Nestled in Virginia’s Allegheny Highlands, Bath County is the kind of place that invites you to slow your pace, whether that means sinking into mineral-rich springs, wandering forested backroads, meandering through small shops, or lingering over a quiet meal after a day outdoors. Known for its restorative waters and wide-open landscapes, this rural corner of the Commonwealth is a destination that feels both timeless and refreshingly untouched, perfect for travelers craving calm, character, and a little fresh air.
Stay
For visitors looking for a cozy stay in Bath County, Vine Cottage Inn is the ideal destination. Helmed by Dave and Tammy Hahn, this bed and breakfast is steeped in history and offers the opportunity to easily peruse the local shops, as well as travel to the nearby Omni Homestead Resort on foot.
Visitors to Vine Cottage Inn can expect gracious hosts, a warm environment, the most comfortable of beds, and plenty of areas, both inside and out, to enjoy during a stay. A decadent three-course morning breakfast is primarily crafted by Dave and served by Tammy and includes fresh fruit, housemade scones, and a plate of perfectly prepared eggs alongside breakfast meat, as well as sweets like a stack of pancakes or French toast topped with nuts and maple syrup. Settle into a nook by the window or share a table with other guests for the true bed and breakfast experience. After, head out for the day, or leisurely lounge near the fireplace on the first floor or in the sitting room filled with books of all genres on the second floor.
Explore
With the Vine Cottage Inn as a starting point, there’s no shortage of nearby spots to visit. The Omni Homestead Resort is a few-minute walk from the inn (or visitors can drive and valet) and offers an interesting, informational history tour by incredibly knowledgeable guides that share the background on the property, artwork, and individual spaces, along with enjoyable and often humorous anecdotes that keep the tour fresh. Or, visit the resort and tour the grounds and impressive interior on your own, including shops and a comfortable room replete with comfortable yet upscale seating as well as various games and puzzles. For drinks, stop into the President’s Lounge, which features photos of every president who has visited the Omni, with the potential bonus of having a drink shaken or stirred by Christa Thomas, who won the 2025 Virginia Cocktail Games.
One can’t-miss destination in Bath County is the Warm Springs Pools. Renowned as being rich with minerals, the pools were an attraction to Thomas Jefferson, who used the waters to help heal symptoms of rheumatism in the early 1800s. Now, visitors continue to settle into the calming 98-degree waters fed by a natural spring in the property’s renovated bathhouses in hour-long increments.
For outdoors enthusiasts, the rural landscape offers a variety of options, from guided hikes that depart from the Omni and open up to gorgeous waterfalls to the Dan Ingalls overlook with trails that offer breathtaking views of the Allegheny Mountains. For combining a love of the outdoors with a passion for music, the Garth Newel Music Center is a must. With over 100 acres of property that includes walkable trails, the non-profit is not only home to educational programs and a variety of events and performances, particularly from the resident musicians, its historical buildings also serve as charming lodging. Respected chefs crafting impressive meals from local ingredients round out the experience, as well.
Dine and Drink
For a casual dining experience any day of the week, Milk House Market, a lunch and dinner spot in an old milking house, is the perfect stop. The downstairs offers open seating in an environment that’s equally ideal for a quiet lunch as it is for mingling with locals. Meanwhile, upstairs seating options include a cozy nook that can make for a more intimate meal. Sandwiches, salads, wraps, and more are largely crafted with local or premium proteins and cheeses and for meat-lovers the chef salad or the Herdsman Sandwich (roast beef, horseradish mayo, Swiss cheese, and greens) are top picks. The restaurant also offers nearly a dozen handcrafted pizzas as well as pastas, sides, and appetizers like bacon-wrapped dates and pimento cheese with pita. And if you’re looking for drinks to take home, there are plenty of coffee options to take on the go, and the downstairs is adequately stocked with a variety of wines for any palate.
If fine dining is on the agenda, look no further than the Waterwheel Restaurant. Set in a century-old mill, this restaurant has been in business for over 50 years and offers dishes that range from flavorful smoked trout on crostini with horseradish creme fraiche to a curated selection of beef, housemade ravioli, or beautifully plated salmon with greens and fresh fruit. Wine lovers will appreciate the option of exploring the restaurant’s downstairs cellar to choose a bottle for the table, and any diner will enjoy the seating that feels intimate even when the restaurant is bustling.
Known for its restorative waters and wide-open landscapes, this rural corner of the Commonwealth is a destination that feels both timeless and refreshingly untouched.
If fine dining is on the agenda, look no further than the Waterwheel Restaurant. Set in a century-old mill, this restaurant has been in business for over 50 years...
More Spots to Dine, Snack, and Sip in Bath County
- Warm Springs Gallery & Garden Cafe
- Troddenvale Cidery
- Jefferson’s Taproom, Martha's Market, and more at the Omni Homestead Resort