Sometimes you just need a break. Not a cross-country trek, but something far enough from home to feel like a true getaway. For me, that meant a drive of less than two hours. The question was: where?
The answer came unexpectedly—while listening to one of our iHeartRadio stations. As the familiar lyrics rang out, “Now I’ve had the time of my life…” my mind immediately jumped to Dirty Dancing, that classic from my high school days. And with it, the perfect destination: Mountain Lake in Giles County, Virginia.
It had been years since I last visited, though I’d recently written about their Magical Christmas Village & Marketplace. A quick reread reminded me of the festive lineup:
- Winter Whimsy Village Shop – Handcrafted gifts, baked goods, ornaments, and locally sourced treasures
- Glow-in-the-Dark Ice Skating at the Winter Bliss Rink
- Illuminated Nights – nightly light displays beginning at 6 p.m.
- Life-Size Gingerbread House with hot chocolate, s’mores, and an adult cocoa bar
- Holiday Boot Scoot – line dancing and two-stepping fun
- Holiday Music Bingo – Friday evenings
- Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
- Holiday Channel Movie Wonderthon – live parodies of holiday favorites
Emails sent, calls made, and soon I was on my way. The drive up Interstate 81 to Route 460 was easy, but the climb to nearly 4,000 feet above sea level brought the anticipation to a peak. This was the resort where Dirty Dancing was filmed, where I swam as a kid, and where my granddad and dad once fished.
Friday Night Magic
Check-in was seamless, and dinner at the Harvest Restaurant set the tone: a warm crab dip in a bread bowl, followed by a ribeye steak with asparagus and seasoned mashed potatoes. Outstanding.
Then came the real magic. The resort glowed with thousands of Christmas lights—trees sparkling, the historic lodge twinkling, even a miniature train display circling the lawn. High on the mountain, it felt whimsical, almost childlike. Surely even the astronauts aboard the space station could see us.
The coldest night of winter forced a few cancellations, including the much-anticipated Holiday Music Bingo at Salt Pub. But my cabin, Lake Cottage, was the perfect retreat: gas log fireplace, jacuzzi tub, and football on TV. Who needs a lake when you have that kind of cozy comfort?
Saturday Adventures
The next morning, I headed back to Harvest for a breakfast buffet—careful not to overdo it since lunch was coming soon. Fully fueled, I was ready for my next adventure: a Gator Excursion across the resort’s 2,600 acres.
This wasn’t just a ride, it was a guided tour with Jared Witten, who shared history about the lodge, local wildlife, and trivia about Dirty Dancing filming locations. By the end of the hour-long ride, I knew more about Mountain Lake than ever—and I grew up just 30 minutes away! I even rode down into the lakebed itself (or where the lake was and hopefully will be again).
After that excitement, it was time for lunch: a creamy tomato basil soup and half a turkey fig sandwich at Harvest. Perfect. Then, a nap by the fireplace—because I was here to relax, after all.
Saturday Night: Boot Scoot Fun
Dinner at Harvest once again impressed: the Chef’s Local Cutting Board with artisan cheeses, Italian meats, seasonal jam, pickled veggies, and dried fruits, followed by Wild Mushroom Gnocchi with smoked brown butter peas, wild onion pesto, and parmesan. Every bite was memorable.
And then—boots and jeans for Boot Scoot Night in the ballroom. I thought line dancing was a relic of the past, but I was happily proven wrong. Learning the latest dances after a great meal was both entertaining and energizing.
Heading Home
After one last breakfast, it was time to descend the mountain. The weekend had been everything I hoped for: fun, relaxing, and delicious. And yet, I barely scratched the surface—there’s still the spa, hiking trails, and more waiting for next time.
Mountain Lake Resort is worth the drive. Experience it yourself, and you’ll understand why I’ll be back.
Make reservations or get more info HERE. And check out some of my personal photos from my weekend below!
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