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Ride A Christmas Train, Then Stay In A Christmas-Themed Resort For A Holly Jolly West Virginia Adventure

Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia, offers an exceptional Christmas-themed experience called the Season of Comfort and Joy.

Published Nov 23, 2022

Written by 

Cristy

When you think about resorts that go all out for Christmas in West Virginia, The Greenbrier probably immediately springs to mind. It's true; Christmas At The Greenbrier is an experience not to be missed. But neither is The Season of Comfort and Joy at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia! A lesser-known West Virginia holiday celebration, this experience is an epic Christmas-themed adventure that definitely deserves a spot on the holiday bucket list!

Editor's Note: Unfortunately, since the time of publication, the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad no longer offers the train ride experience.

Stonewall Resort's Season of Comfort and Joy deserves a spot on the West Virginia holiday bucket list? Really? It's that good?

A winding boardwalk leads to a snowy lakeside with mountains and a cloudy blue sky in the background.
Stonewall Resort / Facebook

Yes, really; it's that good. Not only is Stonewall Resort an award-winning West Virginia hotel, but it absolutely outdoes itself at Christmas.

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Cozy lodge interior with wooden beams, festive lights, and holiday decorations, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Stonewall Resort / Facebook

Activity options during the resort's Season of Comfort and Joy include such unforgettable family-friendly experiences as a tree lighting, live music, appearances by (and meals with!) Santa, Christmas-themed spa sessions, bedtime tuck-ins by a resident Christmas elf, scavenger hunts, an artisan market, face painting, and more.

A person dressed as Santa Claus interacts with others in festive attire, surrounded by holiday decorations.
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad / Facebook

And we haven't even shared the best experience yet: a stay at Stonewall Resort during the Christmas season provides you with the unique opportunity to get tickets to ride the ever-popular Durbin & Greenbrier Railroad Polar Express Train to the North Pole (West Virginia's version of the North Pole, that is)!

A night scene featuring the Polar Express train with chefs walking alongside it, illuminated by warm lights.
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad / Facebook

If this is something you've always wanted to do, then you already know how extremely difficult it is to snag a coveted spot aboard the Polar Express. That's why it's such amazing news that Stonewall Resort has you covered!

A vintage train adorned with a wreath stands on a snowy platform, with people gathered nearby in a festive atmosphere.
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad / Facebook

Please note that even Stonewall Resort's Polar Express tickets are limited, so you MUST call ahead to reserve your spot in order to take advantage of this activity.

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A festive crowd with a woman in a Christmas outfit, arms raised, surrounded by children and holiday decorations.
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad / Facebook

Several of the other activities offered at the resort during the Season of Comfort and Joy event also require advance reservations, including but not limited to the spa sessions, bedtime elf tuck-ins, and breakfasts/brunches with Santa.

Cozy fireplace with a stone wall, decorated with a festive wreath and illuminated ornaments for a warm holiday atmosphere.
Stonewall Resort / Facebook

To snag your spot on this epic, Christmas-themed adventure in West Virginia, call (304) 269-8880. You can also visit Stonewall Resort's website to learn more.

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Trip Ideas

The Spontaneous Road Trip Through West Virginia That Is The Perfect Weekend Of Adventure

Pack your bags, it's time for a thrilling West Virginia road trip to some of the state's most adventurous destinations!

Published Sep 9, 2024

Written by 

Cristy

When you're craving a thrilling adventure road trip through West Virginia, you gas up the car, hop in, and go! But where? There are so very many options. If you're having trouble mapping a good itinerary for your next adventure road trip, here's one I'm interested in trying that you might want to consider as well.

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I'm thinking of starting with a night spent at Snowshoe Resort, arriving early enough to spend the first part of the first day adventuring through Snowshoe Resort itself.

Map highlighting a road trip route in West Virginia, featuring adventure stops and scenic views.
Google Maps

Even though it's a ski resort, there are adventures here for every season, including horseback riding, a lake, the aerial tram, and more.

A serene lake surrounded by lush greenery and hills, with a wooden path and a bright sun shining in the sky.
Snowshoe Mountain / Facebook

Then bright and early the following morning, I'd hop in the car and head to the Greenbank Observatory. It's free, it's educational, it's a world record holder. Sounds like a recipe for adventure to me!

A large satellite dish stands in a green field, surrounded by wildflowers and mountains under a blue sky with clouds.
Green Bank Observatory / Facebook

My next stop would be the biggest adventure of the trip, and one that's long been on my bucket list: the Via Ferrata at NROCKS. Have you done it?

Two climbers ascend a rocky ridge at sunset, surrounded by lush green mountains and a colorful sky.
Nrocks / Facebook

After such an adrenaline inducing experience, I would need a cool down, and my cool down of choice would be this Seneca Rocks swimming hole, if the weather was warm enough.

A serene riverbank with rocky cliffs and lush green trees under a clear blue sky.
Cristy / Only In Your State

If not, I'd spend some quiet time sitting on a bench on the back porch of the visitor center, enjoying the view.

A red bench overlooks a scenic view of green hills and rocky peaks under a clear blue sky.
Cristy / Only In Your State

Finally, I'd close out the day with a quick trip to Bickle Knob Lookout Tower to catch the golden hour, a fitting end to my thrilling West Virginia adventure road trip.

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A panoramic view of rolling green hills under a bright blue sky with fluffy clouds and a shining sun.
Eric Cadieux / AllTrails

There you have it, a thrilling West Virginia weekend adventure road trip (don't forget the snacks!). What do you think, doable? Adventurous enough? What would you add or change?

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Trip Ideas

Take This Gorgeous Fall Foliage Road Trip To See West Virginia Like Never Before

A road trip through West Virginia offers some of the best fall foliage views in the state.

Updated Jul 15, 2024

Written by 

Rachel Whetstone

A fall foliage road trip in West Virginia - does it get any better than that? It's hard to go wrong when looking for a place to see the fall foliage in WV, as our whole state is covered in trees! There are some places, however, that offer especially spectacular views. Here's a road trip you can take to see some of the best fall foliage in WV. Use this interactive map to help plot your personal journey. Before you hit the road for this West Virginia scenic drive, make sure to prepare with our Road Trip Essentials Packing List and Guide.

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Google Maps

This map can give you an idea of how to travel from place to place, but you can click the link above to adjust the map to your needs. Are you ready to see the most spectacular fall colors in West Virginia?

1. Coopers Rock

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Kerry Wixted / Flickr

Coopers Rock Overlook provides a fantastic view of the changing leaves. What an incredible place to see the best fall foliage in West Virginia.

2. Blackwater Falls

A serene waterfall surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage and a dramatic sunset sky.
Forest Wander/Flickr

3. Dolly Sods

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Forest Wander/Flickr

The Dolly Sods area has not just deciduous trees, but bushes as well! The ground also explodes in color during the fall in West Virginia.

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4. Seneca State Forest

A serene forest path lined with vibrant autumn foliage and fallen leaves under a clear blue sky.
Mike Norton / Flickr

Seneca State Forest is a picture-perfect place to take a walk and enjoy the fresh fall air.

5. Plum Orchard Lake

A serene lake surrounded by lush green trees, with hints of autumn colors and misty hills in the background.
Vandana Kulkami / Google Reviews

Plum Orchard Lake will make you feel at peace with the world as you view the best fall colors in West Virginia.

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6. New River Gorge Bridge

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Walter Bibikow / Getty Images

This iconic West Virginia landmark is even better in the fall. You can get a great view from the overlook near the visitor's center.

7. Babcock State Park

A scenic view of a historic mill by a tranquil stream, surrounded by colorful autumn foliage and rocky terrain.
Brook Ward / Flickr

The Glade Creek Grist Mill here is one of West Virginia's most photographed places, especially when the leaves are turning. You won't be able to get enough of these fall colors in West Virginia.

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8. Highland Scenic Highway

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Forest Wander/Flickr

This scenic West Virginia drive winds around the mountaintops and provides spectacular views with every turn. Here's more information about the Highland Scenic Highway.

9. Elkins Depot

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Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad/Facebook

You can finish off your trip with a scenic WV train ride to see the fall foliage in West Virginia. It's quite spectacular!

Here's some more information about one of the train rides from Elkins.

If you follow this fall foliage map in WV, it will take a little over 11 hours, so you'll want to split the driving up into two or three days to make sure you have enough time to see all of the best fall foliage in WV. Some of the southern locations see peak fall foliage closer to mid-October, so you could also split this into a couple of different trips.

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What are your favorite things to do in the fall in West Virginia? If you'd like to experience a different fall train ride in West Virginia, try this day trip from Cass, WV.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/west-virginia/cass-wv/

Another fascinating attraction in West Virginia is the Palace of Gold. In the fall, the sun-filled stained glass windows glow with vibrant color:

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A post shared by Only In Your State (@onlyinyourstate)

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