With Mother Nature making a grand entrance this time of year, get the most out of “her” arrival! The Greenbrier Valley delivers on all fronts – eclectic foodie vibe and lively downtown districts, back-to-nature jaunts and the season’s best outings. See below for some Greenbrier Valley ideas that promise a celebration of spring to the fullest.
See below for some Greenbrier Valley ideas that promise a celebration of spring to the fullest.
With 5,100 acres of mountain terrain, the Greenbrier State Forest is loaded with miles of hiking and biking trails as well as disc golf and shooting and archery ranges. The park is set in a lush, hardwood forest with easy trails along the valley floor, aka Hart’s Run Creek. For more of a challenge, the trails that wind across its eastern slope prove to be a good workout. If you find your way to the Rocky Ridge Trail, it ultimately leads to the top of Kate’s Mountain. At 3,280 feet above sea level, the overlook just north of the trailhead is worth a few candid shots. As with all West Virginia state parks, there’s no entrance fee to enjoy the Greenbrier State Forest.
If you want to wine and dine in the great outdoors this spring, options abound in the Greenbrier Valley. Many locally-owned restaurants have fully embraced their patios, gardens and decks to give diners more ways to take in the valley's fine weather. For on-the-go options that make picnicking a breeze, stop in The Market, Corn+Flour, Blackwell’s, The Wild Bean, Em's Cake Corner, or Amy's Market.
The Historic General Lewis Inn takes full advantage of its spacious veranda and views of downtown Lewisburg.
An antiquing hub of the region, springtime in the Greenbrier Valley promises rich hunting grounds for one-of-a-kind keepsakes, vintage wares and rare collectibles. Whether you’re growing a specific collection or just want to add unique charm to your home décor, numerous shops are just a few miles in any direction. Start your search in Lewisburg and fan out to the surrounding communities. Be sure to make room in your car before heading out; these great bargains won’t last long!
There’s no business like show business! Combining local talent with professional actors, the Greenbrier Valley Theatre – the State Professional Theater of West Virginia – mainstage kicks off on May 12th this year. The Carnegie Hall performance season is in full swing, showcasing regularly scheduled events.
Dust off your sneaks because on May 13th, The Greenbrier Half-Marathon returns! Three courses—13.1 miles, 10k and 5k—meander along the scenic back roads that wind through the Greenbrier's 11,000-acre resort. With a champagne toast, it might be the grandest race you attend all year!
Every weekend in June, the West Virginia Renaissance Festival plays out on a farm-turned-old-English-village on the outskirts of Lewisburg. Step through the gates to be transported back to the 16th century when King Edward and Queen Eleanor reigned over the land. Find yourself amidst jousting knights, fairies, jugglers and magicians, sword fights and feats of amazement. Wander the trails through the forest and fields for more games and activities such as archery, darts and tests of strength--there's a petting zoo, the Castle Escape room and so much more.
A 1.5-mile section of Second Creek on the Greenbrier-Monroe County line is designated Special Regulation Waters for fly-fishing only. In its hay day, more than twenty mills–powder, grist, lumbering–dotted its banks. Its industrial history all but consumed by nature, the creek is now a fisherman’s paradise, with periodic stockings of brown and rainbow trout.
Spring is prime time fishing on Second Creek, with a nice selection of insect hatches on the trout menu. Mayflies, caddisflies and midges are all highly sought after by the creek's inhabitants, so be sure to bring flies that are on their radar. Catch-and-release only, this special section is easy to wade and features a rocky, gravel bottom with a few deeper holes throughout.
The stream has undergone significant habitat restoration work by the WV Conservation Agency. By addressing water quality, food sources and structure for the fish, it's become a must-do for year-round fly fishermen.
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