Where To Eat At The Greenbriar
September 9, 2025
Where To Stay In Chicago
September 16, 2025
Introduction
Our family visited The Greenbrier in July 2025, and we were absolutely blown away by the sheer number of activities available. This is truly where “America’s Resort” shines. From world-class golf and mountain adventures to kid-friendly fun and unique historic tours, the options feel endless. In this section, I’ll share the highlights and must-do experiences to plan for your trip—as well as a few activities you might want to skip.
Golf: A MUST do!
Golf is one of the big draws at The Greenbrier, and we made it a priority during our stay. The resort’s crown jewel is The Old White Course, ranked among the Top 100 Courses You Can Play. At one time, The Greenbrier Course also held that distinction, but after the devastating 2016 flood, only 10 of its holes remain. To play a full round today, you have to loop back and replay some of them—a creative solution, but one that cost the course its Top 100 standing.
Beyond Old White and The Greenbrier, the resort also offers the Meadows Course, plus the Ashford Short Course, a par-three layout that’s perfect for families or a casual evening walk with clubs in hand. We even took the opportunity to drive less than an hour to the Homestead Cascades Course. While not officially part of The Greenbrier, it’s close enough to make for an easy side trip, and during our July visit, tee times were wide open at both resorts—it definitely felt like the off-season.
Over the course of our week, we teed it up on Old White, The Greenbrier, Meadows, and the Homestead Cascades Course, spreading our rounds across Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday to enjoy each one.
Of them all, Old White stood out as the favorite. Designed by the legendary C.B. Macdonald, the course is steeped in history and offers a truly strategic test of golf. What makes it so fun is the variety—many holes give you multiple ways to play, each with their own risks and rewards. It’s a course that demands creativity as much as precision. My husband’s favorite hole came at the finish: the 18th, a par three played over water to a “thumbprint” green directly in front of the clubhouse. It’s the kind of closing hole that stays with you long after the round is over.
That said, the Homestead Cascades Course stole the show when it came to scenery. Nestled into the valleys of the Alleghenies, with taller mountains pressing in close, it’s easily the most visually striking of the group. The holes themselves were beautifully routed, with excellent greens that made it as fun to play as it was to look at.
From a playability standpoint, none of the courses were overly hilly, but each required precise golf shots—you couldn’t just hit the ball anywhere and hope for the best. Positioning on both the fairways and greens was critical if you wanted to walk away with birdie or even par.
The resort’s Ashford Short Course was a fun bonus. It’s a casual nine-hole par-three track, best enjoyed as a relaxed evening walk with friends or as a way to get the kids out swinging the clubs. Most of the holes play under 100 yards (despite what the signs say), and a couple even share greens, which adds a quirky twist. It’s not a bucket-list design by any means, but it’s charming, family-friendly, and a nice way to sneak in a little extra golf without the time commitment of a full round.
A special highlight of our time on Old White was our caddie, Grover. He wasn’t just helpful with yardages and reads; he was a walking historian, full of great stories about the course and the notable players he has carried the bag for over the years. Playing Old White with him alongside added an entirely new layer to the experience.
As for conditions overall, every course was in solid shape—well maintained, though nothing that surpassed what you’d find at other private clubs. If I were to return, I’d happily play Old White again, though I wouldn’t necessarily make a special trip just for it.
All told, golf at The Greenbrier is an essential part of the resort’s identity. Whether you come for the history of Old White, the beauty of the Homestead Cascades, or simply to mix in an easy loop at Ashford with your kids, it’s a golfer’s playground worth experiencing.
Spa
One of my favorite things to do at any resort is check out the spa, and of course I had to try The Greenbrier’s. If I had to give it a rating, it would be a solid 3 stars—pleasant, with some unique touches, but not a “wow” experience that puts it on par with the best destination spas I’ve visited.
The Greenbrier Spa leans heavily into the resort’s history. Originally known as the Old White, the property was established near the “healing waters” of the White Sulfur Springs, and today their treatments still draw on this heritage. The décor gave me more old boardwalk nostalgia than timeless elegance, but the real throwback is in the sulfur soaks. Nearly all of the signature treatments begin with a private tub filled with steaming sulfur water. And while I appreciate the nod to tradition and the relaxation it brings, there’s no getting around it—sulfur smells like rotten eggs. Even with scented salts, the odor is unmistakable. After a few tubs were filled, the entire spa carried a faint “bad fart” aroma that definitely detracted from the otherwise serene setting.
The spa journey begins in the locker room, where you’re given a robe and sandals, with access to a steam room, dry sauna, and a relaxation lounge while you wait for your provider. Compared to other luxury spas, though, the amenities felt limited. There’s no hot tub, no outdoor lounging space, and none of the distinctive extras that really elevate a spa into the luxury tier.
For treatments, I chose the Wei to Wellness, the Sweet Tea Soak, and a pedicure. Both the Wei and the Sweet Tea start with the sulfur bath. Before the soak, your therapist shows you a set of nature photographs and asks you to choose the one that resonates most with you—this determines your aromatherapy journey. It’s a lovely and thoughtful touch, and one of the more unique elements of the experience.
The Wei to Wellness moved from the soak to a standard massage. Relaxing? Yes. Memorable? Not really. The Sweet Tea Soak, on the other hand, was more indulgent. After the sulfur soak came a body scrub and a divine lotion scented like sweet tea. The fragrance was so good I wanted to buy it to take home—but sadly, it isn’t sold in the spa boutique. A missed opportunity if you ask me! The pedicure was exactly what you’d expect from a resort spa: pleasant, relaxing, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Overall, you’ll have a nice experience at the Greenbrier Spa, especially if you’re already on property and want to book a treatment during your stay. But compared to top-tier destination spas like The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island or the Kohler Waters Spa in Wisconsin, it doesn’t hold its own. My advice? If you’re here, go and enjoy it. But I wouldn’t plan a trip to The Greenbrier just for the spa.
Kid’s Club - Adventure Zone
Alright—this is where The Greenbrier truly shines! If you’re bringing kids along, you must sign them up for the Adventure Zone. My kids loved it so much they begged to go back for an extra day. (Ok, twist my arm—if they’re happy to go, I’ll happily take another mom’s day off!)
The program is offered in three options: Morning, Afternoon, or Full Day. Half-day sessions cost $100, while a full day is $150—which, in my opinion, is the best value since it includes both lunch and two major activities. Each half-day includes one featured activity and a snack, while the full day gives kids both a morning and afternoon adventure.
The activities are fantastic and vary daily—everything from croquet, laser tag, and swimming to meeting the horses, nature walks, and even touring the famous bunker. In addition, each session includes a creative bonus activity like tie-dye, painting, or crafts. Pro tip: check the schedule in advance so you know if your child needs special clothes or swim gear for the day.
My kids came back smiling, worn out in the best way, and full of stories about their adventures. It was one of the highlights of their trip—and mine. I’d highly recommend setting aside a day (or two!) for your kids to experience the Adventure Zone while you enjoy a little downtime.
Private Babysitting
Another family-friendly perk at The Greenbrier is the option for private babysitting, which turned out to be a wonderful service. We used it one evening when we wanted to dine at the Asian Fusion restaurant in the casino (since the casino is 21+, kids aren’t allowed inside).
Our sitter was fantastic—flexible, friendly, and more than willing to take the kids wherever we wanted them to go. Whether it was swimming, bowling, or grabbing dinner, the children were entertained and happy while the adults enjoyed a rare night out. It was such a relief knowing they were well cared for and still having fun, which made the evening that much more enjoyable for us.
Pools
The Greenbrier has two pools for guests: an indoor pool with the same old-fashioned boardwalk theme as the spa, and a stunning outdoor infinity pool overlooking the golf course.
The indoor pool was fine but had limited seating—especially if you wanted to watch your kids swim. There was a small patio where you could sit outside in the sun, which was nice, but overall it didn’t feel like a standout feature. One of my bigger complaints about the resort in general is the lack of outdoor lounge areas where you can simply relax and take in the beauty of the mountains, and the indoor pool didn’t solve that.
The outdoor pool was a different story—visually gorgeous, with mountain vistas framing an infinity edge that spills out toward the golf course. They even pump music into the water so you can listen while you swim underwater, which was a fun and unexpected touch.
That said, the experience wasn’t without frustrations. Seating was limited here too, and surprisingly, the resort actually requires reservations to access the pool. Yes, you read that right—reservations just to go swimming. Having to schedule every hour of my day, even for the pool, made the vacation feel overly structured, more like managing a calendar than relaxing at a resort. Still, if you can snag a spot, the pool itself is undeniably beautiful and worth a visit.
Casino
The casino at The Greenbrier is beautifully designed and elegantly appointed. The grand double stairwell, split by a striking fountain, is an aesthetic highlight that makes quite the first impression. That said, the energy inside was very different from what you might expect. When we visited, the casino was nearly empty—aside from the croupiers and dealers, we only saw two other guests gambling the entire evening.
If you’re looking for a quiet, highly personal experience where you practically have the tables to yourself, this might be the perfect setting. While it doesn’t have the high-octane buzz of Las Vegas, the calm, refined atmosphere makes it a unique place to enjoy a more relaxed night of gaming.
Bunker Tour
One of the most fascinating attractions at The Greenbrier is the declassified Cold War bunker, secretly constructed beneath the resort to house Congress in the event of a nuclear strike on Washington, D.C. The tour is incredibly well done—you’ll walk through the hidden halls, see the living quarters, and get a glimpse of what life would have been like if the bunker had ever been activated. It’s equal parts history, espionage, and surreal time capsule.
Unfortunately, photography isn’t allowed inside, so I can’t share the visuals here—but trust me, the stories and details more than make up for it. I’d definitely recommend carving out time for this experience.
Pro tip: The tour runs long, has a minimum age of 10, and isn’t particularly kid-friendly. If you’re traveling with younger children, send them to the Adventure Zone Kids Camp while you explore. The camp actually offers its own short, kid-friendly bunker tour once a week, and my children came back brimming with facts about the Cold War and the bunker’s history. It turned out to be an unexpected but fantastic educational highlight of their trip.
Afternoon Tea
One activity I’d recommend skipping at The Greenbrier is the much-hyped Afternoon Tea. When you call to book your stay—or even at check-in—the staff makes a point to rave about this complimentary daily tradition. At a resort of this caliber, I imagined something elegant and refined, perhaps reminiscent of the Russian Tea Room or an English countryside tea service. Sadly, it was nothing of the sort.
Instead, they wheel out a canister of hot water alongside a few trays of tired-looking pastries. Guests hovered anxiously around the table, trying to snag what little was available, which made the whole experience feel more frantic than refined. It was underwhelming, to say the least.
If you’re staying in the Windsor Club, this event becomes even more unnecessary—the Virginia Room Lounge offers far superior snacks, drinks, and overall atmosphere. My advice? Skip the Afternoon Tea altogether and save your appetite for something better.
Mountain Adventures
For the outdoorsman—or really anyone with a taste for adventure—The Greenbrier offers a whole range of mountain activities. From shooting and fishing to falconry, climbing, and mountaineering, these experiences are some of the most unique and memorable the resort has to offer.
We tried the Aerial Adventure Course and the Alpine Tower, and both were fantastic. The Aerial Course kicks off with a 50-foot rope ladder climb just to reach the starting point. Once you’re up there, you’re clipped into safety cables and challenged to cross a series of hanging obstacles suspended high above the ground. It’s definitely an adrenaline rush! Our guide was excellent—coaching us through tricky spots, giving tips on technique, and even snapping photos along the way so we could focus on the fun.
A few days later, my husband and daughter tackled the Alpine Tower, a vertical climbing structure with multiple routes to the top. They had a blast racing each other upward and finished with the thrilling tower swing. It was such a confidence-boosting and exhilarating experience for them both.
With so many activities on the list, we couldn’t fit them all in, but the lineup is impressive. The Gun Club, Paintball, Falconry, Tree Tops Canopy Zipline, Mountaineering, and White-Water Rafting are just a few more options that I have no doubt would have exceeded our expectations as well.
Equine Experiences
The Greenbrier also offers a handful of equine adventures, including two different guided trail rides and elegant carriage rides through the property. We had originally booked a private equine tour, but unfortunately had to cancel when we realized my son didn’t meet the 54-inch minimum height requirement.
While most things at the resort lean on the pricey side, I felt the equestrian activities were especially expensive. Given the elevated cost, I’m not entirely sure the experience would have justified the price tag. If horseback riding is a passion of yours, it might be worth the splurge—but for the average guest, I’d weigh whether the value matches the expense.
Other Experiences
Our schedule was jam-packed all week, and even then, we probably managed to experience less than half of what The Greenbrier has to offer. There are so many additional activities available (most at an extra cost) that we simply didn’t have the time for, including bowling, croquet, tennis, guided hikes, art classes, and even glass blowing.
It’s safe to say you could return to The Greenbrier multiple times and still find new experiences waiting for you.
Article Sponsor
Bringing Smiles to Life
phone: (517) 782-9331
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing The Greenbrier does exceptionally well, it’s activities. From golf and spa services to equestrian outings, mountain adventures, and even Cold War history tours, the resort truly offers something for every age and interest. Our kids couldn’t get enough of the Adventure Zone, we loved the adrenaline of the Aerial Adventure Course, and even quieter experiences like the Bunker Tour left a lasting impression.
That said, not everything was a hit—Afternoon Tea was an easy skip, and some activities (like the equestrian program) felt overpriced for what they offered. Still, the sheer breadth of options makes it nearly impossible to do everything in a single visit, which is why so many guests return year after year.
Whether you’re a family looking to keep the kids entertained, a couple searching for unique shared experiences, or an avid outdoorsman craving adventure, The Greenbrier’s activities are where the resort shines brightest.
