I'm no expert at this. Have been there once or twice. Basically you have a number of choices in the park area.

One is to drive Skyline Drive (the lodges are off the drive). It is pretty and while it might be cold, that means there is less haze then later in the summer.

There are all sorts of trails to walk (including part of the appalachian trail) which goes through there. more about it is at. But you are likely to see deer and other animals if you even park and walk away from the road http://www.roadtripusa.com/appalachi.../virginia.html

it's been awhile since i did it but driving the whole skyline drive is like 5 or 6 hours as i remember it. but you can drive the part of it closest to washington and not the rest. It's like $10

Then there is the valley area which has state parks and also luray caverns. It's somewhat touristy, but the cavern is pretty spectacular. It's open on easter http://www.luraycaverns.com/

there are some hotels around luray (i believe it's the ramada), a lot of b&b's in the area, one grand hotel (the inn at little river) and charlottesville is nearby

[This message has been edited by MrAOK (edited Mar 23, 2004).]