I love spending time in the Blue Ridge Mountains. No matter the season, the distant peaks are beautiful with their deep purple-blue hue and layered panoramic ridges. Some of my favorite road trips over the past year have taken us through these mountains, including our most recent adventure to Massanutten Resort in Virginia.
Over Thanksgiving, Daniel and I decided to skip the traditional festivities and take some time away for ourselves. Massanutten Resort was the perfect spot because it was close enough to drive and offered plenty of activities we could enjoy throughout the long weekend. It has over 6,000 acres of mountainside area for guests to explore and dozens of fun things to do onsite.
It’s also a great place for family gatherings because you can choose from different accommodation styles, ranging from hotel rooms to large condos. We stayed in a spacious one-bedroom condo with beautiful mountain views and even had daily visits from a herd of deer.
For many people, mountains plus winter equals skiing, but that’s not what this post is about. While we would have loved to hit the slopes, Virginia’s pre-Thanksgiving heatwave kept the mountains clear of snow.
Off-Season Adventures Worth Trying
Even without skiing, the resort had plenty of fun off-season activities open for us to try, and I’d love to share some of my favorites. Bonus: most of these are budget-friendly and can be enjoyed year-round.
1. Indoor Water Park and Arcade
One of Massanutten’s biggest attractions is its water park. During the warmer months, both indoor and outdoor areas are open, but in the off-season, the indoor section stays open and heated to a comfortable 84 degrees.
There’s a lot to do here for all ages. You’ll find a lazy river, a water fortress, body slides, tube slides, and even a FlowRider wave simulator.
If you enjoy open slides, climbing through the Massanutten Meltdown water fortress is a blast. You’ll dodge splashes along the way and can try multiple slides at different levels.
If you prefer enclosed slides, head to the back of the park where you’ll find fast, dark tube and body slides that are equal parts thrilling and fun.
And if you’ve ever wanted to try surfing, the FlowRider is definitely worth a go.
Ticket pricing varies depending on the season, and visits are often scheduled in time blocks.
If you’re ready to dry off, head upstairs to Diamond Jim’s Arcade. There’s a great mix of games, from racing simulators to classic ticket games like Skee Ball. The pricing felt reasonable, and we managed to win a glass chess set without spending too much.
2. Ice Skating
Winter wouldn’t feel complete without a trip to the ice rink. Massanutten sets up a seasonal rink next to the Fitness and Recreation Club.
For a small fee, you can reserve an hour of skate time, with rentals available if you don’t have your own skates.
It’s nothing elaborate, but it’s a fun way to enjoy the crisp mountain air and get some light exercise. When we visited, it was decorated for the holidays, which made it even more charming.
Be sure to book early, though. This activity fills up quickly, and we had to try multiple times before securing a spot.
3. Petting Farm
I’m such a kid at heart, so this ended up being one of my favorite activities of the weekend. The resort has a full petting farm where you can visit animals and even go on trail rides.
We skipped the ride this time but spent plenty of time exploring the farm itself.
One of the highlights was seeing a family of zebus. The calf was incredibly cute, with long eyelashes, while the mother was more open to attention.
I also loved the miniature donkeys and ponies. They were small, stubby, and absolutely adorable. There was also a mule that happily came over for some extra attention.
The main area featured goats, sheep, and chickens. The goats were full of personality and only interested if you had food, while the sheep were much friendlier. One especially fluffy sheep quickly became my favorite.
The farm also includes a variety of other animals like rabbits, llamas, pigs, and even a peacock.
4. The Fun Factory for Candy and Ice Cream
If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll want to stop by The Fun Factory at the entrance of the resort.
This colorful shop is packed with candy, toys, and souvenirs. One wall is filled with plush animals, while another section features a full ice cream counter.
We couldn’t resist grabbing a bag of saltwater taffy and a scoop of ice cream each. The portions were huge, and everything was delicious. It was easily one of the most fun and memorable stops of the trip.
5. Scenic Views Around the Resort
With its location in the Shenandoah Mountains, Massanutten Resort is full of scenic spots to explore no matter the season.
Must-See Viewpoints and Trails
The Overlook
At the top of the mountain, the Overlook offers sweeping views of the resort below. You can see the ski slopes, buildings, and distant mountains fading into the horizon. It’s also a fantastic place to catch the sunset.
The Arboretum Trail
While it’s especially beautiful in spring and fall, the arboretum is still peaceful and worth visiting in winter.
At the entrance, there’s a pond, picnic areas, and a playground. If you follow the trail into the woods, you’ll find small bridges, moss-covered logs, and quiet spots that feel tucked away from everything.
Even on a cloudy day, the atmosphere was calm and refreshing, with bits of color still lingering from the previous season.
Painter’s Pond
Another beautiful spot is Painter’s Pond, nestled in a small valley between two mountains.
You can walk around the pond or simply take in the view from above. We chose to sit at the top and enjoy the scenery, which turned out to be a perfect, relaxing moment.
Final Thoughts on Massanutten Resort
These are just a few of the many off-season activities available at Massanutten Resort. There are also carriage rides, snow tubing, escape rooms, sports courts, indoor pools, guided hikes, and even golf.
And if you visit during spring or summer, even more attractions open up, making it a great year-round destination.
I also have to mention the food. The meals we had onsite were fantastic. We enjoyed a full holiday dinner one night and tried a unique BBQ pizza the next, both of which were memorable.
If you’re looking for a relaxing mountain getaway with plenty of flexibility in activities and accommodations, Massanutten Resort is a great option. It works especially well for families or groups with different interests.
What do you think? Would you spend a weekend here?
Thanks so much for reading, and I hope this helps as you plan your own trip. Happy travels!
