Natural Bridge, Virginia - Natural Bridge - Mini-Mecca

Natural Bridge could win the title of the biggest collection of roadside attractions in one small town. In one 5-mile stretch of Rt. 11 (just off of I-81) there is the Virginia Safari Park (188-acre drive through zoo where you feed and pet the animals as they stick their heads in your car window looking for food), Natural Bridge zoo (separate from Safari park), Enchanted Castle (small amusement attraction built by one man who makes fiberglass sculptures for other parks. Lacks all the polish of large places but is the ultimate product of piddling around in the back yard--bizarre, but admirable, with special effects and humor included), wax museums (at least 2 separate ones), Indian reenactments, the Pink Cadillac diner with lots of Elvis memorabilia, and, of course, the Natural Bridge (one of the seven wonders of the world, and now, sadly, after the accident last year, could be called "a fatal attraction"). We never did find the actual town, but I assume there is one. [Anne Pfeiffer, 10/14/2000]