Go on fun adventures at some of West Virginia’s most incredible outdoor resorts!
Hey y’all, let’s clear something up about West Virginia: It’s for all the mamas not just the mountain ones, especially when you stay at incredible outdoor resorts.
Having your activities, accommodations and places to eat all in one place is ahh-mazing. Couple that with the state’s gorgeous mountain vistas and pristine wilderness, and you’ve got a winning vacay combo.
My picks for outdoor resorts in West Virginia aren’t all-inclusive, but they do offer the convenience of having everything onsite. So there’s no scrambling around trying to find where to meet your river-rafting guide or how much further the burger joint is. You simply take your pick of restaurants or activities offered at the resort.
The bonus? West Virginia flies under the vacation radar so there are no crowds. Zilch, zero, nada. Which, in any year would be awesome, but especially during a pandemic.
The state is made up of mostly rural communities too, with no town larger than 50,000 people. So spreading out isn’t a mandate, it’s a way of life here.
Top-of-the-World Adventure: Snowshoe Resort
Which do you like better: sunrises or sunsets? Well actually, it doesn’t matter at Snowshoe Resort.
You can see both from this sprawling complex atop the second highest peak in the whole state – the sun rises on one side and sets on the other. In the winter, the sky-high resort attracts snow bunnies with 60 ski runs, sleigh rides and snowmobiling.
But the best-kept secret is booking a vacation here in summer or fall. That’s when you can take advantage of Snowshoe’s world-class mountain biking.
Rent a bike, take a lesson and then tackle some of the 40 trails. You don’t even have to worry about huffing and puffing back up the mountain – the specially designed ski lifts can carry bikes too. So it’s downhill all the way, baby!
Other warm-weather activities include off-roading up and down the mountain as well as kayaking on a small, man-made lake.
Accommodations range from condos and houses to lodge rooms. Prices start at $190 a night.
Fancy-Schmancy Fun: Greenbrier Resort
In the middle of seemingly nowhere (ok, ok, it’s actually in the small town of White Sulphur Springs), looms a white-columned, massive, presidential-style building.
The Greenbrier Resort is a national historic landmark that first opened its doors to high society back in 1778. It’s hosted 27 presidents since then. These days you’re more likely to see the moneyed East Coast crowd or corporate execs wandering the palatial hallways, which are lit with oversized chandeliers and covered in floral wallpaper.
Bring your collared shirts and dress shorts – cause the Greenbrier Resort maintains a dress code, thankyouverymuch! – and enjoy the perfectly manicured grounds and activities offered at the resort. Most people golf or soak in the sulfur spring water at the spa.
But I say head straight to the infinity pool with a dreamy view of the Allegheny mountains or sign up for a lesson in falconry, the sport of kings. You can also shoot sporting clays, make jewelry, take a Segway tour, and go horseback riding, among other activities.
Whatever you choose, don’t leave without taking the 90-minute underground bunker tour. It was built as a secret fallout shelter for Congress during the Cold War. The shelter has a 25-ton blast door, its own power plant and can house 1,100 people. (We’re definitely coming here when the zombie apocalypse happens!)
Stay in one of the 710 stately rooms starting at $239 to $539 a night, depending on the time of year and day of the week.
Water Play All Day: Adventures on the Gorge Resort
Explore West Virginia’s natural riches – mountains, rivers and fresh air – at Adventures on the Gorge (AOTG) resort. It’s a rafting paradise perched along the rim of New River Gorge National Park.
Here you can paddle through family-friendly rapids or go big on Class V whitewater on one of the continent’s oldest rivers. The bonus? Kids raft free and you’re in the hands of awesome, safety-minded AOTG guides.
On dry land, you and your gang can hit the treetops aerial course’s challenges like swinging bridges, rope nets and zooming down ziplines at speeds up to 65 miles per hour.
Once the adrenalin wears off, relax by the pool or hunker down in one of seven types of accommodations, from campsites to luxury homes. A good middle ground? The deluxe cabins, which have hot tubs and wifi. Rates start at $289 a night.
Enjoying the wilderness is fun and easy when you stay at one of these outdoorsy resorts. Take lots of pictures, especially of teens who’ll finally be smiling in all the shots!
Happy travels,
P.S. Can’t make it to West Virginia? Check out fun, outdoorsy adventures in New York, Utah or the Smoky Mountains.
