At the end of August, Bill and I headed up to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for our very first parents only getaway. It was sooo relaxing and we had a blast. My parents offered to watch the babies for a few days while we celebrated our third anniversary. Of course, we couldn’t resist their offer. We happily took them up on it!
About an hour-and-a-half drive from my parents’ place (they live just outside of Pittsburgh, PA) and a three-and-a-half-hour drive from our place (Old Town Alexandria, VA), we found Nemacolin to be the perfect spot to celebrate. Not only is Nemacolin ideally located between D.C. and Pittsburgh, but the actual resort itself ticked all our boxes. Mountainside views, pools galore, endless activities and fine dining options? Sign us up! Read below for a getaway guide to Nemacolin!
What To See & Do at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
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Where To Stay
There are multiple accommodation options depending on what you’re looking for – hotels, homes and estates.
We stayed at The Chateau hotel and were very happy with our choice. It was a little taste of France! We loved it and would go back again in a heartbeat.
Falling Rock, another upscale hotel option (comparable to The Chateau), has a southwestern vibe, if that’s more your style. It also has a private pool (reserved for Falling Rock guests only), though you may not feel it’s necessary once you learn about The Peak – more on that to come!
For a more budget-friendly family-oriented option, check out The Lodge.
Homes and Estates are also great options for family reunions and big group gatherings.
One more note: We didn’t realize until we arrived just how big the resort is! For that reason, Nemacolin offers a complimentary shuttle service. You can still walk to many attractions, but sometimes, especially at night, the shuttle’s the way to go!
At first, we weren’t so sure what we’d think about the shuttle (we assumed we’d prefer everything within walking distance), but honestly, we rarely ever waited more than five minutes. It was really no big deal at all. An added bonus even!
Tip: If you prefer to stick to mostly walking, I’d recommend staying at The Chateau or The Lodge as you’ll be the most centrally located from there.
Activities
THE PEAK: If I were making one recommendation and one recommendation only; this would be it! Unfortunately, going into the trip we were unfamiliar. Just our luck, it happened to be closed for maintenance the two days we were there (a rare occurrence). We did however get a chance to wander in and scope things out. Within walking distance from The Chateau and The Lodge, The Peak is an amazing multi-pool complex with a huge entertainment stage. It sits right at the peak of a mountain with stunning panoramic views. Within the complex you’ll find a swim up bar, outdoor bar, indoor bar, cosmic bowling, axe throwing and more. Headed to Nemacolin in the wintertime? Perfect. The pools are heated year-round. Oh, and a ski lift is a stone’s throw away in case you’re up for some skiing!
THE SPA: Since the Peak was closed during our stay, the staff offered us complimentary access to the spa pool and facilities. A nice little perk! We didn’t partake in any of the treatments, but if you’re planning a mother-daughter trip or girl’s getaway, be sure to keep the spa in mind. It’s a great amenity and we loved the atmosphere!
THE WILDLIFE PARK: They have a legit zoo with lions, tigers, bears and more! During our morning walks, we’d wander around the wildlife park. We honestly couldn’t believe how extensive it was considering it’s a resort zoo.
THE GOLF COURSE: The resort offers two golf courses and a golf academy. Bill has this on his list next visit!
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES: As mentioned above, experiences are endless. Tennis, pickleball, mini golf, a high ropes course, canopy tours, paintball, ziplining, sporting clays, horseback riding, archery, fly fishing, art classes, dogsledding, ice skating, snowtubing, skiing and on…
Food & Drinks
LAUTREC: If you’re a big foodie and want to be wowed, then you’ll love Lautrec. Located in The Chateau, and featuring a six-course meal, Michelin star rated Lautrec, offers quite the unique experience.
ROCKWELL’S: A classic steakhouse, Bill and I dined at Rockwell’s for our anniversary dinner. If you prefer seafood instead, Aqueous is a comparable option.
THE BLEU ROOM: Bill and I didn’t get a chance to make it to The Bleu Room, but it looks so fun! It’s a trendy speakeasy. The perfect spot for a night cap.
ADDITIONAL DINING OPTIONS: There are also lots of casual dining spots & bars throughout the property. The fine dining options listed above require reservations, but you can pop into many of the casual spots at your convenience. Click here for a full list!
One Final Recommendation
If you have any specific activities or restaurants in mind, I highly recommend calling to confirm they’re available and making reservations, if possible, in advance. Certain activities and restaurants may only be open specific days of week (or they may book out in advance). We were bummed to hear The Peak was closed during our visit and in retrospect, we probably would have moved the dates. Not a huge deal, but a valuable lesson learned!