Natural Bridge and Wax Museum

This isn’t a review of the natural formations, but of the visitors center and accompanying attractions. I would highly suggest people visit the Natural Bridge for the historic and geologic benefit.
Upon approach of the main building, you can tell it’s very dated. Like something out grandparents would have visited in the 1940s. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, the inside of the building looks like it as well. It’s a huge space and half cluttered with crap. The bathrooms need to be desperately updated and I’ve been to cleaner bar bathrooms.
It’s $ 18 to visit the bridge and walk along the path, past the semi-​creepy Native American village manned by white interpreters, and to the falls along a paved path with half the interpretive boxes empty. We overheard a docent saying that they’re attempting to legislate this into a State Park. All I have to say is: YES PLEASE! This could benefit from some state or federal regulation, stat. When I go to a natural formation like Natural Bridge, I don’t want to be preached to about the beauty of «God’s Creation.» The sooner this can be out of creepy private Christian ownership, the better.

I really wish I did a little more research before driving 3 hours to this place with my boyfriend last weekend. The wax museum is more on the creepy side, and I mean, creepy! The natural bridge is beautiful but it would have been really pricey if we didn’t have the hotel package. Also, the wax museum and drama of creation show were more religious than historical… which threw us off a little since we are not Christians. But even then, I thought the drama of creation show could use a little investment to make it look better, technically speaking…
We got the Twin Rivers package which is about 159 for a standard room, buffet breafast, river trip of your choice (tubing, kayak, raft or canoe), all attraction tickets, and by that I mean natural bridge, drama of creation show and caverns — i thought this was a good deal, since the attraction tickets and river trip for two would have added up to 100 (give or take depending on what river trip you choose), and then buffet breakfast for two would be another 20… Even if you want to save money, I don’t think booking a cheaper hotel in Lexington and drive to this place would be a wise choice.
This place is more of a family attraction, definitely not ideal even for a couple who like being outdoor as well as learning and exploring like us… Maybe I was just not lucky but there were a lot of kids… Don’t get me wrong, I like kids but the crying, screaming, yelling, pushing and being rude to their parents and to the tour guy were NOT cute… And this happened EVERYWHERE I go, natural bridge (day and night), cavern, wax museum, river trip and safari park… Or maybe it’s just not the thing for me.

I suggest buying the caverns and bridge package. This seemed to be our best value and the caverns were cooling on the 91 degree day. The bridge was a nice walk in the woods and was awesome to look at but I agree that it’s overpriced, but I used my AAA discount which helps a bit.
We did not take in the wax museum.

Visited on August 29, 2013: The natural bridge itself is gorgeous and the path accessible for all ages and not too long; a nice stop enroute to stretch the legs. But the admission price is too high, the Visitor Center smelled moldy when we were there, the butterfly area was depressing, and Jefferson’s Playground was just an arcade where half the machines didn’t work. Too many mediocre touristy attractions built around an amazing natural site.

I’m separating my reviews for natural bridge and the wax museum. So this review is ONLY WAX Museum! I thought It was cool and freaky how realistic those wax people look down to vein details in the face made them look like actual people. They tell you the history of the area and kinda funny security guards with flash lights in the walk ways scared my son but I thought it was cool, they did have the presidents at least some of them and yes Obama is in there lol and unlike the previous review they moved him to the other side. I’d go back as it is included in the price for the natural bridge and caverns so it was certainly worth it but I wouldn’t pay to just go there.

$ 20.00 to enter. Did I say $ 20.00 to get in??? This is disgusting and shameless hawking. I wish I had been forewarned of this before departing off my course. I feel sorry for the people around me who brought whole families to be taken by these operators and walk that little trail without spending $$$$. I love nature and the outdoors (I’m on my Harley out from Texas) but loathe cheaters.

Interesting Wax Museum!
The wax museum takes you through the history of the bridge. There are exhibits including the Monacan Indians, Thomas Jefferson, and many others. The wax figures are pretty cool. The last room includes presidents as well as other historical people. Many of the exhibits have an audio narration where you can push a button and hear about the exhibit and how it relates to the bridge.

The bridge itself is an awesome structure and the trail to it and then down to Lace Falls is very peaceful and well worth a look if you’re in the area. Too bad it is so pricey.
The butterfly exhibit was ok, I’ve seen better, but it’s always nice to get a chance to see these beautiful creatures up close. There were staff in there warning people to watch where they step, the butterflies are often landing on the ground, but they didn’t say anything about not touching their wings, which can be fatal to them. Very lax.
The caverns aren’t very impressive, if you’ve been to nearby Luray — or if you haven’t, then go there instead! A woman had slipped on some stairs in the caverns the day we visited and I’m not surprised. The tour guides seem very indifferent about safety and/​or not touching this natural phenomenon. Hmmm — same as with the butterflies, now that I think about it.
Even though included in the price, also don’t bother with the wax museum. I’ve never seen such poorly done work — half the figures don’t even look like the people they are supposed to look like and most of them are so badly done they are creepy.

This review is only for the Natural Bridge itself, see my other review for the Wax Museum.
Took the shuttle rather than the 137 steps when it was drizzling and we had two preschoolers. Really quick, 3 minutes maybe, shuttle ride — didn’t think the «tip» bucket was necessary.
Not only was the Natural Bridge itself beautiful, but the walk to it and past it was lovely! The indian village was a little creepy.
Café was closed for the season when we visited the first week of October.
re: ticket price. No big deal, its a National Heritage spot and in the middle of nowhere — imagine the donations they don’t get. Yes, the wax museum, butterfly and toy exhibits are included as is the shuttle, but NBD re: ticket price. The tickets do give you two days to explore the amenities.

Spent Labor Day here and absolutely had an amazing time. The walk was wonderful (wear comfortable shoes as the hike is about 2 miles long). The bridge is amazing and if you just buy the ticket for the bridge, you get the wax museum, butterfly exhibit, and toy museum. Not crowded at all and tons of walking space on all walk areas. There is a place to eat along the walk to the bridge, but there is no ATM nearby so grab the cash before the walk if you want a snack. I was not a real fan of the wax museum — it was a big hub-​bub for not a lot of bang. Take the time to enjoy the walk, you will not regret it!

I really wish I could separate the Natural Bridge and the Wax Museum.
The Natural Bridge was wonderfully, beautifully amazing.
The Wax Museum was an entirely different story! Besides it being outdated, and the wax figurines looking very poorly made. (Sometimes scarily so) They had a display that had all the famous «white people» (mostly presidents) that have visited the Natural Bridge hotel on one side with all the famous «black people» (Including President Obama) on the other side.
Now, I KNOW we are in the South, but I thought segregation ended a while ago. I swear, I was looking for a sign that explained the divide but couldn’t find one. It just seems they decided to segregate the wax figures. I don’t get it.

As per other reviewers, although the Natural Bridge is beautiful, the ticket price is insanely high. But, can certainly be understandable cause the amenities at Natural Bridge are none too impressive for a city dweller and most certainly similar destinations are free elsewhere as they are paid for by larger pool of city tax payers. But, Natural Bridge, being literally in the middle of nowhere would have no such funding sources. Plus, looking from the perspective of how many people are employed and get to put food on table by working at this location, the price seems pretty fair.
At a closer look, the bridge has had some cosmetic work and I wonder how Natural it is since that…
Taken advice from previous reviewers, we skipped the night light scene on creationism.
Please be advised to take the shuttle down to the bridge if you have baby strollers and elderly amongst you with weak knees. The mile long trail along the creek that flows under the bridge is certainly picturesque. But, considering the admission fee, one would have expected the trail to be a lot less muddy, cleaner, plus LONGER. Leave the good shoes at home and take along a nice camera for the trail. The Indian village is so so and would be cool for kids to see.
The wax museum was flat out offensive!!! This is no madame tussauds, so go in with a lower than average expectations. You may wonder if this was some sort of high school senior project or some amateur artistic expression of how to offend tourists. There are few exhibits that are historic and informative. But, the room full of presidents… jeez! Could they have any more clearer that they HATE the Obamas??? Yes Virginia is a red state and yes Natural bridge is located in a rural area — leading to a right wing conservative populace. But, common! Have some American decency!!! The last room of last supper — yes, you have to go through it to exit. But, you are not obligated to stay. It is a 6min show of sort. Being a non christian educated in catholic universities, I was not merely offended for having to go through this to exit. But again, if you think you don’t want to sit through this fictional show, just walk out the exit door. We used the few minutes to sit and res in the dark from all the walking.
The butterfly museum — would have appreciated if they had more than 1 or 2 variety of butterflies…

This place is beautiful, but when I went, the museums were closed. Come on! At least cut the price of admission to reflect that!
The indian village is nothing more than a modern recreation. They also appear to be less than life size.

This place is seriously overpriced for what it is. Yes, the bridge is incredible and definitely worth seeing but for $ 18 — it’s a little ridiculous. Skip the wax museum, etc. They are a sad joke, though the admission is free with your purchase of the bridge ticket.
A note about the wax museum and drama of creation «light show» — there is a decidedly Christian focus in these offerings. The Wax Museum ends with a depiction of The Last Supper as painted by DaVinci, accompanied by a dramatic scripture reading, and there is no way to «bypass» this portion of the museum as you are required to wait outside until the presentation concludes. You can walk back through the museum to exit, or wait and walk through the last room without waiting for the presentation — but you’ll have to wait until you’re allowed in. I share this just so you’ll be prepared — we went with a friend who is not Christian and was really put off by the situation.
The «Drama of Creation» light show is not about the bridge at all, but comes from the book of Genesis. It requires you to sit on one side of the bridge, then get up halfway through and move to the other side. It was nice to look at the lights and to hear the creation story read with music while sitting outside under the stars — but if you’re expecting major technology or the story of the bridge you will be disappointed. I did, however, get a kick out of hearing MoTab at the end of the presentation.
Ultimately, unless you’re in the area for something else — Foamhenge or the Virginia Safari Park, perhaps? — I wouldn’t bother taking a family vacation to the area.

At a young age circa of thirteen years old on a tour bus Natural Bridge Caverns of VA, was one of the stops as a tourist attraction. From Earth Science classes of the 6^th grade in school with only text books as photos and description to visualize rock formation, years later circa thirteen years old my eyes were dazzled with stalactites and stalagmites of a natural cavern.
Sneakers are highly recommended, despite holding my mother’s hand, it was still slippery from the dampness of a underground cavern. Our tour bus group was well informed by a Natural Bridge Cavern guide which ran for thirty to forty minutes of walking in narrow spaces. Visitors will be in awe with the lighting effects of Mirror Lake, the Well Room and the stalactites and stalagmites that formed in the Canyon Room.
FYI: Despite stifling hot and humid temperatures in 90s and 100s in summer months, I recommend visitors to bring a sweater or light jacket as the underground caverns are 54 degree F (12.22 C). At circa thirteen years old I was shivering the whole tour while 34 stories underground descended even with a sweater.
The Natural Bridge Wax Museum is certainly NO Madame Tussauds but hosts historic American figures George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Robert E. Lee, Confederate soldiers, plus more. Unlike Madame Tussauds, Natural Bridge Wax Museum has narrated historical scenes depicting and re-​enacting history visually which intrigues youngsters to learn American history in a fun interactive medium rather than a traditional American history textbook!

From the looks of the outside I knew the wax museum was going to be a little bit creepy. I have never been to one before.
We were the only ones in there which was nice. Although every time I heard a noise I jumped. It was very well done, educational and surprisingly a lot larger then i expected. I liked the fact that a lot of it was history about the area of Natural Bridge.
The bridge itself is a nice place to visit. When we went there was really no one around so we got to walk and take in the beautiful site. The gift shop is over priced, and the toy museum inside was a nostalgic treat. The toy and wax museum aren’t very modern looking, but I would recommend visiting it if you plan a day trip or are passing through.
If you plan to stay in Natural Bridge, make sure you stay at the Conference center/​Inn. Check online for prices/​availabilty.
Eat at Pink Cadillac Diner for a cheap dinner or lunch, and try the restaurant in the hotel.
If you stay at this hotel you can get a deal on the tickets for the attractions in the area, plus you dont have to move your car. Most of the attractions are right across the road.

I can’t believe me, the earth science teaching is giving this place only 3 stars. The natural phenomena alone should rate it 10 stars. However, at 13 dollar admission (8 if your a student – which I was – trusty grad school ID), it is a sham for sure. For that 13 dollars you get to walk down 137 stairs (or ride a bus down the hill), then turn a corner and witness the bridge. While it is beautiful this admission price is INSANE!!! My note to myself is that I need to own a landmark worthy of awe, and charge people extreme prices to see it.
The gift shop is straight out of National Lampoon. And my friend nearly cringed when the cashier asked her to sign her receipt for «VAY-​SA».