Make special memories with the entire family at Salamander Middleburg and experience the magic of Virginia’s horse country. From ziplining through the treetops to sweet meet and greets with everyone’s favorite mini pony, our variety of unique family activities are sure to inspire adventure for parents and children alike. With so much to explore, we’ve put together a guide to our favorite family-friendly activities that you will want to plan for during your stay.
Reserve Your Stay
Equestrian Experiences
Your stay would not be complete without a visit to our beautiful equestrian center featuring a 14,000 square-foot stable with 22 stalls, nine beautiful paddocks and a spectacular outdoor riding arena. Schedule a riding lesson or participate in one of our many programs like Paint-a-Pony where children learn about horse markings and breeds.
Plus, don’t miss the chance to meet the sweetest member of our team, Cupcake the miniature horse. When not in the equestrian center, she joins guests on The Grand Lawn every Friday and Saturday to enjoy pets and photo-ops with all her fans. Parents can also indulge the special Cupcake co*cktail from Gold Cup, topped with rainbow sprinkles, of course.
Nature Walks
Set on 340-acres in the Virginia countryside, our resort offers many opportunities to connect with nature and explore the great outdoors. Join a recreation team member for a moderately paced 45-minute hike (for ages 12+) through our preserved woodlands and take in the sights and sounds of nature. Guided Hikes available daily at 3:00pm from our Fitness Center.
Take a 30-minute morning stroll around the property to awaken your senses, get acquainted, and enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. Resort Walks available daily at 8:30am from our Fitness Center. This subtle hike is suitable for all skill-levels and focuses on learning more about the resort and local area.
Make the most of our expansive outdoor space with self-guided bird watching with our booklet available at the Concierge Desk. Using your Audubon book, complete with both images and descriptions of the 50 most common birds within this area, we challenge you to see how many feathered friends you can identify. For younger children, enjoy our Scavenger Hunt at the Equestrian Center, available daily from 9:00am – 3:00pm. Visit our friendly horses in the place they call home and see how many clues you can find.
Tennis & Pickleball
Embrace the world of raquet sports by reserving our courts for a friendly competition or elevating your game with a lesson. Improve your tennis skills with a 60-minute private lesson or hit lesson specialized on serving, both from a certified instructor from Blue Chip Tennis Academy on our beautiful courts overlooking the woodlands. For an even more family-friendly option, take on the fastest growing sport, Pickleball on our new courts. Reservations include paddles and balls for all players.
Bike Rentals
With many trails on-property and located just a short ride to town, we offer a variety of options for bike rentals during your stay. Inspired by the enduring French style of Porteur bicycles first used by newspaper couriers in Paris, rent our exclusive Shinola bicycles for a casual ride around the resort or a leisurely cruise into Middleburg for shopping.
We also offer complimentary Trek mountain bike rentals so you can hit the trails for an exciting adventure. For ages 16+, explore the sites on our brand-new electric bikes. Available for 75.00 per bike for 3-hour rental, this is the perfect way to explore the Town of Middleburg.
Camp Salamander
As our activity-filled camp for children ages 4-10, Camp Salamander offers countless opportunities for exploring creativity and enjoying the great outdoors through a variety of curated themes and activities children will love. From field day to rock and roll day, tie dye and more – each day will provide a sense of wonder and enjoyment. Available to reserve for Half Day (95.00) or Full Day (140.00) camp experiences.
Zipline through the Treetops
Let your children (and yourself) channel their inner superhero and fly through the tree top canopy with an unforgettable ziplining experience. Empower Adventures features 20 acres of course with zip lines varying in length from 90’ to 670’, plus two suspension bridge crossings. Sign up for the Kiddo Zip for the perfect amount of fun for smaller adventurers.
Indoor & Outdoor Pools
At Splash Pool & Cafe, the whole family is invited to soak up some glorious sunshine. Bring the shades, lather on the sunscreen, and settle into a comfy lounge chair with a specialty drink and your favorite summer read. Take a comfortable swim in the pool or make your way over to the two cascading water features where kids will undoubtedly find refreshing jets of shooting water endlessly entertaining. On the weekends, stay for lunch and enjoy Splash Cafe’s hearty menu of backyard favorites, summer-friendly co*cktails and beer.
Make an impactful visit to our indoor pool for a 30-minute swim lesson or water safety instruction with Coach Ann. 35.00 per guest. Reservations required. Private instructional programming is also available upon request.
Complimentary Lawn Games & Rentals
From giant Jenga, chess, and cornhole on the Grand Lawn, to sports and fitness equipment, our team ensures your family has plenty of games and activities to stay active during your stay. Complimentary equipment rentals include basketballs, soccer balls & pugg nets, footballs, tennis equipment, discs for disc golf, golf clubs and balls for putting green, bocce ball, badminton, croquet, horseshoes, yoga mats, weights and more. Guests under the age of 16 or adults with a Virginia-issued Fishing License can rent our fishing poles available on site for catch & release.
Sunday Brunch at Harrimans
Using only the freshest ingredients, Harrimans features a local bounty of bold and flavorful dishes celebrating the rich resources and history of Virginia’s Piedmont region. On Sundays, the entire family can enjoy indulging in our extensive family-style brunch including our signature pancakes, local farm eggs, French toast and a variety of delicious desserts.
Shopping & History in Middleburg
The Town of Middleburg dates back to pre-Revolutionary times and boasts more than 145 building on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore dozens of small boutiques along the brick laid streets and appreciate the historic architecture along the way. Find unique souvenirs and enjoy the hospitality of this charming small town.
Salamander S'mores
Enjoy family bonding time on a crisp evening by the warm firepits on the Grand Lawn. Relaxing by the fire is not complete with a marshmallow roasting kit from Gold Cup. Nothing is more delicious than biting into a fluffy blanket of toasty marshmallow and rich melted chocolate.Salamander S'mores kits are available for purchase at Gold Cup Wine Bar. Fire pits are first come, first served.
