Winter Wonderland

Find fun activities for the whole family in Bath County, especially during the wintertime months

                It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good time to travel. Winter is one of the best times to visit the beautiful Allegheny Mountains of Bath County where you’ll find plenty of activities to keep the whole family busy and affordable off-season rates. While most people associate the area with The Homestead, a 15,000-acre luxury resort, there are several other spots you won’t want to miss when you plan your trip.

                Located up Rt. 220, about 40 miles north of Roanoke, The Homestead is just a two-hour drive from Smith Mountain Lake. Originally built in 1766, the spectacular, sprawling resort features 409 guest rooms and 78 suites, a few of which have hosted several U.S. presidents. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991.

                The resort is world-renowned for its three golf courses, including the famous Cascades Course, which has hosted numerous national championships and is consistently ranked among the top 100 courses in the country by leading golf magazines. Open year-round, the William Flynn-designed Cascades Course is offering a deal in January and February: $50 per golfer, which includes green and cart fee. The Old Course (opened in 1892 and redesigned by Donald Ross in 1913) and the Lower Cascades (a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design) are open April through mid-November.

                If golf isn’t your thing, The Homestead offers 45 acres for skiing and snowboarding, complete with snowmaking capabilities. The slopes are generally open mid-December through March. Private and group lessons are available. You can also enjoy a pretty winter afternoon at the Olympic-size ice skating rink, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Other outdoor activities include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow tubing, horseback riding, carriage rides, fishing, biking and hiking. All are available weather permitting, as is The Homestead’s 50-foot climbing tower (ages 10 and up).

                When you’ve had enough outside, consider pampering yourself at the resort’s lavish spa. Still fed by the historic hot springs that have attracted guests for centuries, The Homestead’s spa offers the ultimate in relaxation, including mineral baths, massages, aromatherapies, steam and sauna, skin therapies, manicures and pedicures. Also inside is an eight-lane bowling alley, 270-seat movie theater, indoor pool and shopping center with everything from golf and tennis apparel to jewelry, furniture, gifts, toys, spa products and accessories.

                 The resort offers 10 distinct dining options – from formal to casual – to accommodate every palate, and a Kids Club and babysitting service makes sure the whole family enjoys its stay. Room rates start at $165 per night.

                If quaint and intimate is more your speed, consider a five-mile drive further up Rt. 220 to the Inn at Gristmill Square, which features accommodations in restored historic buildings in the heart of picturesque Warm Springs. A blacksmith shop, hardware store and silo have all been converted into guest rooms. Each is unique and features modern amenities such as private baths, cable TV and private phone line. If you stay, you’ll be treated to coffee and fresh-baked muffins delivered each morning to your room. Rates start at $95 per night.

                For dinner, make reservations at the Waterwheel Restaurant, located in the building that operated as a gristmill from 1900-1971. (The original mill was erected on the property in 1771.) The restaurant features fine dining with selections including fresh, local trout, beef au poivre, roast duck and grilled salmon. Head down to the wine cellar – tucked among the workings of the mill – to choose a bottle of wine to accompany your meal. Afterward, enjoy a drink in the tiny Simon Kenton Pub, adjacent to the restaurant and full of intimate atmosphere.

                Another great stop is Mustoe House Antiques & Gallery, a Virginia Historic Landmark on Rt. 220 south of Hot Springs. Originally built in 1780, the business is located in an old log cabin with two additional out buildings surrounded by lush gardens. Mustoe House is filled with unique and charming items assembled by owner Wayne Alexander and his wife who travel throughout Europe twice a year to replenish the store’s inventory. You’ll find a large array of English and American antiques, garden and architectural items and fine art from Virginia artists.

For more information, contact The Homestead at 866-354-4653, thehomestead.com; The Inn at Gristmill Square, 540-839-2231, gristmillsquare.com; and Mustoe House Antiques, 540.839.2272, mustoehouse.com.