On-site Activities and Recreation
Meetings end. And when they do, there is no bigger or better place to play than on the 3,000 spectacular acres that surround The Homestead. Not one, but three championship golf courses are available, including one of America’s finest mountain courses – The Cascades, and the state-of-the-art Golf Advantage School.
Next, rejuvenate in pools fed by the natural healing springs that have given rise to one of the world’s most renowned European spas. For further activity, explore miles of trails by foot, bike or horseback. Enjoy canoeing, falconry, fly fishing and one of the top ranked resort shooting clubs in the nation. When winter arrives, strap on skis or a snowboard, try ice-skating or stay indoors and bowl a frame or take in a movie in our historic theatre. Meeting attendees have access to it all. After all, it’s not all about business.
Golf
The Homestead offers some of the country’s most challenging and historic fairways. Among our championship greens is the finest Virginia mountain golf course – the legendary Cascades Course, designed in 1923 by William S. Flynn. Also offering exceptional play are the historic Old Course and the Robert Trent Jones-designed Lower Cascades Course. Walk the fairways where Sam Snead honed his game – this local Virginia hero launched his career at our golf resort, and the same greens now beckon to you.
Shooting Sports
Designed for all levels of ability, our Shooting Club’s diversified presentation of targets is unequalled anywhere. Our two sporting clays courses extend almost a mile through the woods with a scenic journey that simulates many types of game birds and rabbits. Choose from four skeet fields, trap and five-stand along with a .22 rifle range. Never tried shooting before? Let one of our certified N.S.C.A. shooting instructors get you started with either a group or private lesson.
Cascades Gorge Hike
Enjoy one of the most popular activities at The Homestead! The Cascades Gorge, nestled deep in the Allegheny Mountains, is a beautiful series of waterfalls that cascade and fall throughout this two-mile terrain. An experienced Naturalist will highlight the abundant flora and fauna and you will be entertained as you learn interesting, useful and even surprising information about everything from the native birds to rare orchids! Find out what’s edible and what’s medicinal growing around you as you make your way amongst twelve waterfalls. Don’t forget your camera!
Fly-Fishing
Fish on one of the finest private trout streams in Virginia, the Cascades Stream, stocked and maintained by The Homestead. Few mountain streams are as scenic and productive as the four mile-long stream that flows between the Cascades and Lower Cascades Golf Courses. Accented by a series of beautiful waterfalls, this clear-running stream can be enjoyed by the novice as well as the experienced fly-fisherman.
Horseback Riding
The Homestead offers a leisurely riding experience on mountain bridle paths, unsurpassed for their quiet beauty. Our Equestrian Center offers a selection of horses suitable for English or Western saddle, for all levels of riding ability, and the staff will match horse to rider. A mounted guide accompanies the riders. In addition, children’s hand-led rides are available.
Carriage Rides
Take a step back in time and join us at the Equestrian Center for one of our leisurely carriage rides. We currently travel along The Homestead’s secluded wooded trail, which is approximately three miles long and takes about 45-minutes. All carriage rides are private and will accommodate up to five passengers.
Tennis
The Tennis Courts are conveniently located and offer a spectacular view of The Homestead Tower and the surrounding mountain valley. Four clay courts and two har-tru courts are available, with lessons and court times by appointment. Open seasonally.
Canoeing / Kayaking
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the nearby Jackson River or a tranquil glide along Lake Moomaw. These guided trips are ideal for first timers & experienced paddlers.
Archery
The Archery range is designed for recreational archers and consists of eight stationary targets that are set at varying distances for adults and children. Sessions can be booked in one-hour time frames. A 3-D Archery Range is also available with ten stations and is designed to offer the archer a unique experience enjoying the natural surroundings.
Off-Road Adventure Program
The Homestead Off-Road Adventure program offers Homestead guests a thrilling and memorable outdoor experience. Our ORA course consists of nearly three miles of switchbacks, climbs and beautiful wooded trails. All vehicles are set up for a driver and passenger.
Wilderness Wonders Presentation
Join one of our Naturalists in the Wilderness Cottage to learn about the fossils and the ecosystem of the oldest mountain range in the world… the Alleghenies. Find out about the common things around you that aren’t so common such as lightning, plants, etc. Learn about how most of our medicinal plants come from weeds, how orchids lure insects to mate with the flowers because they look like insects, survival tips about the woods and much more.
Falconry
Known as the “sport of kings,” falconry is one of the oldest field sports. Learn about this unique form of hunting with trained birds of prey. Our falconer demonstrates with falcons, hawks and owls during beginner and intermediate lessons. Open seasonally.
Mountain Biking
The mountain biking experience is offered to adults and children at all levels of riding ability, using resort trails. Bring your own bike or rent a mountain bike and protective gear, available in a range of sizes.
Hiking
Many miles of hiking trails wind around our surrounding mountains and valleys. As you walk along the serene forest and steam areas, you may see gray and red squirrels, a variety of birds, and if you are quiet enough, whitetail deer or wild turkeys. Our trails are self-guided and vary in length and level of challenge.
Hayrides
Board our tractor-driven hay wagon and ride to our Mountain Lodge for an evening around the campfire with old fashioned s’mores and campfire fun! All are welcome to jest with jokes, sing a song or tell a tale. Rides last approximately one hour and are available year round, weather permitting. Seasonal theme hayrides are available every Halloween and Christmas.
Paintball Games
Gather up your friends and head for our paintball field at the Mountain Lodge for a fun, fast paced game of paintball on our woods course. Great fun for ages 12 and up.
Jefferson Pools
The historic Jefferson Pools consist of two covered, spring-fed, naturally heated pools that maintain a temperature of about 98 degrees throughout the year. The Men’s Pool opened in 1761 and the Ladies’ Pool was added in 1836. Originally valued for medicinal purposes, the springs became more sought after as centers of pleasure and social activity over time.
Pools & Fitness
An Aerobics room, Fitness Center, spring-fed Indoor Pool, and three retail shops featuring bath and spa products are located in the Spa. We also offer and Outdoor Pool and Cabana.
Winter Sports
The Mountain Lodge is the center for winter sports except for ice skating which is located on the Casino Lawn. Seven ski trails are available, as well as bunny slopes. Also offered are snowmobiling, snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Private and group ski, snowboard and ice skating lessons are available for all ages.
Bowling
The Bowling Center is located adjacent to the Indoor Pool. Eight lanes are available on a first come, first serve basis. Drinks, snacks and light fare are available.
Movies
Movies, including old classics, are shown nightly in our turn-of-the-century theatre. Movies are selected based on broad family appeal and are complimentary to registered guests.
VIBZ Family Game Center
Families can test their game skills when they visit VIBZ on Cottage Row. Try out a selection of Wii games, PSP, DVDs, board games and Air Hockey.
KidsClub
The KidsClub is a supervised program of scheduled activities for children ages 3 to 12. Activities include arts and crafts, nature walks, movies, swimming, fishing, story time, playground fun, science experiments, bowling and more. A dinner program is offered each Saturday evening and special programs are planned during holidays.
Teambuilding
Join us for family fun on our high ropes course, low ropes course and climbing walls. Also available for Corporate Groups.
History Tours
Take part in one of our informative tours and see the history of The Homestead unfold as it brings you from 1766 to today.
Lawn Games
We can set up Volleyball, croquet, basketball, Bocce ball, Corn Hole, Badminton, Lawn chess, shuffleboard and more.
Arcade Room
The Arcade Room offers fun for the entire family with coin-operated video games. It is located on the 10th floor, one floor below the Main Dining Room.