Greenbrier Government Relocation Facility Reviews

Well talk about a let down 😣
Our guide was very knowledgeable and a pleasure to have but that's the only good thing I can say.
You will see more for free surfing the web.
1st off our tax dollars paid for the bunker which was given to the Greenbrier, they lease out space to a data security company and still charge you almost $40 a person to look at 1/10 of the facility. A bit outrageous in my opinion. I was in school during the Cold War era, remember the air raid siren drills and such; so on one hand it interested my wife and I but it still was a huge let down once we went on the tour. Personally, save your money, go to the library a get a book about it, that will give you more details!

We took this tour and at first I thought it was expensive and was going to pass. But my wife talked me into it. The tour was well worth the money. The Tour guide was very knowledgable and personable. We enjoyed it very much Was disappointed to see how bad the government wasted money for the last 30 years. The tour was awesome and enlightening.

Seeing the facility made me appreciate the engineering required not only to keep government continuous, but also to design, build, and camouflage the area. I had seen the Churchill War Rooms in London, which had to be put together for conventional bombs and prior to electronic age, but knew that Eisenhower had seen them and made sure to plan a generous space since there was time to plan and execute (which was not true for Great Britain in WWII).

The bunker tour is great... so much information shared and very interesting to see. I don't believe that one person on our tour was disappointed. We talked about the tour all night

Very interesting tour, I found it interesting how the government was able to trip everyone making them think it was just an addition to the resort. The only reason I give it r stars is I felt the price was too much for a 90 min tour.

I knew it was there but had no idea on the details great tour. Super cool! The guide was great And gave us just enough but not to much info! Really nice people

The Bunker tour is another unique experience that the Greenbrier Resort offers. The relics of the cold war are a staunch reminder of the horror of war and the reasons to avoid war. This is a experience for the young and old.

Historical tour of a facility straight out of the Cold War. interesting exhibits and knowledgeable guide.

My review is a little bias on this one. I had kind of high expectations for the tour. Very little of the original structure to view. Bunks, hospital equipment in one of the rooms was explained might not be original from this site. A lot of the site had been remodeled. Onsite secured data storage occupies most of the site, and is the reason no cell phones or cameras are allowed on the tour. Our tour guide was great. If I had went in with a lower expectation, I would have enjoyed the tour more. Do not worry if you have your cell phone with you, there is a secured locker to store your phone before you start the tour. I am glad I went on the tour, but this is a one and done thing.

This tour takes about 1hr 45 min and is well worth the time.
From the very beginning you will be continually amazed at how this was accomplished.
The whole story will fascinate you.
There's quite a lot of walking so be prepared.
Our guide was excellent, giving us a lot of information and answering all our questions.
I strongly suggest taking the opportunity to go on the tour you won't be sorry you did.

We signed up for this tour two days prior to taking it because we thought it might fill up on a Wednesday, especially right before Memorial Day weekend. When we got there, there were only six other people there so we had a wonderfully intimate tour. It is definitely worth doing if you are in the Greenbriar valley area. Our Tour guide, Dan, was a retired local businessman and was a wealth of information and quaint detail. Loved it! Amazing to think that the place was so well hidden in plain sight for so long before being revealed and de-classified.
Since we are from Texas, it was extra special to see that two of the signatories to the original plans were Sam Rayburn and LBJ.

Okay, first things first - no cell phones or cameras. That stinks, but it's not the Greenbrier being a pain - they've leased parts of the bunker to CSX IP, who has a bunch of servers there for clients, and *they* don't want any cameras in the area - I haven't seen a camera that can take a picture through a locked steel door yet, but they must know something I don't know. Okay, enough about the cameras.
The tour is fantastic and informative, and well worth every penny. You'll see how the US government hid a fallout shelter for all of Congress (plus one aide per Congresscritter) under a luxury hotel. To be sure, the Congressional accommodations are pretty spartan - bunks beds (unless you're in leadership, then you get somewhat nicer accommodations). You'll see representative areas where congress would work and sleep, where they'd eat, and the equipment to keep it going. But it's truly hidden in plain sight. Our guide had been coming to the Greenbrier for years as a salesman, and heard the rumors. Little did he know, when he was in the exhibition hall at the Greenbrier, he was manning a booth right where Congressional offices woud be set up in the event of a nuclear attack. After the Washing Post exposed the bunker in '92, the secret was out, and he realized he had already seen the bunker many times.
If you're history buff, this is the place for you - it's 90 minutes of Cold War history that you can see and touch. A wonderful experience!

Its a wonder the things the government can do. When you stay at The Greenbrier, this is a must do. It is all very sanitary which makes me wonder what else is going on behind the secured doors.

We had always heard about the Bunker tour....Terry did not let us down the wrong path....pretty cool history of the Cold War

Be sure to take the tour of the secret bunker built during the Cold War and kept secret for over 30 years!

I really think that this tour was excellent. Hidden in plain sight it boggles the mind trying to think like the people who put this plan in motion. No, you can’t visit the whole complex nor would you have the time. The tour guide gave us a great glimpse at the Cold War mindset. Humm, was she actually an “in plain sight” operative??

Having been a guest at the Greenbrier while this was being built and operated is surreal. I can't tell you how many times I walked past the walls where the secret doorways were hidden. Don't miss this amazing tour while you are visiting the Greenbrier or in that area of West Virginia.

We spent the afternoon walking around the grounds. We did not do the bunker tour. $40.00 per person is too expensive for us. A stately hotel with pleasant decor that flowed well from one room to the next. Beautiful manicured grounds and friendly staff. Parking is across the street. Short walk or take the free shuttle to the hotel.

This was a really cool tour. We booked 2 months in advance to make sure we got on the tour/time we wanted. The tour took ~1.5 hours, and was extremely insightful/informative. Our guide gave all of the details behind the history of the facility. The only bummer is that you are not allowed to take any photos during the tour, but they do send you away with a free pamphlet & a few postcards. The tour was very pricey, but you get to understanding why as you take the tour and learn about the financial arrangement between the government & the facility. Well worth the time and the trip. I would recommend for anyone with a vague interest in US history.

Amazing facility/tour. Something every American should see. Will give you insight on how the government had created a secret place below the Greenbrier to keep the government up and running in the event of an attack- nuclear or other-by housing the Congress in this off sight facility. Don't skip it...........

Our tour guide, I believe Francine, did a fantastic job of bringing the facilities history to light. I will note that the tour is scaled back a good deal from what it used to be 20 years ago (much of it is now a data storage facility), it is still well worth it.

I really enjoyed this tour! The lady was very knowledgeable and had a sense of humor. It was a lot of walking and standing, so wear comfy shoes. Definitely worth the money.

Fascinating bit of US history from the Cold War era. Warning: no cameras or cellphones are allowed inside ! Our guide Frank kept up a steady patter as we walked for about one hour. Top Notch tour.

This was a great afternoon trip. 90 minute tour, amazing how well disguised this place was. Really neat place to visit, especially for history buffs.

The bunker tour is a must do. It's not cheap, but well worth the $$. Very fun to see what they did so long ago and all the things that went into it. The hotel itself is just gorgeous. If you can't stay, go for a meal and a bunker tour then spend a few minutes touring all the public areas. So pretty.

The magnitude of this facility, the planning and the secrecy are amazing. The resort itself is stunning. It is hard to believe that anything in the US government was kept this secret for 30 years. The logistics are amazing. Great tour but lots of walking. Ours lasted 2 hours.

This is part of the story of reaction to fear in 1950s. Depending on your age, you might remember the government telling us how to survive a nuclear war by building your own bomb shelter. This was the place where Congress would be sheltered so that the government would continue. There were (are?) similar places for the supreme court and executive branches. The 90 minute tour shows you almost the entire complex, which was "hidden in plain sight" by making it part of an expansion of the resort. It was constantly staffed and ready to activate. The government staff were disguised as resort staff. Fascinating

We had no idea what awaited us, and our your guide Deborah made our experience an unbelievable one that we will not forget! She was knowledgeable and went into great detail into every aspect of the Bunker facility...it was truly the Best tour we have ever had...step into the past history of the Cold War and what patriotic and hard work it took for not only the construction crews, but the town people and others in charge of this project to protect our men and women in government...a fantastic historical tour that should be experiencied by all especially our children and millineals who must learn the importance of what others sacrificed and labored to fight communism and keep us a land of the free...thank you Deborah!!!
J Watching out 4 U!

Visited,shopped and had lunch definitely going back have been here twice now going back with family to hopefully tour all the grounds and do the bunker tour :)

This tour is a must, whether you are staying at the Greenbrier or not. The Tour IS available to non patrons of the Hotel. What a history lesson ! It certainly brings to life that some of the things you see in movies that you may think is just Fantasy, is not necessarily so. And this was built over 50 years ago ! Just think what may be going on now ! Anyway - DO NOT miss this tour.

Well worth the $40 tour fee.Fascinting story of a time gone by. You’ll be captivated by all you learn on the tour about how the secrets of the location were kept and all that went into maintaining this incredible location. Make sure to book ahead of your visit.

I really enjoyed this tour! It was very interesting to see everything they had stored down there. The dining hall was really nice.

We had a great tour guide who made the visit fun and exciting. Great way to spend a rainy afternoon underground and learn about the Cold War.

We took the original tour when it first started and was amazed that this bunker was under the hotel....and secret....for so many years. I really have a lot of respect for the people of White Sulphur Springs for keeping it secret. Actually think the US government should have abandoned it much sooner...very expensive operation for many years. Took the newer tour recently and enjoyed it also. I'm glad I was able to take both tours....the first one was more like the original bunker, but the movie in the newer tour was very informative. Think everyone 12 and over would enjoy learning about history and the Cold War and The Greenbrier bunkers.

The tour guide was very knowlegeable and kept group moving. Nice to receive some photos of highlights of tour.

The Greenbrier benefited from taxpayer dollars to construct this bunker and is still benefiting by charging visitors the outrageous price of $35 each to tour this facility. Meanwhile, CSX pays to use parts of the facility for data storage, so they're actually "double-dipping." Everything at Greenbrier is outrageously priced. Carriage ride tour of only one section of the grounds for $65 per person? No thank you. $85 for a standard manicure at the spa? Again, no. The tour was moderately interesting. The guide was well-versed but very one-sided in his presentation. Go on the tour if you're a Cold War buff with money to burn. But I couldn't help feeling like a bit of a sucker, especially when the guide offered us discount coupons to buy the companion book or DVD in the gift shop at the end.

Our basic reason for visiting the Greenbrier was to take this tour, and we were not dissappointed. The visuals might not have been terribly exciting but combined with our EXCELLENT tour guide's history lesson, the tour was VERY interesting! We felt we easily got our "money's worth"! If you're a history buff, you will love this tour.

It's a very interesting part of our cold war strategy and gives some insight into the paranoia that was present in our country during that period of time. Construction workmanship was excellent and the fact this was kept as much a secret as it was for three decades is amazing. Tour guide was a bit over enthusiastic but worth the time and cost.

The bunker was cool and Im glad I saw it but the tour was an hour and a half and the whole thing could have been 30 minutes. There isn't really too much to see in the bunker, its just a lot of hallways and a minimal display. a 20 minute walk through with a ten minute informational video would have been perfect. I felt like I lost an hour of my life.

The so-called bunker tour is very interesting and worth every penny of the $39 fee.
Amazing facts about the whole thing being constructed right under their noses, and very few people knew its true purpose.
I would do this tour again in a heartbeat.

We went on a tour of the bunker and had a wonderful time. The design of the bunker was such that parts of the bunker were actually used by the resort, with the guests (at the time) being unaware that they were in a secure bunker area. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and did a great job telling us background on the construction of the bunker as well as the team of personnel that maintained it in a state of constant readiness. Really neat experience.

I was fortunate enough to get a private tour of the bunker not long after Mr. Gup decided to disclose the facility. The tours currently offered are quite interesting and the displays are informative. Our Tour Guide, Frank was well-informed and made the tour fun. A lot has changed in the facility since I last visited it (CSX-IP has re-done much of the space for IT Information Warehousing), but the remnants of the facility remain enough to give visitors an idea of what this location was like. If you have never been on this tour, this is a must-do activity while at The Greenbrier!

Heard so many great things about this tour. A total snoozer with REPETITIVE information. Most of time spent looking at an empty event hall. Skip this and "take the waters" instead.

We enjoyed learning of the history behind The Greenbrier Hotel and our government's secret plan for it's use during the cold war. Our tour (by reservation) lasted almost two hours with lots of walking. Very informative tour that is so interesting the time flies by. No purses or bags allowed, also no pictures can be taken. Beautiful setting in the mountains of West Virginia.

A testament to governmental priorities. This bunker was built covertly in the late 50's in an effort to save the members of the House and Senate in the event of an all out nuclear war. Remained a classified facility until the early 90's. Worth seeing if your a history buff, just wish the tour guide and the posted documents said "paid for by the taxpayers" instead of "paid for by Uncle Sam".
Photos and cell phones are prohibited and will be collected and stored for the duration of the tour.

This tour was SO fascinating. Wonderful tour and tied in to what was going on in the country and the world at the time. So many details. Do not miss this tour!

The period from 1950-1988 was a one of great tension in the United States. The "Cold War" posed a nuclear threat, and American leaders from Eisenhower to Reagan were faced with the possibility of making the ultimate decision. The Greenbrier Government Relocation Facility, housed within the historic hotel and spa in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, takes visitors back to the time when the Eisenhower administration established a plan for relocating all 535 members of Congress in the event of a nuclear strike. The Greenbrier was selected during one of Eisenhower's visits to the area to meet with leaders from Canada and Mexico. While there, he began the process of authorizing a secret project to create the relocation center underneath a new wing to the hotel. The Bunker Tour allows visitors to see how this facility was built and to understand how public and hidden spaces worked hand-in-hand in the government's plan. Visitors get to see the infrastructure of the facility and the meeting room that would have served as the space for the House of Representatives in the event of such an emergency. I would highly recommend getting reservations in advance as this is a very popular tour for both hotel guests and tourists alike. Our guide Kate was particularly helpful. She was knowledgeable about all aspects of the Bunker story and answered questions with ease. One other note: you will have to turn in your electronic devices at the beginning of the tour as a data storage firm is housed in the Bunker.

The bunker was where Congress would go in case of nuclear war. It was a very interesting tour for a history buff like me. Expensive tour so I wouldn't suggest bringing kids (who would not appreciate it), also, lots of walking. Lots of history throughout. Tourguide answered all questions and I walked away doing online research to find out even more. What struck me was the equipment (medical and office) and furnishings; pristine condition (due to never having been used) but dated for the times.

After going on an excellent tour of a Cold War bunker up near Ottawa, Canada a few years ago, we came here. Although it was interesting, it somehow seemed that the facts were being whitewashed. Maybe its because the property is still in use, but everything seemed too clean and modern..The guide was good, if somewhat sarcastic (which I usually like) but it seemed like we were missing something and I was disappointed. Also, quite pricey at around $38 for a 90 minute tour. If you are ever in Ottawa Canada, go on that bunker tour. So much better and more realistic

The Bunker and its history is very interesting as a side trip. But $35/ person is way over the top. A great trip for half that price but is is a closed facility and I don't see the cost of tour being justified.
Also they confiscate your phone at start of the tour. Would be better if they told you when you make reservations so you could choose to leave it in your car.

I'm not sure what we expected but the tour was a little boring. Our guide was nice and relatively informative. Would not do this again for the money.

If you like to tour historic hotels and history - this is the best combination - the hotel is absolutely beautiful and the bunker was very interesting. Our tour guide, Shelba, was excellent. You do need to make reservations before you go - people were trying to get on a tour but they were completely filled that day till late in the afternoon. They do keep your electronic devices in a secure place and can pick them up at the end so there are no worries about your property. There is free parking across the street in the train depot - Greenbrier hotel has a complimentary bus that sits there to pick people up and take them right up to the front door. When leaving - just tell the bell hop and the bus was there within 5 minutes.

The secret bunker to be used by the government in the event of a nuclear tour is open for tours at the Greenbrier. It was "hidden in the open."

If you like history, you will be amazed at the preparations to maintain the federal government in the event of an attack.

Although I have taken the tour several times, I look forward to a future tour. The guides really tell the story. An educational and enjoyable experience.

The bunker tour is very interesting and informative. Our tour guide, Frank, was super informative. You can't take a cell phone in, but they will store it for you. The tour is about 90 mins.

We are in Pembroke Virginia and decided to drive up to West Virginia and tour Greenbrier. The tour cost $40 a person in there could be up to 25 people in each group. The tour is 90 minutes long and very informative at the end of the tour they give you a little packet of postcards and some information to take with you. You cannot bring cameras or handbags on the tour but your guide will put them in a safe room for you if you bring them. If you’re worried because you’re claustrophobic don’t be there is nothing that goes on during the tour when you’re not in a large room or open space. There is one small elevator but you can take the stairs up one floor and not use it. I would recommend going the last tour is at 3 o’clock. And then you could walk around the hotel and the hotel itself has beautiful decorations to explore. You are not allowed in the casino unless you are a guest.

A tour that is well worth your time and you will learn a lot. Fascinating how this was all built and kept secret for so many years until a WP reporter leaked it to the Press.

First of all, half the "bunker" is still in use by CSX for data storage and you don't get to see it. Second, of the half you tour, about half of that is open to the public anytime. So in essence you get to see about a half-dozen places that have to be accessed by your tour guide. It is interesting to see, but a bit overhyped, and for almost $40 I was hoping for more. But if you are at the Greenbrier, just go back to the "West Virginia Wing" where the "Culinary Institute" is located and you will be in most of the first floor of the bunker. The "rooms" that housed Congress in session can be leased out for conventions today! So they are not exactly inaccessible.

We visited the bunker and toured the facilities that were to house the Legislative branch of government. It is amazing to hide that humungous site in plain sight. You have to turn in your phones and cameras so no photos.

We had an excellent tour guide and she was extremely knowledgeable about the facility and its history. While the tour was interesting, $40 was too much to pay. But then again, it is the Greenbrier and everything is pricey.

Before you get too excited about the tour it should be known this IS NOT a government owned facility. The Greenbrier Resort (owner) has leased a significant portion of the bunker to a private data storage company; thus no phones or cameras on the tour. You are given the impression phones/cameras are not allowed because of some great classified things you might see on the tour and that simply isn't the case.

The tour guide was very good and knowledgable but for $58 I expected to see more. The office space of the bunker is now used for "laser tag" by hotel guests. The House of Representatives chamber has been retrofitted with numerous flat-panel televisions (not 1950's issue). The bunker cafeteria is used by the resort for large group dining. The tour required too much imagination of what it might have looked like when it was used as the bunker.

I suggest reading about the bunker in great depth and looking at available photos online; it might be just as rewarding?

On our way to Beckley and New River Gorge National Park, we stopped at the Greenbrier as we were driving I-64 shortly after entering West Virginia. The grounds are as beautiful as can be. It is a beautiful setting, even if somewhat out of place in West Virginia. Having heard so much about it, we had to stop and see while driving so close.

The idea was great before current weaponery was created. This facility was well constructed and interesting to visit. Sef container people could live here for a long time.

The staff really make the Greenbrier tops! It is all special, but the staff makes it so memorable. Wonderful for special occasions too.

The history of this bunker is amazing. You can see the location where the US government planned to continue to run the country if there was a nuclear attack from Russia during the cold war.

Our tour guide was light and witty - not heavy and boring ! Its worth the $40 to take the tour - We did so on 9/11/2020. Very interesting and fun to understand where some of the tax dollars are going and went.

This is a must see for visitors to the Greenbrier. If you lived through the Cold War era it brings back memories. If you are younger, then it is an education. It is amazing that this huge complex was a secret for 20 years, even for the vast majority of the employees of Greenbrier. No cameras are allowed since they now use the space for storage of sensitive information.

This is an interesting activity, that tells the background story of a
Safe haven for the government in the event of disaster.

Great tour, learn some history and odd facts about the past. Cold War era prepared for anything. Takes 90 minutes or so, ample time to look and ask question. Guide was super and informative. 35 buck per person, but worth to see an amazing piece of work.

This was quite a fascinating historical education for us. The idea, execution and upkeep for 30 years was interesting to hear.

such a great tour!!! learned about this place a few years ago and decided to make the trip down. worth the 6 hour drive.

The only complaint I had was that pictures weren't allowed, but the tour guide shared that it's because of the company leasing the space, not for other reasons like the government.

The tour was interesting but made way to long by our guide who tried to build up interest with uninteresting facts and stories.

This was a government facility built beneath the Greenbrier resort. At the time the government worked with the Chesapeake and Ohio RR, owners of the resort, to build a fallout shelter that would house the House and Senate, their families, and one aide each. The shelter was equipped to house these folks for 60-days. The bunker is fully equipped with water, food (military rations), electric utilities, etc. Of course, it was supposed to be a secret, but after many years, it was exposed. I assume a similar facility has been built elsewhere. The tour was fast moving and informative. Man, what a lot of money was spent in those days!

This "secret" retreat for members of Congress eventually became public knowledge and as a result it's now open for a fascinating tour. It's like a time warp, stepping back into Cold War days. Our tour guide, Ms. Loudermilk, was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing the story of how it was secretly constructed, how it was unobtrusively maintained for decades, and how its presence influenced so many other things - like road and airport construction - in the area. Be prepared to walk and be on your feet for about 90 minutes, but it is well worth it.

This is a must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in the Cold War. Tour guide, Frank, was exceptionally engaging and knowledgeable. In my opinion the price of $35 was a very good value for the 90 minute tour. The only mild disappointment was that you really are only given access to a very small area of the facility, as most of it is used for corporate data storage and off limits, although the tour provides at least a glance at every key area.

After the conference was over a few of us stayed extra so we could do this tour. The history of this location is amazing and walking through such an impressive secret is really cool. I especially enjoyed seeing the engineering prowess that went into building this while also not letting anyone know it was being built, very cool.

Unfortunately, our tour guide was just not good. He would tell us about the location where we were going in the previous location, we'd go to the next location, and he'd literally repeat what he just told us. He did this the entire tour. By about the 4th stop everyone was looking at each other shaking our heads. We all felt like the tour could have either been shorter (not ideal) or we could have learned so much more because literally half the time was a repeat.

Very interesting tour. The tour guide was very informative. Was nice to have a smaller group size for this impressive facility.

We had heard of the bunkers and were traveling through West Virginia with our teenage grandsons. One of them is extremely interested in all things governmental, so we thought this would be enjoyable. The tour lasts about an hour and our guide was well-versed in the operations of the facility. It was more relevant for people who had lived through the cold war. The boys were politely interested but not too connected. It is a little pricy, but the youths get a discount. No cameras or phones allowed. Couldn't even take my purse, they locked it up until after the tour. Worth the trip.

The Bunker as it as known is a hidden treasure. If you make the trip to Greenbriar, make The Bunker part of your tour. It seems like only a few years have passed and yet technology has gotten so much more advanced. See what security looked like in the 50's

Our guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. This is a part of history and is presented in an educational way.

Enjoyed our West Virginia trip with a 3 night/4day stay at Greenbrier. Beautiful facility with associated high costs.
Maybe visit in another 5 years.

Kate was our guide, she was very informative and knowledgeable.
Enjoyed the tour and would recommend.

My husband really wanted to see this. The tour was pricey but a wonderful history lesson. Our guide was knowledgeable and included children on our tour so that all learned from the experience.

We were staying at the Greenbrier and signed up for the bunker tour. It was very interesting. As someone who remembers the 'cold war' and the Cuban missile crisis, it made it even more interesting from a historical perspective. Too bad some traitor and the Washington Post leaked it to the press in the 1990s. I suggest we send Congress there now and not let them out until they agree on some things.

Ernestine our guide was knowledgeable and professional. Very interesting tour! We really enjoyed it.

It's a long tour, but our docent was wonderful. Looking at some of the older equipment maintained in the facility years ago is an interesting history lesson. If you're in the area, well worth checking out. What the tour is NOT about is an analysis of whether the facility would have ever been used after the Soviets mounted nuclear warheads on missiles instead of plane-delivered bombs. Mostly it's an overview of the logistics and mechanics of how the place (and its secret) was run and maintained for decades until, overnight, the federal government decided it was no longer necessary to continue paying to keep the place in a state of readiness.
In my mind, the stark, sparse decor of this last-resort hidden locale in the middle of a posh resort that dominates the landscape is the most interesting aspect of the place. That and the fact that all these construction workers in the late 1950s were pouring 5 foot thick concrete walls and ceilings to build a wing of a hotel and the Greenbrier managed to keep all the questions and rumors from exposing the secret. Those were different times.

Enjoyed the bunker tour. Really interesting to learn of the thought process as to why it was created and how is was masked to stay secret The thought of what it would really be like if it was activated is kinda crazy to think about.
I suggest maybe doing on a rainy day or when it's just too cold outside...

TripAdvisor calls this the Government Relocation Facility and it is hard to find in the listings as most people just call it the bunker or secret bunker. No one seems to use the official name GGRF.
The tour was GREAT. I recommend this as a destination for any trips you have in the area. It is located inside the famous Greenbrier resort. It is a walking tour of about 90 minutes and you will be fascinated about how the government built and maintained this secret for over 30 years.
Yes, they do take your cell phones on the tour. They said it was because it is now used by some large corporations to store data. Like the Cloud.
Don't miss this tour and be sure to look around the Greenbrier when you are finished.

The Greenbrier is lovely above ground, but the history of what lies beneath transported me back to a time when I was a little girl and we had fallout shelters. The history is intriguing and the story of the 3 decade secret is amazing! So glad I took the time to experience!

We came to the Greenbrier for a reunion. And we had breakfast here every morning. The door was huge, the room was cool temp to sit in and the room that the Congress would meet at if there was a nuclear blast that was cool also. Never knew we had secret places, that aren't so secret anymore.

A history lesson of the Cold War and where we would relocate our government officials in the event our country was under a nuclear attack. The tour guides were outstanding describing what would take place in the bunker and what life would be life for those in the bunker. A great tour that I would highly recommend guests take. It was very educational.

I'd read about the bunker in some of my history magazines, so when I was in the area, it was a must-see for me. Our tour guide, Terry, was fantastic. Boy, did she know her stuff! Going through this facility, which was kept secret for decades, just amazed me. From the false walls to hide the heavy vault doors to the rooms where Congress would have met to the logistics about how power, water and food would be stored and available was simply fascinating. Although rumors of its existence abounded, the idea that a secret government hideaway was hiding in plain sight at a resort hotel kept people skeptical that any such thing could truly be there. Loved all the details and so glad I went!

My wife and I enjoyed the 90 minute tour of the bunker the day after Christmas. It was informative, interesting, and we had a great guide.

Just took two friends visiting from England on the bunker tour and all three of us found it fascinating. Our guide, Roger, was incredibly knowledgeable and made the tour great fun for quite a large group. The tour certainly brought back memories for those of us who live near Washington, DC and recall having to crawl under our school desks during the Cuban missle crisis.

Step back in time to the Cold War era and see and hear the amazing story of where Congress would go in the event of nuclear fallout. An outstanding and fascinating tour of the bunker. Our guide provided the historical perspective, the thought, detail and strategy of the bunker itself and it's current use. See the decontamination area, the sleeping area, the medical facility, the kitchen, the power plant and the 2 auditoriums where the Senate and the House would conduct business. At $38 for 90 minutes it is not cheap! However, do allow for extra time just to wander the Greenbrier Hotel and grounds. You will feel better about the price. There is plenty to see and it is quite visually stimulating. The artwork, the historical photos the colorful decor and the shops on the grounds are worth seeing.

This place is so cool. Took the tour, was about 90 minutes. The tour guide was great. I am sure he has lead this tour a million times but he was very excited to be leading ours. He was knowledgeable and seemed to love telling us about what this was and showing us all the neat characteristics of the facility. A must see if you ever get the chance!

Judy was a very knowledgeable tour guide! She was professional, funny and kept everyone fully engaged in the history of the Bunker.

I have seen the bunker numerous times on television so I could not pass up the opportunity to see it in person. The admission was a little steep, but the guide was extremely knowledgeable and made the bunker come alive. An excellent, of pricey, tour.

This tour was FANTASTIC!! Our guide Ernestine was very knowledgeable, funny and a gave a great tour. Some neat things to look at but not overwhelming and some of the minor details that were put in to maintaining this place was craziness. I highly recommend the tour and it was worth every penny. Thinking of bringing my parents to see it next time 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼 Oh and Ps: you seriously can’t bring your phone with you so that first blast door is the only photo op you get of the bunker....they’ll explain on the tour why.

Tour guide was very informative and professional. Tour includes the Bunker, hid in plain sight. The history of how the site was chosen, how it was built in secrecy and how a news paper reporter disclosed its existence is all part of the tour. An easy tour, a few stairs to climb. You see items used to furnish the facilities and how it would provide for Congress in the event of an attack. Infrastructure, provisions, accommodations and furnishing are all part of the tour.

I have had the distinct pleasure of going on the tour of the Bunker a couple of times and have enjoyed it each time. I always seem to come away with some new facts about the history of the Bunker and how it was started and why it was built. My family moved to White Sulphur Springs in 1956 a few weeks after President Eisenhower was there to negotiate the contract with the Chairman of the C&O Railway to build the Bunker. When they started building it everyone in town assumed it was for the President but it wasn't until the article about the Bunker in the news came out that we learned it was for Congress. What a fascinating tour it is and in such a beautiful setting, one you certainly wouldn't imagine would house the Congress in times of war. You will find this one of the most enjoyable historic tours, especially if you lived through the Cold War era.

Interesting tour. Lots of history and we were all retired military so could relate to the various rooms in the bunker.

We have done this tour before but opted to try it again over Easter 2018 weekend. It was wonderful. Our guide Kate did an excellent job of sharing information and making it fun for all ages.

This is an interesting historical artifact from the Cold War. Most of the information provided in the tour was historically accurate. I would add some tidbits that I know about for interest but it was pretty good. What Eisenhower was thinking was pretty fascinating and made some sort of sense at the time... but quickly became obsolete. The tour guide was fine but not a very good public speaker.

The hotel has been forced to renovate the space for practical use. The original tour showed the facility as it was. Today's guests are forced to use their imagination. Disappointing

Definitely a highlight of our stay! The 90 minute tour is so interesting, the time goes quickly. Our guide was amazing, shared lots of interesting tidbits. Can not take pictures, but they do give you some at the end of the tour. I used the $5 coupon toward the purchase of the book, The History of the Greenbrier. It’s full of photos and additional info about the bunker and the resort facility.

A piece of history that is unique. Not a fancy tour but one that is worthwhile. A secret that wasn’t revealed until the 70’s - learn about the governments fall out shelter.

Definitely recommend that everyone takes this tour while visiting the Greenbrier. Our tour guide was a wealth of knowledge. We were totally shocked by the Spartan accommodations. Cannot believe that Congress would agree to stay in dorms and eat cafe foods. We found the story of concealment to be fascinating. Hard to believe they could keep it under wraps for a long time. Really appreciate having chairs throughout the tour as it is a long walk.

This is where our government would have operated if the baloon had every gone up. As former military I had actually operated in a few other relocation sites, but never this one. Tour was very interesting, but a lot of the bunker is closed off. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and leave your phone at home as they collect them. Tour guides were very friendly and personalbe. Don't miss this one!!

As someone who grew up in Eastern Europe during the Cold War, I have to say that this experience was fascinating. The bunker is huge and the amount of planning and work that went in for years without it ever getting used is just mind blowing. It is a great history lesson for the whole family.

This once “secret” government safe-house was never meant to be attractive or glamorou. non the less, this ninety minute tour bears witness to a time during the Cold War when nuclear threat was real.
The workings, construction and stockpile of reserves making up this Bunker system is probably more appreciated by those of us that grew up in the 60’s and 70’s when our schools had Fall-Out shelters.

Interesting tour and we had a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. You'll learn about the bunker and its purpose. Really cool photos and history. Like everything at the greenbrier though, it's expensive. Can't bring your phone or camera.

Fascinating tour which will leave you wondering what might have been and what is now....do the tour!

The bunker is a part of The Greenbrier Resort. The secret was kept for 30 years. Our tour guide, Dave, did an excellent job in explaining the history of the Relocation Center for Congress. The tour is 90 minutes and advance reservations are highly recommended especially in the summer. You do not need to be a guest of the resort. Electronics are not permitted in the Bunker - the tour guide will store them for you. Group size is around 30 people. After the tour, you can roam around the hotel which is impressive and historic. Well worth visiting.

This is a DO NOT MISS if you are visiting Greenbrier. I had heard about this facility for years and it was fascinating to see it and learn about it's history. You can learn where you tax dollars go behind locked doors.

Our tour guide, Frank was excellent keeping our interest peaked for 1 1/2 hours. For me it was a somber experience remembering the fear of nuclear attack and protection from fall out - practice getting under our desks, home built bunkers and the like. This place was designed to house and protect members of congress and senate in the event of eminent nuclear attack. This was before ICBMs so it was planned so Congress would have time to get to safe place however became obsolete when missiles could reach us within minutes rather than hours for an airplane. Everything that would be needed for the legislators to live sealed for weeks was in the bunker. I was surprised the quarters and facilities were very plain and spartan. Bunk beds in dormitory settings for example. This tour is well worth the visit for a glimpse of our nuclear preparedness in recent history. Electronics and photos are not allowed.

We enjoyed our 90 minute tour of the bunker. it involved about a mile of walking but it is level ground and easy. Our tour guide was very informative and knew many facts about this facility. It was neat to see the rooms where the US Government would have worked from if Washington had been attacked. I do think the tour could be shortened to about 60 minutes and still have the same interest.

We were so pleasantly surprised by this tour. Very well delivered and we enjoyed the knowledge that our guide had of the history of Greenbrier hotel as well as the bunker itself.

I went through this facility, which is adjacent and attached to the Greenbrier Resort about 15-years ago and again this year. I was very impressed the first time. I believe at that time it was still owned and operated by the military but somewhat mothballed. Today it is owned by the Greenbrier and leased out to an Internet cloud company. If I were a cloud company, this is definitely the place I would want to use. I was not as happy the second time because the staff did not seem that knowledgeable to me, the place is rundown, for example the blast doors can no longer close because the hinges are warped, and most of the facility is not accessible because it is used by the Internet cloud company. Having said that, if you have never been in a classified underground facility, this is worth your time. This is a boring place for kids and the kids that were there were a distraction to the adults trying to see and hear what the tour guide had to say.

If you like history, you need to take this tour. Who knew that there was a bunker built right under part of The Greenbrier! It is now used for data storage but you can take the tour which explains why the bunker was built, who would have used it, how it was maintained, etc. Fascinating!

The story of the bunker at the Greenbrier is an excellent look at history! The guide was well informed and provided an excellent overview of what we were seeing.

This was such a cool hidden piece of history! There Greenbrier is a posh, lux experience and to have this secret facility hidden in plain sight is very neat!

No cell phones allowed on this tour! One can turn them in safely, no problem. It was an interesting tour, and I enjoyed learning the history of this bunker. It looks so primitive! We had a great tour guide, she made it fun and interesting. I would suggest to go see this off season. I only had 10 people in my group, instead of 30. It made it a happy congenial outing.

Guided tour of a true Cold War Relic by a competent doyenne. Seeing facility was one thing; hearing the history from someone who knew what she's talking about was a true experience. Too many Americans have little appreciation for the Cold War; even the Department of Defense refuses to recognize with a decoration those who stood in Harm's Way for decades.

Our guide Dave was excellent. The tour took an hour and 45 minutes but it felt like the time flew by. This was an incredible operation and it is amazing it stayed a secret as long as it did!

The 90 minute tour of the Greenbriar government relocation facility was fascinating. Didn’t know this place existed until I read about it on TripAdvisor. Not only was the tour worthwhile, the Greenbriar hotel was pretty amazing, a lot of old-time elegance.

This is a most interesting tour, especially if you lived during the Cold War I doubt children would appreciate the historical significance. It is actually located inside the Greenbrier Hotel. This walking tour takes about 90 minutes and you cannot take bags, purses, phones, cameras, etc. inside so you can only take pictures in a few areas. Much of the original furnishings are gone now so mostly what you see are mock-up displays of living areas. You will see the massive doors which would have been sealed during an attack, storage areas and the original water pumps, diesel storage and electrical generator area that are still operational. You can call ahead to book a tour or take your chances and try to get one when you arrive. I was a little disappointed there was not more of the original rooms on display. One reviewer felt it did not compare to Churchill's bunker in London and I would have to agree but I am glad I saw it and anyone who likes history should see it. I'm glad I went.

This is a must see tour. It is $39 and worth it. Our tour guide was fantastic. We learned so much. The bunker is a secret place for our lawmakers to go if we were threatened. What the employees went through to keep this a secret and to keep it updated is daunting.. We started in one of the hotel rooms. As we walked to the bunker we were told a few stories of the rooms in the hotel we passed. Very nice. After the bunker tour you may walk the grounds or stay for lunch. We do feel however the historic tax is a bit much, especially since a billionaire owns the place and can afford to keep the place beautiful.

70s class reunion decided to take a day-trip via Amtrak to The Greenbrier from Huntington, WV. There were originally around 25 going, but due to unforeseen circumstances on the day of the trip only around 20 were able to keep their reservations. That’s when Amtrak messed things up by being 2+ hours behind schedule and most, if not all of us had also purchased Bunker Tours which were scheduled to take place 2-hours after our original arrival time. This meant our tour would commence before we arrived. Our hostess immediately contacted The Greenbrier enroute to notify them of our delay and try to make alternate arrangements, but they said nothing could be done and they refused to refund our money. We arrived within 15-20 minutes after our scheduled tour start time and it was a rainy day with few visitors roaming about, so not a busy day. I have never been more disappointed in an establishment than this experience. The Greenbrier could’ve shortened a tour for us. They could’ve refunded our money, given “rain-checks”, or credits to be used elsewhere on the grounds. They could’ve tried to be accommodating somehow, but took our money without a second thought. The Greenbrier is by far NOT a true representation of southern or mountain hospitality and apparently aren’t bothered that they left bad impressions on our group who had started out the day excited for the trip.

Worthwhile slice of history Very informative and fascinating tour You can take the tour even if your not a guest at the Greenbrier but you need to make a reservation

Don't miss this tour. I was amazed with the history and it didn't disappoint. I was surprised when they took everyone's phones and cameras but they were kept in a secure place and immediately returned when the tour was over.

Just an outstanding tour and the docent/guide was knowledgeable and charming! Recommend this!! franki & Merle

I have wanted to tour this facility since I first learned of its existence. I hoped to see something like the Churchill War Rooms in London, where they took the trouble to reconstruct the facilities. As previous reviewers stated, much of the facility is being used by a private company and is inaccessible. There isn't really much left to see, big doors, boiler room, generators, a room with a couple of bunk beds (all that is left of beds and dorms to accommodate 1100 people) some pictures on the walls. I will say that the guide was very good. She knew her stuff. You almost don't realize that you have paid $34 for a 90 minute lecture on the bunker, while having really seen very little. Some reviewers say it was much better 15 or 20 years ago, before they cleaned everything out. I wish I had seen it then,

Informative about sometjing I knew little about. Good guide, Rodger, but not for very young or very old.

Understand that this is not like visiting Cheyenne Mountain from Wargames. You will really just be looking at underground dorms and meeting spaces from the Cold War. The coolest thing about the tour was the entrance doors - everything else just looked like an office building. The depth is two stories underground.

What you are really paying for is the guide and the stories they will tell about the facility. These stories are interesting but be aware that they may not be interesting for kids.

Frank was our tour guide and was so personable- he did a fabulous job bringing the bunker to life! We had seen shows on the bunker over the last few years and found it very interesting. This tour did not disappoint!!! We thoroughly enjoyed it. You have to make reservations - the spots fill up!! There's a lot of walking and several sets of stairs! Not really good for young children who cannot stay quiet as you need to hear the guide explain things!!

We had Terri as our tour guide and she was wonderful. Very informative tour for people who are history buffs or for people who find government secrecy interesting. Quite amazing this place existed for all those years.

We are a military family, so this facility was very interesting to us. Our government was trying to stay prepared in case of an attack by the soviets. The facility, secrecy, and infrastructure were so interesting. If you like History this is the tour for you. Call ahead to the Greenbrier Hotel to make a reservation.

Amazing experience. Great place to celebrate my 80th birthday!
All the food was suburb. Staff pleasant and personable.

We knew the facility existed, but never toured it. Interesting to see and learn the history. We were part of a group tour and the tour guide knew her material.

The Bunker tour is well worth the cost and the time. The tour guides are well informed and it is quite startling to see what had been contemplated should a nuclear attack threaten Washington, DC.

You don't need to stay at the hotel for this tour and it is well worth the time and money. Our guide was Kate and she was wonderful, relaxed and informative. It is amazing to think of how this was constructed and then used without anyone knowing about its true purpose. A must see.

Part of our day trip to Greenbrier included a tour through the government relocation bunker. One of America’s best kept secrets for over 30 years. Our docent was a very informative person and made it all the better. One stipulation for the 1.5 tour was that all cell phones & electronics had to be left at the entrance to bunker in a secured locker, so consequently no pics were allowed to be taken. Certain areas were a little cool, so a light jacket might be beneficial if cold-blooded. If history is you interest, especially if during cold war era, you’ll find this a worthwhile adventure.

Excellent visit and great day seeing the behind the scenes of our government! It was amazing to see how well planned it was and how they thought of everything!

Frank, our guide managed to keep over 20 adults (and even a few accompanied kids), thoroughly engrossed during this 90 minute tour of the fallout shelter. He was obviously very well informed about the facility and his enthusiasm and knowledge really made this visit memorable. Worth every cent of the admission price. Children under 10 may not find the bunker interesting - and the tour involves walking and some stairs - so not ideal for people with mobility issues.

Very informative worth the 90 minute tour. Walk about a mile during the tour. Some stairs. Glad never needed to be used by government!

The bunker tour is so educational as well as the tour of the Greenbrier. There is so much history there,and the resort is beautiful. Service is excellent. I definitely recommend it.

The Tour Very Interesting. Shows How Plans Were Made To Protect Our Leaders. It’s Worth The $39.00
To Take The Tour. It Lasts Around 1.5 Hours.
Rumor Has It They Have Another Facility Like This
To Protect The Leaders Of Our Country.

This 90 minute tour takes you back in time to the cold war era. It's incredible to relive what our nation was going through at the time. The tour includes a bit of hotal history but quickly gets us down into the bunker where amazing things awaited. Cell phones are not allowed but not for reason you may think...it's a more modern concern being addressed. Our tour guide was great and everyone leaves with a brochure that includes photos.

i love cold war history and clandestine covert ops history that comes with it, so that being said i absolutely loved this tour it was super neat even though it was never needed i had a wonderful time.

Had seen a segment on TV about the Greenbrier Bunker, so while in the area took the tour. Wonderful! Kate was our tour guide - provided such insight into not just the bunker itself, but the surrounding history of the need and how this came to be. Knowledgeable staff, VERY friendly/helpful resort staff. Well worth the time and cost of the tour!

Those coming of age at the end of the Cold War era hearing of secret bunkers for government officials and wondering about those facilities are likely to be fascinated by this tour. Although the tour is on the pricey side, the guide was very knowledgeable and the facility impressive. Unfortunately, no video or photography of any kind is allowed. Expect your cameras and phones to be stored for you during the tour...adding to the mystic of secrecy...but explained as being a necessary requirement for the current lease holders of part of the underground facility. There is lots of walking a quite a few stairs, so closed toes comfy shoes are a must. Also, keep in mind that the Greenbrier has a dress code, no cut off shorts, tank tops, etc. allowed. Check out the website for their extensive description of what clothing is considered appropriate.

The bunker, built during the Eisenhower administration to house Congress and Senate in case of a nuclear war, was hidden beneath a wing of the Greenbrier for 30 years. Our knowledgeable guide gave us excellent historical context for the bunker's architecture and purpose. His pace was engaging and he had obvious passion for and deep knowledge of all aspects of the topic. It’s fascinating to imagine Greenbrier resort life going on, with most people not knowing about the building or maintenance of the bunker. A must-do for those interested in WW2 history.

The bunker tour at the Greenbrier was a really cool piece of history to see up close. There isn’t a whole lot to look at but the historical aspect of it is really neat. You get to go through the actual site. No cameras or purses/bags of any kind are allowed so leave them in your room or with the guide. Took about 90 mins and was all standing and walking other than a short 7 min. Video. They gave you some cool postcards at the end.

The guide was great. She had a lot of knowledge to share. She was very accommodating to the group. Was a bit disappointed in that most of the area was now used by a private firm, which I guess is understandable. They did have some venettes to show the sleeping arrangements, hospital , lounge area. The generators were newer, water and fuel tanks original and got to see original decontamination area. Incinerator can no longer be used as didn’t pass inspections Space where dining room is used as dining room as well as another large room can be rented for trade shows. Overall an interesting tour.

You must take the bunker tour not only for the sheer magnitude of it and the overall cost but to also see how the government spends our tax money. It is well worth the 90 min tour and the knowledge of the tour guide was amazing.

Well worth the time and money. A fascinating part of history that has not been long known about. Especially fun for those cold war buffs, or us old folks who lived through it!

Cost of tour at $39 is the only negative.

Fascinating to learn how it was built and the history of why is very interesting and real at the time.

Today it is used for secured corporate backup of a number of Company records

This is a fascinating tour IF you're interest in history, especially mid-20th C and the Cold War. Tour is well organized and thorough. Hubby & I really enjoyed it!

This was a must do for me when I visited the Greenbrier. It was very interesting and I enjoyed the tour and the knowledgable tour guide. The price is a little steep it around $35 for adults. Also, it is a long tour, approx. 90 min. mostly walking with a short film in the middle. They do not allow photos anywhere on the tour and they take away your phone until the end of the tour. I'm so glad I did the tour, but it was very much a one time deal. It was also interesting to see some of the inner workings of the resort.

The bunker tour was amazing. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and informative. it was a great tour that we took during our stay at the Greenbrier.

Wow! What a cool step into our cold war history. Amazing that this place was hidden in such an obvious spot. The tour is completely worth it.... Our guide, Earnestine, was so knowledgeable I felt as though I was was walking through the process as it was happening.

For 30 years, this hidden bunker was ready for 1200 members of congress and their aides. Amazing remnant from the Cold War, this tour lasted 1 hour and had a great guide. Definitely worth it for history buffs and to learn about this sad period in our lives.

The Bunker Tour was very interesting and our tour guide was knowledgeable. We all enjoyed it and it was informative. However it pales to the War Rooms in London. Our family ate lunch at Sam Snead's at the golf club. The service was excellent and the food was enjoyed by all. We live in Virginia so this was a nice day trip. The Greenbrier is gorgeous and certainly worth the trip.

I love history, so the tour was most interesting. Just to see how it was built and the number of people it could hold and the services it would have provided if needed, was mind boggling. The tour guide knew his facts, gave us plenty of time to look at things and answered all our questions. I did think it was pricy, however; I understand the need for upkeep and didn't mind paying...good investment of my time and money.

Be sure to take the guided tour of the Bunker at the Greenbrier Hotel. It is very interesting piece of American History built during the cold war to house all of Congress if attacked with a nuclear bomb.

This is one of America's best kept secrets. Please take the tour it is eye opener and relevant to modern history buffs.

Check out a moment in American History from the Cold War Era which the government kept secret until a Washington Post Reporter spilled the beans imagine that...:-)

We were told by several people to take the bunker tour. What a great tour for the money ($39). The tour was 1.5 hours. Our tour guide was fabulous. She was so knowledgeable and kept the attention of the guests throughout the entire tour. This was a hidden nuclear fallout bunker that was kept secret for 30 years, and has remained untouched for others to enjoy and take a step back in time. If you do nothing else while staying at the Greenbrier, you must take the bunker tour. As an FYI, purses and phones are not permitted on the tour.

To start with the Greenbrier is beautiful and is worth the visit just to walk around. The Bunker is very interesting and well worth a visit. The history is fascinating behind it. Take your children because I am sure they don't learn about this in school.

This underground bunker was conceived and built in the late 1950's to house the United States Congress in the event of an attack on Washington, D. C. It was built beneath the West Virginia wing of The Greenbrier Resort and was completed and available for use in 1960. Fortunately, it was never used for its intended purpose, although this cam close to a reality during the Cuban Missile Crises of the early 1960's. The majority of the two level facility is built into the side of a mountain adjacent to The Greenbrier Resort. The tour of this now declassified facility is available at The Greenbrier Resort and is well worth the time and expense to take. The tour last approximately 1-1/2 hours and involves a good deal of walking and some stairs. It is not a strenuous tour. The tour gives visual insight into the life we led during the Cold War era and reminds us of how tenuous world peace really is. I strongly recommend this tour if you are a guest of The Greenbrier Resort or are visiting in the area of White Sulphur Spring, WV.

The "Bunker Tour," at $39 pp, wasn't all that interesting. The brief movie available on the in-room TV was much more interesting.

Great to see our history to learn how our government prepared, however also opens your eyes on the waste of money that our government spends, millions were wasted. No longer supported by government - great to know.

I did not stay at the hotel but was in the area and visited with a friend. The hotel itself is a crazy place, and worth walking around, but it has so much history on top of that. This is something that I think people of all ages would enjoy for one reason or another. It may be hard if you have trouble walking or are confined to a wheel chair, but we had people in both categories in our tour group and there are slightly altered routes that can be taken.

Although the website suggests an online reservation, I took the tour as a "walk-in" (I did not stay at the Greenbrier Hotel, I was driving from Washington DC to Roanoke and I was not sure if I have enough time for the detour).
Registering for the tour was easy, and all staff were friendly and very helpful. The tour itself is interesting and informative, although there is limited access to the bunker since an IT company is now using parts of it. Only drawback: You are not allowed to take any pictures.

You can't go to the Greenbrier and not take the bunker tour. It's hard to believe how they were able to build and keep it in secret for so long. It's hard to describe the feelings that flood back if you are old enough to remember the Cold War.

We took the Cold War Bunker tour located under the West Virginia wing of the Greenbrier resort hotel. Excellent tour guide. I was a child during the Cold War and remember the times well. The bunker was a fallout shelter for the US congress, as well as living facilities for them and their families. This was in order to keep the congress functioning in case DC was compromised. The bunker ran from 1962 until it was declassified in 1992. It was kept in readiness during those years, fresh food ready, up-to-date medications in the hospital for example. Note that before going in you must surrender your phone, camera and purse or anything carried before going in. These items are kept in a locker until the tour is over.

This is the "Bunker Tour" because this Relocation Facility was built into the mountain below the West Virginia wing. As a child of the 50's and 60's I lived through the period when this was conceived and built. So reliving some of what we experienced during that time brought back some very scary memories. Such as the Cuban Missile Crisis when this facility actually came into play as a possibility. It is an amazing slice of American history, especially since it was kept secret for 40 years. Not sure that the younger people on this tour had the same appreciation but it was worth the $39 cost. If you want to take this 90-minute tour, be sure to reserve a spot in advance since they sell out of their 25 spots (twice a day) frequently.

American bunker hidden in plain sight at the Greenbrier hotel. (Which, by the way, has the most garishly colored carpets in the lobbies). Interesting and informative tour, if somewhat abbreviated due to the repurposing of the bunker for document storage. The tour hints at the flavor and feel of the original purpose for the bunker.
As a side note, I would like to have had more time to read all the placards in the dormitory area. And the facility has been gutted a bit too much for my taste, leaving you with the feeling of having just taken a tour of any generic industrial complex, rather than an historic site designed to provide for the safety and security for our Congress. There is no escaping the apocalyptic seriousness of the facility when you see the nuclear blast doors at several entrances. A sight which will appeal to the Dr Strangelove in anyone.

This is too amazing a historical and reality experience to pass up. A United States secret government continuity complex built under the noses of the public for three decades at an exclusive retreat and hotel resort. There is nothing to compare with this experience. Before and after the Bunker Tour (reservations), you can explore the dining, shop, and hotel. Very memorable.

Jim made the tour informative and entertaining. It was interesting how the bunker was hidden in plain sight for so long. What was a covert bunker was hidden as facilities used by the public and at the same time was a top secret location to house congress in case of a nuclear attack. Now made obsolete by ICBMs, is now a reminder of the severity of the threat and was almost utilized during the Cuban missle crisis. After several attempts to schedule, I am glad I finally saw it up close and personal.

If you are ever in the area, this Bunker Tour is a must see attraction. You do, however, need to make a reservation for the tour. Our tour guide was Debbie and she was very professional knowledgeable, and informative. This is a declassified Bunker that was built during the cold war and is well worth your time and money to visit. You are not allowed any electronics or camera's so leave your cell phone in the room or car. If you forget,they will lock them up for you.

This was awesome. The Hotel is beautiful fur the tour of the relocation facility was amazing. Our guide was excellent & patient with all of our questions. We definitely recommend the attraction.

Because of the high security NO PHOTOS could be taken in the bunker. Bummer but understandable.

I was totally surprised to see the compact quarters. However, it was equipped with medical facilities, family area, water, food storage and air filtration. quite remarkable when you think about it.
Absolutely worth seeing!

A pricey tour, 2 adults and one 15 year old granddaughter came to $95 or so. Make reservations ahead of time. Pay when you arrive at the hotel.

Like many, I had read about this secret "bunker" years ago and had always wanted to see it myself. A recent trip to West Virginia provided the opportunity. When you arrive, park across the street from the main gate and take the shuttle to the hotel. We took cameras with us as we arrived early for our 3:30 tour as we wanted to see and explore the hotel itself which is very large and beautiful. For the tour you go up the main steps where the shuttle drops you to the Trellis Room where 1/2 hour before your tour, someone appears at the little table by the right wall, to check you in and process your credit card. A bag is provided for you to stash electronics, including your cameras. We had time enough to visit the shopping area on the lower floor and roam the common areas. Be sure to check out the public restrooms😊Staff were very good about giving us directions.

The tour itself was 90 minutes and included quite a bit of walking. The most surprising piece of information for me was the fact that the hotel's "Exhibit Halls" were the "bunker". (Our tour guide explained that it was not really a bunker but rather provided protection from fallout. It could not have withstood a direct hit. ) In other words, hidden in plain sight!" If needed, the exhibit hall could be transformed into offices for congressional staff.

The large blast doors were cleverly disguised behind facades so that the public who visited the exhibits held there would not see them. Lots of information is available online for the details. I felt the tour was worthwhile and gave us a good feel for the facility. Guide was excellent!

If you have any interest in Cold War history, you need to go visit. It is a guided tour. Tour guides are very knowledgeable. The underground bunkers are still in use now but are used for data storage. The history of it is the most interesting part. How do you keep the secret from the locals. How do you hide an underground bunker that can handle 1100 people in plain sight. No cameras are phones allowed. The reason is because of the data storage. The price is $39. That's high, but so is everything else at The Greenbrier!

Bunker tour was ok, but not great. Guide did a good job. Very informative. We did see a few rooms, but most of the facility is now a data center, so unaccessible. There are a couple of rooms with displays with information to read and pictures to see. We went very quickly through these rooms. Would have loved to be able to spend time exploring the displays. Overall was worth the visit, especially if you are interested in cold war stuff. But if you know where to go/search there are many more pictures of the facility online.

Excellent. Have recommended to many friends. We had no idea the bunker was there. A revelation and a look into the days of the Cold War.

Interesting tour that gets into an unusual piece of history. Pretty cool to see the setup and hear how it all came about.

What you see at this tour is very interesting, but I guess I expected more area to cover. Much of the space is currently rented to other businesses or used in other ways, which makes sense, but the entire bunker is not viewed. Tour guide really adds to the tour with great back stories and info. Still worth the money.

See where the US Congress was to be protected from nuclear fallout. After a 4 hour train from D.C. Congress and one staffer each would be protected underground in the bunker at The Greenbrier. The bunker was an official government secret from 1962 until the Washington Post wrote about it in 1992. They say you'll only see 25% of the bunker, but its worth the $35 90 minute experience.

Several of the rooms that were designated for government relocation are part of the conference center, so you can see the room mean for the senate and the one for the house just by attending meetings. There are tours given by the hotel every day for the whole bunker.

A fascinating glimpse into a bit of cold war history. Considering the security that is still in place, and the fraction of the place that could be viewed, it invites speculation as to exactly what all may be going on there at present!
It is a great wonder how it was keep secret for so many years. I don’t think it would take very long for it to be “leaked“ today.

My husband was skeptical about this tour, but he agreed at the end that it was pretty interesting. Frank was a very knowledgeable guide. Makes you wonder what else is "hiding in plain sight" that you haven't noticed! Expensive, but unique.

This is really a must see at the Greenbrier. There is nothing like it anywhere else and it is the real cold war.

Impeccable service Wonderful history and adventure exploring grounds and seeing gorgeous scenery. Great place to find peace and tranquility! Spa was amazing and so was the Bunker Tour!! If you love golf and tennis you will love it!

It was amazing that this facility was running unbeknownst to most anyone for 30 years! It was such an interesting tour and a neat part of American history. Did you know only one president ever tested it out and who that was?! The 'In Plain Sight' theory is still compelling today! Yes, the sticker is a little hefty, but I think you would be missing out not seeing it for yourself. That being said, I am not a history buff.

Do not forget to make your reservations! I forgot and those morning Bunker tours go quick! We were fortunate that a very nice tour guide allowed us to join their group before taking off.

We enjoyed our guided tour of the bunker. The history — from the idea - to the building - to how it was kept secret was fascinating and our guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. Thankful that the need to use it never arose.

I was a little disappointed with the bunker tour. Was expecting to see a lot more than what we were able to. When we called to reserve a time we were told to leave phones and valuables in the car but our tour guide ended up having a locker they could lock our belongings in. I wanted to take photos of the Greenbrier itself as it was far more impressive than the bunker but had to take the shuttle back to the car to get my phone after the tour and then come back again to take pictures. This could have been avoided had the person on the phone mentioned the locker. It wasn’t that big of a deal but it was a very busy day there and getting on the shuttle numerous times was not an easy task. The tour was pretty long. Longer than it needed to be. Our tour guide was very informative but got a bit grouchy when being asked questions she felt were dumb or was about to cover but had not got to yet. I would recommend visiting the Greenbrier but not just for the tour.

Parked at Amtrak Station and took shuttle to The Greenbriar Resort. Housed a secret government bunker during Cold War. Wanted my 17 year old son to see and learn a little more than school books would talk about. Elevator available. No cell phones allowed. Hotel is gorgeous but too expensive in off season for us but looks like an amazing stay if you choose. Cute town. At at Cooks Cafe.

Details (but not overwhelming amount) of a bit of history that was hidden "in plain sight". Worth the time and travel. Even our 9 yr old found it interesting.

Don't miss- hard to describe, but will never forget- and would defiantly see again. (even plan to use it as reason to return with my husband in tow). Would have snapped up a book about the bunker- if there had been one for sale in the gift shop.

Who would have thought you had to go up to go "Down Under"? This is a piece of history everyone should see. It does make you think how else is our government now funneling taxpayer money into private businesses in order to have a secure location for our legislative branch should we be attacked. I should have asked where the "secret' location was for the executive and judicial branches.

Anywho....it was a great tour and worth the stout price of admission. Our guide did a fabulous job of explaining the facility and how CSX now uses it for data storage for Fortune 500 companies. Great piece of American Cold War history.

Okay, you don't need another review telling you that the tour is very interesting and fun. Of course some people feel it doesn't cover much of the bunker as the space is rented out while others rave about it.



For my part, I enjoyed it very much, my only semi complaint is that I was in a large group and there was another group behind us. This prevented my family and I from reading all of the information on the walls (and we live for that type of thing). It would be nice if they allotted enough time for reading, but the tour guide does a very good job of giving you an overview of the history.



So with all of that being said, my true concern was "could" I take this tour and not panic? I looked things up online and found a few reviews but none that really satisfied or eased my concerns. I want to be honest and tell you that I was so fearful of having a panic attack I borrowed a Xanax from a friend just in case.

So here you go, the tour through the eyes of a semi-drugged claustrophobic:



11:00 am - checked to see when we could take a tour and along with my other 4 family members were shockingly told to join the group already gathering by the back window. Oh crap, wasn't expecting that so I swallowed that Xanax like a sinner taking communion on Sunday morning. (yes, I'm from the South)



11:15 - The tour meandered through a few large rooms of the Greenbrier before arriving at the vault door. It is in an open space of about 20x20 and is completely open to the lobby to the left by a ramp you used to approach it. You can still see the light filtering in from the lobby windows below. There are two elevator doors directly behind you. Depending on the group size, they do cram you into the elevators with everyone else. I simply waited to be the last one on and it ended quickly although if I wasn't on a tour, I would have waited for the next elevator. (But lets be honest, I was already glancing around deciding which one of those people I was going to take out in case of an oxygen shortage.)

You are then led into the bunker where I was so pleasantly pleased to hear that particular bunker door has never been in the closed position, somehow that made me feel better and gave me an escape route if I decided to run out of there like a a bat out of - well you know where.

The first room is a convention space and is rather large and has high ceilings, there are tons of photos online of it. It is air conditioned and bright. It was not claustrophobic at all and eased my nerves a little, or lets face it, the Xanax was starting to kick in.



11:30 - The next part of the tour takes you through several corridors, if you have watched Stranger Things season 3, it is really a lot like the Russian bunker under the mall. Watch it if you haven't, it really is very similar. There was a brief stop in a room to watch a movie, but it too was air conditioned and had a fair amount of space. Our group did not use all of the seats available and this made it nice. Oh, and I ALWAYS positioned myself to be the last out of the room or corridor. This allowed me to put extra space between myself and the group at any time. 



11:45 - The only place that truly gave me any concern was an L shaped hallway that was meant to be a decontamination shower. I highly suggest being the last in line for this. After refusing several very well intentioned gentlemen's wave to go in, I double checked the door, yes to make sure that I could come back out if necessary and you can! It was at this point that I realized I would abandon my children with their father if it came to it. I mean they are almost grown, I'm pretty much done raising them. The hall is confined, the ceiling is low and it makes a turn that you can't see around. #@*&. I made my husband go first and I had him look down the other hall to let me know when it was clear. Once he gave me the nod, I dashed so fast that Florence Joyner would have had trouble keeping up. It opened up into another decent sized room and the worst of it was behind me great mother status still intact.

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I did forget that there is one part where you can go down the stairs to look at some holding tanks, the guide mentioned it was a little tight so I just waited along with some other ladies in the corridor where they even had benches for us. According to my children, it was some holding tanks, LOL.



And that is really it, there isn't anything too terrible about it, however, be warned, if you take a Xanax you may buy a table top smore fire pit on your way out of the hotel only to later realize you purchased a $105 dollar concrete flower pot to put rubbing alcohol in. Of course my 14 year old is beyond thrilled with it so I guess it all worked out in the end. Now go take that tour fellow claustrophobics!!!

This is a must to see and experience; the rooms were large enough for more beds the indoor swimming pool a treasure. Every room was eloquent and enjoyable to be in. I took many photos and look forward to returning as much as possible.

We made our reservations in advance.

Since we were visiting not staying at the Greenbrier we had to park at the Amtrak Station and hike over to the hotel. A beautiful walk on a very, very hot day.

Our group was small and the tour guide amazingly knowledgeable. Excellent tour well worth the price. The guide definitely tailored our tour to the guests interests. After some questions about Eisenhower and the hotel's interior decorator, we learned an amazing amount of Cold War politics and 80s style decorations.

I would not take any kids on the tour and it would be tough for the physically impaired.

I’ve heard about this tour from people who have gone in the past but the tour we took seemed to be a little bit underwhelming. Could have been because we were in a big group with one more group right behind us and I think the tour guide was rushed. Fascinating history though, and even better if you can say you stayed in the hotel where it all took place.

This was a great tour about the secret government bunker for the US government from 1963 to 1993. Our Tour Guide, Roger, was very knowledgeable of the history of the former secrets of the bunker. Roger grew up in the area and shared some stories of the locals regarding the bunker. Parts of the bunker are now used for public conventions, meetings and gatherings. We were able to see locations that were set up for the tightest security when the bunker was not available to the public. This is an interesting 90 minute tour if you're interested in US history.

This tour is very interesting. I can't believe this bunker was hidden in plain site for so many years! It certainly shows how different things were during the Cold War. You imagine places like this exist so it's exciting to actually see one. It's worth seeing!

Fascinating relic of the cold war that was largely hidden in plain view. The rest of the facility was behing locked doors marked "Danger high Voltage Stay Out." Meanwhile a group of communications technicians under the cover of the hotel serviced the equipment and kept everything in readiness should the balloon go up.

Being early June and a Tuesday I had not made a reservation to take the tour and almost wasn't able to get in for one. Thus, I suggest that anyone that wants to take the tour should make a reservation. That said, the person a the tour registration desk squeezed me in and I enjoyed a very interesting and instructive tour. Not, having lived in the US during the height of the Cold War, this tour gave an insight of what it must have been living with that era and how the US government tried to plan for the survival of one of its branches (the legislative) in case of a nuclear attack..

Really enjoyed this tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and funny. Interesting to find out how the formerly secret bunker came to be. The tour was approximately 90 minutes.

After having been to a sight/attraction like Churchill’s War Rooms in London, I felt this tour lacked the detail/honesty that i was hoping/looking for. It was interesting, but just left me wanting more.

Great tour! The guide was very knowledgeable and helpful! It was an interesting place to tour....felt we learned a lot of history!

Excellent place that puts you in an other time and perspective. Great for X files fans for example!!!

Great historical tour. Well worth the time and expense. Anyone interested in history will enjoy this.

Everyone should go and experience this piece of history. Very interesting, from the secret build to the actual capabilities. Very high tech for the intended time period. Not for young children.

Very thorough review by our tour host at the hotel. A few parts are off-limits as a secure data storage company took over part of it, but most of the glitz areas still open. A bit more sterile then the ICBM bunker tours out west, but well worth a look at 60's cold war thinking.

We took a tour of the bunker with about 15-20 other people. Kate was our guide and she made it very interesting . She was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. It lasted about 90 minutes and at the end she passed out a pack of postcards to each guest who wanted them. Glad we toured the bunker.

Nothing left there to see! Small room set up as a “museum”, with very few items from the original bunker. Definitely NOT worth the $39 fee!!! Could move the “museum” to a visitor center for FREE.

This is a really cool tour to do...for 45 minutes. It’s way too long and though we enjoyed our tour guide, lots of the info was repeated. I’m glad I did the tour but it could have been accomplished so much quicker!!

Roger was our tour guide and was incredibly well informed. The group size was small enough that you didn't feel like you were in a crowd

Great historical tour. You should visit here: medicalpharmacyusa.com
Hotel is gorgeous but too expensive in off season for us but looks like an amazing stay if you choose.

I have wanted to see the bunker at Greenbrier for 20 plus years. I was so disappointed.

The start of the tour used to be in the woods, coming to the entrance and the tour guides locking the huge doors behind you. Was supposed to be quite exhilarating. Now you take a an elevator and just walk in.

They have some period pieces on display, but it is mainly used by csx now and is just staged to make money.

It is not worth the $39.

Short walking tour of the old bunker with a good history lesson of why it was needed and how a local business owner compromised security and caused it to be retired.

The history is amazing. I took this tour years ago and we were able to get into and see a LOT more than allowed now. Still, the tour was fascinating and the history of how it was built is interesting.

Very good guide. The fee for the tour is too expensive for what you get to see, mostly a bunch of empty rooms. Only the stories told by the guide made it come more alive.

This is part of the Greenbrier experience. So interesting. A must do when you visit.They give you a tour thru a bit of the facility. Part of it is now rented so is closed to,the public. This was quite the secret until the media exposed it.

The Greenbrier bunker tour is an excellent walk through history.

Our tour guide was very enthusiastic and informative.

Your tour goes through the public areas, as well as some of the “secret” areas. You also get a little bit of history of the Greenbrier itself.

There is a bit of walking and some stairs down into the bowels of the bunker.

As other people have commented, very interesting historical tour, and one I highly recommend. Just wanted to say what it was like in these COVID019 times. When I made the reservation for the tour, I was told to park at the train station just outside the gates. It's only a .3m walk, but the day we were there, there was a sign telling us not to walk up the sidewalk to the hotel--we were told they were controlling access for temp checks.

I was assured there would be a shuttle always at the train station. That wasn't true, and we had to stand in the hot sun for quite a while waiting. They will only take eight people on the shuttle at a time. When we got to the gate, someone boarded and took our temps. We were required to be wearing masks already.

I'd been told there was a 9:30 and 11:30 tour for reservation. With demand they add extra, so there were multiple times by the day we went. You can't check in for your tour until you're within a 30 minute window of the tour.

I'd been told to leave electronics and purses in the car because they no longer would hold onto your items if you forgot and took them in. Well, that was wrong information. The tour guide has a designated locker at the beginning of the tour. She unlocks it, you stick your prohibited items in, and then you collect them at the end of the tour. I was irked I'd listened to the person on the phone because since we couldn't walk in and out of the property to the car, I couldn't take any pics of this beautiful hotel before or after the tour without the hassle of waiting in the sun for a shuttle.

Absolutely beautiful hotel and great tour. Not to be missed if you're in the area.

I had heard about the Bunker Tour from the TV Travel Network and was anxious to see it myself. I found it quite intriguing. Our guide, Ernestine was excellent. It was an amazing place, considering it was a "top secret" for over 30 years. Would recommend it.

It was good to see the bunker but I wish we could have seen more. I think it is a must see only because it is part of our history.

Our tour guide was extremely knowledable, the tour was informative and quite interesting. It would not hold the interest of younger children, but maybe 10 years up to 110 would find it of interest. Well organized. Worth the time.

What a unique experience. Unbelievable that this place remained a secret for over 30'years. Go...you won't regret it.

Like everything else at the Greenbrier, it was much more expensive than other 1-1/2 hour walking tours. Having said that, I'd still recommend the tour. Our guide was enthusiastic and informative. Even if you've toured Canada's Diefenbunker Bunker, take this tour. The two tours are very different.

The tour of the Greenbrier “bunker” was informative and interesting. The guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. It takes 90 minutes

Okay

If you go to the Greenbrier you MUST do the Bunkers Tour !!! No cell phones, cameras or any recording device allowed but you can get the history book on the hotel which is excellent

Allow for a few hours for entire tour

My husband and I took the tour in October and really enjoyed it. Our tour guide was fantastic and provided some really interesting information about the history and facts about the bunker. It is on the pricey side but we felt it was well worth it.

This is a must. This was an amazing tour filled with history and fascinating facts. I highly recommend. Yes they take your phones and cameras. Our tour guide was very familiar with the history as she was a local so hearing her view point of the rumors and how everyone talked about it and speculated for years over the bunker. It was very informative.

The tour is something everyone that visits the Greenbrier should take. Lots of history and very interesting.

We were at The Greenbrier over a long weekend for a conference and wanted it to be a memorable trip for our teen triplets. We did the bunker tour and it did not disappoint! The triplets are in American Government class as high school juniors this tour was a nice supplement to their education! They are too young to know anything of the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis and other more contemporary events. My daughter and sons were fascinated by the planning and engineering that went into constructing and maintaining the bunker for 30 plus years. They were also equally fascinated on how our government could be so covert. Many years from now they may forget those yummy cookies at tea or the filet at Prime 44 but they will never forget the bunker tour! It was money well spent!

A wonderfully preserved piece of cold war history, hidden for years more or less in plain sight. The $35.00 price is high, but worth it. Thd portions of the bunker bring used to store commercial archives was not open, but it is a good story,

This was a great tour. Our guide knew all of the history about the bunker and the hotel. Definitely a must see to understand the paranoia of the times.

We enjoyed the tour, it was interesting and easily accessible for most everyone. I’d have given it a five but I didn’t realize parts of the “bunker” was off limits.

We toured the Greenbrier Hotel and Relocation Center often called the Bunker. If you are in the area, it is a definite must see. Regretfully cameras and cell phones are not allowed inside the Bunker. The facility was very well planned out when it was built in the early 1960’s. It is now obsolete so is no longer used as a fall out shelter for Congress.

Every US History buff needs to experience this tour, learn what it was like during the cold war and ask yourself what if questions.

We had heard many folks say that the bunker tour was really great. As a military member for 30 years and later working in the defense sector, I've got to admit that I wasn't as impressed or surprised with the facility. They did a masterful job of hiding it within plain sight and I am amazed that they managed to keep it secret for so many years but doubt they could replicate that in today's modern know-it-all information age. Definitely worth the 90 minutes and we're looking forward to seeing some of the tv and other accounts when the "secrecy" was finally broken.

"Hidden in plain sight" is this decommissioned Cold War bunker. It was never designed to withstand a direct nuclear blast, but rather as a fall out shelter for congress to meet in the event that Washington DC had been attacked. Adam, our tour guide, was incredibly knowledgeable. You would have thought he was there when it was originally built. I highly recommend spending an afternoon checking it all out. Quite an interesting trip back in time.

While on a two day visit to Lewisburg, WV we toured the former government bunker. I was very excited about the tour based on the website and a documentary about the facility that is available online. Sadly, the tour was very disappointing and the information used to sell tickets is misleading and incomplete. You will NOT tour the bunker area because CSX leased and controls almost 90%of the space that was used by the government when it was a top secret government site. There is one small room that has a few items from the previous bunker (bunk bed, medical gurney, communication console, pictures, etc) that are presented in a museum format. The only actual spaces allowed on the visit is one government meeting room, one decontamination shower, a dining hall, and a water/fuel tank room. While the tour guide was nice and informative, you will lean much more by just watching the video on youtube. It is certainly NOT worth the $37 per person ticket price, nor the 90 minutes it takes to walk through random hallways and security doors.

We stayed at the Greenbrier primarily because of our interest in history and the Bunker was a surprise in what it is.

I think it’s important to keep in mind the bunker is these days a replica of what was, as much of the equipment and furnishings were shipped out by the government. However, the tour is excellent and you can see enough of the real thing to embrace it. You will leave with your own impressions about the secrecy and the importance of such a structure. It’s an important history lesson and lots of fun.
If you have time to learn about the history of The Greenbrier, it will enhance the tour.

Greenbriar resort is very beautiful and classy. Hard to believe this beautiful resort is hiding a cold war bunker. Tour of the bunker is very interesting. Our tour guide Frank was knowledgeable and answered all our questions. Frank was very personable and fun.

Interesting tour and informational. While they take and secure your cellphone and/or camera at the beginning of the tour let them do so. You'll have an opportunity to take pictures at the end.

All men love this because of the "War" factor - but once women go - they are glad they did the tour. Very educational for all ages. It's makes you think.

Since cameras and cell phones were not allowed, we liked that the tour docent provided the packet with photos of highlights from the tour.

The bunker tour was by far our favorite thing to do while staying at the Greenbrier. Our guide was very knowledgeable and had a great personality. It's a don't miss out on tour!

Our bunker tour was the highlight of our trip to the Greenbrier. Or guide was fantastic and sure knew her stuff. This is a true treasure of an experience and a must see for any age. History comes to life as you imagine WWII and this operation that was secret for 30 years. How carefully they planned every step of hiding congress from harm. And then it remained hidden and active until 1992!! Fascinating
Sorry. No cameras were allowed

One of the things that I never did until my many trips toThe Greenbrier was take the tour of the hidden Government Relocation Facility. This was just really fascinating! How this went undetected for almost 30 years is unreal! When the Greenbrier was undergoing extensive renovation many years ago, there were 2 sets of work crews that did all of this work while the extensive renovation was being completed. This was all done very carefully and went undetected for 30 years or so, it could easily take 600 to 800 members of the government, along with family, should there be a nuclear bomb threat. This facility is still ready today to be put in pace as a safe hold should some disaster occur. There is food, water, supplies and housing all hidden underground that would keep key officials safe from harm. this is just fascinating, and I highly suggest taking this tour when you go to The Greenbrier!

The bunker tour is amazing. The history and story are even more amazing. The hotel and grounds are wonderful. Get to the 9:30 bunker tour if possible. Book in advance.
I booked it for 5 people and all they did was place my name on the list for the 9:30 tour.
You pay when you get there. You have to park across the street at the train depot but they have a shuttle that picks you up. One couple took the train from Charlottesville to White Sulpher Springs and back. $79.00 for two. Had to be a beautiful ride.

I've wanted to see this facility ever since I heard of it years ago. The tour is comprehensive and the guides are very experienced and knowledgeable. Imagining our politicians locked in such an austere place is hard to picture. How it was hidden from public knowledge for so long is almost unbelievable. Having grown up during the cold war this is a must place to visit.

Very disappointing for the price. Yes it is interesting, but they are a bunch of hallways and areas that are being repurposed. The guide Kate was very knowledgeable. I did feel we were putting out the staff. I had called to ask where the shuttle bus would be picking us up, very unpleasant person. The shuttle bus driver didn't acknowledge our hellos. We entered the valet area and asked direction, they were very nice. Once inside we encountered people who could not be bothered with tourist visiting the bunkers. Kate, the tour guide, was pleasant and delightful, but once she was done with us we felt she couldn't get rid of us fast enough, thus we didn't have enough time to think about a tip before we were out by the valet again. On their behalf they did have a conference going on but for $40 a person and the way we felt afterwards, we would not recommend.

Enjoyed the tour at the Greenbrier of the underground bunker. The gentleman who lead our tour was very knowledgeable and definitely enjoyed being able to show this interesting facility to the public. Very cool way to spend a rainy day at the Greenbrier.

Didn't know about this piece of history until we started the tour. Just knew from talking to people that this was something we should do. How interesting to learn about this from a very knowlegeable tour guide. I learned a lot.

A must see experience for anyone visiting The Greenbrier. Amazed at how well thought out this hidden bunker was and the fact that it was kept secret for 30 years. Shameful that someone felt the need to go public about this location.

I always wanted to see this bunker. I found the tour fascinating and I am so glad I did it. The tour operators are friendly and such genuine people I so enjoyed meeting.
It is very expensive. Walking shoes are a must. At some point they collected phones for a bit. I wish I had more time to read the exhibits but I realize it is a long tour.
Make reservations ahead of time.

Greenbrier Government Relocation Facility, White Sulphur Springs, VA.
Secret site for decades.
Reservations are a must. No phone or cameras are allowed! Francine S took us on an excellent tour this afternoon which lasted about one and a half hours.
Francine provided the history on the design and construction of the facility and how it was kept in modern ready condition for 30 years before being exposed. Be prepared for a lot of walking up and down 4 flights of stairs. Plan to park at the train station. Besides walking to the hotel, there is bus transportation available with a wait time of every 10 minutes to the main lobby. The Greenbrier Resort buildings, guest cottages and the landscaped grounds were beautiful. Oh, by the way the golf course looking out from the golf pro shop is awesome.

After reading about the bunkers, we made a reservation for the tour while we were on vacation in the area. Just walking around the Greenbrier itself was nice; it's a beautiful hotel. But the hidden bunkers were amazing! It was so interesting to see all the work that was put into this facility. Our tour guide couldn't answer all the questions but there was a lot of information posted in the main areas of the tour. If you go you will have to leave your cameras and cell phones locked in the tour guide's office but they do let you take a few photos at the end of the tour once you are outside of the more secured areas and your equipment has been returned. The tour is 90 minutes so allow enough time.

While the tour was interesting and the guide was superb, did not feel the tour was worth the $39. Spent most of the time walking hallways to get from one area to another.
Also, it seems bizarre that every purchase in the resort, including the bunker tickets, dining, shops, accommodations, etc. includes a 6.5% "historic preservation fee," used to keep the resort buildings and facilities upgraded. Since the resort is a for profit establishment, seems like the profits should be reinvested for upkeep, instead of gaming the historic angle.

This is a bunker that was built during the Cold War to house Congress and staff members in the event Russia dropped the "big one" on Washington D.C. Because Greenbrier is surrounded by mountains it was thought inpenatrable. The most interesting aspect is that it was built and maintained in plain sight. Great tour!

We had an excellent tour this afternoon with Francine S. which lasted about 100 minutes. You get the story on the design and construction of this facility and how it was kept in ready condition for 30 years before being exposed. The tour does involve quite a bit of walking and 4 flights of stairs over the course of the tour. Not every area is accessible but they do try to accommodate those with limited mobility with some notebooks depicting the areas that are not accessible.
Reservations are really a must because these tours do fill up. We called a couple of months in advance and had no trouble booking. They are not cheap either at $39 per person.
There is plenty of parking but it's at the train station across from the entrance to the Greenbrier and then there's a nice path that meanders up to the hotel entrance. The tour leaves from the upper main level in the "trellis" area.
A mandatory rule for all visitors---no electronics, cameras, cell phones, weapons are allowed on the tour. Do leave them in your car as there is no place to check them in the hotel.

I was so looking forward to this experience during our stay at the Greenbrier. During a trip to London, my wife and I toured Churchill’s WW2 bunker and were fascinated. This tour, however, seemed like a cheap cash grab.

For starters, the tour guide needed to do some more studying. Many of his questions were quite clearly answered with conjecture, not fact.

The main experience, the bunker itself, is simply a non-event. Aside from the massive hidden blast doors, most of the bunker masqueraded in plain sight (Google the story for details) and was in use throughout its secret experience as an event space. It should be no surprise, therefore, that this ends up being a tour of...an event space. There are precious few remnants of the actual purpose of the bunker. Most of the non-event space has been transferred to CSX for use as a data storage facility, which is quite off limits. Do yourself a favor, read the story online, go take a picture of the outer door, and call it a day.

We really enjoyed the bunker tour with our tour guide who was very informative and willing to answer questions. The tour does not go through the entire bunker but gives you a glimpse of how it was set up and to be utilized.
Afterwards take a walk through out the hotel and outside to appreciate the beautiful hotel and gardens.
When entering you will be directed to park at the golf club and take shuttle to hotel. It is also a nice walk if the weather is pleasant. Leave cameras and cell phones in your car or you may turn them in before the tour in which you will be given a receipt to claim at the end of the tour since they are not permitted on the tour.

We had a very knowledgeable guide who was able to answer all of our questions and you could envision how it was when it was "almost operational".

Our guide was knowledgable and pleasant. Tour is an hour and 1/2 with stairs. However, if you aren’t able to do stairs there are benches to wait on throughout the tour.

There is so much history at The Greenbrier! Totally worth the time and money to see this cold war bunker.

The famous "Bunker Tour" at Greenbrier is certainly worth seeing. I was about to say "the guide made the tour" -- and noticed the same words used in another review. It's worth repeating - the guide was excellent and was an important factor in making the tour interesting. Physically, I'd wouldn't describe the Relocation Facility as having a lot of visual drama; by and large it's a pretty basic, unadorned space to accommodate the minimal requirements of housing our government officials in "emergency mode". There are no space-age control panels, massive viewing screens or anything like the image you might have from now-standard sci-fi and adventure films. But it's REAL, and remarkable that it was keep secret (more or less) for decades. A good glimpse at a part of the history that many of us older folks lived through.

We had an excellent guide for this tour who really knew her stuff. Very informative and answered all of our questions. There is a great film halfway through. The facility is amazing and a must-see for anyone interested in history. The Greenbrier is quite an upscale hotel so I recommend modest, conservative dress. Wonderful cafe to eat lunch after the tour. They do collect your cell phones and cameras at the beginning of the tour.

THIS IS A COMPLETE SNORE FEST UNLESS U LOVE HALLWAYS AND AN ELEVATOR RIDE!

What a waste of time! For free this would be bad, but $40? Total rip off. The staff was really nice in helping make the reservation. Once we arrived we couldn't find the meeting spot...asked 3 staff members including the concierge...got 3 different answers and all were wrong....we hoped the tour would be great....it wasn't even mediocre....and ive toured historic facilities all over the country....this is among the worst.

Here is the tour summary:

1. Don't take pictures because you are going to see....umm...to see...well, you see nothing but still, no pictures!
2. They have trade shows in this area but nothing interesting happened here.
3. That hill is the top of the bunker...but nothing interesting happened there.
4. This is wallpaper but nothing interesting happened here.
5. This is a hallway but nothing interesting happened here
6. This is another hallway but nothing interesting happened here
7. Somebody stores stuff here so we can't really show you anything but remember, nothing interesting happened here
8. This tank holds water but nothing interesting happened here
9. Over here...now this is kool...its an incinerator....but nothing interesting happened here
10. People took showers here but nothing interesting happened here
11. This is now a cooking school but nothing interesting happened here

There, I just saved you $40 per person!

So in summation, they don't really show u anything....hallways, an elevator oh and the highlight according to the guide...a GENERATOR....wow...wow...wow....never seen a diesel generator! They show u what the building is now...with little about the history. Seriously its hallways...and locked doors used to store data.

This is basically a scam tour....its not military related...its minimally government related...its 100% boring.

You want the experience without the cost? Go see your insurance agents office and walk through that...you will experience basically the same tour minus the wasted money....for free this would be a rip off. And we were very happy to pay the $40 as the thought of seeing this place was awesome sounding....the reality...its a poor tour of a building that is a data storage center and a cooking school...and im serious about that.

Great historical tour. Well worth the time and expense. Anyone interested in history will enjoy this. Grounds were beautiful. Restaurants and lounges were perfect. Food was excellent quality. Tours and activities were nice. Falcon tour was cool.

Our family took the bunker tour at the Greenbrier and just LOVED it. The guide was exceptional - I think her name was Ernestine or Evangeline, maybe? She was wonderful! Take this tour and enjoy the history there. You won't regret it!

Our teenagers loved it, but likely younger children would be very bored by it. We all loved how they were able to hide everything in plain sight.

Wear comfortable shoes it’s and hour and a half on thick concrete floors. Amazing how functional and non-extravagant the bunker is. Necessity of survival was key to design. The hidden in plain sight of entry ways and existence of the bunker is interesting to see and hear about.

Visited the bunker under the West Virginia wing at the Greenbrier on our rogue trip at the onset of the Covid19 pandemic. One of the only things not canceled on our planned trip to Colonial Williamsburg. It was the favorite part of our adventure. Francine was great and made a point to make my 10 year old son feel special as she deputized him to be her official assistant for the tour. Filled with interesting history that brings the cold war alive and even some present day intrigue with the secretive CSXIP folks that operated the "data storage" for multiple companies following the tour group with PTZ security cameras as you go past areas that are locked away and off limits. Loved the extensive access to the guts of the facility where the giant diesel fuel and water tanks were located along with the extensive decontamination facilities. Again, everyone at the Greenbrier was super friendly and our guide Francine was like an old friend by the time we left the property. My son and I explored the grounds a bit after the tour as he was excited how spot on his Fallout 76 game had recreated the Greenbrier and the actual fallout shelter for congress!

This tour is worth your time! Like everything at the resort it's not cheap but it was educational and fun. Our guide (Mark) made it even better. It's true what they say, the best part of the greenbier is the people.

Built during the Cold War area. Could house the Federal Government. It was possible to televise from here and have it appear to be in Washington D.C. or elsewhere.

I had no idea what expect, but was amazed from the moment the tour stared. Our guide was a woman that was extremely knowledgeable and we found out it was her first tour. Can't imagine anyone could had done better. This facility was structured in case of a nuclear attack back in the sixties. It was a hidden secret for thirty years until a reporter exposed it in 1992. What a shame. I think most other reviews I've read on the bunker say it all so I won't repeat, I will say that if you are interested in history this is a must see.
It also makes one wonder what extent we would go to in this day and age?

I had heard about this bunker, so wanted to visit it. I doubt younger folks would understand some of the exhibits and commentary unless they were Cold War history buffs. There were no children on our tour.

The tour was not cheap, $76.77 after tax for two people, but worth the money. It is quite a lot of walking, so wear the appropriate footwear. They take your phones and cameras and return them at the end of the tour -- supposedly they violate the data storage company's rules -- the current renters of much of the space. However, they do have a book in the gift shops if you want pictures !

The Greenbrier itself is beautiful and massive. We parked near the pool, and walked back to the hotel. The grounds are gorgeous. Make sure you allow time to get through the gated entrance, park, and find the check-in desk prior to the tour beginning. Be aware that there are no signs inside to direct you, so don't be shy to ask hotel personnel where to go.

I only wonder if the members of Congress would have rushed here, knowing that lesser protection was available for their families. It's also scary to think what would have happened after the 45 days of fuel ran out. . . . We will never know, as this is not the plan now.

If you like history, this is for you.

Heard about this a few years ago and thrilled I finally got to visit. It was very informative, but just a little underwhelming. Kind of like waiting for something for a long time, getting, and just saying, "oh." Jonathan, our tour guide, explained the concept from the beginning g was to hide in plain sight, and they succeeded. There are huge blast doors that are very impressive, and a number of rooms that were designed specifically for both houses of congress to continue operations in the event of a nuclear attack. But this is a fallout shelter, not a bomb shelter. Still, it was a very interesting and informative 90 minutes.

The tour was interesting and the guide was very engaging and knowledgeable about the history of the bunker. It's completely guided through sections of the hotel and now declassified bunker, allowing a glimpse at what it used to look like. Don't expect to see rooms of old dormitories and top secret radio/comms equipment; it's been long removed for a document and data storage company (which is the reason for the strictly enforced no-phones, no-camera rule). However, you do get to see the bunker's room for congress, several access tunnels with the heavy blast doors intact, displays of equipment that was onsite, and a quick pass through the old decontamination shower. After the tour, you're free to walk the grounds of the Greenbrier and enjoy the lavish setting.

We took the 90 minute tour and the time flew. Frank was very knowledgeable and animated when he gave the tour. There is a lot of walking as others have said, so wear comfortable shoes. There is a place to hang a jacket so you do not need to carry it with you. It was very educational and enjoyable at the same time. Good thing it never had to be used.

We called and made reservations for 10:30am this morning for a tour of the “bunker” at the Greenbrier. So glad we did this tour, we had heard all interesting things about this, and they were all confirmed today. If you are in the White Sulphuric Springs area, I highly recommend you take this tour. We only had 5 people in our group, and Mark was a great tour guide, full of information! Our tour lasted a little over 90 minutes, but was well worth the price, $39.00 and the time.

Such an awesome tour. Excellent tour guide and exhibits. Such a fascinating time in American history but thank goodness the bunker was never needed!

Our Docent on this tour was amazing and knew every detail and answer to every question anyone had on this tour. This is a fascinating, educational, and entertaining tour. I loved it.

It’s absolutely worth the time and expense. Very informative and interesting tour. Our guide was excellent.

Our tour guide made this tour, he was knowledgeable and had an answer for every question. The tour was entertaining and we enjoyed seeing the old equipment, literature, and building plans that were on display.

I am guessing that besides golf the bunker tour is the top attraction at the resort. History of the cold war is interesting and the tour is worth the time. I would recommend the tour if you enjoy any bit of history.

Truly mind blowing. Our tour guide was very genuine, you could tell his absolutely loves what he does! If older adult, request a wheel chair as there is a considerable amount of walking.

This is the bunker created during the early 1960s that would have housed Congress and government officials had there been a nuclear disaster. I have heard much about this place and finally got to take a tour. A tour is 90 minutes and cost $34.00 . The tour guide was great. The bunker was clearly hidden at the Greenbrier and part of it was in public view without public knowledge. The bunker is plain and not plush like you would think of when thinking of a place where top government officials would be housed unlike the plush hotel above. The tour guides were knowledgeable and answered questions. A short video is showed and you cannot take pictures for other security reasons. Reservations are required. Not for small children,.
Would recommend a tour if interested in history . Also take time to walk around the hotel if you visit the bunker. It is beautiful

It's amazing to know that our government and the WV locals were able to keep this relocation facility a secret for 30 years! The tour was interesting - definitely recommend it for guests.

Only two of our family members had not done this experience so it was on their list of must do activities while at the Greenbrier. They were not disappointed. It is a fascinating history lesson. Would highly recommend.

Wonderful tour by Ernestine who also gave a bit of history on the hotel itself. Highly recommend this tour.

Did a group tour with an excellent guide. Learned all about the structure, purpose and use today of this underground sanctuary. Some of it is currently used as exhibit space, but much of it remains as was intended to be used if there was a catastrophe during the cold war years. Worth seeing!