Français
ItalianoWhite Sulphur Springs
White Sulphur Springs
White Sulphur Springs is a small town in West Virginia and is perhaps the only place where you can sleep at one of Americas nicest hotels, tour a secret government controlled underground bunker under it, and walk in the footsteps of former American presidents all as part of one experience.
Located right next to Lewisburg, WSS is the home of the Greenbrier hotel which is one of the most acclaimed hotels in the USA. Many presidents have stayed in this hotel, 28 to be exact, and one (named Dwight D. Eisenhower) got the idea to build a bunker under the building.
Understand
[edit]History
[edit]Beginning in 1778 White Sulphur Springs was primarily visited for it's water springs. The town quickly became a tourist destination for the alleged magical powers these springs had. A resort was built onto the site. It went through many improvements and name changes but the resort known as the Greenbrier was not established until 1913.
The current Greenbrier was built by the railroad company who operated a station across the street (that still exists). The current interior of the hotel was designed by Dorthy Draper in the late 1940's. She was responsible for restoring the hotel to it's former glory after it was converted into a hospital for the US army during the second World War.
During the late 1950's President Eisenhower asked the Greenbrier to assist in the creation of a secret bunker to protect congress. The bunker was constructed as a shelter from nuclear fallout. It was stocked with supplies until it's decommissioning in 1992.
Read
[edit]Many books have been written about the Greenbrier. It is a popular setting for various novels. Many ghost stories have been written about the hotel due to it's paranormal activity.
Watch
[edit]In 2022 Fox Nation produced a holiday romance film titled "Christmas at the Greenbrier".
Get in
[edit]
By car
[edit]- Two main roads run parallel to each other through White Sulphur Springs: US-60 — which runs from Charleston to Richmond, Virginia in the east — and I-64 — which runs from Beckley through Charlottesville, Virginia to Richmond, Virginia.
By train
[edit]- See also: Rail travel in the United States
- 1 White Sulphur Springs station, 315 West Main Street.
- Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America. Route stopping in White Sulphur Springs:
- Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
- Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America.
By plane
[edit]The nearest airport is Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) just west in Lewisburg. It offers commercual flights to and from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
Get around
[edit]By Car
[edit]All locations in the town center are located along or near US-60 or WV-92.
- Mountain Transit Authority, 1096 Broad Street in Summersville, +1 304-872-5872 or +1-877-712-9432. Daily bus service is available through the MTA with 2 stops in WSS with buses arriving approximately every hour.
See and do
[edit]The main reason people visit White Sulphur Springs is for:
- 1 The Greenbrier, 300 W Main St, ☏ +1 304-536-1110, toll-free: +1-800-453-4858. The main draw of White Sulphur Springs and likely the only reason your visiting. Non-registered guests are welcome to visit and explore the hotel and it's ground if they have advance reservations for dinner or golf tee times.
- Bunker Tours. Take a 90 minute guided tour through a secret military bunker located under the Greenbrier hotel. Youth: $24 Adults: $52.
- Exterior History Walking Tour. Take a guided tour around the grounds of the Greenbrier.
- Guided Hike. Take a 60 minute guided hike across the Greenbrier property.
- Interior History Walking Tour. Take a guided tour through the Greenbrier's rooms and endless hallways designed by Dorthy Draper.
- Lamp Light Glass Art Glass Blowing Observation. Watch as a professional glass blower creates a bowl, vase, or other piece.
- Presidents’ Cottage Museum. Take a self guided tour of a historic building filled with rich history and mementos from the Greenbrier's past.
- The Greenbrier Story: A Historical Presentation. Step into the Greenbrier's movie theater and watch a slideshow of historic images.
- Abs Blast Fitness Class. Take a 30 minute fitness class.
- Adventure Zone. Kids Only program during the day.
- Aerial Adventure Course. Climb through a challenging adventure course.
- Alpine Climbing Tower. Climb a challenging wooden tower.
- Arcade. Play a variety of physical and virtual games.
- Bike Rentals. Rent a bike and ride it on a trail through the wilderness.
- Bowling. Bowl at one of america's nicest hotels..
- Carriage Ride. Take a ride on a horse drawn carriage.
- Croquet. Play croquet on a professionally maintained lawn.
- Dancing with DJ in 42 Below. Head downstairs and dance in the club.
- Debunked Escape Room. Escape from a secret underground bunker.
- E-Bike Tour. Tour the vast grounds of the Greenbrier on an Electric Bike.
- Energetic Flow Yoga Class. Take a challenging yoga class.
- Fairy & Gnome Workshop. Make your very own garden gnome.
- Falconry: Beginner Lesson. Learn how to interact with birds.
- Fishing. Go fishing in the Greenbrier river.
- Fishing Float Trips. Go fishing from the comfort of your very own float.
- Fitness Center & Classes. Get a workout in at the Greenbrier gym.
- Gentle Yoga Class. Learn yoga on a beginner level.
- Geocaching. Go on a treasure hunt with help from a GPS.
- Greenbrier High Intensity Interval Training Class. Participate in a 60 minute professional workout.
- Greenbrier River Trail Ride. Ride a bike through mountain scenery.
- Gun Club. Shoot a gun an a controlled and safe location.
- Horseback Riding. Take a tour of the Greenbrier property on a horse.
- Ice Skating. Ice Skate on the Greenbrier's ice skating rink.
- Indoor Pool. Swim in a historic indoor pool.
- Jeep Driving Adventure. Drive an off road vehicle in the mountains.
- Kayaking. Go paddling on the river.
- Lamp Light Glass Art Glass Blowing Experience. Learn to art of glass blowing.
- Mountaineer Experience. Learn archery from a professional.
- Movie in The Greenbrier Theatre. Watch a film in a historic movie theater.
- Movie in The Greenbrier Theatre. Get a photo taken in vintage style.
- Outdoor Infinity Pool. Swim in a modern outdoor pool.
- Paintball Challenge. Play paintball with a team.
- Pickleball.
- Pickleball Clinic. Learn how to play pickleball.
- Polaris RZR Driving Adventure. Drive in a extreme off-road vehicle.
- Polaris Slingshot Driving Adventure. Drive in a special looking sports car.
- Power Walk. Begin your day by walking 50 minutes.
- Shuffleboard.
- Spin Zone Fitness Class. Participate in a 30 minute work out with fitness bikes.
- Springhouse Entertainer Cabaret Performance. Watch the staff of the Greenbrier sing and dance.
- Stand-Up Paddle Boarding. Paddle on Lake Moomaw.
- Teddy Bear Mountain. Create your own stuffed animal.
- Tennis Clinic – Intermediate Adult. Take an expert tennis class.
- Tennis Club – Indoor Facilities. Play tennis indoors.
- Tennis Club – Outdoor Facilities. Play tennis professionally.
- The Mummy’s Curse Escape Room. Escape an ancient Egyptian tomb.
- Treetops Canopy Tour. Take a tour of the forest via zip-lining, cable bridges, and repelling.
- Vinyasa Flow Yoga Class. Take a peaceful yoga class.
- Virtu Glass Fusing Experience. Get the chance to fuse glass.
- Virtu Sandblasting Experience. Learn about sandblasting.
- Whitewater Rafting – Gauley River. Go rafting on the Gauley River.
- Whitewater Rafting – Lower New River. Go rafting on the New River.
- Whitewater Rafting – Upper New River. Go rafting on a different part of the New River.
- Winter Carriage/Sleigh Ride. Take a ride in the snow.
- Indoor Golf. Play a virtual golf course.
- The Meadows. Play golf surrounded by scenic mountain view.
- The Greenbrier. Play one of America's oldest golf courses.
- The Ashford Short Course. Play a 9 hole golf course.
- Spa.
- Casino.
If your not staying at the Greenbrier or want to escape it one afternoon there are also some other activities outside the resort.
2 The house made of coal (WV-60 east of the I-64 overpass.). Built in 1959 by Tip Myles using 30 tons of coal. In the past, it's served as a visitors' center, a lounge and a gift shop. There are three coal houses in West Virginia; one of the two others, a privately-owned ranch-style home, is only a few hundred feet away. (The third is in Williamson.)3 White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery, 400 E Main St, ☏ +1 304-536-1361. M-F 7AM to 4PM, from Memorial Day through Thanksgiving. Produces 10 million rainbow trout eggs annually and restores wild freshwater mussels to the Ohio River. Visitor center with display pool, aquariums and exhibits. Guided and self-guided tours available. 
4 Greenbrier State Forest, Harts Run Road off I-64 (exit 175) near Caldwell, ☏ +1 304-536-1944. Over 5,100 acres of heavily forested, mountainous terrain for hiking, biking, swimming, picnicking, archery, horseshoes, volleyball, muzzleloading rifle range, hunting and fishing. Nearby Kate's Mountain is 3,280 feet high. Cabins and campground available. Blue Bend Recreational Area, WV-16 near Alvon. More information available at the White Sulphur Ranger District, 410 E Main Street, +1 304-536-2144. Part of the Monongahela National Forest. Two campgrounds with 40 campsites, fishing, hiking, biking and picnicking.5 Lake Sherwood, WV-14 near Neola. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. 164-acre lake for hiking, biking, boating, swimming, fishing and camping.
- 1 Oakhurst Links, One Montague Drive, ☏ +1 304-536-1884, toll-free: +1-888-625-1884. The first golf course in the USA, established in 1884. 9 holes, par 37. Games are played today in the same way as when the course was first opened; with replica 19th-century, long-nose, hickory-shafted clubs made in St Andrews, Scotland, and "guttie" balls hit from sand tees. Many guests choose not only to play 1884 style, but to dress 1884 style as well; knicker rentals are available for $15. In keeping with the traditional spirit, players walk the course rather than using carts, carry only four clubs (no bag), and must avoid the roaming flocks of sheep. Complimentary gingersnaps and lemonade are available after your game. $75-95.
- Outdoor Adventures, WV-60 and US-92, toll-free: +1-888-PLAY-WVA (7529-982). Biking, canoeing, whitewater and fishing excursions in the Greenbrier Valley and Jackson River areas.
Buy
[edit]The Greenbrier
[edit]- American Artisan.
- Babydog Boutique.
- Bellissima.
- Crepe Myrtle Bags & Beads.
- Dorothy Draper Home.
- Fizzy’s Land of Oz.
- Flying High.
- Gibson’s Studio.
- Gillespie’s Events & Florals.
- Golf Pro Shop at The Golf Club.
- Greenbrier Avenue Jewelry.
- Greenbrier Avenue Ladies.
- Greenbrier Avenue Men’s.
- Greenbrier Online Store.
- Jenuinely Jeni.
- Kate’s Mountain Adventures.
- Lamp Light Glass Art Studio.
- My Sister’s Circus.
- Outdoor Swim Shop.
- Perfect Image.
- Ralph Lauren.
- Studio G Hair Salon.
- Tennis Shop.
- The Candy Maker.
- The Doll House – Garden Shop.
- The Greenbrier Gourmet Shoppe.
- The Greenbrier Shoppe At Tamarack.
- The Greenbrier Shoppe & Newsstand.
- The Spa Boutique.
- Virtu.
- Yarid’s.
- Christmas at the Depot, 300 W Main St (at the Greenbrier Resort), ☏ +1 855-453-4858. Open daily 10AM to 5PM January through April, 9AM to 5PM April through June, and 9AM to 6PM June through December. Year-round Christmas shop in a historic 1931 train depot. Christmas ornaments, collectible Santas, nutcrackers, water globes, holiday decorations.
Town Center
[edit]- Kitten's Korner, 159 Ingleside, ☏ +1 301-752-7647. Home decorations and gifts, including candles, lamps and artwork by local artists.
Eat
[edit]The Greenbrier
[edit]- 42 Below.
- Café Carleton.
- Draper’s Café.
- Greenbrier Royale.
- In-Fusion.
- In-Room Dining.
- Main Dining Room.
- Prime 44 West.
- Ryder Cup Snack Bar.
- Sam Snead’s.
- Slammin’ Sammy’s.
- Springhouse Smoothies.
- The Forum.
- The Greenbrier Gourmet & Coffee Bar.
- The Pizza Shoppe.
- Tree Tops Café.
- Twelve Oaks.
Town Center
[edit]- April's Pizzeria, 705 E Main St, ☏ +1 304-536-1011. M-Th 11AM to 10PM, F Sa 11AM to 11PM, Su noon-9:30PM. Pizza, calzones, sandwiches, Italian dishes.
- Route 60 American Grill, 12 W Main St, ☏ +1 304-536-4666. M-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 1-7PM. Soups, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, burgers.
- Valley View Country Club, 2640 Big Draft Road, +1 304-536-1600. Open 8AM to 8PM March through October. Lunch, dinner and homemade specials.
Drink
[edit]The Greenbrier
[edit]- JJ’s Sports Lounge.
- Lobby Bar.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 The Greenbrier, 101 W Main St, ☏ +1 844-837-2466, toll-free: +1-800-453-4858. Why else would you be in White Sulphur Springs for any other reason then to stay here. An award-winning historic estate resort on 6,500 acres of woodland, with extensive indoor recreation and outdoor activities. $599 - $1,241 per night..
Bed and Breakfasts
[edit]2 The Schoolhouse Hotel, 125 Schoolhouse Way, ☏ +1 304 536-0999. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Where to stay if your not here for the Greenbrier. ~$180.
Camping
[edit]- Gheny Nook Campground, 12322 Pocahontas Trail (near Neola), +1 304-536-9017. Over 200 campsites. Two fishing ponds, ATV trails, biking trails.
Go next
[edit]- Lewisburg is about 15 minutes west on I-64.
- Covington, Virginia is about 30 minutes east on I-64.
- Beckley is about 1 hour west on I-64.
- Roanoke, Virginia is about 1.5 hours southeast on I-64 / US-220.
- Charleston is about 2 hours northwest on I-64.
- Lynchburg, Virginia is about 2 hours southeast on I-64 / US-501.
- Charlottesville, Virginia is about 2 hours east on I-64.
- Richmond, Virginia is about 3 hours east on I-64.
| Routes through White Sulphur Springs |
| Cincinnati ← Charleston ← | W  E | → Staunton → Washington, D.C. |
| Charleston ← Lewisburg ← | W  E | → Staunton → Charlottesville |
| Charleston ← Lewisburg ← | W  E | → Amherst → Richmond |
Explore the world
United states
New York
Japan
Tokyo
Singapore
Singapore
