Remember that the purpose of a trip on Skyline Drive is not rapid travel. It is a scenic road. Treat it, and your fellow drivers that way, and you'll be happier. Use the Interstates to go fast,
Skyline Drive is beautiful in the fall, but its also nice anytime.
You have to do Luray Caverns and the auto museum.
A side trip to Cumberland, MD and a ride on the Western Maryland Scenic RR is worthwhile.
For civil wars fans, try the Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, MD. Also Sharpsburg /Antietam, Gettysburg are close as is the Fredericksburg, VA area--lots of history there.
Going a little south of Skyline Drive into the Great Smokies revels some really spectacular scenery.. Klingmans Dome or Clingman's Dome is worth the drive. I was there years ago, drove up thru the clouds, bright sunlight above, heavy clouds below. Then a noise of jet fighters--2 jets broke thru the clouds below us and streaked overhead.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags