A mountain resort in Virginia has a golf course with the oldest first tee in continuous use in the United States. Another spot is where a famous dance movie was filmed.
I love that the holiday can come with that kind of backstory.
The history runs even deeper than that. One lodge sits at the highest point on its famous scenic road.
Another inn serves dinner inside a mill building from 1900, with a breakfast picnic delivered to your door.
I can’t imagine a better trade than swapping a crowded kitchen for a mountain view. Someone else carves the turkey.
You get a hiking trail, a fireplace, or a warm spring soak instead of a sink full of dishes.
The mountains are still there when the pie is gone. So why not let the long weekend stretch out a little?
The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa
Twenty-four U.S. presidents have stayed here, so your Thanksgiving nap is in very good company. The resort traces its roots to 1766, when an 18-room log hotel went up near natural mineral springs.
Those springs still steal the show. The historic Warm Springs Pools are known as America’s first spa structures, with an octagonal stone basin dating to 1761.
For the holiday itself, a Taste of Tradition Buffet lays out carved turkey, prime rib, a raw bar, classic sides, and desserts. You can skip the grocery list entirely and just bring stretchy pants.
The grounds cover more than 2,000 acres, so walking off dinner won’t be a problem. You can hike to Falling Spring, try falconry, or take a carriage ride through the hills.
Got kids with energy left over after pie? Allegheny Springs offers waterslides and a lazy river, and Theater 1923 shows movies in retro style.
Golf fans get a treat too. The Old Course opened in 1892 and has the oldest first tee in continuous use in the country.
A full renovation wrapped up in November 2023, so the old landmark feels freshly polished.
Address: 7696 Sam Snead Hwy, Hot Springs, VA 24445
The Lodge at Primland, Auberge Collection
Most hotels don’t come with their own observatory tower, but this one does. Professional-grade telescopes inside the Lodge turn Thanksgiving night into a stargazing date.
The property is a 12,000-acre private mountain estate in the Blue Ridge. Founder Didier Primat bought the land in 1977 as an outdoor retreat.
Thanksgiving weekend gets its own lineup here. Think Harvest Season Hayrides, a Great Hall Gathering with live music, and the parade on screen in the Lodge Theater.
Dinner happens at Leatherflower, which hosts a Thanksgiving Feast with a prix fixe menu and family-style sides. The rest of the year, it serves refined Southern dishes with a farm focus.
Want something rowdier? Stables Saloon pairs a family-style Southern supper with live bluegrass, and “Moonshine Tales” brings more bluegrass to the holiday mix.
Lodging ranges from Lodge rooms to cottages and designer Tree Houses perched above the Dan River Gorge. Some Mountain Homes even have outdoor hot tubs and stone fireplaces.
Between meals, you can try tomahawk throwing, fly fishing, or the Audubon-certified Highland Course. Nobody will judge you for choosing the spa instead.
Address: 2000 Busted Rock Rd, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120
Wintergreen Resort
Here’s a resort built upside down, with its amenities perched on peaks and ridges instead of tucked in the valley. Wintergreen opened in 1975 as a four-season mountain destination.
The name comes from a local village and farm. Those were named after a native evergreen plant called Gaultheria procumbens.
Thanksgiving weekend brings plenty to do. A Light the Night terrace lighting kicks off the season, and The Nature Foundation leads interpretive hikes.
Crafty types can try DIY mini tote bag painting. There’s also free cookie decorating, which is basically a sport in some families.
Food comes in several styles. The Edge serves a plated special, The Copper Mine goes family-style, and Devils Grill hosts a buffet for lodging guests and club members.
Prefer your own table? A Turkey Dinner To-Go includes hand-carved turkey, herb stuffing, cranberry sauce, and sweet potato casserole.
The resort stretches across 11,000 acres on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge. You’ll find 37 miles of hiking trails, indoor tennis, and a mountaintop spa.
Skiing usually starts in December, so leave the goggles home. Bring hiking boots instead.
Address: 39 Mountain Inn Loop, Wintergreen Resort, VA 22967
Mountain Lake Lodge
Nobody puts Thanksgiving in a corner at this famous filming spot. The lodge served as the main location for the movie Dirty Dancing.
Its history goes back much further, though. The area was known as Salt Pond in 1751, and the first lodge rose here in 1851.
Today’s Main Stone Lodge dates to 1936 and was built from native sandstone. It skips elevators, air conditioning, and in-room TV to protect its old character.
That unplugged feel fits a holiday retreat nicely. The property sits on a 2,600-acre nature preserve on Salt Pond Mountain in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Harvest, the farm-to-table restaurant, hosts a Thanksgiving Day Buffet with chef-prepared favorites and traditional desserts. Mary’s Market and Café handles coffee and pastries the next morning.
The best timing bonus? The Magical Christmas Village and Marketplace opens during Thanksgiving weekend, so you can start holiday shopping by the mountains.
Outdoors, you get more than 22 miles of private trails. The Giles County Trail Center connects to the Appalachian Trail and a four-mile loop to Bald Knob.
Lantern tours share the lodge’s past after dark. Just try not to hum a certain song.
Address: 115 Hotel Cir, Pembroke, VA 24136
Massanutten Resort
Surfing in late November sounds silly until you meet the FlowRider. Massanutten’s Indoor/Outdoor WaterPark includes that surf simulator, plus a wave pool and a lazy river.
The resort covers more than 6,000 acres in the Shenandoah Valley. It’s a strong pick for families who want options beyond football and naps.
History runs in the family here. Rockingham Springs Hotel opened in 1875 as a health spa, and a great-grandson of its founder helped start the modern resort in 1971.
Thanksgiving dinner can be easy. A Thanksgiving Meal Pick-Up service hands you a complete, ready-to-serve holiday meal.
The rest of the weekend, Campfire Grill dishes up camp stove chili, chicken dumplings, and s’mores. VA BBQ and Pizza Co. serves wood-smoked chicken, pork, and ribs.
Sweet tooth in the group? Sweetz, inside the waterpark, sells fudge, cupcakes, and homemade candy apples.
Grown-ups can sneak off to the spa for a hot stone massage. Kids can hit the arcade, mini golf, or the Family Adventure Park.
Skiing usually waits until December. Still, a valley getaway with this much to do won’t leave anyone bored.
Address: 1822 Resort Dr, Massanutten, VA 22840
Fort Lewis Lodge & Farm
Cows may be your closest neighbors at this Bath County hideaway. Fort Lewis Lodge sits on a working cattle farm in the rural mountains near Millboro.
That setting is the whole point. You trade traffic and screens for scenic valley views and open fields.
The lodge mixes rustic style with polished rooms. It has a woodsy on-site restaurant, so dinner happens just steps from your bed.
A sauna is also on the grounds. After a chilly walk across the farm, that heat might be the best part of the day.
This spot works well for people who want a slow weekend. There’s no buzzing resort scene here, just the mountains and the farm.
Bath County itself has plenty nearby if you get restless. The famous warm springs and mountain roads of the Allegheny Highlands are part of the same region.
Holiday plans can shift at small places like this one. Reach out ahead of time to see how the lodge is handling Thanksgiving weekend.
Then let the quiet do its job. Your biggest decision might be sauna before dinner or after.
Address: 811 Millstone Ln, Millboro, VA 24460
The Inn at Gristmill Square
Breakfast comes to you here, packed like a picnic. A complimentary breakfast basket arrives at your room each morning, with a chef-selected menu that changes daily.
The inn’s historic complex includes restored 19th-century buildings, including an old Hardware Store and Blacksmith Shop. Together they feel like a tiny village.
Dinner happens in a former mill. The Waterwheel Restaurant sits in a gristmill built in 1900 that operated until 1971 before becoming a restaurant in 1973.
That site has milling history on Warm Springs Run going back to 1771. The kitchen now serves contemporary farm-to-table American food featuring fresh local ingredients.
Fall and winter bring a bonus. Select rooms have wood-burning fireplaces, which is exactly the mood you want after turkey.
The Warm Springs Pools sit about a mile away. These historic public soaking pools offer a relaxing way to enjoy the area’s natural mineral springs.
Want more pampering? The Warm Spirit Spa across the street offers facials and massages.
The inn sits in the heart of George Washington National Forest in the Allegheny Highlands of Bath County. Quiet roads and clear streams make for easy hikes and scenic drives.
The historic Warm Springs Mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Address: 118 Old Germantown Rd, Warm Springs, VA 24484
Iris Inn & Cabins
A Michelin Key hangs on this Blue Ridge inn’s reputation. That’s the lodging award Michelin introduced in 2024.
The Iris Inn opened in 1991 as a purpose-built bed and breakfast. New owners bought it in January 2020 and remodeled the whole resort.
The luxury cabins are the stars. They’re built into the mountainside with floor-to-ceiling windows, private hot tubs, fireplaces, and heated bathroom floors.
Each cabin also has a full kitchen. That makes it easy to stash leftovers or cook a simple holiday breakfast.
You may not need to, though. A free small-plate breakfast buffet is served in the Great Room, overlooking the Shenandoah Valley.
Dinner runs Friday through Monday evenings in the same room. Past dishes include braised short ribs and Smoking Chimney’s rainbow trout.
Take a walk on the wooded trails, then roast marshmallows at a fire pit. A three-story observation tower offers wide views too.
The location helps as well. You’re about two miles from a Skyline Drive entrance, with Humpback Rock and Crabtree Falls nearby for hikes.
Address: 191 Chinquapin Dr, Waynesboro, VA 22980
The Martha Washington Inn & Spa
Southwest Virginia hides a grand Main Street inn with a soaking spot built for chilly weekends. The Martha Washington Inn and Spa sits right in downtown Abingdon.
It’s an upscale hotel with elegant rooms and a full-service spa. There’s also an indoor pool and hot tub, which feel perfect in late November.
Abingdon sits in the Blue Ridge Highlands. Mount Rogers and the Appalachian high country are close enough for a scenic day trip.
The inn offers shuttle service too. That makes it easier to explore town without wrestling for parking.
Dining is on-site, so a lazy evening never requires a long drive. Breakfast is a solid reason to roll out of bed.
The downtown spot is a big plus. You can stroll Main Street, browse local shops, and still be back for a spa visit before dinner.
Holiday hours and menus can change. Check with the inn about Thanksgiving dining before you go.
This pick suits travelers who want small-town charm with polish. Think mountain air outside and a heated pool inside.
Address: 150 W Main St A, Abingdon, VA 24210
Fenton Inn
Small inns can feel like a secret handshake, and this one sits near the crest of the Blue Ridge. Fenton Inn is on Shelton Laurel Trail in Roseland.
It’s a bed and breakfast with a short guest list and plenty of charm. Some rooms come with balconies and mountain views.
That balcony might become your favorite place all weekend. Wrap up in a blanket, sip coffee, and watch the ridges change color.
The inn has more than you’d expect for its size. A spa and a gym are on-site, along with free Wi-Fi.
Breakfast is part of the stay. It’s a nice way to fuel up before a hike or a lazy morning.
The area around Roseland is full of Blue Ridge scenery. Nelson County trails and scenic drives are close by.
This spot works best for couples or anyone craving peace. It’s a smart choice when big resorts feel like too much.
Thanksgiving plans at small inns vary year to year. Contact the inn early to learn what’s offered and book a room before they’re gone.
Address: 29 Shelton Laurel Trail, Roseland, VA 22967
Skyland
Blackberry ice cream pie at 3,680 feet sounds like a dare, and Skyland accepts. The Mile High Blackberry Ice Cream Pie is its signature dessert.
That elevation matters. Skyland sits at the highest elevation on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, near the top of Stony Man Mountain.
It started in 1888 as Stony Man Camp, a summer retreat. Twelve historic structures remain, including Massanutten Lodge, a restored 1911 cabin with exhibits.
During its operating season, the Pollock Dining Room serves regional specialties with beautiful views of the Shenandoah Valley. Its menu features seasonal dishes and classic American favorites.
Window seats look over the valley. Honestly, you may forget to eat while staring outside.
The Mountain Taproom offers lighter fare, drinks, and family-friendly evening entertainment during the operating season. Rooms range from traditional accommodations to suites and detached cabins.
The park has more than 500 miles of trails, including part of the Appalachian Trail. Cell service is limited, so let Virginia’s mountains be your only feed during your visit.
One important planning detail: Skyland’s 2026 operating season runs from March 30 through November 8, so it will be closed over Thanksgiving weekend.
Address: Skyland, Skyline Drive, Mile 41.7–42.5, Luray, VA 22835
