Say Hello to Summer!
Whether it’s a weekend celebration you seek, fresh-off-the-farm eats or nature’s finest outdoor spaces, summer is serving up a bounty of good times in the Greenbrier Valley.
We’ve compiled a few of our favorite warm-weather activities to help in planning your next mountain escape.
FARMERS’ MARKETS
Looking for farm-to-fork at its best? On just about any day of the week, April through October, farmers and other craftspeople vend their wares at pop-up farmers’ markets around the Valley.
We invite you to get to know the local “foodies,” ask questions and enjoy some time perusing booths. It’s not only an easy way to taste what’s on the “seasonal menu” but you’ll often find a pantry stock of treats prepared with ingredients that don’t require a dictionary! From White Sulphur Springs to Rainelle, seasonal produce, meats, bread, jellies and other farm-fresh favorites are “ripe for the picking.”
YOU PICK FARMS
Like to have your “pick” of things to do? No, really! We’re talking about you-pick-produce farms! At the White Oak Blueberry Farm and Friendly Goat Fruit Farm, you can harvest--you guessed it--blueberries! Rows and rows and rows of them! Bring your own bucket or they’ll provide you with one, and head out on the farm. Insider's Tip: Get an early AM start to ensure a good selection of fruit. Farms open in late June, and word is... picking conditions are stellar.
For late summer picking, Sunset Berry Farm & Produce has some of its most popular garden staples...tomatoes, green beans, sweet corn, watermelon and lushess peaches. They plan to be ready to go in August; be sure to call ahead to see what’s ready to eat!
Farm hopping is a great family activity in the valley.
Jennifer Gilkerson, Sunset Berry Farm & Produce
What brought you to the GBV? My husband Kent is a third-generation strawberry farmer. Seven years ago we purchased a 60-acre farm on the top of Flat Mountain.
Why do folks like visiting your farm? Most families don’t have gardens anymore, but they want to reconnect with the earth and the food they eat. It’s a way to get out in nature and get the kids excited about eating healthy foods. For late summer picking, we’ve planted some of the most popular fruits and veggies people like. Just give us a call to find out what’s ready.
GREENBRIER RIVER
Whether you’re looking for a leisurely cruise on foot, two wheels or by watercraft, the Greenbrier River and its rails-to-trails counterpart offer a delightful foray in the Valley’s “wild” side. With multiple access points and county roads that parallel most of the river and trail system, you can make your outing a short, morning jaunt or a multi-day excursion.
If regular dips in the river are a priority this summer, perhaps a leisurely river float is in order. Between Island Park at Ronceverte and downtown Alderson, trips run 2 to 5 hours and include good fishing, relaxing flatwater and splashy riffles and rapids. Greenbrier River Campground provides a rental-shuttle-combo package with your choice of “river transportation” -- fishing pontoon, kayak, inflatable ducky, canoe or tube.
If the river isn’t cooperating, make your way up to Lake Sherwood for a flat-water cruise around its 165 acres. Located just 30 minutes north of White Sulphur Springs (downtown offers options for dining in and on-the-go), the Boathouse rents canoes, jon boats, kayaks, pedal boats and paddleboards.
For hikers, bikers and those on horseback, the 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail affords easy access to the remote countryside. A former Chesapeake & Ohio Railway serving the once-booming timber and tanning industry, it now meanders quietly through the Valley. The gravel-packed trail features a one percent grade that crosses 35 bridges, passes through 2 tunnels and offers a multitude of scenic views.
Throughout the summer, downtown pubs and outdoor spaces are frequent gathering places for live music.
EVENTS
As for this summer, Carnegie Hall’s Ivy Terrace Concert Series takes place on the second and fourth Thursdays on Academy Park lawn (June through August).
First Fridays After Five in Lewisburg is an open invitation to sample tasty treats and new product unveilings and peruse special exhibits and other downtown happenings.
The Greenbrier Valley Theatre's 2023 mainstage series is in full swing. And wrapping up the summer, the State Fair of West Virginia is chock-full of entertainment, from livestock shows and competitions to carnival rides and concerts. Visit the Greenbrier Valley event page for a full list of entertainment.
