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.
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 by The Market, Corn+Flour, The Wild Bean, Amy's Market or The Lunch Box.
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!
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 heyday, 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.
Designated Special Regulation Waters for fly-fishing on, spring is prime time for fishing on Second Creek.
April 11. It’s a day built for food lovers. Start in historic downtown Lewisburg, where the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival fills the streets with decadent creations from dozens of chocolatiers. Then, as the sun dips, head to The Greenbrier for Flames in the Valley, a feast prepared on an open fire with world-class barbecue master Jack Arnold. This dining extravaganza is paired with pours from Smooth Ambler's Whiskey Wagon. Get your tickets!
Jack Arnold walks guests through the art of open-fire cooking.
April 24-26. It's a big dill! Volume 5 of WV Picklefest rolls into the WV State Fairgrounds with pickle contests, brine-infused brews and local eats that will wake up your taste buds. Add a full lineup of foot-stompin' bluegrass and Americana music to the mix, and you've got a weekend that's equal parts flavor and fun.
MAY 3. Celebrating the history of the automobile and the finest in car-making, The Greenbrier once again hosts the Concours d'Elegance. The front entrance lawn and manicured gardens become the backdrop for 100 collector cars from around the globe. With classics, sports cars and pre-war production models among others, patrons and participants alike are invited to tour Sunday's spectacular display.
MAY 9. Dust off your sneaks because 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 will attend all year!
MAY 23-25. All corners of the valley are celebrating Memorial Day weekend. From the Dandelion Festival in White Sulphur Springs to the Alderson Strawberry Festival and the LZ Rainelle Veterans Reunion, enjoy live music, handmade crafts, kids’ games and, of course, fresh-picked strawberries. It’s worth making a whole weekend of it!
There’s no business like show business! For culture lovers, make a date to see a concert at Carnegie Hall. More than a century old, it's one of only four in operation worldwide and has several more shows on the docket this spring. Just a few blocks away, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, the State Professional Theater of West Virginia, is a force for the arts in the region, presenting live theatrical productions. Its mainstage series kicks off on May 8 with Ripcord, a comedy we can all relate to.
JUNE WEEKENDS. 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.
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