This Tiny Virginia City Has New Tree Home Suites and Scenic Mountain Hikes — and It's a Lovely Autumn Getaway

Right here’s the whole lot to learn about planning a visit 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 all the options of a small, rural neighborhood, and the closest industrial 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 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 be dwelling to Primland, a 12,000-acre non-public 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 strive over 45 completely different flavors of fudge.

Nonetheless, the Meadows of Dan motto, “an easier place in time,” rings true all through the realm. This can be a place the place you’re inspired to decelerate, absorb your environment, and strike up a protracted dialog, whether or not it’s together with your touring companion or somebody fully new. It’s a small Southern city, in any case — and, in line with Kayla Galecki, proprietor of Primitive Espresso Market, it’s “full of the friendliest folks you'll ever meet.”

Meadows of Dan, Virginia

• Keep in one in all Primland’s new Mountaintop Tree Homes, spacious suites with majestic views of the valley, an out of doors bathe, and a sizzling tub.
• Drive alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping at its well-known overlooks alongside the way in which.
• Take pleasure in a hearty lunch and the nice and cozy ambiance at Jane’s Nation Cafe.
• Fulfill your candy tooth at Nancy’s Sweet Firm, an area favourite.
• Plan your go to through the fall, when the foliage is at its peak, or within the late spring, when the wildflowers bloom.

Associated: 10 Greatest Mountain Cities in Virginia, In accordance with Locals

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, nevertheless, should take pleasure in quieter moments, Virginia mountains, and the everlasting likelihood of recognizing wildlife. Once I first stayed on the resort in 2021, there was an nearly austere high quality to the design, each within the frequent areas of the principle lodge and the visitor rooms. Upon visiting for a second time in Might 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, delivered to 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 at the moment are plaid and floral materials, customized cowhide quilts, and a set of vintage and customized furnishings items.

The actual spotlight of Primland’s updates, nevertheless, 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 out of doors bathe, sizzling tub, Adirondack chairs, and even the flexibility to order room service make sure you by no means have to go away the purple cedar tree home — until you wish to make the most of the remainder of the resort’s actions, after all. 

Associated: This Virginia Mountain Resort Is the Final Luxurious Retreat for Energetic Vacationers

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 e-book 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 embody 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 likelihood to get some shuteye in a renovated Seventies (or perhaps a Nineteen Forties) trailer. One of many choices, a 1975 Airstream, is even decked out in delicate Disney decor. Every camper comfortably sleeps two folks and contains a stand-up bathe, bathroom, fridges, and air con. Outdoors, you’ll discover a coated deck pavilion, a hearth 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 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 wish 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).

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

There’s maybe nothing as nostalgic as old school sweet — and if 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 by the commentary home windows.

Go for a hike within the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The pure splendor surrounding Meadows of Dan is greatest skilled on a hike. “Should 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, company of Primland have the choice to finish the 1.6-mile Pinnacle Loop Path, which grants among the greatest 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— chances are you’ll wish 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 legendary for its overlooks and the wonder that defines each mile. Simply you should definitely 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 likely one of the greatest within the nation — and it’s open to each resort company and most of the people. The mountainous terrain provides strategy to a difficult recreation, however gamers of all ranges are welcome — they usually’re commonly 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 if 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 every week, ranging from 11 a.m., the cafe commonly 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 trying out 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 staff have additionally curated a choice of groceries, together with pasture-raised meat, you can 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 will get the whole lot 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, “Should you’re fortunate, you’ll get to satisfy the proprietor, Felecia Shelor, usually affectionately referred to as 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, Components, remodeled 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. Should you’re fortunate, you’ll be seated by the window, the place golf course views complement any entree. Non-resort company 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 actually 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 street situations earlier than departure. For the perfect of the whole lot — 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.”

How one can Get There

Should you’re hoping to fly into this a part of Virginia, you’ll must be ready to hire a automobile 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 automobile journey to make it to your closing vacation spot.

How one can Get Round

You’ll want a automobile to discover Meadows of Dan and the encircling space — however driving alongside these lengthy, winding roads is a part of the magic.  Should you’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 automobile with four-wheel drive.

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