family travelers to experience its immersive wildlife journeys around the world, including new itineraries.