Attractions in West Virginia offer something for every traveler, from stunning natural landscapes and historic landmarks to family-friendly adventures and vibrant cultural sites.
Visitors can marvel at iconic destinations such as the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, explore Harpers Ferry’s rich history, or enjoy the scenic beauty of Blackwater Falls and Seneca Rocks. Charming mountain towns, local museums, unique shops, and lively festivals add to the state’s welcoming atmosphere. Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless opportunities for hiking, rafting, rock climbing, and wildlife watching. With its blend of outdoor fun, heritage, and small-town charm, West Virginia’s attractions make every trip unforgettable, showcasing the best of Appalachian adventure and hospitality. Be sure to visit our Attractions Travel Guide for more information about attractions in West Virginia.
OAK HILL, W.Va.—America’s newest national park now also ranks among the best national parks in the U.S. for fall foliage, according to Best Life magazine. The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve was named among the six best parks in which travelers may witness autumn in all its glory, according to Becky Sullivan, executive … Read more
GRANDVIEW, W.Va. — Visitors to the Grandview area of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in southern West Virginia should expect temporary closures and delays beginning on or around Wednesday, August 17, according to acting superintendent Jay Newman. Grandview is among the most popular attraction in the national park and features multiple trails … Read more
PINEVILLE, W.Va. — What did an authentic Appalachian pioneer farm of the 1800s look like? Perhaps there’s no better place to find out than in a remote corner of field and forest at Twin Falls Resort State Park in southern West Virginia. In the 1960s, while building the park, former superintendent Morris E. “Smokey” Harsh … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va.—In search of funding for a historical tourism project? Two West Virginia agencies are working together to help tourism initiatives fund historic preservation projects. The West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office and the West Virginia Department of Tourism will host a webinar on August 18 for owners and administrators of privately and publicly-owned historic … Read more
DAVIS, W.Va.—The Dolly Sods Wilderness is part of the Monongahela National Forest in the Allegheny Mountains. It is arguably one of the most remarkable natural regions in West Virginia, if not the entire East Coast. To get a sense of why that is, travelers need to understand what this federally managed land is—a nearly 17,500-acre … Read more
RALEIGH, W.Va.—A landmark industrial building near Beckley, West Virginia, has been determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The former powerhouse for the Raleigh Coal & Coke Company—perhaps best known for the swastika motif that decorates its trim—was found eligible based on its architectural and industrial importance, according to Cody Straley … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va.—Thanks to the dramatic increase in visitation to America’s newest national park, motor vehicle traffic in and around Fayetteville is building remarkably, leading officials and business leaders to recommend exploring safety measures that could include traffic signals. Sharon Rynard, whose commercial property on US-19 sees some of the highest traffic in the region, says … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va.—Repeated enough, hearsay can morph into what would seem fact, despite the evidence. The New River is a good case in point. “The New River and the Nile are the only rivers that flow north.” Many students heard this often as a child growing up near the New in southern West Virginia. The New … Read more
COWEN, W.Va.—The Monongahela National Forest will re-open 15 miles of forest road 86 along the Williams River from Laurel Run to the entrance of Tea Creek Campground on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the forest service. Soon after, the scenic backcountry route that crosses through a remote section of the Allegheny Mountains will reopen … Read more
Early settlers in Pocahontas County called it “The Devil’s Backbone” as most believed such an unnatural thing could only be the work of evil. While geologists now understand the forces that created this dramatic arch, the explanation may be even harder to believe than the superstition. When Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewell arrived in the … Read more
