Virginia makes it easy to plan a mountain escape in any season. The Blue Ridge and surrounding ranges rise in gentle slopes, inviting families, beginners, and anyone who prefers a slower pace. Scenic trails, sweeping overlooks, and welcoming mountain towns are all within easy reach, without the need for exhausting drives or endless winding roads.
Each season in Virginia’s mountains offers its own kind of magic, from trails lined with wildflowers during spring to horseback rides beneath autumn’s vibrant foliage. After a day spent exploring trails, trying new adventures, or simply soaking in the views, you can wind down with a casual, kid-friendly meal or a fine dining experience highlighting local ingredients. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a little of both, these four properties are top places for a mountain getaway in Virginia.
Primland Resort
Spread across 12,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection offers a secluded escape where guests can truly unplug. Retreat to one of 62 unique accommodations, ranging from lodge suites to spacious mountain homes, relax at the luxury spa or dive into the wide range of outdoor activities. Options include archery, tree climbing, hiking, ATV rides, the new Aerial Adventures ropes course, and the scenic 18-hole Highland Golf Course.
Families will find plenty to keep younger travelers engaged, from Kids’ Golf 101 during warmer months to a junior mountaineer program and a dedicated game room. At night, a visit to the Observatory Dome provides the opportunity to get a close-up view of the planets through professional telescopes.
Leatherflower, the resort’s new signature farm-to-table restaurant, presents seasonal mountain dishes like smoked trout hushpuppies and local crudo comprised of Appalachian leche de tigre, chow chow and pickled plum. The Laurel Bar is an upscale spot for craft cocktails and quick bites. Families will enjoy gathering at Stables Saloon for Southern-style dinners, often accompanied by live music. For a more intimate experience, the Schlumberger Wine Cellar provides a curated collection of rare vintages and hosts private tastings in a candlelit setting.
Massanutten Resort
For families who love variety, Massanutten Resort in the Shenandoah Valley is an ideal choice. Spanning 6,000 acres, it’s one of Virginia’s most complete all-season destinations, offering summer water fun, winter ski adventures, and fall getaways surrounded by vibrant foliage.
The resort’s wide range of on-site activities keep families entertained without having to leave the property. In the warmer months, guests can enjoy mountain biking, ziplining, miniature golf, an organized kids’ program, and golf at the resort’s state-of-the-art Perfect Break facility. Autumn brings a more relaxed pace, with scenic chairlift rides showcasing stunning fall foliage.
When winter arrives, Massanutten transforms into a snowy wonderland featuring 83 skiable acres, 23 runs, snow tubing lanes, and an ice-skating rink. The 130,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor WaterPark is popular year round, with tube slides, wave pools, and a lazy river.
Guests can settle into a variety of room types, from comfortable hotel-style studios to spacious vacation homes with multiple bedrooms. For those who enjoy cooking or dining in, accommodations like Regal Vistas feature full kitchens. Of course, you don’t have to cook if you would rather relax, as the resort’s five dining venues provide family-friendly dine-in and takeout options. A guest favorite is Campfire Grill, a cabin-style spot that pays homage to camping classics with dishes like skillet cornbread, beer cheeseburgers, and a S’mores cheesecake.
Massanutten also keeps things fresh with new attractions. This year saw the arrival of a new escape room, and a thrilling mountain coaster, Mountain Mayhem, is slated to open this fall. Next year will bring a brand-new five-story, 140-room hotel, plus exciting upgrades to the WaterPark.
Omni Homestead Resort & Spa
Set in the Allegheny Mountains, the Omni Homestead Resort & Spa in Hot Springs, Virginia, has been welcoming guests for more than 250 years. As America’s first resort, this National Historic Landmark carries a rich history as well as an impressive lineup of activities available year-round.
One of the highlights is the historic indoor pool, naturally fed by the area’s famous hot springs. Guests can also unwind at the luxury spa, which features 28 treatment rooms, and choose from 483 spacious rooms, including deluxe view rooms and executive suites.
Omni Homestead Resort & Spa has more than a dozen upscale dining options. Start your day with breakfast at the American Audubon Dining Room, a fine dining restaurant featuring classic American cuisine and a popular Friday night prime rib buffet.
Jefferson’s Restaurant serves modern American cuisine with a focus on locally sourced grilled meats, while Jefferson’s Taproom provides a laid-back, pub-style atmosphere with dishes like fried green tomato sandwiches and Shenandoah apple empanadas. Head to Woody’s for comfort foods like pasta and pizza, or keep it casual at Pioneer Picnic, Martha’s Market, and Serenity Garden Café. For younger foodies, the resort’s Junior Chef gives kids the opportunity to learn hands-on cooking skills and create their own dishes under the guidance of the resort’s culinary team.
In the warmer months, families head to Allegheny Springs, a two-acre water park with water slides, a lazy river, and a splash zone designed for young children. Guests can also enjoy activities like zip-lining, horseback riding, falconry demonstrations, or an afternoon of games in the arcade. When the weather turns cooler, the resort comes alive with winter fun, offering skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ice skating, and even mini snowmobiles for adventurous kids.
Wintergreen Resort
It’s no surprise that winter is one of the most popular times to visit Wintergreen Resort. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains southwest of Charlottesville, the resort has ski runs for every ability, Virginia’s largest tubing hill, and plenty of cozy fireside lounges. This year, Wintergreen has taken its snowmaking to the next level with the addition of several TechnoAlpin TT10 fan guns, each equipped with advanced power, water, and communication systems. The result is smoother, more consistent snow across the slopes from top to bottom.
In the warmer months, guests can explore miles of hiking trails, take in scenic overlooks, or spend the day on the golf course or racquet sport courts. The resort also offers a wealth of amenities, including indoor and outdoor pools, a luxury spa, mountain biking, pickleball and tennis, and guided nature programs. Lodging options are flexible and family-friendly, and range from cozy guest rooms to spacious multi-bedroom condos and vacation homes.
At the resort’s seven dining venues, you can try everything from quick bites to refined meals with sweeping mountain views. Devils Grill serves fresh seafood and grilled meats and poultry, with an expansive patio that’s perfect for soaking in the scenery. You might even time your visit for one of their themed nights, like Surf and Turf Sundays or Wine Down Thursdays. Families will feel right at home at The Copper Mine, which serves hearty American classics in a cozy, lodge-style setting, or at Upper Crust Pizza for delicious pizzas and snacks like wings and corn dogs. If you’re in the mood for burgers, sandwiches, a craft beer, or live music, The Edge is the place to be.
This article first appeared on Forbes.com.
