This was our second stay at a Postcard Cabin (formerly Getaway), and we loved it even more than the first. This time, we planned the weekend around one simple goal: slowing down.
Shenandoah ended up being the perfect fit for that kind of getaway. It was only about a two-hour drive from the DC area, offered a great mix of hiking and charming small towns, and had enough to do without making the weekend feel rushed.
If you’re planning a similar getaway, here’s what I’d recommend.
At a Glance
Location: Postcard Cabins Shenandoah North
Trip Length: 3 days / 2 nights
Drive Time: About 2 hours from Washington, DC
Best For: Couples, relaxing weekends, beginner hikers
Best Season: Spring through fall
The Cabin
We stayed at Postcard Cabins Shenandoah North, where our cabin was cozy, well-maintained, and stocked with everything we needed for a comfortable stay. One of our favorite parts of the weekend ended up being the evenings back at the cabin. Cooking dinner together each night gave us a chance to slow down after hiking and made the getaway feel even cozier.
The cabin is quite compact, but the large window brings in plenty of natural light, and the layout makes excellent use of the space.
Cabin Features:
- Queen-sized bed
- Kitchenette with a mini fridge, sink, two-burner stovetop, and basic cookware
- Private bathroom with a shower
- Outdoor firepit
Although the cabins are fairly close together, they still felt quiet and private during our stay. At the same time, it was reassuring to know we weren’t completely alone in the woods.
Suggested Weekend Itinerary
Day 1: Settle In
I recommend keeping your first evening simple so you can unwind, enjoy the cabin, and rest before a full day of exploring.
- Get settled. Take some time to unpack, explore the property, and appreciate how squeaky clean that giant window is.
- Dinner at the cabin. We made homemade chicken pitas, which we prepped ahead of time, making it an easy first-night dinner.
- Spend a relaxing evening at the cabin. We ended the night playing Everdell, but reading at the table, enjoying the firepit, or simply relaxing are equally great ways to ease into the weekend.
Day 2: Explore Shenandoah
Today is all about experiencing some of Shenandoah’s best scenery, from mountain overlooks and waterfalls to one of Virginia’s most unique natural attractions.
Morning:
- Broad Porch Coffee. Start your day with coffee and, if you enjoy breakfast burritos, I highly recommend ordering one. We intentionally lingered over our coffee before heading into the park, and those slow mornings became one of our favorite parts of the trip.
- Stony Man Trail. This scenic 3.5-mile loop takes you to both Stony Man and Little Stony Man, with beautiful overlooks that make it one of the park’s most rewarding hikes.
- Dark Hollow Falls. Although the trail is only about 1.4 miles, it’s fairly steep and leads to one of Shenandoah National Park’s most popular waterfalls.
Afternoon:
- Luray Caverns. This was one of the highlights of our trip. We kept joking that it felt like waiting in line for a theme park, but the underground formations were completely natural and unlike anything we’d seen before.
- Car & Carriage Caravan Museum. Admission is included with your Luray Caverns ticket, and we thought it was a fun bonus that was worth exploring before heading back.
Evening:
- Dinner back at the cabin. We made vodka pasta with a caesar salad because it was an easy meal after a full day of hiking, but any simple dinner works well.
- Firepit + S’mores. We wrapped up the day making s’mores, which was the perfect way to end a day of exploring.
Day 3: One Last Adventure
Before heading home, I recommend taking your time and enjoying a few local stops. It made the drive home feel like part of the getaway.
Morning:
- Enjoy a slow breakfast at the cabin. There’s no rush to leave early, so savor one last quiet morning before packing up.
Afternoon:
- Visit the Route 11 Chip Factory. This ended up being one of our favorite stops of the weekend. It’s the only Route 11 Chips factory, and you can watch the entire production process, from peeling and slicing the potatoes to frying and seasoning the chips.
- Sample the flavors. One of the best parts is that you can try as many of the available flavors as you’d like, completely free. We sampled seven different varieties and even turned it into a little game by ranking our favorites. It’s one of those small memories we fondly look back on.
- If you’re curious, Sour Cream & Chive and Lightly Salted were our favorites!
- If you’re curious, Sour Cream & Chive and Lightly Salted were our favorites!
- Grab lunch at Spelunker’s. If you’re passing through Front Royal, I highly recommend stopping here. We found it after an unexpected stop in town, and it ended up being one of our favorite meals of the weekend. The burgers were very fresh, and it’s a place we’d happily visit again.
Tips for Planning a Cozy Weekend
- Leave some unscheduled time. Some of our favorite moments happened when we weren’t trying to fill every hour.
- Plan to eat one or two dinners at the cabin. Cooking together became one of our favorite parts of the weekend, and staying in made the evenings feel even cozier.
- Prep a few ingredients before arriving. It makes cabin dinners quick, easy, and low-stress.
- Bring a favorite offline activity. Whether it’s a board game, book, sketchbook, or puzzle, having something to do without reaching for your phone makes it easier to slow down and enjoy the evening.
- Pack a pair of shoes of slip-on shoes. You’ll likely be stepping in and out of the cabin throughout the day, so a pair you can easily slip on and off comes in handy.
Looking back, what made this getaway memorable wasn’t just the places we visited. It was the slow mornings over coffee, cozy dinners back at the cabin, and the unexpected stops that turned into some of our favorite memories.
If you’re looking for a getaway that balances beautiful hikes, unique local stops, and plenty of time to slow down, Shenandoah is hard to beat. We’d happily return, and we’d still make sure to leave room for the unexpected.