12 Virginia Thanksgiving Getaways Where The Scenery Steals The Show
Thanksgiving in Virginia offers something most people dream about: stunning views that make you forget all about your daily stress.
Mountains painted in autumn colors, rolling vineyards under crisp blue skies, and coastal sunsets that look like paintings come together to create the perfect holiday backdrop. This state knows how to combine natural beauty with cozy accommodations that make you feel right at home.
Picture yourself sipping hot cider on a resort balcony while watching the Blue Ridge Mountains glow in the afternoon light, or taking a morning walk along the Chesapeake Bay before returning to a warm fireplace and a Thanksgiving feast you did not have to cook yourself. Truly magical!
1. The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa, Hot Springs
Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, this legendary resort has been welcoming guests since 1766, making it one of America’s oldest vacation destinations.
The natural hot springs that give the town its name still bubble up just as they did centuries ago, offering a unique way to relax after a day exploring the 2,000-acre property.
Fall colors transform the surrounding peaks into a masterpiece of reds, oranges, and golds that stretch as far as you can see.
Hiking trails wind through the mountains, leading to overlooks where the views make your camera work overtime.
The resort offers everything from golf to spa treatments, ensuring everyone in your group finds their perfect Thanksgiving activity.
2. The Lodge at Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection, Meadows of Dan
Perched atop 12,000 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain wilderness, this resort sits at elevations reaching 3,000 feet, giving you bird’s-eye views that seem to go on forever.
The property borders the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in America, making it easy to explore more stunning vistas.
Stargazing here reaches another level thanks to minimal light pollution and a professional observatory on site. During the day, you can try activities like clay shooting, fishing, or horseback riding through mountain meadows.
The lodge’s design incorporates massive windows that frame the landscape like a living artwork, so you never miss a moment of natural beauty.
3. Wintergreen Resort, Wintergreen
Sitting pretty at 3,850 feet elevation on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this resort delivers panoramic views that make your heart skip a beat.
The property spans two distinct environments: the mountain top and the valley, each offering completely different scenery and activities to explore.
Thanksgiving here means watching fog roll through valleys below while you stand above the clouds in crisp mountain air. Miles of hiking trails crisscross the property, taking you past waterfalls, rock formations, and overlooks that beg for photo stops.
The resort’s location puts you within easy reach of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive for day trips.
4. Skyland Resort, Shenandoah National Park
Located right inside Shenandoah National Park at 3,680 feet, this resort puts you smack in the middle of one of Virginia’s most spectacular natural areas.
The views from here stretch across the Shenandoah Valley to distant mountain ranges, creating layers of blue-tinted peaks that fade into the horizon.
Skyline Drive runs right past the property, giving you access to countless overlooks and trailheads without ever leaving the park. Thanksgiving timing often catches the tail end of fall colors, with oaks holding their russet leaves longer than other trees.
Wildlife sightings happen regularly, with deer often wandering near the lodge buildings at dawn and dusk.
5. The Tides Inn, Irvington
Sitting on the banks of the Rappahannock River where it widens before meeting the Chesapeake Bay, this resort offers water views that change with every shift in light and tide.
The Northern Neck region surrounds you with a quieter, more intimate coastal experience than the oceanfront, with protected waters perfect for kayaking and peaceful shoreline walks.
Sunsets here paint the river in shades of pink and gold that reflect off the calm water like a mirror. The resort’s grounds include manicured gardens and waterfront lawns where you can relax with a book or simply watch boats drift by.
Thanksgiving here feels both elegant and relaxed, with Southern hospitality meeting coastal charm.
6. Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg
Stretching along the James River just outside Colonial Williamsburg, this resort combines championship golf courses with stunning river views and easy access to historical attractions.
The 2,900-acre property includes three golf courses that wind through forests and along riverbanks, offering scenery that makes every hole memorable.
Fall colors frame the fairways and riverside trails, creating a backdrop that rivals any postcard. The James River here flows wide and peaceful, with marshlands along the banks attracting herons, ospreys, and other waterbirds.
You can explore Colonial Williamsburg’s living history museums just minutes away, then return to modern luxury and natural beauty at the resort.
7. The Historic Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club, Virginia Beach
Standing tall on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean since 1927, this historic hotel combines old-world elegance with modern beachfront access.
The original building sits elevated, offering sweeping ocean views from its terraces and upper floors, while the newer Beach Club building puts you right on the sand.
Thanksgiving at the beach brings a different kind of beauty, with powerful waves, crisp ocean breezes, and sunrises that light up the entire sky.
The three-mile boardwalk stretches in both directions, perfect for morning walks when the beach belongs mostly to seagulls and early risers.
The hotel’s restoration preserved its historic charm while adding contemporary amenities that make your stay comfortable and memorable.
8. Salamander Resort & Spa, Middleburg
Set in the heart of Virginia horse country, this resort showcases the rolling hills and pastoral beauty that make Middleburg famous.
The landscape here looks like someone painted it specifically for postcards, with white fences crisscrossing green pastures where horses graze peacefully against a backdrop of distant mountains.
Fall transforms the surrounding countryside into a patchwork of autumn colors, with tree-lined country roads perfect for scenic drives.
The resort’s equestrian center offers horseback riding through the property, giving you a unique perspective on the Virginia Piedmont region.
Nearby wineries dot the landscape, and the charming town of Middleburg sits just minutes away with its historic main street and local shops.
9. Boar’s Head Resort, Charlottesville
Tucked at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside Charlottesville, this resort sits on 573 acres of beautiful Virginia Piedmont landscape.
The property includes forests, meadows, and a lake, with mountain views rising in the background that remind you why this region attracts so many visitors.
Charlottesville’s wine country surrounds the resort, with dozens of vineyards within a short drive offering tastings and tours.
The fall season brings cooler temperatures, perfect for exploring the grounds on foot or by bike, with trails connecting different parts of the property.
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello sits nearby, adding historical significance to your scenic getaway and giving you options for cultural exploration between relaxation sessions.
10. Mountain Lake Lodge, Pembroke
Famous as the filming location for a beloved 1980s dance movie, this lodge sits beside one of only two natural freshwater lakes in Virginia at nearly 4,000 feet elevation.
The lake itself creates a mirror for surrounding mountains and sky, though water levels fluctuate naturally over the years due to unique geological features.
Hiking trails radiate from the lodge in every direction, including routes along the Appalachian Trail which passes nearby. The high elevation means temperatures stay cooler even in late fall, and views stretch across mountain ranges that seem to roll on forever.
The lodge maintains a rustic, unpretentious atmosphere that focuses on natural beauty rather than fancy amenities, perfect for families seeking authentic mountain experiences.
11. L’Auberge Provencale Inn & Restaurant, White Post
This French country inn sits in the heart of Shenandoah Valley wine country, surrounded by the gentle hills and pastoral landscapes that make this region so photogenic.
The property itself looks like it was transported from Provence, with stone buildings and gardens that blend perfectly with the Virginia countryside.
Views from the inn stretch across farmland and vineyards to distant mountain ridges, creating layers of scenery that change throughout the day as light shifts.
The intimate size of just 14 rooms means you get a personalized, quiet experience far from resort crowds.
White Post sits conveniently between several excellent wineries and the historic town of Berryville, giving you plenty of options for day trips through beautiful countryside.
12. Natural Bridge Historic Hotel & Conference Center, Natural Bridge
Located next to one of Virginia’s most famous natural wonders, this historic hotel puts you within walking distance of the 215-foot limestone arch that has amazed visitors for centuries.
The Natural Bridge itself stands as one of the oldest tourist destinations in America, with Thomas Jefferson once owning the property and calling it one of the most sublime natural wonders.
The surrounding area includes caverns, hiking trails, and the Cedar Creek Trail that runs beneath the bridge through a scenic gorge.
Fall colors enhance the already dramatic landscape, with the bridge framing views of the forest canopy in brilliant autumn shades.
The Blue Ridge Parkway sits nearby, offering endless opportunities for scenic drives through mountain landscapes that showcase Virginia’s natural beauty at its finest.