Visiting The Greenbrier: What to do at The Greenbrier

Our List of Must-do’s When You Visit This Historic Resort

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Bright colors, bold patterns, and true southern hospitality. What’s not to love about the historic Greenbrier? It is truly one of my favorite places to visit and we are lucky enough to spend time there a few times every year.

My most memorable trip to America’s Resort was one that’s actually coming up again the first weekend of March. My hubby surprised me with a trip to The Greenbrier to attend the Dorothy Draper Decorating School for Christmas last year. It was a dream come true. Dorothy Draper was, and is, my design hero. I love color, patterns layered onto patterns, and the Regency style that is infused into the interiors of the Greenbrier. The experience was everything I could have asked for and more.

We kicked off the weekend with a reception with Carleton Varney himself and the amazing decorating team at Dorothy Draper & Company. I met so many incredible folks from the team and other brilliant design minds who attended the conference that I’m still in touch with today.

The next day was spent hearing from Carleton Varney, Brinsley Matthews, and so many other fascinating speakers who walked us through the essentials of designing the Dorothy Draper way. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was going on a tour of The Greenbrier with the team. I will never forget Varney sitting back in one of the beautiful armchairs in the Presidential Suite reminiscing on those who had stayed there and sharing all kinds of stories about the resort and its interiors. It was a fabulous weekend that I really can’t recommend more if you’re a design enthusiast or a fan of great architecture. You can learn more about the weekend (coming up on March 1, 2019) here.

In addition to the Design Weekend, the Greenbrier is full of things to do. Here are a few of our favorites:

Go bowling.

Enjoy table-side Caesar salad at Prime 44 West.

Have a boozy milkshake or ice cream at Draper’s Cafe (the pimento cheese is also fabulous).

Try your luck at the casino. Get there before 10:00 PM for the champagne toast.

Find a new pair of shoes at Yarid’s.

Go swimming in their indoor pool.

Book a relaxing facial and enjoy the amenities at the spa.

Catch a movie with some popcorn in the theater.

Enjoy afternoon tea and desserts on the terrace.

Have a cocktail underneath the chandelier from Gone with the Wind at the lobby bar.

See the portrait of Princess Grace. It’s in my favorite room at the Greenbrier.

Head to the newly built chapel on Sunday for a sermon delivered by a local preacher.

If weather permits, hit the links or tennis courts before happy hour.

Venture out of town to a few of the restaurants nearby, like the French Goat.

Admire the stunning interiors and take notes. Look for the black feature. There is some in nearly every room to anchor the brilliant colors and patterns.

Purchase a silk Carleton Varney scarf at the gift shop.

Book your next trip before you check out.