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. Positioned 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 industrial airport is about 90 minutes away — however “the mountain,” because it’s identified by locals, has extra to it than initially meets the attention.

One of the crucial 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 school sweet manufacturing facility the place guests can attempt over 45 completely different flavors of fudge.

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

The place to Keep

Primland, Auberge Resorts Assortment

You don’t should be a golfer, and even an avid hiker, to understand the sheer magnificence and expansiveness of Primland. You do, nonetheless, should get pleasure from quieter moments, Virginia mountains, and the everlasting probability of recognizing wildlife. Once 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 principle 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 an alternative of strictly cool and impartial tones, there at the moment are plaid and floral materials, customized cowhide quilts, and a set of vintage and customized furnishings items.

The true 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, sizzling tub, Adirondack chairs, and even the power to order room service make sure you by no means have to depart the purple cedar tree home — until you need to benefit from 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 “stunning.” The resort has 61 websites, and it’s beneficial to guide forward if potential. Each comes with a concrete parking pad and patio, a fireplace 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 mountain climbing path.

Stargazer Park

Billed as “classic glamping,” Stargazer Park is your probability 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 folks and includes a stand-up bathe, rest room, fridges, and air-con. Exterior, you’ll discover a lined deck pavilion, a fireplace pit, and an out of doors kitchen outfitted with a Blackstone griddle.

Greatest Issues to Do

Go to the historic Mabry Mill.

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

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

There’s maybe nothing as nostalgic as old school sweet — and whenever you’re in Meadows of Dan, you’ll get a heavy dose of that sentiment at Nancy’s Sweet Firm, the model’s manufacturing facility outlet retailer. Right here, Branham says, you’ll be able to “decide 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 remark home windows.

Go for a hike within the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The pure splendor surrounding Meadows of Dan is finest skilled on a hike. “In the event you’re eager 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, visitors of Primland have the choice to finish the 1.6-mile Pinnacle Loop Path, which grants a number of 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 path you’re headed in— you could need to save this exercise for the start or finish of your journey. One of the crucial well-known drives in Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway is known for its overlooks and the wonder that defines each mile. Simply be sure you 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 visitors and most people. The mountainous terrain provides technique to a difficult sport, however gamers of all ranges are welcome — and so they’re usually rewarded with unimaginable views.

Greatest Eating places

Jane’s Nation Cafe

Branham and Galecki each agree that Jane’s Nation Cafe is a non-negotiable whenever you’re in Meadows of Dan. “At Jane’s Nation Café, not solely will you get pleasure from good homestyle cooking, [but] additionally, you will get a style of the native tradition and meet a number of 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 types 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 one of the best place to gas up earlier than a hike — professional tip: attempt the lavender latte made with lavender from a close-by farm — however Galecki and her staff have additionally curated a collection of groceries, together with pasture-raised meat, you could take again and cook 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 may get all the pieces from a pair of overalls to a pound or two of dried pinto beans.” Its sandwiches additionally come extremely beneficial by Galecki — and previous vacationers give it high marks for its salads, pimento cheese, and fried pies. Plus, says, Branham, “In the event you’re fortunate, you’ll get to fulfill the proprietor, Felecia Shelor, usually affectionately often called the ‘Mayor of Meadows of Dan’.”

Leatherflower

As a part of Primland’s latest 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 staff focuses on the flavors and traditions of this a part of Virginia. In the event you’re fortunate, you’ll be seated by the window, the place golf course views complement any entree. Non-resort visitors are additionally in a position to make reservations on-line or by calling Primland.

Greatest Time to Go to

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

To keep away from ready in line at a restaurant or on populated mountain climbing trails, Galecki recommends “any time exterior of October.” In January and February, she says, “you’ll be able to see for miles,” and “sunrises and sunsets over the white mountains are breathtaking.” It’s possible you’ll face inclement climate this time of yr, so Branham suggests checking highway situations earlier than departure. For one of the best of all the pieces — superb views, fewer vacationers, and temperate climate — Galecki says to return from April to June, when “the flowers are simply beginning to bloom, and the climate is a bit cooler however not freezing or too sizzling.”

Get There

In the event you’re hoping to fly into this a part of Virginia, you’ll have to 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), and so they every require an extra 90-minute automotive journey to make it to your closing vacation spot.

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.  In the event you’re staying in one in all Primland’s tree homes — or have plans to go additional into the mountains — it’s beneficial to have a automotive with four-wheel drive.