Overview

The Greenbrier is one of America's most iconic luxury resorts — grand yet welcoming, steeped in tradition yet endlessly relevant. Set amid the Allegheny Mountains in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, it comes alive in fall as forests glow gold and scarlet and the air turns cool and invigorating.

Autumn is the resort's most romantic season: quieter paths, perfect golf temperatures, and evenings that invite long dinners and slow conversations. The resort's 250-year history blends seamlessly with modern luxury, creating an atmosphere where couples can experience both grandeur and genuine intimacy.

  • Best time to visit: September through November for peak fall foliage and perfect golf weather in the Appalachian Mountains.
  • What to pack: Layers for cool mountain mornings, golf attire, elegant evening wear for fine dining, comfortable shoes for nature walks, and camera for autumn colors.

Where to Stay

Rooms and suites blend classic elegance with modern comfort — crisp linens, refined furnishings, and views across manicured lawns or wooded hillsides.

Fireplaces, wide windows, and traditional décor create a sense of timeless luxury that feels especially comforting in fall. The resort's signature Dorothy Draper interiors add a distinctive brightness and elegance that has defined American resort style for generations.

Golf

The Greenbrier is home to multiple championship courses, including designs by C.B. Macdonald and Jack Nicklaus. Wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and rolling terrain make fall rounds both beautiful and engaging.

The Old White TPC: Redesigned by Jack Nicklaus, this championship course hosted PGA Tour events and offers demanding play through spectacular Appalachian scenery.

The Greenbrier Course: A C.B. Macdonald masterpiece that's considered one of America's finest traditional layouts, with strategic challenges and timeless design.

The Meadows Course: A more forgiving layout perfect for relaxed rounds while still offering beautiful mountain views.

Cool air, golden leaves, and quiet mornings elevate every tee time into an experience rather than a routine round. Fall conditions are pristine, with firm fairways and true greens creating ideal playing conditions.

Day Spa

The Greenbrier Spa is legendary — refined, tranquil, and deeply restorative. Treatments emphasize relaxation, renewal, and classic wellness traditions rooted in the resort's historic mineral spring heritage.

Couples can enjoy side-by-side treatments or design solo spa days while the other partner golfs, reuniting later for dinner and evening strolls through the resort's beautifully lit grounds.

The spa's historic sulphur spring waters have drawn visitors for over two centuries, creating treatments that blend timeless healing traditions with modern wellness approaches.

Dining

Dining ranges from elegant fine-dining rooms to relaxed seasonal menus featuring local ingredients and traditional Appalachian flavors.

Fall evenings are made for candlelight, wine, and conversations that stretch well past dessert. The resort's multiple restaurants offer everything from classic American cuisine to regional Southern specialties, all served with the impeccable service The Greenbrier is known for.

Expect seasonal menus showcasing West Virginia's bounty — local game, fresh-picked produce, and ingredients that celebrate the harvest season.

Nearby Attractions & Activities

Beyond the resort's golf and spa, The Greenbrier and surrounding Allegheny Mountains offer autumn experiences that showcase Appalachian beauty:

  • Autumn mountain drives and foliage viewing: Scenic routes through spectacular fall color displays
  • Historic tours and underground bunker experience: Explore the secret Cold War bunker built beneath the resort
  • Guided nature walks and photography outings: Professional naturalists lead autumn foliage tours
  • Horseback riding through fall landscapes: Guided trail rides through golden Appalachian forests
  • Falconry experiences: Learn the ancient art with the resort's Master Falconer

Why It Works for Couples

  • Peak fall foliage and crisp mountain air: Spectacular Appalachian autumn at its finest
  • Multiple championship golf options: Three distinct courses offering variety and challenge
  • Iconic spa with timeless appeal: Legendary mineral spring traditions and modern wellness
  • Romantic, old-world atmosphere: Grand elegance without stuffiness, welcoming and intimate
  • Perfect balance of activity and elegance: Active days, sophisticated evenings
  • Historic American destination: Experience one of the nation's most storied resorts