The Greenbrier Falconry Reviews

The bird handler was extremely knowledgeable and getting to fly the birds was great. All the staff involved was extremely nice.

We had an opportunity to try our hands at falconry in a private session. Interesting history of the sport & why it never made it "off the ground" in America. Golden Eagle, Urasian Owl, Harris Falcon... So fascinating!

This was such a fun and unique experience. Absolutely amazing to get to see the birds in action! Would highly recommend for someone who is looking for a fun way to learn something different and have a great time doing it!

Paintball experience was excellent! Garrett was a great guide! Every adventure experience we have had at Greenbrier has been top notch!

The falcon experience at the Greenbrier was fascinating. Cody shared an in depth history of the sport and followed with an amazing demonstration of how he works with the birds. We also had an opportunity to handle a falcon as well as a gorgeous owl. This is an experience not to be missed!

Cody was our falconry expert! He was engaging and made the experience fun for all ages. You learn how obtain a bird and train it. It was fasinating. You don't get one on one time with the birds, but at the end you get to hold on and take pictures.

We did the Falconry class at the The Greenbrier yesterday, Oct. 11. We had done it in April and enjoyed it so much that we did it a second time. Cody is the best, always full of fun facts and a great explanation of what falconry and birds of prey are all about. Got some in-person time with a falcon, owl, and hawk. The best part is going out in the field with the hawk. Thanks, Cody, for the great experience!

My husband and I enjoyed the Falconry Experience at Greenbrier. The guide Cody gave a short, fascinating history of falconry, going back 4000 years. You get to meet a falcon, Harris Hawk (and hold her!), and a Great Horned Owl. They also have a Golden Eagle which you can see, but they don’t bring out. It is very interactive. Highly recommended!

The Greenbrier Falconry was absolutely worth our time. My husband is a lover of birds and thoroughly enjoyed it. We learned so much and loved the hands-on experience. It is definitely something to do while visiting the Greenbrier Resort.

Linda is an INCREDIBLE falconer! She was very personable, knowledgeable, engaging and just a pleasure to talk with and be around. My fiancé and I had high hopes for falconry, and it did not let us down as it truly was a magical experience! The birds have a variety of personalities, and this activity is educational as well as exciting. If you are going to the Greenbrier, this is a MUST!

What an interesting and unique experience! Thank you for giving this 60-year-old an opportunity to do something I've never done before... that's a rare occurrence. Cody and the birds were the highlights of our trip.

What an amazing interaction with these wonderful birds. I learned so much! The staff is so knowledgeable and very friendly. Never had an owl swoop right over my head before.

We very much enjoyed our experience. We learned a lot about falcons and birds of pray, and experienced them up close. Linda was very knowledgeable and cares very much for the birds and enjoys sharing her knowledge. We plan to come back and visit the birds again and do another lesson with Linda. We also took some very memorable photos.

Amazing time out the getting to learn about falcons and other raptors! Def would recommend if you are staying near the Greenbriar.

awesome experience but overprice when you add the 34% taxed, tip and fees.
we did paintball, air rifle, archery, rope course and horseback riding

Fabulous time!!! GREAT GUIDES... you won't disappointed!!! I kayaked down the Jackson River , ebiked, and took the falconry tour- all different but amazing - I wanna go back ( yesterday!)

Great experience learning about Falconry! The instructor was very knowledgeable and the hands on experience with the birds was priceless! Being a part of their training was a great experience! Would definitely recommend to anyone!

This experience was amazing. Lots of information about all the different birds they have, the history of falconry, and taking a bird on a hunt was all a great experience! Linda was knowledgeable and fun to work with.

Seeing the variety of birds and interacting with them was great - falcon, eagle, owl, hawks. I think the small eagle was very nosy & friendly - it kept looking through the window at us and "talking". It was very interesting to hear the history, see the training methods, and "take a walk" with the Harris hawk. Of course, getting to have it perch on your gloved hand if you wanted to was the best! Thoroughly enjoyable all around.

What a fabulous experience! We were first given a history lesson and introduction to the birds. Even sitting on their perches, they are magnificent and fierce. Then we went on a 'walk' with our Harris Falcon, and learned how he is trained, and how he uses his sharp vision to track his handler and the food. We even had the opportunity to hold a piece of food and allow him to swoop onto our arms for pictures.

What an amazing experience! I totally recommend this to any age and group type! I took my almost 4 year old daughter who loves the outdoors and is used to holding and petting creatures we find in the woods (snakes, frogs, salamanders, etc) and while she is way under the age limit for this activity it was an amazing experience for her, my 70 year old father and I. I enjoyed the the first 20 min history lesson and education on falconry but she lost interest quick so have a solution for that if you take a young one. Once the action started she was entertained for the remaining 50 min. It star6ed with holding a falcon and escalated to holding a great horned oil and having her fly between us from purch to purch. It ended with hunting training for an eagle where it flew from trees and a barn roof to and from our arms for food. I wish I could post the video on this review of my daughter doing this hunting simulation with an eagle...unforgettable experiences! The group of 3 middle aged men who rounded out our group of 6 also had an incredible time. Don't miss this incredible opportunity!!!

-Seth

Cody is a very knowledgeable Falconer, he explained the sport in terms we could understand and divulged important historic information. It was a great time seeing these great birds of prey up close!

The Greenbrier has an excellent experience with the birds of prey. The bird that "hunted" with us was a Harris hawk, but other birds in the shelter were falcons, an owl, other hawks and a golden eagle. I even got to put on the glove and the hawk flew to me!!! I have a totally new appreciation for this sport of kings!!!

The Falconry was awesome! Cody was informative and entertaining. I would recommend this activity to anyone, especially children.

Love it. Polite people I tried new experiences and they made me comfortable and taught me. I am coming again

What a great activity! I scheduled this knowing absolutely nothing about falconry, and I then spent thirty minutes at dinner sharing everything I learned. I had a chance to take fantastic up close and personal pictures, and the instructor patiently answered my every question. I cannot recommend this unique experience enough!

I learned so much about raptors. The flights- ("walking" the falcon and luring the juvenile eagle owl) were a once in a lifetime experiences.
Also the falconer took great pictures of me with the birds on my hand.
Well worth doing.

The course was such a great time! My daughter absolutely loved going through each obstacle, and the guides were exceptional. Cannot recommend enough!

The whole experience was unique and exciting. The group split off in three groups to learn axe throwing, air rifle shooting and archery by rotating through all the activities.
At the end, you were able to go back to your favorite area to practice more. All the instructors were amazing, patient and funny. They enhance the experience.

While everything about The Greenbrier is excellent, our favorite experience was the falconry class. My wife had some hesitancy when we signed up and said she would just watch. But Cody’s explanation of the birds and the enthusiasm of our little group of ten persuaded her to quickly follow me in holding the falcon and petting the owl. And then when we went out into the field with the hawk, the experience got even better. It was a great experience that we will do again on our next visit.

We loved our experience at the falconry excursion! Our family of five (3 teenagers) all enjoyed that it was hands on! Good for all ages, even small children would enjoy this. We took great pictures as well!

Excellent presentation about raptors with real interaction with some of the birds. Everyone enjoyed the experience. I would recommend to any Greenbrier visitor.

Our family had a great time on the aerial ropes course. We have two small kids and the guides were excellent about showing them how to use the course and encouraging them to keep going. I would definitely do this again - it’s one of our favorite family memories.

The beginner’s falconry experience at the Greenbrier was unique, exhilarating, and unforgettable. I highly recommend it. The trainer was very knowledgeable, the birds amazing.

I had one serious concern, however. I was told there would be 5 people in our group. When I arrived there were 9, and to my shock we were all put in a small shuttle bus together with no windows able to go down. In the midst of the Covid pandemic, I was highly uncomfortable and surprised at the lack of concern for guest’s safety.

Cody was very engaging and informative.
The three birds were beautiful.
An amazing experience, in a beautiful location.

They could not have been nicer or more accommodating. The best dining experience was the Main dining room. We did Escape Room, Bunker Tour, Falconry (VERY special), movie theatre (they showed two of mom’s favorites)…

In 2019 I was fortunate enough to take the Falconry tour at The Greenbrier with my Husband and we both really enjoyed it. I was going to be 30 minutes away from The Greenbrier over the Fourth of July holiday with Family. My Brother also loves birds & so, I thought it would be fun to share this experience with him. We had a different Person guiding the tour and it was just as excellent. You get a lot (but not too much) good information and all questions answered. You are introduced to several different types of birds of prey— falcons, hawks, owls and eagles. You go on a short walk to watch your bird in action (it’s a different bird every tour based on which one is hungry enough to hunt at that day/time). It a relaxed, informative and super fun way to spend some time at America’s Resort and not to be missed if you are a large bird lover.

Birds of prey in flight is always awe inspiring. This is a great way to get an up close and personal view of a hawk or owl. The guides give great information on the birds and provide great "edutainment".

The falconry lesson was a great experience. It was very informative. We got to explore this ancient hunting technique and the rich history behind it. Our guide did an excellent job explaining and demonstrating the bond between the bird and human. Highly recommend this activity at The Greenbrier.

This was the best part of a miserable week at the Omni Homestead. Linda was great answering my sons endless questions and the whole thing was also very safe, informative and entertaining.

I stayed at the Greenbrier and wanted to experience the fall weather in WV. I rented a mountain bike from Greenbrier Outfitters and hit the trails. What better way to experience it than on a mountain bike. Great workout , great scenery and great times!

This is a fantastic experience. Fairly expensive but well worth it. I highly recommend it. The falconer was very accommodating and informative. We experienced a falcon, owl, and hawk. Awesome!

One of my gifts to my husband this year was a beginning falconry lesson at the Greenbrier, and it was memorable for both of us! Not only was it awesome to see a variety of magnificent birds up close, we learned so much. Linda was more than a guide, she was a teacher and a window into the psyche and physiology of the birds. We were able to work with two birds, and to see them in action, up close, was an incredible experience. It's not for the squeamish, so if the sight of raw meat or of birds of prey doing what they do--prey on and kill other creatures--upsets you, this is not for you.

We loved the Falconry experience with the Greenbrier outfitters. We learned so much, got to see some beautiful birds up close and we even got to hold them.

Debbie and Jesse were excellent guides, were patient with the group, and gave great advice on how to succeed on the ropes course.

My family (we have two children age 15 & 11) was very excited about this experience and I suspect that if we polled them individually, they would give very positive reviews. After all, seeing owls, falcons, and other raptor birds up close is super cool. We got pictures with a falcon, our son had the opportunity to feed one, and had a beautiful owl swoop over our heads. The falconer was knowledgeable and engaging and the facilities seemed nice (though, admittedly, I don't have much basis for comparison of other falconry facilities). I don't know what exactly I was expecting to experience, but when I signed my Amex receipt for $800 for a family of 4 (after resort fees and taxes), my expectations notched up a bit ... well, it actually notched up a lot. In the end, I felt like we had a very nice demonstration that you would have at a great zoo ... and the cost of that experience would have been included in the price of admission. This experience was good, but absolutely not worth the cost. Looking to blow $800 on your family? Go for it. Looking to spend $800 on something more lasting? Not worth it.

Learned a lot about falconry and had a lot of hands on with the birds. Really enjoyed the time we spent here.

Our instructor provided a nice history and explanation of falconry, as well as a demonstration. You get to hold a bird for a photo op, but you don’t actually get to fly the bird in the beginner lesson. We were unable to schedule an intermediate lesson during our stay. I have to say that having had the opportunity to take a single lesson in falconry when we were in Ireland, where we were able to take the bird out into the woods and fly it ourselves, this was somewhat of a let down. If you’ve never had any exposure to falconry, this is an okay introduction. If you expect to get to handle the bird for more than 30 seconds, you will be disappointed. The website lacks a solid description of the beginner lesson. If there had been one, I would have saved my money and skipped this. The intermediate lessons do not appear on the daily schedule, so schedule through the concierge. We were told the usual way they schedule the intermediate lessons is to find a beginner lesson slot without anyone signed up then make that into an intermediate lesson, which may or may not be a private lesson. If it’s private, it cost almost $2k. If you only get one chance in your life to do falconry, I’d recommend Ireland’s School of Falconry at Ashford Castle far above this experience.

The Beginner Falconry Lesson was amazing! What a unique experience to offer to guests & visitors of The Greenbrier Hotel. We learned so much and found a new appreciation for a sport rich in history.

Cody was entertaining and knowledgeable. We enjoyed him as much as the birds! A memorable experience for sure!

This was so so fun and so informative. Before we did it, I assumed I got to hold and relase a bird. But as the experience went on, we learned so much and I loved the birds, I forgot I wanted to do it myself!! Cody is an excellent guide. The birds and the history of falconry are exceptional. As about the Bentley Bird Package!!

My son (10 years) and I did the Aerial Adventure course at The Greenbt yesterday and had a great time. The guides were fantastic! The course is challenging, yet fun! Highly recommend!

Our family of 12 all had a wonderful time. The format is educational, interactive, and allows participation of every family member from 7 to 74. Highly knowledgeable and personable falconer and the variety of birds in a beautiful setting made it a most memorable experience.

Our experience was marvelous, the Greenbrier resort setting is absolutely incredible. Cody - our expert bird handler was extremely informative, patient and hands on. Our small class participated with excitement! We learned so much about birds of prey!

This was an amazing learning experience! We spent 30 minutes learning about all of the Hawks, Falcons and Owls in the barn, then went out and flew a Falcon and Large Owl around the property. The handler was amazing and so friendly. One of the top 5 experiences of a lifetime. Worth the cost.

This activity is simply fantastic and well done.

Cody does an excellent job explaining the sport of falconry and its history along with demonstrating the birds capabilities.

To be able to see these magnificent birds up close and in action is an unforgettable experience.

Well done and thank you for providing this adventure

This has been on my “To Do” list for a while, and I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer. I go to the resort a few times a year, but today I just went for the falconry. As with most things at The Greenbrier, it was educational, interactive, and fun. Cody, our guide, was wonderful! I would go back tomorrow just to do this again. The birds are gorgeous. The surroundings are impeccable. Do it.

Very informative and interesting. Fun for young and old! Super guide.
Highly recommend adding this to your visit’s itenerary!!

My family had an amazing experience at Greenbriar Outfitters! Our hosts went out of their way to make sure each of our 3 adventures with them we awesome and they knocked it out of the park. I also love that they took photos of our family so we could focus on the fun while they captured the moment to remember. We can’t wait to go back and try new experiences!

Cody was very knowledgeable and personable. Mom and I had a great time learning and interacting with the birds. I highly recommend this to all!

This was my favorite part of my stay at the Greenbrier. The trainor was amazing and provided a ton of educational information about birds of prey, their behavior and the history of falconry. I would do this again!!

The staff were wonderful and helped us customize a plan that fit our activity and adventure level! The bikes were great and the views from the river trail were unbeatable. A great way to spend the day!

A true on hands experience. This session supplemented our two classes we've taken on raptors in Carmel California, where those classes was learning about the raptors in our area. This class, taught by Cody, was actual hands on with the raptor du jour, learning the history of falconry and why raptors make an excellent hunting technique.

It was really cool to be up close to these beautiful birds. The trainer who showed us how they worked was a lot of fun and very positive. She shared a ton of really interesting information. It was also very cool to hold a couple of the birds and let them fly onto your arm.

This is a excellent opportunity for anyone interested in the ancient art of falconry, our guide was fantastic

We took our daughters (ages 6 and 8) and they had a blast! Cannot say enough good things about our guide Jesse, who was great with the girls and parents alike.

This was such an awesome experience. We made the last minute decision to attend the Falcon demonstration. The educator was very in tune with the birds and we had an excellent time. Would highly recommend!!!

Fantastic experience. Very informative. The birds were well trained and the Falconer was very knowledgeable. He interjected humor well and made sure to involve the youths in the demonstration

Amazing experience! We all loved this - Cody was an excellent guide and the birds were amazing. Also there were many Covid safety nods (everyone in masks obviously but also lots of sanitizing, etc.) This was expensive but so worth it. Loved!

I have done this activity now three times. The falconers are pleasant and experts. The owls are my favorite to interact with. I will do this activity again when I return later this year.

Anyone interested in the history of falconry, the current sport or simply a respect for birds of prey should schedule the experience. Cody is very knowledgeable and takes his job very seriously.

Very interesting and cool experience. The guide was very patient and engaging with my 6 year old son.

Super fun experience! Our instructor was very informative and I could tell that he truly loved his job. This is a highly recommended experience when visithe Greenbrier.

It was a great experience that I highly recommend.

My only disappointment was that I expected to receive photos via e-mail when returned home but haven't seen anything by one week later.

What a unique and fun experience! We learned about falconry and got to hold a falcon and a hawk. There was also an owl demonstration.

My husband and I both enjoyed this so much! Cody was a great guide and seeing and getting to touch some of the birds was amazing! It is a bit pricey but well worth the money for the experience! We will definitely be returning!

We did this because it seemed so novel and WOW it did not disappoint. We learned so much and had very unique experienced. Cody did a wonderful job explaining everything. Our group was small so we got a lot of hands on training.

Richard was a wonderful guide and driver and we were so relieved to have taken the jeep excursion. We are seniors abd anything else would have been too much!

The knowledgeable falconry instructor had a fact-packed presentation about the falcons, hawks, and an owl all of which we saw up close. We learned so much about this fascinating sport/early source of food dating back 4,000 years. We accompanied our instructor taking one of the hawks to hunt where we could watch it hunting for small animals, responding to her, and letting us hold it as well as have it fly over us grazing our heads as it sped beyond. Great activity during our stay at The Homestead in Warm Springs, Virginia!

This was the most exhilarating experience. Cody was very informative and the birds are majestic. Will definitely do this again on my next trip to the Greenbrier.

This was awesome. They did an excellent job! My daughter is 19, and I am 50. We did archery (challenging, but fun), learned to throw tomahawks (which was a lot of fun, btw), and had target practice with air rifles (also a lot of fun). I can highly recommend- totally worth it!

My daughter is studying veterinary medicine and is also seriously interested in falconry. I gave her gift certificates for a beginner and intermediate session with the falconer at The Homestead. I tagged along for the experience. My daughter was thrilled, and I was totally fascinated with every aspect of it. Highly recommended if you have even the slightest interest!
However, I would NOT recommend this for young children, or children who are not well-behaved around animals. This is not a petting zoo experience, nor is it a place where you just let kids be kids. These are wild animals that are not domesticated. (I say this with respect to the falconer, who related some horror stories of very poor behavior by kids towards her birds.)

The Aerial Adventure course was a hit with my Daughters and I. Thoroughly enjoyed our experience and our guides (Taylor and Sam) were very patient and personable!

We got a good lesson on the history of falconry. The Master Falconer was very knowledgeable. We go to experience the flying skills of several birds of prey in addition to falcons: Harris Hawk and Great Horned Owl. The experience wants me to return again for an advanced session.

This is an awesome experience and I recommend it to anyone. You get up close with beautiful birds of prey. The falconer was incredibly experienced and knowledgeable.

The class itself was very interesting, but definitely not worth the price. The program is advertised at $145/person plus taxes and fees for a 1.5 hour class. The final price for 2 people was $398. The bus picked us up at 11:15 and dropped us back off at 12:10. We were only at the actual class for about 40 minutes, which was very disappointing for the price.

The class included about 10 minutes of learning about the process, a photo-op with the bird, and a 25 minute round trip walk to a nearby field. Guide was great and showed us how the hunts work.

I tried an e-bike tour of Greenbrier for the first time in my many visits. I enjoyed seeing more of the grounds than I had walked. The e-bike was fun, especially powering the hills. Sim was a great tour guide with helpful information on history, the property, activities and houses.

The beginning Falconry lecture was, by far, the highlight of our trip to The Greenbrier. Cody is extremely knowledgeable and a great teacher. And the birds are simply magnificent! Highly, highly recommend!

Wife and I had an amazing time. Taylor was a great teacher and taught us both how to correctly throw tomahawks. The bows for archery were much better than we had at camp so we were a lot better than we expected. The air rifle was also a really cool experience and we were able to hit the really small, almost hidden targets. Thanks again, Taylor!!

We had a fantastic time at the Falconry Beginner Lesson with Cody. He was extremely informative and answered all questions. The birds were majestic. We took many beautiful pictures and videos. This is an activity no one should miss when visiting the Greenbrier. For those with concerns, this is a mostly outside activity and there were several Covid-19 safety procedures in place.

Great experience. As advertised. Falconer answered all questions and ha a good sense of humor. Thanks

Cody, the falconer, is wonderful. His knowledge, respect for the birds, and expertise makes this a neccessary activity. See my review of the hotel for pictures.

I waited a long time to go to The Greenbrier Falconry and it was worth the wait. The falcons flew above us and through us, and we got to hold one. It is also kid friendly and it was fun to watch their reactions.

What a fun experience! We learned so much! The instructor was amazing with his knowledge. Everyone walked away with a huge smile!

My husband and I signed up for the Falconry experience at the Greenbrier Resort. Cody was our expert and did an amazing job explaining the history and process of Falconry. He was extremely patient and kind to everyone. His love of what he does is evident. I will never forget this bucket list experience. Thank you

It was a great experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable. You learn first hand about the birds of prey. You also go outside for a walk and you get to have a photo op with the bird on your arm. I'm so glad we did it. I do feel it's very expensive.

Amazing experience for all ages, up close with multiple raptors. Informative and fun for everyone! Highly recommend…

My favorite part of the experience was petting the beautiful owl, and all the the information our guide, Cody, provided!

This was my 1st Falconry class. I did it at the Greenbrier & it was awesome. My lesson was with 2 other people. Cody was our Falconry Trainer. He was very good, gave us a history of Falconry & taught us about the training of the birds. Cody also told us that it takes 2 yrs. of apprenticeship to become a Falconry trainer. He worked with a male Harris Hawk in our lesson named Nate who is 21 yrs. old. Nate was very well behaved, gentle & fun to work with. We took a walk through a wooded area & then around to an open grassy area. Nate followed us on our walk & watched us from the trees as much as we watched him in the trees. We all took turns feeding the bird on our gloved fist & it was such a beautiful picture watching him fly in, land & eat his chicken reward. Sometimes he would sit there, rest & watch his surroundings as well as you ! It was a very fun experience to interact with the hawk that up close & personal. I highly recommend this activity & I will do again.

We very much enjoyed the Beginner Falconry lesson at the Greenbrier as part of our week long WV vacation to celebrate Mom’s 96th Birthday. It was definitely a highlight of our trip. Cody is a knowledgeable instructor and we both enjoyed being able to handle the birds and learn more about the sport of falconry and its long history.
We worked with a Lanner Falcon named DAISY, an Eurasian Eagle Owl named SAMMIE, & a Harris’s Hawk named RAZ. After returning from our trip, it is definitely one of the things we talk about most! We would definitely recommend signing up for this experience if you enjoy working with animals and learning more about them!

My husband and I recently attended the beginner's falconry lesson at the Greenbrier. I am truly at a loss for words to describe how incredible this experience was. This was the highlight of our three-week road trip. Cody, our instructor, gave excellent commentary about falconry in general and his falconry career in specific. Each of the participants in our group, if they wanted to, slid a hand into a heavy glove and held a hooded peregrine falcon at arm's length. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Cody snapped photos of each of us which were then emailed to us. Then Cody flew a gorgeous owl from post to post passing inches over our heads. What a thrill! Then a hawk showed his hunting skills. We were captivated the entire hour and a half. If you have the chance, do this experience!

We rented bikes to do the Greenbrier Trail for 2 days. It was great. The bikes were in very good condition and the guys at the shop were very helpful. They put on our personal pedals on 3 of our bikes which we really appreciated. They were also very helpful with advice on where best to start on the trail so as to maximize our two days. I will definitely go back and rent from Greenbrier Outfitters again.

A wonderful excursion at The Greenbrier Resort! Our guide was most knowledgeable, kind, and entertaining. The variety of birds and "tricks" displayed were fantastic and most enlightening. Would recommend to any guest.

Cody was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The birds of Prey were incredible, well trained and gave us all a feeling they are very well treated and happy.
Best experience of our stay at the Greenbrier.

Intermediate Falconry was amazing. Being March, my wife and I were the only ones doing the event. We "took our hawk for a walk" through the forest near the Mews with the falconer. The hawk would fly around/ahead of us and we would stop occasionally to let it swoop down and get pieces of chicken we held in our (gloved) hands. At the end the falconer brought out an Eurasian Eagle Owl that we also fed. Best falconry event we have ever done, and we have done them at two other resorts.

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff - highly recommended spending time with the staff, viewing the birds and asking questions.

The Falconry demonstration and interaction with the birds of prey was FABULOUS! I've always wanted to learn more about the sport but more important to me was the interaction with the birds. Cory, the instructor was extremely informative and knowledge about the birds, the sport and as a trainer, gave great insight on the training and care for the birds. We were able to have the birds land on our gloved arm, see how well trained they were as well as see their instinctive behaviors to hunt and find food. I would highly recommend it and will go to the intermediate class the next time.

We had a small group so we were able to have the hands-on experience of having the hawk (in our case) land right onto our hand. Our trainer, Cody, was great, patient and very knowledgeable.

Cody was excellent. He was very thorough in explaining falconry and its history. And his hands on demonstrations were outstanding.

The whole experience was great! The trainer was top notch! His knowledge of the history and his craft made the time fly and left us wanting more!!

The guys in the Greenbrier Outfitters were so helpful and friendly. Cody, the Falconer was so knowledgeable and fun. The whole experience was an absolute delight.

This was one of our all time favorite and most unique experiences. Loved getting to fly the falcon. Would highly recommend and would also do it again!

I can’t give this experience an honest review because I nearly fainted from sticker shock and had them cancel and refund our card. The price is not posted so I assumed it would be $30-$35 ea. I was wrong it was $145 each + an additional $50 in taxes in fees ea. Our total for 4….$780. Also the picture you see of the store front is not the location at all; it’s inside on the grounds of the Greenbrier Resort.

I have done the falconry activity several times. Each time I learn more about the birds and the sport. It is amazing to have the hawks land on your glove, then fly again. I don’t know any other place that offers this incredible experience. I highly recommend it and plan to do it again in the future.

Renting bikes was a fantastic way to see all the Greenbrier has to offer! We found horseshoes to play, saw the kitchen’s garden, ventured over to the Christmas Shop across the street, checked out real estate along the golf course and found the most beautiful mountain views! The cart to pull my baby was kind of rickety but it worked and he enjoyed the ride, too!

The link defaulted to Falconry but my review is for the bike shop. Wanted to learn about e bikes. Jsutin at Greenbrier was extremely helpful. Great way to see parts of Greenbrier you don't normaly see. Great experience

Highly recommend the Beginners Falconry class.
Cody, our instructor, was very knowledgeable, and handled the falcon, owl and hawk with ease.
It was a wonderful experience to have a falcon and a hawk land on your arm. It is a memory we will not forget.
It is a must to take this class while staying at The Greenbrier.

Falconry was a really fun excursion. The falconer was interesting, funny and a great presenter. Getting to see the birds up close and personal was just amazing. The 90 minutes flew by, highly recommend.

I am assuming that this is for the kayak trip on the Jackson River during our stay at The Greenbrier. The trip was fantastic. The guides (Heather and Zack) were extremely helpful and professional. The trip was amazing and peaceful. The few rapids we had were very navigable and confidence-building. Would highly recommend!

What a great experience!! We had so much fun, we'll recommend to all of our friends! If you're ever near The Greenbrier, the falconry experience is one thing you need to add to your list of things to do!

We signed up for this activity well in advance of our arrival as we were told certain activities fill up and are limited space & times wise.

We did Falconry our very first full day there (day after arrival). This was the activity I was looking most forward to and boy did it NOT disappoint. It was amazing!!! Cody was our Falconry Guide and he was awesome. We learned so much, the event was very educational. We watched & learner from Cody, walked to different areas to watch the Falcon & Cody do their thing. THEN, whoever wanted to give it a try was allowed. My hand went up right away.

It’s a very majestic & ancient activity. I’m still learning more & more about it since I’ve gotten home.

I’m truly glad we did this activity. A once in a lifetime experience, for us anyway. Just amazing!

What a terrific experience! Hands on experiential learning. The magestic birds are humanely treated and the trainers educated. Very cool experience.

An incredible experience! We learned so much about the birds and held a falcon. The falconer was so knowledgeable and answered all questions from adults and children.

Our family did 3 activities on our visit - aerial adventure course, falconry, and a half day bike rental. We thoroughly enjoyed all 3!

My son and I learn lot from the falconry. It was such a thrill to hold one on our arm!

The aerial course was really fun and challenged us all. You can choose to do just the easy challenges as many times as you want or to try the more difficult ones. They ensure your safety by showing you how the harness works and take pictures of you while on the course. I'll have to follow up and see if they sent those to me. I did receive the ones from falconry.

Our half day bike rental was my husband's favorite. The views from the golf course and winding hill roads were great. The e- bikes were a tremendous help on the inclines, and mine had a throttle that made starting up a breeze! They made sure everyone in our family had a bike for our needs that day. Great activity for some exercise, beautiful views, and enjoyment of nature.

This was a really fun, once in a lifetime thing. We got great pictures and it was really interesting to learn about.
I was hesitant to sign up but am really glad I did

What a great experience. My husband and I never did anything like that before so we took a beginner class. Our guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about her birds and job they do on the Omni Homestead property.
We loved to learn about different type birds of pray. Saw a hawk, a falcon and an owl.
We participated in a little training/show. Hold the bird on my hand (gloves required, of course)
Highly recommended

We rented bikes from Greenbriar Outfitters for a 2-day ride along the Greenbriar River Trail. Everything was arranged ahead of time. The bikes were in great condition. The guys at Greenbriar were friendly and helpful. They gave us some tips on best places to join the trail each day, including where to park. The trail was wonderful! All in all, a very enjoyable and smooth experience. Would definitely recommend.

This was an incredibly informative session. Getting to work with the birds was exhilarating. Cody was very knowledgeable, took the time to answer questions, and was informative. Would strongly recommend it to any guest

Mark

Encouraged by friends that had participated in this in the past, we put this at the top of our activities at the Greenbrier. Cody was our very knowledgeable guide through this experience and we can honestly say this was an exceptional activity. The birds are fascinating and we learned the history of Falconry as well. A must do activity!

Had a great time shooting sporting clays with Curtis on Kate’s Mountain. I highly recommend this activity! Curtis made it fun and enjoyable!! Thanks so much!!!

This was pretty cool. We didn't know much of anything about falconry, and weren't sure what to expect. The guide did a great job of teaching us about it and also seeing it in action.

Awesome time, would highly recommend and would definitely do again. Learned a ton about the different birds used.

My husband and I both thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience at The Greenbrier Falconry Academy. The instructor/faclconer, Cody, was excellent. The birds we interacted with included an owl, hawk and falcon. We also observed the other available falcons and an eagle. The birds were truly majestic and beautiful. The experience was educational, including the long history of falconry, the present modern-day requirements, and of course the nature of the birds. We highly recommend this available experience.
Carla and Dan, March 2021

The intro to falconry was fantastic. He picked us up in buses brought us to the location. Our guide was excellent and taught us an awful lot about falconry, exposed usto multiple different birds(owls, hawks and falcons). We had a great experience with these giant birds flying right next to us. I recommend it for everybody.

The Academy of Falconry is an amazing experiencing, as though I were checking something off my bucket list that I didn’t even know was on it. Cody began in the barn, watched by us and by hawks and falcons, with an informative lecture. His talk on hunting with birds of prey was factual and well-explained. We could also see hawks, falcons, and an owl on perches and in stalls. Cody demonstrated with Nate, a Harris hawk, a type of hawk that hunts in packs as collaborative predators. Cody was clear that falconry birds are tools for hunting, not his friends, an important distinction that many people, even adults, sometimes fail to make when anthropomorphizing wild animals.

We began to walk, the hawk flying from high perches to our guide's glove for the reinforcement of chicken. Cody demonstrated how the bird is able to fly through very small spaces, interested only in the meat and not in attacking. As our group was small, we all had achance to wear the glove and have the hawk fly to us, letting us understand some of the basics of how such reinforcement is done and giving us a, well, bird-eye view of the hawk's face and body. It was a real education.

Is it expensive? Relatively, put prices are upfront, and Greenbriar guests should expect the preservation charges. Money goes to the important cause of caring for and educating people about birds important to history and to the environment. Thank you for an amazing experience.

The kayaking trip was excellent! Jason was a great host who really made the experience fun. I highly recommend it. I will definitely do it again in the future.

If you have an opportunity to do this - take it! I had high expectations going in, but this experience blew me away. Our instructor was both knowledgeable and interesting. We had three high-energy children in our group (age 8, 7 and 3) as well as four adults and each of them had a blast. He tailored each individual experience to the age. Cannot say enough positive things about this experience and Cody!! Try this one out!

Cody, master falconer, shared great depths of knowledge. He is fully in tune with his birds' capabilities and skills.

Being shown the variety of birds and
learning how each one differs for trainability and hunting focus were two of the best parts.

And the birds themselves are just impressive to be that close to and see them work.

A fun adrenaline rush. Our guide, Kelly, was great! She encouraged us to step out of our comfort zone without being pushy. Would definitely recommend it to anyone.

The course was beautiful and incredibly built! My brothers and nieces and nephews had a great time. The guides were fantastic and super helpful and fun. The only reason I gave a four stars is because the price is more than the course is worth. We have been on much bigger and challenging courses for much less. Otherwise it was a great experience and we have a lot of great pictures and hilarious videos.

We loved the adventure course and the Falconry. We would highly recommend both options. Such great instructors and staff.

It was amazing, and the guide was excellent, when we went, it was only my partner and me. so we were able to do the course multiple times and then jump off multiple times which I would recommend.

The experience was awesome! Far exceeded my expectations! My wife and I loved it! Well worth the money.

Cody was so knowledgeable and we learned so much. Really great experience! It was the highlight of our trip to The Greenbrier.

My husband and I spent a wonderful relaxing week at the Homestead Resort. It was the highlight of the trip to experience the falconry. My husband is absolutely fascinated by birds of prey. He's always got an eye to the sky for eagles and hawks. We call him "the bird man". Linda was fabulous. Her love and respect for her birds was clear. She gave an over view of the birds she had that day ( an eagle owl, Harris hawk and a lanner falcon). She answered every question we had and then we took a walk while the Harris hawk flew over head. It was such a treat! At the end, we each got to have the hawk land on our gloved hand !!! She also had the hawk fly between and around us. A once in a lifetime experience for us !! We would definitely do this again and encourage anyone staying to enjoy the falconry.

Highlight of my stay there was attending both falconry sessions. Cody is very personable, patient, and can tell more than you ever expected to hear (that's a compliment).

The resort is still beautiful. The building is starting to see some wear and tear but it is easily overlooked with all that there is to do.
They do need to reorganize some of the staffing however. If you are expecting southern charm, you are probably not going to hear much. Most of the staff is international and they are capable and efficient but they are lacking hospitality! While visiting the coffee shop and front desk area, I just felt the staff was curt and almost rude and these are highly trafficked places that should have the best personalities.

This experience was absolutely awesome! I love the
"take a bird for a walk". The guide and handler was
definitely experienced, knowledgeable and effective.
This had been on my bucket list & it was my 80th
birthday~what more could a gal wish for?

Excellent time. Well worth the expense. The bird handler, Cody, was exceptional. Very experienced, knowledgeable and polite. What a great up close experience.

The skills of the trainer and the beautiful birds were amazing. So much detail that we learned today!! Cody was an amazing guide!!

Really great. Interesting and informative, and entertaining. The birds are amazing and Cody The trainer is also amazing

Loved, loved, loved the beginner falconry experience. I love birds of prey and this was a great opportunity to learn about falconry and have interaction with the birds.

The selection of birds of prey and the amount of time dedicated for the "Learning Experience" were perfect!"

I was skeptical about this. But wow, so interesting, informative and fun. I would highly recommend this experience for any trip to The Homestead. Linda is so enthusiastic and interesting - and a hoot of a person. Such a great time.

Unbelievable experience. Our guide knew so much about birds of prey--truly world-class. And holding a falcon plus seeing a hawk hunt in real time out in nature? Just amazing!

We had a lot of fun doing the ropes adventure course! Our two guides were so helpful and very patient with everyone! It was a fun experience for me and my 10 and 14 year old. It definitely was tough and would have been nice to have a few simpler tasks. I will worn you that if you have a fear of heights you should avoid this. I also think that after talking to others who were with us including myself it would have been helpful if the website had more pictures/videos and descriptions about the experience. Was it worth the $$$$- for the one time!

I strongly recommend the Falconry, Guided Electric Bike Tour and the Guided Bunker Tour. All were excellent and very informative. The Electric bike tour may require being more physically fit---but I am a 75 year old male and didn't have any issues after the introductory instruction before taking off. The knowledge level of all the Tour guides was great.

Patti and Ashley were fantastic guides. They made it fun and safe for beginners and we had a wonderful time!

My Father & I booked the Mountaineer Experience at the Greenbrier, and I can't tell you how much fun we had! I had no interest in the air rifles, until I shot one, and was hitting the farthest targets - in the wind! I was a first-time archer and fell in love with the sport, and plan to continue. I shot a buck and a boar from a distance! Tomahawk throwing took a while for me to succeed - but I did & it was so much fun! Courtney, our leader, was the best, and a real joy, as well as very helpful; you will love working with her if you get the chance. Bring your family & friends - a good time will be had by all, and who knows, you may find a new sport!

Great time with Cody and his falcon “Nate”. We got to learn a bit, ask questions, very, very small group due to rain and therefore we were able to interact with the birds more than is typical. A+++

This was an amazing experience. The birds were beautiful and the guide was friendly and informative.

Bruce was amazing! He was fun, informative, and made sure we were well-informed on safety. I cannot explain how much fun we had. Definitely not for the faint of heart!!

I spent a perfect afternoon on the Jackson River with guide, Kelly. It truly was a spectacular summer day, and I so enjoyed kayaking again. I wish I could do it all over again!

Opportunity to try archery, tomahawk throwing, and air rifle in one experience. Instructors were very friendly and helpful with tips and techniques to help you be more successful at each activity, which made the experience even more enjoyable. We had our adult children, 21 & 23, with us and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience as well. Fun for all, no matter your prior experience level.

We signed up for Falconry at The Greenbrier. We did not know what to expect. We were promptly driven to the sight of the Falconry. We were met by the Falconer. I apologize, I do not remember his name. He introduced us to Falconry and it's history. Showed us all the birds they have on site. He introduced us first to a Falcon. Then an Owl. Each of us held the falcon and the Owl. The surprising thing to me was how light the birds were. I believe 5-6 lbs are the normal weight of these types of birds. The Falconer was professional, informative, easy to listen to and fun. I highly recommend this activity a the Greenbrier

Cody was a fantastic falconer and he really for the group involved in the discussion and the hands on demonstrations were apt of fun.

plenty of education and history..I didn;t know hoe much I didn't know about Falconry..fascinating..really like getting to interact with the birds...highly recommend you try it

What a spectacular experience ! We got up close and personal with the birds who flew right past our heads, we were able to hold one, watched as one worked the woods. Just amazing. Can't recommend enough!

Was just an amazing experience to get up close and personal with these magnificent birds of prey. Have always wanted to learn more about the art of Falconry and this opportunity could not be passed up. Definitely a must do for anyone fascinated by these birds.

First and foremost I found the price of $127 short of resort gouging. One hour or less which 3/4 was taken up with verbal presentation and peering thru dense plastic to look at the birds and then one pass of having the bird land on your glove was less than value for money. In comparison the nature hike was 32 dollars for nearly 3 hours with a running explanation of history and the environment. Just seems out of line with other resort activities.

WOW! The Falconry at the Greenbrier was an outstanding experience. I learned a lot that I did not know and being able to see the birds up close and watch them perform was awesome! This is a rare experience and I highly recommend it. You will walk away with awe and respect not only for the birds but for those few individuals in the country who have devoted years of their lives to handling and caring for these great birds.

What an amazing experience! Cody was so informative and fun. We will definitely come back with our 12 year old daughter so she can experience it too!

The falconer was informative and friendly. The hawks, falcons and owls were wonderful, especially the close fly-bys. We also got great pictures.

My kids did the aerial course with Greenbrier Outfitters and loved it. Excursions with Greenbrier Outfitters are some of our favorite things to do when visiting The Greenbrier. The staff is excellent and the excursions are always safe and fun. Highly recommend!

I went with my hubby for beginner and myself for intermediate.

Cody is very informative and friendly. It is obvious that he cares a great deal for his charges (the raptors and guests).

Being close to these majestic creatures was a true highlight for me. I feel so privileged and thankful for this amazing experience and it will be a cherished memory.

Thank you Cody, Taz, Daisy, Sammy and Kurt for sharing your time with me.

Cody at the Greenbrier Falconry was great!!! His knowledge and experience in Falconry made the excursion fun and educational. If you get the chance to visit the Greenbrier, the Falconry is a must do activity!!!!

Great fun and adventure for the kids! Very well supervised so no accidents. Staff was great. Course challenging but doable. Highly recommended activity!!

Jen was our guide on the Mountaineer Course. She did a terrific job. She made it fun and safe regardless of our experience with the equipment. Highly recommend!

This was the highlight of our visit to the remarkable Greenbrier. Cody is such a wealth of knowledge. Even in the pouring rain it was still fantastic. This is a must do opportunity!

This experience seems a little pricey, but go - it is worth it! I compare it to a back-stage tour at a zoo, or similar place. Got to ask a ton of questions about how everything works - where the birds come from, how they take care of them, train them, .. Really fun to get to be so close to the action and see all the details. Handler Cody is very knowledgeable! Good for kids and adults, both.

Very informative and fun. Cody our Falconer guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. The birds were impressive and beautiful. It was a thrill to see them in action.

We chose the Greenbrier Adventure Center because of the availability of the type of bikes we needed and the ease of the shuttle to the Greenbrier River Trail. The staff were very helpful and Taylor was great in taking us to the start of the trail. We don't remember the name of the gentleman who picked us up, but he grew up nearby. He was very helpful and friendly as well. The River Trail was very scenic and in good shape. It has a very solid surface of small rock gravel. Some other rail trails I have traveled still have the larger rock from the original rail line but there has been a lot of effort to make this trail very rideable. There is a good effort to keep limbs, fallen trees, weeds, etc. cut back away from the trail There is an almost imperceptible uphill grade going North on the trail so it is very easy to ride for all levels. My wife really appreciated the E-bike that she had because usually I have to stop and wait on her multiple times. She was able to keep up with me with no problem. We rode 5 miles up the trail and then turned around and came back to the starting point - a 10 mile round trip- which she normally could not have done. The only complaint she had was that the bike needed a more padded seat. Thanks for a great overall experience.

It was great 👍.
The gentlemen who ran the program was real and a professional falconry person. He said he has been doing this trade for over twenty years.
He is a licensed and registered Falcon trainer.
He spend hours on education of falconry and also demonstration.
Once in a life time Experience, don’t miss.

I absolutely loved this educational experience with gorgeous birds of prey. I had never been that close to owls, falcons and hawks before. And watching the teamwork between the bird and trainer was amazing. Highly recommend,

Fun group, helpful, knowledgeable, and capable staffers.Just the right amount of sore today-worth a try!!

Our guide Cody was fantastic! Educational and fun. I'm just in awe of what goes in to training these birds. So glad I got to participate in this!

Our falconer, Linda, made the experience a lot of fun! She taught us a lot, made it very interactive, and it was probably the most memorable part of our weekend trip. Great experience from start to finish.

Seeing the red hawk actually hunt was interesting. Also, the owl going through his exercises was excellent. I had never seen a Falcon up close.

Great trip. We put in at the campground, and they picked us up down river. Great family trip. Easy rapids, class 1-2, fun, but not scary. Great family activity. I would highly recommend and go again. I would rent the inflatable kayaks, the area much more stable and comfortable.

We thoroughly enjoyed our falconry experience. Cody was great with the birds, very engaging and entertaining to listen to. We were able to feed some of the birds and let them land on our hand. We got to pet the 11 month old owl. It was a very close-up and fun class. It's definitely a must do for visitors at Greenbrier!

This was such a cool experience! The guide was super knowledgeable, nice, and funny. I was captivated the entire time by his falconry knowledge and stories. Since it was off-season, our guide allowed time for each of us to feed the falcon too! The falcons were obviously well-trained, so it’s safe for children to enjoy too. If you love birds, definitely go experience this and learn about the sport of falconry!

Super cool experience. Cody, the Falconer is very sociable and informative. The birds are very cool. There are a variety of birds to see...Eagle, owl, multiple falcons. I learned a lot about bird behavior and falconry. I would go again because different birds work each day depending on which one needs to eat.

My wife and I visited the Falconry at the Greenbrier and were amazed how these unique birds of prey were trained and performed. Members of the group learned all about the different birds in the Falconry and some were even allowed to hold out their arm and have the bird land on it after a short flight...an amazing way to spend a few hours...nothing like it I have ever done.

The experience was a highlight for me personally and a memorable experience for everyone else. Cody was entertaining as well as informative ~ a perfect mix! We would all like to return for more lessons and to experience the wonder of this incredible sport.

WE had never done a hawking experience. WE had a great time and the falconer was exceptional and gave us a once in a lifetime experience. I would recommend it to anyone.

Wow! What a great experience! My daughter Kathleen and I learned so much about Falconry! And it was fun, too! Our guide Kelly was so knowledgeable with all the questions that were asked and about the 6 birds that were presented. I would recommend this especially to anyone that has a love of animals or birds!

This activity is a great experience for all ages. So much history of falconry to understand. The instructors are very experienced and knowledgeable.

great time. my family has a blast. our guide was friendly and very helpful. many levels of difficulty and different skill levels

What a dismal disgusting home for these beautiful birds of prey! The cells holding the birds have no ventilation and there is nothing inside their “prison” that would mimic the outside environment.
People need to realize the birds good allocation is highly regulated, and this is used as an “incentive” for them to perform and entertain the guests who chose this activity. The “food control” is dictated by Cody the sadistic warden.
It was a dreadful experience and my heart broke when I saw a beautiful owl crouching in the corner of his cell sitting in gravel.
What a huge disappointment to see these animals in such abysmal conditions!

Great introduction to the sport, techniques and different birds. Specially enjoyed the demonstration of the birds flying abilities.

I had such a great experience at the Greenbrier Falconry. We learned so much from Cody about this fascinating sport and about the raptors. It was really impressive to see the birds in action up close. Don’t miss this opportunity.

Just a wonderful intimate experience with these gorgeous creatures. And it's more than falcons, there are owls, hawks and a beautiful huge lady eagle. Enjoy!

My husband and I chose this great kayaking excursion for part of our anniversary week of celebration! We were not disappointed at all, as we went on the Jackson River in Virginia. The team of three from Greenbrier Outfitters worked so well together to make this trip worthy of a 5 star review. This was our first time to go kayaking in tandem, and were not disappointed. Others on the trip with us were all very pleased.

The entire experience was amazing and the staff is wonderful-so incredibly patient and helpful. They made the adventure a memorable time for all of us.

Amazing experience learning about falconry. Informative and interactive with multiple birds observed.

Everyone I talked with was great. Kind, helpful, and knowledgeable about all of the activities offered at the Greenbrier Outfitters. The falconry experience was so much fun, educational, and amazing. To be up close to someone the most majestic birds of prey was truly magical.

This was so much fun and truthfully way better than expected. The birds are so majestic and our group definitely learned a lot about falconry that we did not know. It certainly should be on your list when you visit The GREENBRIER.

The Falconry experience was second-to-none. We took the beginners class about 8 years ago, and finally made it back for the intermediate class. These interactions were both informative and entertaining. This is guaranteed to be of those memories you'll still talk about for years to come.

The falconry class was informative and fun. We learned a lot more than we were expecting and had a great time with the birds.

Great time. Guide was super good with kids and very knowledgeable. The kids had a great experience

Linda did an interesting and informative session re these birds. However, most of the time was spent with her talking to us. The only hands-on parts were a photo op posing with a bird and then having once chance for a bird to fly to your arm from perhaps 25 feet away.

We had taken a falconry session elsewhere, and most of that time was hands on with the bird flying amongst the participants while the instructor educated us...much more fun than Linda's session.

We did the Mountaineer experience and the Ariel ropes course. They were both great. They had great guides that explained everything without sapping the fun out of it. Our family really enjoyed themselves, and as there were 10 or 11 of us we were sort of a challenge for them, but we threw axes, did archery, and shot airguns, then we went and did the ariel adventure. It is something for the younger crowd or at least be in decent shape, but entirely safe, and really fun. I would recommend all that these guys offer.

This is a wonderful experience but better done with only 1-3 people in order that the bird can be made to fly in and land on the arm of the individuals taking in the entire experience. This is not possible with a group of ten and something is lost in that. Linda is witty, smart and reads her groups very well. Glad we did it and would do it again.

Absolutely fantastic! Cody was so well informed and gentle with the birds. This was something I always wanted to do and the program did not disappoint.
I will definitely sign up again ! Thank you!

I’m not a bird lover but decided to do this as it was something I knew nothing about. Linda ( the falconer) was very interesting and informative. The birds are beautiful and well trained. They would swoop down snd you would think they’d run into you but of course did not. There was also a huge owl that was beautiful.

We did not expect much from the Falconry experience, and thought it was a bit pricey. Wow, we’re we wrong...it was well worth it and Cody was incredible. So knowledgeable, polite, experienced. It was great...one of our favorite things at the Greenbrier.

The falconry experience was fantastic. If you have an interest and find yourself at the Greenbrier - then treat yourself! It was entertaining, informative, and memorable.

The falconer was knowledgeable and presented interesting information while showing and flying the birds - not only about each bird, but about falconry in general. He welcomed all questions. Hawks, falcons, and owls were handled close up and allowed to dart back and forth and swoop overhead - with several others on display, but not flown (they keep to a rotation).

The highlight (other than coming eye to eye with a giant owl) was when we went on a short walk through the woods with a hawk soaring loose in the trees above as together we "hunted" for small game. Overall, the experience was well worth the cost of admission.

A great kayaking trip down the beautiful Jackson River, with an excellent, knowledgeable guide, complete with rock-skipping and crawfish hunting. A shame that other Greenbrier guests wasted their afternoon on golf. But that didn’t stop the staff from giving me a wonderful time. Highly recommend it.

Great experience! Thank you! Learned a lot. Really enjoyed it. Would recommend to others. Friendly staff. See you again

I was thinking it was a basic kayak down a "flat" river and we had 12+ mini rapids!! I'm an experienced paddler, so I LOVED it. Just enough to be a true adventure. Just be aware. Greenbrier shuttled us in a nice van 40 minutes into Virginia. Garrett and Max were fantastic ("sweep" and "lead"). Samantha was a terrific shuttle driver and coordinator. I enjoyed chatting with Garrett in between some serious rapids here and there over approx 2 hours. Max was a trooper because he had 5 teenage boys who were pretty rowdy. We were in 2 vans---the team made a good/discreet call to have the 5 boys in one, and 2 families in the other (even though we would have all fit, tight, into one van. The (Lower) Jackson River is worth the trip! South of the dam. Very active current + the light rapids as mentioned. If someone in your group has *never* been kayaking before, be sure to ask about the mini-rapids. They might be nervous and get stuck pretty often. We had 1 instance of a flip-over, but the teen boy may have been goofing off.

This is one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had in my life! We signed up for a Monday morning lesson in off season. We were just 3 in the group. It made it so special!
First we enjoyed a lecture from Linda about the eagles and the falcons, who were sitting patiently on their perches in the small building. It was so interesting to learn about falconry, an eye opener for sure.
We then went outside with Linda, who brought out an eagle. She let it loose, and it sat up in a tree where it was looking for prey. She then had the eagle come back to her, using some meat. I used my iPhone to shoot amazing videos and pictures. (Do not bring a large lens!). At one point, Linda stood behind me, and let the bird fly over my head! I took a slo motion video of it. The footage is amazing. The eagle also flew between two people, folding up it’s wings. I then put on her glove, and had the eagle come back to me landing on my glove. I then released the eagle. To stand there with a wild animal so close to me, it made me feel special! Linda also brought out an owl, we were able to pet it’s belly!
Linda was superb, she left a big impression on me. I can’t wait to take another lesson from her! After a month, I am still looking at my pictures and videos. So, so special!!

Mr. Kincaid was a GREAT instructor! If visiting The Greenbrier, definitely add this to the itinerary. Worth the time and money, and honestly, a good deal for the session. We were visiting from Washington, D.C. and completely new the the West Virginia Greenbrier experience. We will be coming back, for sure.

Great experience! Loved learning the history of falconry. The owl was magnificent! We were up close to all the birds. Highly recommend!

We got this experience for our dad's birthday gift and I was lucky enough to join him. We learned so much about the intense process of becoming a falconer and saw some amazing birds. We even got to hold and interact with a falcon several times (we had a very small group that day). Cory was exceptionally knowledgeable and good at what he does. Definitely a memorable experience. Next time, I'm bringing my sons.

Linda has such wonderful knowledge and passion for her birds 🦅
You will get caught up in her enthusiasm and learn and have 🤩

We did the Polaris RZR Driving, the Ropes Course, and the Mountain Biking while we were there. Justin and Jesse were great to deal with, I'm missing a few other names. The staff who ran the shop for the outdoor activities at the Greenbrier, were great. They used a QR code to sign, and fill out the forms, which made check-in a breeze. The staff was friendly, courteous and kind, answered all questions, and helped you along the way. I would book again with them.

Outstanding experience! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. We enjoyed ourselves immensely. We would recommend this activity to everyone.

Great guide, interesting history
Great time
Enjoyed the views, loved the Chapel, inside was beautiful

We did not spend the night here, but we did spend several hours as day guests. We booked two activities in advance, one being the falconry lesson and the other being a bunker tour.

With regard to the falconry tour, we enjoyed it, but I am sorry to say that it was way over priced. Coming in at almost $200 per person (and that was for just the beginner lesson), it was more of a history lesson about falconry, and not very interactive. I was expecting that you’d be able to wear the glove and have a bird fly onto your arm. In actuality, each of us did get a picture with the bird on our arm, but that was it as far as the interaction. We did learn quite a bit about falconry, and the tour guide also had several instances where he had the birds fly right through the middle of our groups, which was cool. The guide Cody was excellent.

Absolute highlight of our trip to Greenbrier. Our guide was engaging, knowledgeable, and patient with my less than stellar outdoor skills. We were extremely fortunate to book on a rainy afternoon as our class size was very small enabling much opportunity to handle the birds. I held a magnificent owl and falcon, and flew and caught a hawk. I can not emphasize enough if you have a remote interest in falconry you must book this class. I apologize that I don't remember our guides name but you know who you are and I thank you for an amazing memory.

My wife and I did the falconry excursion and loved it. Cody did a great job explaining the history of falconry, how one would get into the hobby, and the entire falconry process. We got to see a live demonstration of how falconry works in the wild, as well as see first hand how these birds of prey operate in the wild. Would def recommend!

My favorite part was when the falcon few right by me!! The whole program is amazing. A bucket list item if you love nature and wildlife!!

This experience was a highlight for us! The birds are beautiful and getting up close was very exciting. Cody is an amazing handler, his presentation was dynamic and very interesting, we learned a lot! I would do it again.

The Falconry experience was definitely the highlight of our trip to the Greenbrier Resort! My grandkids (ages 10 and 7) were somewhat skeptical and thought they might find it boring, but they both were amazed and fascinated the entire time, as were we four adults! Cody did an outstanding job of giving us lots of information and keeping it fun and entertaining. He was great with the kids, answering their multitude of questions which, at times, were somewhat silly. We were all in awe of getting to hold a falcon, and of getting to watch the falcon, the owl and the hawk all fly, sometimes almost touching us!

Was thrilled to be able to interact directly with the falcons and other birds of prey. Guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Outfitter staff was also very helpful. Note-if you can schedule the experience during a less popular time, you’ll get more hands on time with the birds.

The presenter had fun and was dedicated to his job. We thoroughly enjoyed it and learned more than we've ever known about falconry.

The Falconry experience was incredible! I learned so much about these beautiful creatures, gained an entire new respect for their abilities, instincts and differences. Their Falconer is full of passion for what she does, very knowledgeable and patient with our questions. This is one of those experiences that you will remember for life!

Being able to hold the birds and to experience how close they get to people while hunting. Learning about the history of falconry and the bond between the bird and the falconer. Cody (the falconer) is knowledgeable as well as an excellent instructor.

I absolutely enjoyed my experience with the birds of prey. The instructor was very informative about the birds, the history of falconry and how to become involved in falconry. Hands on experience was once in a lifetime. I interacted with the Harris hawk and the owl. The falcon sat on the glove on my arm. The birds are absolutely beautiful up close. I recommend this to anyone who likes animals. It is definitely a unique opportunity. It was the highlight of my trip to the Greenbrier.

We've seen falcons fly at events before. But never have we been face-to-face with the birds as they flew! Great program and a wonderful demonstration of these majestic birds!.

Not only did I learn a great deal, it was amazing to experience these beautiful birds and be a part of the experience.

The Falconer was amazing. He was very informative and made the lesson fun while providing info. The team that took us to and from the lesson was very attentive

This was fabulous!! My son and I enjoyed every minute and would do it again. The instructor was wonderful too! She took the time to explain everything and made it so fun. You could tell she loved these birds and cared about each one.
Thank you for this experience.

I knew nothing about falconry before this activity. The guide was informative and funny. The birds were amazing to learn about and watch. I now know the history and current state of falconry as a hobby sport!

Jason was an excellent guide. He was quite knowledgeable about e-bikes. We appreciated his patience since it has been a while since we had ridden bikes. He was very knowledgeable about information specific to the resort and about the history and lore of the 11,000 acres. Truly a 5 star experience.

My daughter and I had a great time. Our guide, Kelly, was so encouraging and helpful throughout the adventure course.

Falconry Academy was Well worth the price. Cody, the Falconer was fascinating, detailing the history of the sport & what it takes to be one now. Every minute was a learning experience. I went with 4 others & we All were able to fly the birds to feel what it was like to Be a Falconer.
Just marvelous. Try to go when the group is small to get a real feel for it

We did three activities with Greenbrier Outfitters. They were all great but my favorite was Falconry. The falconier shared the history and all the depths of falconry. I am so fascinated that I plan to watch videos about it, The birds are gorgeous and took my breath away. It is a must do!!!!!

The cost is absolutely absurd like every other activity at the GB. However, the falconer was great and super informative. Would I do it again? No, it’s not worth the money. Did i enjoy it? Yes.

This was an awesome experience! Our group was small, so we got to do quite a bit of interacting with the birds. Everyone got to hold a falcon and catch and release a hawk, in addition to walking out along the wooded road with a hawk "following" us. We also had some owl interactions. Cody was a wonderful instructor and provided us with an interesting history of the sport as well as details about what it takes to train a bird of prey. My husband and I both enjoyed our time at the Falconry Academy!

The Greenbrier is a special place. Golf was fabulous. Fly fishing and the falconry was awesome. The spa was great. The Restaurants were all delicious. The staff was so friendly and I loved how a lot of them have been there for decades.

If you enjoy being outdoors and are naturally curious about birds of prey, this is a can’t miss experience. It was worth every penny. Kudos to Linda for her work with the birds and answering 100 questions from our group. We loved the walk and the tricks the bird did with us. We will be back!

This was a great experience from start-to-finish. Friendly guides who did all the heavy lifting and answered everyone's questions. Well-maintained kayaks. A beautiful float about five miles down the Greenbrier River. A couple of spots where the pace of the river picked up, but otherwise, a fair amount of paddling required. A great way to spend a couple of hours.

Our ebike tour ended up with a nasty fall, but the resort handled it beautifully, and otherwise the stay was wonderful. We ate dinner in two of the restaurants and had breakfast in the main dining room both days. Food was great! The historic building and grounds are beautiful and well maintained.

I do, however, have a warning about the ebike tours for small individuals or kids. I am quite a tiny woman (under 5 feet tall, under 120 pounds). Even with the seat in the lowest position, I couldn't touch my feet to the ground, and the bike was heavy. They had no other ebikes to offer me, so I decided to go ahead anyway. Did fine for about 2/3 of the scheduled 90 minutes, but fell rather spectacularly when I needed to stop on an incline and the weight of the bike was dragging me down the incline and preventing me from getting free of it. They might not have an ebike to suit a small person or a teenager.

My daughters (12 and 14) did the the Beginner course. Our "guide" was Cody and he was great. Very knowledgeable and personable. We got a good dose of history of falconry and what it takes to be a falconer and got introduced to a variety of birds. Everyone got to have their hand in a glove with a hawk grabbing hold for pictures. Cody then demonstrated some flying with the owl and Harris hawk that was very cool. All in all very educational and entertaining. My girls enjoyed it.

Literally one of the best experiences. A must do if you can get a reservation. The instructor was witty and very well informed. He filled the class with lots of great info and plenty of hands on. Probably the best part of our trip with the most personable staff.

I went to the Falconry tour, and the experience and guide was tremendous. Our falconry subject matter expert was very informative, knowledgeable, and held your attention totally during the entire experience. If you are visiting the Greenbriar and there are a ton of things to do at this resort, this is one that you will not be disappointed to take.

Our guide, Jerry, provided a good background on the sport, the birds, the process of learning to be a falconer before demonstrating the fascinating skill of the bird and trainer. We each held the bait while the hawk swooped down from the tree to our outstretched arm. It was a great experience.

We had an awesome time on our trip to the Greenbrier and the guys and gals at Greenbrier Outfitters took great care of us - prices were high as to be expected at a resort such as this - But Zack and Max and the crew were so helpful and friendly and made it so enjoyable during our bike rentals and morning on the arial adventure course. Highly recommend!

Our falconer guide was knowledgeable and obviously enjoyed his job. He let us hold the birds and gave us so much information about them. Really a once in a lifetime experience.

The falconry experience was fun, informative, and had some exciting moments! I don't want to give any surprises away, but it was a very worthy experience to have.

The overall experience at the Greenbrier was fantastic, almost overwhelming beauty everywhere one could look. We participated in three outdoor activities, falconry, fly fishing and shooting sporting clays. had a great time and a first class experience. The man handling the Falcons and the other birds of prey was very impressive and unique and his capabilities to hunt with Birds. The Greenbrier certainly deserves to be called America’s resort. Grover and Christine czech

A once in a life time connection with birds of prey.
Cory did a great job of informing us all about the different species, about falconry, and provided us with a one on one experience with the birds. Very fascinating....

Very friendly and nice I went with my wife for our honeymoon and had a great time
Differently Worth coming again lots of puddles and lots of steep hills and some good views up on the mountain

If you love eagles, hawks, falcons and owls, you will FLIP for the Falconry and the very amusing and knowledgeable Cody, the dude in charge. A fabulous morning interacting with these incredible birds and unforgettable memories....not to mention Facebook and Instagram pictures!

Well run, informative, good instructor and enjoyed it. All around recommend, esp for kids. Very easy pickup and drop off.

Great afternoon led by very experienced skilled leaders. Encouraging us all to participate and cheering us on!

The falconry experience at The Greenbrier was excellent! Cory did a great job telling us about the history of the sport and training the birds. We went on a nice walk with them and watched the bird work. He had the bird swoop by our heads! Very exciting.

We signed up our family last minute (kids ages 7 and 4). We didn’t have any expectations since we didn’t know much about Falconry. The instructor Cody, who has been a trainer for 22 years, was fantastic! Informative, nice, efficient, and SO FUN! My husband enjoyed it the most and even he was shocked at how much he learned! Highly recommend this class!

We had a wonderful time on this adventure. Not too rough and just enough time. Our instructor was well informed and patient.

I honestly can't imagine a more magical experience! I WOULD Highly recommend to everyone! So educational and fun... you'll leave smiling!

Falconry at the Greenbrier with Linda was an OUTSTANDING experience. Yes, $160 is about twice what the experience should cost but Linda's expertise and interaction is worth the money.

We had an amazing time with Linda! We were up close and personal with a Harris Hawk. As transport volunteers at the Carolina Raptor Center, our interactions with raptors are limited to bringing injured birds to the hospital or releasing birds that have been through rehab back into the wild. This experience gave us the chance to enjoy healthy birds in their environment as they hunted. Would highly recommend this activity!

We really enjoyed our experience at Greenbrier Falconry Academy. We were the only two for the beginner lesson so we got to have the hawk perch on our gloved hand a few times each. Cody is very knowledgable about hunting with birds and he shared a lot of information. It’s expensive but also a once in a lifetime experience for us.

Wow - what an informative, fun, interactive experience!
This was my very favorite activity during our entire six days at The Greenbrier. Cody is so knowledgeable and passionate about his love for the animals. It was an amazing experience! I will definitely book this activity upon my next visit to The Greenbrier!

Falconry was incredible. Made My 14 yo an appt for this, and he begrudgingly accepted thinkin he’d hate it. He got done said it was the coolest thing EVER. Demo w a hawk and eagle!

What a fantastic adventure! Our host was very knowledgeable and made the experience one we will not forget. I recommend this experience to anyone visiting the Greenbrier!

The experience seemed a bit disorganized at the start, but once the van arrived at the Falconry location things got better. The lecture was interesting and the lecturer was very well informed, but the star of the show was the hawk who put on quite a show. It is a good show for those 10 years and older. I thought it to be a little pricey.

Two of us have been at the Greenbrier the past week and it has been fantastic. We have tried a number of their paid activities in addition to complimentary offerings and have enjoyed everything.

The falconer who lead this excursion was knowledgeable, interesting, and funny. Loved seeing all the birds, getting to hold a few on my arm, and the walk through the woods with one of them.

That having been said I am now sure it’s worth $500 for two people. Again, the falconer did his job well and was very informative. It just seemed more like a demonstration with a tiny bit of actual interaction with the birds. Had I paid $150 - $250 for two I would have been perfectly happy. I have to admit to feeling a bit ripped off when the bill, with tax, tip, and historic presentation fee, came to double that.

I was not excited about this at all but agreed because my husband thought it would be good. I think I liked it more than he did! We had a brief history of Falconry in midevil times as well as the current process to become certified to own/train birds. My favorite was having the owl fly with in inches of us and not touch us. Highly recommend.

Our favorite activity at the Greenbrier we went twice on the same trip! The woman who runs it was fantastic. We learned so much hunting with these magnificent Harris hawks.

We took both the beginner and intermediate classes at the Homestead. Linda was great. She introduced us to her Saker falcon, 3 Harris hawks, and the most beautiful eagle owl. After a very informative talk about the beautiful birds, we took out Remington, a female Harris hawk. She proceeded to demonstrate Remi's amazing agility and skills. Placing my husband and me less than 6" apart, she had Remi fly from a distant tree right between us, and we only felt the tickle of her wings.

The following day during the intermediate course, we were allowed more interaction with Remington. We were allowed to land and fly her ourselves multiple times and watched her hunt.

It was a truly amazing experience, made all the better by Linda's friendly approach and extreme knowledge. Would highly recommend this experience.

What a great experience, our instructor was incredible and very fun and knowledgeable.
We loved it!!!!!

This was the Intermediate Falconry course with Cody Morgan, the resident licensed falconer. I had taken the Beginner Class with him a couple of years ago, and couldn't wait to go back. It was great!!!!

Highlight of our trip to The Greenbrier! A perfect mix of education, demonstration, and hand-on experience. Linda is a dedicated professional who takes the time to be sure everyone is safe, comfortable and informed. Of course, the true stars are the beautiful birds you meet and interact with while learning about their predatory ways.
Make the time for this truly unforgettable experience!

This experience was fantastic! Linda was extremely knowledgeable and has the utmost respect for the birds. My son and I learned a lot. We were fortunate to be in a small group so got to hold two different birds as well as see an owl at work. We will treasure the memories for a long time.

I did a scavenger hunt with a group of 18 (we split into 3 groups) and the mountaineers experience. It was fantastic! The scavenger hunt was way more fun than what I thought it would be and we now have super fun pictures of it.
The mountaineer experience was nice and peaceful because we were lucky enough to not have anyone else with us. 7/7 would do it again! Btw, throwing tomahawks is so hard!

We loved the Falconry. It was the highlight of my hubby's vacation. Cody was great!!We were thoroughly entertained and he answered all our questions. We loved the demonstrations with Nate. It was expensive but worth every penny. What a fascinating sport!

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our falconry experience. Cody kept us all captivated with his presentation and amazing raptors! It was an interactive experience and one we will not forget! Highly recommend.

Linda was personable and knows her raptors. We learned a lot, and had a great time. Holding these magnificent creatures and watching them hunt was an exceptional experience.

Great experience. Have worked with birds in falconry many times. This experience was right up there with the best.

The Mountaineering adventure (archery, axe throwing, air rifles) was a blast. Our kids (9 & 7) loved it!

Our guides Taylor & Becca were awesome. Very personable and knowledgeable.

What an amazing experience! Truly unforgettable. Would highly recommend if your staying at Greenbrier!!
You get to learn about falconry, and even get chance to hold birds!

The Greenbriar Resort is a special place. There is a lot of history to the place both old and more recent which is worthwhile to take the time to learn. The activities we did: aerial ropes course, Falconry, Bunker Tour and Mountaineering, carriage ride are worthwhile. Both pools are lovely as well. My mom and I enjoyed the salon but sadly didn't have an opportunity to enjoy the well known spa. Gold, tennis and Be prepared to dress accordingly.equestrian centers look beautiful but we didn't participate. There are several hiking trails that we wanted to do but ran out of time for.
I would recommend the hotel does more waste recycling (bottles, coffee cups, compost). I also was not pleased with the breakfast options which were very slim and again waste producing. A high class hotel should be on board with sustainability beyond not washing towels from one day to the next.

Loved the falconry experience. The falconer, Linda was engaging, enthusiastic, super informative. Well spent time! The birds were awesome. Plenty of picture taking opportunities. I highly recommend this adventure.

One of the absolute best things to do at the Greenbrier. Very professional. Safe. And absolutely amazing.

I've seen a few falconry presentations, but this one is one of the best. Beside the majesty of these birds, the falconer get the audience involved. She has the falcon fly in patterns around people, or in my case, between people, with the wings literally flapping on your head. Such an incredible show, so if you have the time, it is absolutely well worth it!

This was the one activity at the Greenbrier that I told the hubby to do by himself. Not something I was interested in at all. Boy was I mistaken. He talked me into this once in a lifetime experience. I mean really how many people can say they have seen falconry in real life. I am so glad to say that I am one of them. Cory was great. The birds were amazing. My favorite wa the Owl Sammy...beautiful bird! We were a small group of 5 so we really got an immersion into the sport. Birds flew around and over us, they landed on us, and showed us how they hunt. Worth every penny and very moment there. Will do again.

Great kayaking experience for husband and myself! Our first time--was fun and definitely something we would do again. Highly recommend!

We had a great time at the Greenbrier, especially the two activities we did with Greenbrier Outfitters. Our whole family enjoyed geocaching, which is suitable for kids and is not very strenuous. Set aside perhaps two hours for the activity if you have kids in your party. If we could do it over again, we would have done geocaching on the first day of our visit because it is a good way to get to know the resort's campus.

My seven-year-old son also enjoyed the aerial ropes course. The two guides, Garrett and Charlotte, were WONDERFUL with him. He had one or the other's attention pretty much his entire time on the course. They were very patient with him. I highly recommend both activities.