What’s the best time to visit White Sulphur Springs?
White Sulphur Springs is a cozy little town in the middle of the Alleghany Mountains, full of natural beauty throughout the year, but the colors of fall need to be marked on your calendar. Driving through the mountains covered in red, yellow and orange trees will make you think you’re driving through some sort of natural kaleidoscope, and the crisp air will feel just right with a jacket or sweater. Hiking through the various state parks gives you unbelievable vistas of the stellar fall foliage. Though fall is too cold to swim in the river or lakes, you’ll still be able to explore the nearby caverns and historical town of Lewisburg. Even just cruising around in your car will be relaxing — no honking horns or crazy taxi drivers, just beautiful leaves and the changing seasons around you.
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On November 12, 2011Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are the best White Sulphur Springs museums?
White Sulphur Springs was put on the map by its infamous - you guessed it - sulphur springs. The healing power of the water has brought people to the area for centuries. The town’s major resort, the Greenbrier, became a centerpiece of the area when it was first built in 1789. Royalty and presidents have visited White Sulphur Springs to stay at the world-famous Greenbrier, so it’s no surprise that the resort offers two of the town’s best museums.
The first, the President’s Cottage Museum, was actually used to house five presidents during the summers before the Civil War. The museum showcases memorabilia from the stays of more than 25 presidents at the Four-Star resort. Archives on display date back to the resort’s early history, giving you an idea of just how much history the place has.
The other museum on the property the Bunker, as it is affectionately called today, was a safe house for the United States Congress and their family members for 30 years. In 1992, an article featured in The Washington Post outed the relocation facility, effectively ending its term as a safe house for elected officials. Considering everyone then knew where Congress would take shelter in case of an attack, the government decided to find a new place to hide out; nowadays the Bunker is available for daily tours. -
On November 12, 2011Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What’s the best time to visit White Sulphur Springs?
White Sulphur Springs is a cozy little town in the middle of the Alleghany Mountains, full of natural beautiful throughout the year, but the colors of fall need to be marked on your calendar. Driving through the mountains covered in red, yellow and orange trees will make you think you’re driving through some sort of natural kaleidoscope, and the crisp air will feel just right with a jacket or sweater. Hiking through the various state parks gives you unbelievable vistas of the stellar fall foliage. Though fall is too cold to swim in the river or lakes, you’ll still be able to explore the nearby caverns and historical town of Lewisburg. Even just cruising around in your car will be relaxing - no honking horns or crazy taxi drivers - just beautiful leaves and the changing seasons around you.
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On November 11, 2011Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Where is the best White Sulphur Springs shopping?
Unfortunately, White Sulphur Springs won’t soon make its way onto your retail bucket list. Since the town doesn’t have its own version of Madison Avenue or Rodeo Drive, your best bet to finding anything other than kitschy souvenirs is at the Greenbrier. With stores such as Yarid’s, which specializes in designer shoes, and My Sister’s Circus, which sells kids’ clothing, the Greenbrier is a great place to pick up something for everyone. The Five-Star hotel includes two jewelry stores, an outdoor apparel shop and a selection of spots to purchase menswear, in addition to a Ralph Lauren selling the designer’s classy duds. And you can get a taste of the community talent at Art Colony, which features items crafted by local artists, and even artists in residence.
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On November 11, 2011Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Where can I go to watch sports in White Sulphur Springs?
There’s not much as far as sports go in White Sulphur Springs, so if you’re a sports fanatic, we suggest you plan your trip accordingly. The only real sports event that might suit you, if you’re a golfer, or at least into golf, comes in July, when the Greenbrier hosts the Greenbrier Classic, a PGA tour tournament. If you’re looking for a little more excitement, big names such as Keith Urban and Black Eyed Peas have been known to swing by the area on concert tours.
If you want to watch the big football game, you’ll have to head to Slammin’ Sammy’s at the Greenbrier. The sports bar inside the golf club overlooks the Five-Star resort’s three golf courses and two pool tables let you pass the time when you just want to chill out. -
On November 11, 2011Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are the three best kid-friendly restaurants in White Sulphur Springs?
While it might not be ideal for high-end shopping or rowdy nightlife, White Sulphur Springs has plenty of things to offer to families. Though there aren’t a ton of dining options in the area, most of them are kid-friendly, so you won’t have search through the few options to find some place for your kids. We’ve come up with a list of the top three kid-friendly restaurants in White Sulphur Springs.
1. Draper’s at the Greenbrier, a casual ice cream parlor-esque restaurant, serves up home cookin’ with a twist. The fried green tomato sandwich tastes like a piece of the old South, and all ice cream and other sweets will make your kids beg for dessert. Draper’s overlooks the casino, so while your little ones can’t take part in the fun, they can look at the gamblers below. The kids’ menu features your typical fare, such as chicken tenders and burgers, giving even the pickiest of eaters something to snack on.
2. Granny’s House will comfort your kids just as much as their real granny’s house. You can enjoy the down-home southern fare at Granny, which serves breakfast around the clock. That craving for eggs and hash browns won’t be a problem, whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
3. The Diner, an original Valentine diner that was delivered by train in 1949, consists of an 8-stool counter; and while the pint-sized restaurant isn’t that big with locals, it’s not for a lack of charm or good food. Honestly, there just aren’t that many locals in the first place. Passers-through stop into the Diner to grab a good and greasy meal with the kids, all in a throwback atmosphere. -
On November 11, 2011Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What should I pack for a trip to White Sulphur Springs?
Outdoor adventures make up the majority of the activities in White Sulphur Springs; with that in mind, you’ll want to pack clothes that are comfortable enough to wear while hiking, horseback riding or white water rafting. A light jacket should do the job in the spring and fall, though you’ll need a heavy parka for the snowy winters. The small town snuggled among the Alleghany Mountains offers up great hiking trails, so hiking boots and a camera are a must for any trip out into the wilderness. And the numerous lakes and rivers give you freshwater options for swimming, so be sure to bring that bathing suit along; although you still might be able to pull off just going for a plunge in your birthday suit, if you’re not too shy. -
On November 11, 2011Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are the three best free things to do in White Sulphur Springs?
Natural beauty abounds and accounts for most of the activities you’ll find in this part of West Virginia, and a side benefit of the great outdoors comes in its price tag: free. We’ve come up with a list of our three favorite free things to do in White Sulphur Springs.
1. The 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail runs longside the Greenbrier River, with picturesque views that won’t cost you a dime. Even though you’ve got 78 miles to cover, no one says you have to jog the whole length. Areas for fishing and swimming dot the area, just in case you want to catch a fish or emulate one. The trail also runs parallel to Monongahela National Forest, Seneca State Forest and Watoga State Park, as well as some of the more remote areas in the state.
2. Strap up the hiking boots and hike through the Greenbrier State Forest. With 13 miles of trails, you can explore Greenbrier State Forest’s rare flowers and vegetation, hunt, fish, swim and picnic, all within the 5,100-acre forest. The state forest borders Virginia and offers glorious views , especially from the 3,280-foot top of Kate’s Mountain.
3. Venture up to Monongahela National Forest. Established in 1920, this national forest boasts some of the highest ridges in West Virginia, reaching up to 4,863 feet above sea level - you may need to catch your breath while climbing these hills. Monongahela National Forest also presents one of the most ecologically diverse national forests in the country, including a “working” forest that produces timber, water and minerals for the region and the rest of the nation. -
On November 11, 2011Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are the three best things to do with kids in White Sulphur Springs?
If your youngsters prefer getting down and dirty in the mud to being a couch potato indoors, then they’ll love exploring the lush landscapes of White Sulphur Springs. Activities in the area skew toward adventure, leaving even the most active-minded kids satisfied. Here’s a list of the three best things to do with your kids:
1. Listen to your echo in the Lost World Caverns. Located in Lewisburg, just a few miles away from White Sulphur Springs, Lost World Caverns boasts amazing, 28-foot stalagmites and a 30-ton stalactite, 120-feet below ground. Think of them as nature’s own skyscrapers - or would that be cave-ceiling scrapers?
2. The New River offers rapids ranging from the lowest to highest class; take advantage of the choppy waters by going white water rafting with the kids. A number of companies offer guided trips on these adrenaline-pumping rides, where you’ll battle the current in a race down the river.
3. Go spelunking in Organ Cave. What, you’ve never been spelunking? More than 1,000 Confederate soldiers hid in Organ Cave for more than three years from their neighboring Yanks; today, it’s just a cool place to walk around to see another side of nature’s wonders. Filled with history and natural beauty, Organ Cave is definitely worth a visit. -
On November 11, 2011Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are the three best things to do on a romantic trip to White Sulphur Springs?
Thanks to the natural beauty on display year-round, White Sulphur Springs and the surrounding area can provide a romantic reprieve from your everyday life. West Virginia specializes in outdoor activities, so if your special someone enjoys thrill-seeking or just a walk in the woods, you’ll have the perfect spot to come a little closer. Here’s our list of our favorite things to do on a romantic trip to White Sulphur Springs.
1. Take a hike - in the literal sense. White Sulphur Springs is conveniently situated in the Alleghany Mountains, providing you with plenty of hiking trails to explore for an hour, an afternoon, or even an entire day. Greenbrier State Forest is not far from town, and also offers a multitude of areas where you can get your hike on.
2. Gallop along the breathtaking Greenbrier River Trail, either on your own two feet, or on a four-legged foal. The 78-mile trail that offers stellar views of the Greenbrier River lets you run, walk and even ride horses. Of course, we don’t expect you to stay on the trail for the full 78 miles, but the woods are your oyster when you’re trotting around the Greenbrier River Trail.
3. For unexpected luxury in the wilderness, schedule a treatment at the Greenbrier Spa. Though the Four-Star spa doesn’t offer couples treatments, a relaxing massage for each of you can help ease away any tension to get you back to focusing on the best parts of your relationship. And with the natural draw of the sulphur springs themselves, the Greenbrier Spa specializes in hydrotherapy; try a sulphur soak and reconvene afterwards in a newly relaxed state. -
On November 11, 2011Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are the three best things to see and do in White Sulphur Springs?
As you may have guessed, the best things to see and do in White Sulphur Springs are, for the most part, outdoors. Tourists and residents alike flock to the area of the natural beauty of the White Sulphur Springs; that said, we’ve come up with a list of our three favorite attractions in the area.
1. No trip to the area would be complete without some white water rafting. Fun and thrill-seeking for everyone, white water rafting gets extra exhilarating when the rapids range from small to large. Multiple companies will take you out on the New River, which isn’t so new; in fact it’s the second oldest river in the world, behind the Nile.
2. Take a stroll (or a jog, if you’re a mover-and-shaker) on the Greenbrier River Trail. This 78-mile, nearly flat trail runs along the Greenbrier River, hence the name. You can run, walk and even ride horses, and you’ll encounter some pretty spectacular views. You can also pull over for a pit stop and take a dunk in one of the numerous areas for swimming and fishing.
3. Of course, we can’t leave out the Greenbrier. Interesting tidbit: For more than 30 years, the United States Congress had a safe house built below the West Virginia Wing of the Greenbrier. After The Washington Post revealed the bunker in 1992, the government decided that it wasn’t much of a safe house if everyone knew about it. Now, the hotel offers tours of what was essentially a safe city for members of Congress and their families.
