Lewisburg is one of those small mountain towns so charming and filled with culture that it’ll leave you wondering why you don’t leave the big city behind and relocate to West Virginia. After all, Lewisburg and the surrounding Greenbrier Valley towns have professional performing arts venues, rejuvenating spas, diverse dining options, a walkable downtown, a grand destination resort, boutique shopping, art galleries, and quiet nature trails to balance it all out.
Drive time from Dulles: About 3.5 hours
What to Do
Lewisburg’s arts scene rivals many much larger cities. Catch a live concert, art exhibition, family-friendly arts workshop, or film screening at Carnegie Hall, one of only four still-operating Carnegie Halls in the world. (The others are in New York, Scotland, and Pennsylvania.) Just a few blocks away, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, designated West Virginia’s official state professional theater in 2006, stages Broadway musicals, comedies, new works, and holiday productions. During warmer months, you’ll find outdoor concerts and community performances at parks and public spaces around town.
Between shows, stroll Lewisburg’s historic downtown, where independent galleries, artist studios, boutiques, and bookstores occupy preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Spot the Appalachian craftsmanship celebrated throughout galleries and shops in the handmade pottery, woodworking, fiber arts, and quilts. Be sure to stop by Lee Street Studios, an artist collective inside a restored 1924 elementary school. If your visit coincides with one of the town’s frequent gallery openings, art walks, or festivals, you’ll find the streets buzzing with local musicians and artists.
Unplug with a phone-free spa session at Pomona Salt Cave and Spa, where walls lined with Himalayan salt create a tranquil setting for halotherapy, massage, and meditation. The curious setting on the side of a mountain in White Sulphur Springs adds to the mystical appeal. The Greenbrier River Trail offers 78 miles of scenic walking and cycling along a former railroad corridor that follows one of the state’s longest rivers through forests, farmland, and quiet mountain communities. Bring the kids to venture underground at Lost World Caverns for a self-guided walk of towering stalactites and stalagmites beneath the Greenbrier Valley.
The Greenbrier (Courtesy Experience Greenbrier Valley)
Where to Stay
The Greenbrier is one of the country’s most famous destination resorts and among West Virginia’s most luxurious hotels. A National Historic Landmark, the 11,000-acre resort 10 miles from Lewisburg is notable for its design, spa, golf courses, and history. Dozens of U.S. presidents have stayed here, and it’s the surprising site of an underground bunker built to serve as shelter for members of Congress during the Cold War. Make sure to sign up for the expert-led bunker tour. Iconic designer Dorothy Draper is behind the bold, colorful interiors that are a refreshing change of pace from today’s typically understated hotel color palettes.
For something slightly less luxurious but no less charming, The General Lewis Inn is right in the center of downtown Lewisburg. Operating since 1929, the Colonial Revival–style hotel has a front porch with rocking chairs, a lounge and restaurant, landscaped gardens, and individually styled rooms furnished with period antiques.
Hawk Knob (Courtesy Experience Greenbrier Valley)
Where to Dine
Even if you’re not staying at the General Lewis Inn, a meal inside its Jefferson Dining Room is a treat. It serves breakfast, dinner, and a popular weekend brunch with contemporary Southern and Appalachian dishes that might include fried chicken and local mountain trout. Stardust Cafe is a favorite with locals for lunch or dinner, a downtown spot with a warm, casual atmosphere for fresh sandwiches, salads, and creative American entrées featuring ingredients from local farms. Also in downtown Lewisburg, head to The Humble Tomato for housemade pastas and pizzas in a cozy setting. Amy’s Market is great for baked goods, coffees, and West Virginia goodies to pack for a picnic or bring home.
The craft beverage scene is growing in the region. Hawk Knob Appalachian Hard Cider is a must for its dry ciders and meads using 100% West Virginia heritage apples and traditional Appalachian methods. It often ages the cider in barrels from nearby Smooth Ambler Spirits in Maxwelton, an award-winning distillery where you can tour the production facility and learn about its craft bourbon and whiskey. Nearby, Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company pours a rotating lineup of beers inspired by Appalachian folklore, from its flagship Devil Anse IPA to seasonal and small-batch releases, often accompanied by live music and events.
Feature image courtesy Experience Greenbrier Valley
This story originally ran in our September issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
