The Iris Inn offers wine touring, outdoor recreation opportunities and world-renowned historical sites, phenomenal culinary options and enchanting main street America venues. Visit Monticello and learn about the life of Thomas Jefferson, the father of American winemaking. Venture out and experience Virginian wine and food.  Visiting wineries is easy and fun, with 13 vineyards located within 30 minutes of the Iris Inn.

Travel the world famous Blue Ridge Parkway, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2010. The Iris Inn offers the closest entry point to both Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Three miles east of Waynesboro, at Rockfish Gap, the Skyline Drive proceeds north and the Blue Ridge Parkway proceeds south.

Winding along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, both roadways offer breathtaking vistas and access to 500 miles of hiking trails through forested hills, hollows and slopes with pristine waterfalls descending from ancient granite summits.  Visit the state’s highest waterfall, Crabtree falls and experience a 1200 feet drop in a half-mile section of Crabtree creek.

Stay at the Iris Inn where outdoor recreation opportunities abound. Fly fish in the South river throughout Waynesboro, home to the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival. Pick fresh apples at Carter Mountain orchard with your family. Cool off in Grand Caverns, one of the most spectacular Virginian caverns, offering a panorama of subterranean beauty since 1806 – making it America’s oldest show cave. View Charlottesville from a hot air balloon, or the Shenandoah Valley from the cockpit of a small plane. Visit the P. Buckley Moss Gallery and learn how Pat used art to overcome a childhood learning disorder. Ski at Wintergreen Resort or Massanutten Mountain. Enjoy a polo match at King Family Vineyard, or music under the stars at Veritas Vineyard with an Iris Inn picnic lunch and folding chairs---like a day in heaven.

Immerse yourself in history.  Learn how thousands of people migrated to colonial America, against extraordinary odds, and settled in the Shenandoah Valley. The Frontier Culture Museum tells the story of these early immigrants from England, Germany, Ireland, West Africa, and America. Celebrate President’s Day with a tour of the home of the father of the constitution, President James Madison. Visit the Madison room at Monticello where close friends Dolly and James visited Thomas Jefferson for months at a time. Learn how President James Monroe's greatest achievement, the negotiation of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, changed the future of America. See hundreds of verified civil war solders signatures found at Grand Cavern when, during the Civil War, the caves were visited by both Confederate and Union soldiers.  Take a look at President Woodrow Wilson’s Pierce-Arrow limousine, the first presidential limousine with bulletproof glass.

Pursue enchanting main street America venues like Staunton and Charlottesville. Known for its historic architecture packed into five national historic districts, Staunton is best explored by foot.  Immerse yourself in a gourmet meal at Stanton Grocery, which pairs award-winning wines with every course, exemplifying the farm to table revolution in today’s dining and reflecting the breadbasket heritage of the Shenandoah Valley. Take in the theater at the Blackfriars Playhouse, the only re-creation in the world of Shakespeare’s legendary indoor theatre. Before enjoying the show, volunteer for “premiere” seating by the side of the stage!

Take a stroll on the nearby main street Charlottesville pedestrian mall, considered one of the finest urban parks in the country.  Shop the unique boutiques, screen a new movie, take in a play or show, ice skate at the indoor arena, or simply relax and enjoy the flowers with a beverage from one of the specialty wine, coffee or tea shops.  Enjoy a concert at one of the south’s most popular new venues-John Paul Jones Arena.

 

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