Area Attractions & Dining

The observatory is home to the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope. Visitors can explore the Science Center, view exhibits, take a guided tour of the observatory grounds, and learn why this location is part of the National Radio Quiet Zone.

The Omni Homestead Resort in nearby Hot Springs, VA is home to two historic 18-hole golf courses set against the Allegheny Mountains. The Old Course dates to 1892 and features the nation's oldest first tee in continuous use, while The Cascades is known for its varied mountain terrain and panoramic scenery. Both courses offer practice facilities, club rentals, and golf instruction.

Located within the Omni Homestead Resort, the Warm Springs Pools are fed by natural mineral springs that maintain a temperature of about 98°F year-round. Visitors can reserve a 50-minute soak and enjoy the unique combination of warm mineral water, historic architecture, and peaceful mountain surroundings.

This year-round mountain destination allows visitors to enjoy outdoor adventures surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains, making it a worthwhile excursion from Monterey. In winter, the resort is best known for skiing and snowboarding across three distinct areas, while summer brings opportunities for mountain biking, hiking, golf, lake activities, and scenic lift rides.

Mountain bikers can explore a mix of scenic rural routes and rugged forest terrain in the Allegheny Highlands. The Bald Ridge Trail is one of the more difficult trails in the area with steep grades and rocky terrain while the Monterey–Blue Grass Valley Loop offers miles of beautiful countryside scenery at a more moderate difficulty level.

Back Creek Farms is a working maple syrup farm in Highland County, where the Lowry family continues a long local tradition of making syrup from the area's sugar maples. The farm produces traditional maple syrup along with infused and barrel-aged varieties developed using locally sourced ingredients and Virginia distillery collaborations.

The Highland County Maple Festival is an annual celebration of maple syrup, Appalachian traditions, and rural mountain life. Held each March, the county-wide festival invites visitors to tour working maple sugar camps, watch syrup being produced, and sample local maple products. Guests can also enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes and buckwheat cakes, famous maple doughnuts, live entertainment, and more than 100 arts and crafts vendors.