The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, is one of America's oldest continuously operating resort hotels, open since 1778 and designated a National Historic Landmark. Located 140 miles east of Charleston via I-64 East, the property takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach by car—a drive east through the Allegheny Highlands following the Greenbrier River valley. Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB), 12 miles from the resort, accepts seasonal charter flights for visitors traveling by air.
Day visitors (non-guests) access the resort through specific paid activities. The most distinctive attraction is the Cold War Bunker Tour: code-named 'Project Greek Island,' this 112,000-square-foot fallout shelter was built between 1959 and 1962 beneath the resort's West Wing addition to house all 535 members of Congress in the event of nuclear war. Declassified in 1992 after a Washington Post exposé, the facility now operates as a paid guided tour revealing decontamination chambers, dormitory wings, a broadcast studio, and food storage areas. Tour tickets are approximately $40 per person and should be reserved in advance through the resort's website.
The resort's main Federal-style building, given its signature bold pastel interior by designer Dorothy Draper in 1948, can be explored on a self-guided grounds walk covering the formal gardens, casino arcade, and main lobby colonnade. The Greenbrier Spa offers mineral baths drawing on the natural sulphur springs that gave the town its name; day spa packages start at approximately $150. Three championship golf courses include the Old White TPC course, host of the annual Greenbrier Classic PGA Tour event; single-day green fees range $175–250 depending on season and course.
The Main Dining Room serves lunch for day visitors; the more casual Sam Snead's Oak Bar and Grille provides a less formal alternative with walk-in seating during most of the year. Reservations are advisable for weekend lunches, particularly during golf season. White Sulphur Springs town along US-60 west of the resort offers modest dining and fuel for budget-conscious visitors.
How to get there
- Car via I-64 E
- Flight into LWB (seasonal charter service)
Location
101 Main Street W, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986
37.7964, -80.2987 View on map
Highlights
- Cold War Bunker Tour: declassified 112,000-sq-ft Congressional fallout shelter built beneath the resort in 1959
- Dorothy Draper's bold 1948 pastel interior design in the National Historic Landmark main building
- Greenbrier Spa mineral baths fed by natural sulphur springs, the resort's founding attraction
- Old White TPC golf course, annual host of the Greenbrier Classic PGA Tour event
- Formal gardens and historic grounds accessible to day visitors on a self-guided walk
Tips for visiting
- Reserve the Cold War Bunker Tour ($40 per person) on the resort website in advance; weekend slots fill several days ahead.
- Day visitors are most welcome outside major event weeks—the PGA Greenbrier Classic (July) and major golf weekends can limit access; calling the resort ahead of those dates is advisable.
- Spa mineral bath day packages ($150 and up) should be reserved when booking the bunker tour to coordinate the schedule.
- The Main Dining Room requires resort-appropriate attire; Sam Snead's Oak Bar and Grille is smart-casual and accepts walk-ins.
- Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) lies 12 miles from the property; seasonal charter services from Pittsburgh or Charlotte make a fly-in day visit feasible.
When to visit
Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) for comfortable grounds touring and lighter resort traffic; avoid PGA Classic week in July when day-visitor access and parking may be restricted by event operations.
Accessibility
The resort's main building, dining venues, and formal gardens are largely accessible via paved paths and elevator access within the building. The Cold War Bunker Tour involves narrow corridors and some steps; visitors with mobility limitations should contact the resort in advance to ask about adapted tour arrangements. The Greenbrier Spa has accessible changing and treatment facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-hotel guests visit The Greenbrier Resort?
Yes. Day visitors can access the resort by purchasing tickets for specific activities including the Cold War Bunker Tour ($40 per person), spa day packages ($150 and up), and golf (green fees $175–250). Resort restaurants are open to the public with reservations during most of the year, and the formal grounds can be toured on foot.
What is the Cold War bunker at The Greenbrier?
Code-named 'Project Greek Island,' the Greenbrier Bunker is a 112,000-square-foot fallout shelter built between 1959 and 1962 beneath the resort's West Wing to house all 535 members of Congress for up to 60 days following a nuclear attack. It included decontamination chambers, dormitories, a legislative chamber, and a broadcast studio. Declassified in 1992, it now operates as a paid guided tour.
How far is The Greenbrier from Charleston, WV?
The resort is approximately 140 miles east of Charleston via I-64 East, a drive of about 2.5 hours. Lewisburg, the nearest large town at 12 miles west, is under 15 minutes from the property. Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) with seasonal charter service is also 12 miles from the resort.
Is The Greenbrier worth visiting for just one day?
For visitors interested in Cold War history, the bunker tour ($40) alone justifies the trip. Combining the tour with a mineral spa treatment and lunch at the resort creates a genuinely distinctive experience costing $200–250 per person. The resort's historic architecture and grounds add further interest at no extra charge.
When is the best time to visit The Greenbrier as a day visitor?
Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) offer the most pleasant grounds conditions and lighter resort traffic. Major event weeks—the PGA Greenbrier Classic in July and high-season golf weekends—increase resort traffic and may limit day-visitor access; contacting the resort before those dates is advisable.