How one can Plan a Journey to Meadows of Dan, Virginia

Whereas I’m from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, it wasn’t till my late 20s that I first heard of Meadows of Dan. Situated at Milepost 178 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, lower than two hours from the place I grew up, the city is deceivingly inconspicuous. It has the entire options of a small, rural neighborhood, and the closest business airport is about 90 minutes away — however “the mountain,” because it’s recognized by locals, has extra to it than initially meets the attention.

One of the photographed spots on the parkway, the historic Mabry Mill, sits a brief drive from the village (or the middle of city). Meadows of Dan can also be house to Primland, a 12,000-acre personal mountain property that Journey + Leisure readers beforehand voted as one in all their favourite resorts within the South — and it simply unveiled new tree home suites. There’s even an old style sweet manufacturing unit the place guests can strive over 45 completely different flavors of fudge.

Nonetheless, the Meadows of Dan motto, “a less complicated place in time,” rings true all through the realm. This can be a place the place you’re inspired to decelerate, soak up your environment, and strike up a protracted dialog, whether or not it’s along with your touring companion or somebody fully new. It’s a small Southern city, in any case — and, in accordance with Kayla Galecki, proprietor of Primitive Espresso Market, it’s “crammed with the friendliest individuals you will ever meet.”

The place to Keep

Primland, Auberge Resorts Assortment

You don’t need to be a golfer, and even an avid hiker, to understand the sheer magnificence and expansiveness of Primland. You do, nonetheless, need to take pleasure in quieter moments, Virginia mountains, and the everlasting likelihood of recognizing wildlife. After I first stayed on the resort in 2021, there was an virtually austere high quality to the design, each within the widespread areas of the primary lodge and the visitor rooms. Upon visiting for a second time in Could 2024, proper after the completion of the property’s newest spherical of renovations, I used to be pleasantly shocked on the heat that Chad Dorsey Design, a Dallas-based agency, dropped at each the foyer space and the Nice Room, which sits between two of the resort’s eating places. As a substitute of strictly cool and impartial tones, there are actually plaid and floral materials, customized cowhide quilts, and a group of vintage and customized furnishings items.

The actual spotlight of Primland’s updates, nonetheless, is its Mountaintop Tree Homes. Becoming a member of three barely smaller tree homes, the 2 450-square-foot (not counting the sweeping decks) one-bedroom suites are a brief drive away from the lodge, however they arrive with a full roster of five-star facilities. An outside bathe, scorching tub, Adirondack chairs, and even the power to order room service make sure you by no means have to go away the crimson cedar tree home — except you need to reap the benefits of the remainder of the resort’s actions, after all. 

The Oaks RV Resort 

For these guests touring with an RV, Galecki says The Oaks RV Resort, which simply opened, is “lovely.” The resort has 61 websites, and it’s really helpful to guide forward if potential. Each comes with a concrete parking pad and patio, a hearth pit, a picnic desk, and free Wi-Fi. Different on-site facilities embrace a heated outside swimming pool, a pet park, and a strolling and mountaineering path.

Stargazer Park

Billed as “classic glamping,” Stargazer Park is your likelihood to get some shuteye in a renovated Seventies (or perhaps a Forties) trailer. One of many choices, a 1975 Airstream, is even decked out in refined Disney decor. Every camper comfortably sleeps two individuals and contains a stand-up bathe, rest room, fridges, and air con. Exterior, you’ll discover a lined deck pavilion, a hearth pit, and an out of doors kitchen outfitted with a Blackstone griddle.

Finest Issues to Do

Go to the historic Mabry Mill.

“Mabry Mill is an ideal place to be taught in regards to the historical past and older methods of life within the Blue Ridge Mountains,” says Tim Branham, a local of the realm and a naturalist at Primland. Constructed within the early 1900s, the sawmill is called some of the photographed locations alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway, so vacationers will certainly need to snap an image of two. You may as well embark on the half-mile Mountain Business Path, which takes you thru the property’s different historic buildings, or spend a while on the restaurant and reward store (open seasonally).

Decide up some candy treats at Nancy’s Sweet Firm.

There’s maybe nothing as nostalgic as old style sweet — and while you’re in Meadows of Dan, you’ll get a heavy dose of that sentiment at Nancy’s Sweet Firm, the model’s manufacturing unit outlet retailer. Right here, Branham says, you possibly can “choose up some scrumptious fudge and different treats,” like peanut brittle, cookie dough bites, and chocolate-covered pretzels, and watch the sweet being made via the statement home windows.

Go for a hike within the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The pure splendor surrounding Meadows of Dan is finest skilled on a hike. “For those who’re desirous to go on a fast hike, Buffalo Mountain or Rocky Knob are nice household hikes,” suggests Branham. Galecki additionally provides Buffalo Mountain, a 2.1-mile out-and-back route, her stamp of approval. Moreover, friends of Primland have the choice to finish the 1.6-mile Pinnacle Loop Path, which grants among the finest views of the Pinnacles of Dan (mountain peaks that stand up from the Dan River Gorge).

Drive alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Relying in your trip’s timeline — and which route you’re headed in— you might need to save this exercise for the start or finish of your journey. One of the well-known drives in Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway is known for its overlooks and the wonder that defines each mile. Simply you’ll want to drive slowly, look ahead to wildlife, and take a look at this interactive map to plan your journey.

Play Primland’s award-winning Highland Course.

A must-visit course for many golfers, Primland’s Highland Course is without doubt one of the finest within the nation — and it’s open to each resort friends and most people. The mountainous terrain provides technique to a difficult sport, however gamers of all ranges are welcome — they usually’re usually rewarded with unimaginable views.

Finest Eating places

Jane’s Nation Cafe

Branham and Galecki each agree that Jane’s Nation Cafe is a non-negotiable while you’re in Meadows of Dan. “At Jane’s Nation Café, not solely will you take pleasure in good homestyle cooking, [but] additionally, you will get a style of the native tradition and meet among the residents,” says Branham. Open seven days per week, ranging from 11 a.m., the cafe usually shares its specials on its Fb web page, with posts that includes all kinds of consolation meals — from baked spaghetti to barbecue and baked beans.

Primitive Espresso Market

For “native espresso and native farm items,” Branham recommends testing Primitive Espresso Market. It’s actually the perfect place to gasoline up earlier than a hike — professional tip: strive the lavender latte made with lavender from a close-by farm — however Galecki and her crew have additionally curated a collection of groceries, together with pasture-raised meat, that you could take again and prepare dinner again at your campsite or Airbnb.

Poor Farmer’s Market

Half mercantile, half deli, Poor Farmer’s Market is a vacation spot the place Branham says “You will get every part from a pair of overalls to a pound or two of dried pinto beans.” Its sandwiches additionally come extremely really helpful by Galecki — and previous vacationers give it high marks for its salads, pimento cheese, and fried pies. Plus, says, Branham, “For those who’re fortunate, you’ll get to satisfy the proprietor, Felecia Shelor, usually affectionately generally known as the ‘Mayor of Meadows of Dan’.”

Leatherflower

As a part of Primland’s current spherical of enhancements, one in all its on-site eating places, Parts, reworked into Leatherflower, an idea that conveys “the whimsical spirit of the South.” The crew focuses on the flavors and traditions of this a part of Virginia. For those who’re fortunate, you’ll be seated by the window, the place golf course views complement any entree. Non-resort friends are additionally capable of make reservations on-line or by calling Primland.

Finest Time to Go to

As Branham notes, there’s magnificence to each season in Meadows of Dan, however fall is actually spectacular — and the busiest. “Often, we get most of our guests within the fall. Everybody likes to see the gorgeous fall foliage, which often happens across the finish of October,” he says.

To keep away from ready in line at a restaurant or on populated mountaineering trails, Galecki recommends “any time exterior of October.” In January and February, she says, “you possibly can see for miles,” and “sunrises and sunsets over the white mountains are breathtaking.” Chances are you’ll face inclement climate this time of yr, so Branham suggests checking highway circumstances earlier than departure. For the perfect of every part — superb views, fewer vacationers, and temperate climate — Galecki says to come back from April to June, when “the flowers are simply beginning to bloom, and the climate is a bit cooler however not freezing or too scorching.”

How one can Get There

For those who’re hoping to fly into this a part of Virginia, you’ll should be ready to lease a automotive and drive to Meadows of Dan. The 2 closest airports are Piedmont Triad Airport (GSO) and Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), they usually every require an extra 90-minute automotive journey to make it to your remaining vacation spot.

How one can Get Round

You’ll want a automotive to discover Meadows of Dan and the encircling space — however driving alongside these lengthy, winding roads is a part of the magic.  For those who’re staying in one in all Primland’s tree homes — or have plans to go additional into the mountains — it’s really helpful to have a automotive with four-wheel drive.