The Greenbrier, a great place for families

White Sulphur Springs is in Greenbrier County, WV. The county houses the Allegheny Mountains, and the luxury resort, The Greenbrier, calls the city home.

Whether you and your family travel to the area on Amtrak, or along Interstate 64, U.S. Route 60, or WV 92, the drive is spectacular.

As you travel along Interstate 64 westbound, make a stop at the Welcome Center. Yes, this is a rest area. However, you and the family will be amazed at the views from the scenic overlook trail, so do not forget your camera. Grab a snack or enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the picnic tables. No matter what time you cruise by, it is a great time to stop as the facility is open 24 hours.

An old community house is where the White Sulphur Springs Library is housed. This educational resource is an excellent place to learn about the city and surrounding area. A fun fact regarding the library is that it is named after Katherine Coleman Johnson. She is a native of the town and a scientist at NASA.

Gem&I Studios, located on Main Street, is a great place for letting the family’s creative juices flow as you can make your own unique 14K Gold & Silver jewelry piece with the designer. Before departing, browse through the accessories, paintings, handcrafted jewelry, and so much more.

As you travel along Main Street, make a stop at Virtu Art Glass Studio, and let the children try their hand at fusing. Create a wind chime, sun catcher, or other unique items. The whole process takes about an hour. You will need to come back the next day for your piece, so if you only have one day in the area, this may not be a great activity to participate in.

Candy lovers will be in heaven at The Candy Maker, also on Main Street. Orange peels, chocolate covered pretzels, and so much more await your sweet tooth.

After all the walking and Main Street excitement, head to The Greenbrier. Enjoy some of the activities offered, such as a visit to the Presidents’ Cottage Museum. What better place to learn about the 27 presidents that have visited?

A bunker tour is another excellent adventure as you walk-behind the scenes and the resort’s history. The Cold War fallout shelter is housed underneath the West Virginia Wing. Step behind the doors for 90 minutes and explore this relocation facility that was once top-secret and for members of Congress.

The tour is for those ten or older, and reservations are required.

Bowling, bowling, bowling. Strike up a friendly game at the eight-lane bowling alley. Kiddie bumpers are built-in, and rope lights highlight the fun. Do not worry about having to pay extra for shoe rental; it is included in the price.

Should you be enjoying a night at this luxurious resort, do not forget to head down to the North Entrance and embark on a 50-minute horse-drawn carriage ride across the exquisite property grounds. Reservations are required, and children under 9 are complimentary with any paid adult.

Attire is casual, so don your sport shirts, jeans, or walking shorts and enjoy spending time with the family as you make memories.