Highlights

We are happy to accommodate Groups who want to add a night or two, or further customize their trip.

StarrGroups Flexible Pricing:

• Customizable Comps
• Net Rates
• Luxury or First Class Hotels & Meals
• Starr Motorcoach Transportation & Professional Tour Managers are available

Whatever you want, StarrGroups will be happy to structure tour prices to match your needs. Just let us know!

Itinerary

Day 1 – Thursday – Elkins – Dinner in Timber Baron’s Mansion

Today your group is bound for Elkins, WV.  Welcome to the Holiday Inn Express in Elkins, West Virginia near the heart of the historic downtown, nestled in the western foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, Elkins is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Appalachian Plateau. Enjoy a two-night stay.

Dinner is included tonight at either Graceland or Halliehurst, the Mansions of the Timber Barons.  Both elegant homes were built in 1890′s at the height of the timber era. (B,D)

Day 2  – Friday – Elkins – Greenbrier Express Train – Green Bank Radio Astronomy Observatory – Gandy Dancer Dinner Theatre

This morning, you ride West Virginia’s newest train, the Greenbrier Express.  This train departs from the restored, historically important town of Cass and closely follows the clear, free-flowing Greenbrier River to the small mountain village of Durbin. On arrival in Durbin, enjoy lunch served at a pre-determined location either on your train car, in the depot, or at one of the restaurants on Main Street adjacent to the depot. The ride upriver to Durbin passes through a secluded wilderness portion of the 950,000-acre Monongahela National Forest featuring beautiful scenes of forested mountains at each turn of the river. Sightings of Deer, River Otters, and Black Bear along with a wide variety of Eagles, Hawks, Ospreys, and other species of aquatic birds are common.

The original 95-mile section of this railroad was first constructed in 1902 by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway with an eye toward timber resource development. It continued serving that purpose until rail traffic declined and most of the line was abandoned in 1978. Today’s trip takes you on the northernmost 15-mile portion that was purchased by the West Virginia State Rail Authority. Unfortunately, a catastrophic flood in 1985 washed out major portions of this line. Thanks to a private/public initiative between the WV State Rail Authority and Durbin & Greenbrier Valley RR, the track has been reconstructed and now offers a new and different option to visitors at the iconic Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.

Leaving Cass you cross into the next valley and find it filled with giant satellite dishes. This is the Green Bank Radio Astronomy Observatory intentionally located in one of America’s most quiet spots. Here our scientists are listening for sounds from space, and you will tour the facility. You then travel into Elkins this evening for two nights at stay.

Returning to Elkins, your evening entertainment begins with a meal at The Gandy Dancer Dinner Theater.  In a beautiful dining room you enjoy a very nice meal. Followed by the Mountain Memories Show Band and a musical variety show that is filled with high energy family-friendly comedy and music.  It’s an unforgettable evening at West Virginia’s largest dinner theater. (B,L,D)

Day 3 – Saturday – Depart for home

After breakfast this morning you depart for home. (B)

Option to Add a Day – Cass Railroad’s Bald Mountain

The option exists to add another night in Elkins, and a ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad’s Bald Knob Trip

Tour Map