When many people think of southern West Virginia, they think of whitewater rafting and the fall Gauley season, when rushing waters offer some of the most challenging whitewater in the United States.
Bus as the air turns brisk and snowflakes swirl around the car, drive into the scenic mountains to Glade Springs Resort for a winter get-away. Golf enthusiasts: take note of the rolling fairways designed in the 1970s by George W. Cobb, and vow to come back in the spring.
While Glade Springs has three distinct luxury lodging options, you and your friends have elected a Presidential Suite. Lodging for up to four persons in these spacious two bedroom suites is ideal and the comfortable parlor makes for a nice area in which to visit.
Dinner tonight is definitely a treat. Chef Robert Wong, formerly executive chef at The Greenbrier Resort ahs brought his creative flair for contemporary American cuisine to Glade Springs. In 1997, Chef Wong was selected as one of Gourmet Magazine’ Great American Chefs!
On this brisk December evening, savor the warmth of Chef Wong’s non-traditional Appalachian Egg Roll and corn-crusted Mountain Trout.
Today is shopping day! Can there be anything more fun than combining great scenery with antiquing and top-qualilty West Virginia-made arts and crafts?
First stop: the Beckley Antique Mall just off I-77 in Beckley.
Looking for furniture? You’ll find it! Glassware, collectibles, or linens? You’ll find all of it here, too. Beckley has a great variety of antique shops!
Head for the next stop, Tamarack. The best of West Virginia. Here you’ll find a cafeteria-style restaurant staffed bye the world-renowned Greenbrier Resort. The Greenbrier chicken salad is popular, but so are the fried green tomato sandwiches, fresh trout dishes and soups. And save room for dessert. Folks drive up for the day for the bread pudding with vanilla sauce.
Find gifts for everyone on your Christmas list including West Virginia marbles, and rag dolls, books, music, hand-knit sweaters, stained glass, wrought-iron and musical instruments, as well wonderful jams, preserves, mustards, pickles and sauces.
Tamarack, with its offerings from 1,200-plus artisans, features the best of our state’s juried artisans. At Christmastime, Tamarack is alive with children’s programs, musical performances, and an Appalachian Santa who offers a special, regional warmth to our famous West Virginia hospitality.
Daniel Vineyards, a short drive away is making a name for itself and the state in the wine world. This gold course-turned-vineyard will wow you with its Napa Valley ambiance. There are free wine tastings and tours year-round. Among the favorites that you purchase is the 1997 Seyval. You’re in good company as this particular bottling was the winner of the Gold Medal at the Atlanta Wine Summit, the southeast’s largest wine competition.
You’ll see how the coal barons lived in this tiny town, tucked away in the valleys of West Virginia. It was once home to as many as 19 milllionaires, who required daily railroad runs to an d from New York City. And the locals say the bank custodian rolled cash in wheelbarrows from the bank to the train depot on miners’ paydays! Today, renovated mansions are open for viewing.
Dinner this evening is at The Char, a local favorite known for its steak selection and cozy dining atmosphere.
Next day, enjoy the outdoors at Glade springs. Year-round outdoor programs offer guests horseback riding, whitewater rafting and cycling. Today, you’ve made reservations with West Virginia native Chris Ellis of The Mountain Connection to take a fly fishing lesson.
On your last evening, relax after a visit to the spa and enjoy visiting with your friends. The Dining Room at Glade Springs provides take-out service – try all those great Chef Wong specialties without leaving your suite.