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.
They may be cute, they may seem cuddly, but young wild animals are best left alone—for their sake as well as ours, says Tyler Evans, a wildlife biologist at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center. Human interactions with young animals spike in the spring, and the result is rarely good. “This season provides an excellent opportunity … Read more
Visitors to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve who wish to travel the winding scenic route beneath the New River Gorge Bridge will be required to suffer a detour through mid-July. Part of Fayette Station Road near Fayetteville, West Virginia, will be closed while the route is repaired, repaved, and widened, according to Julena … Read more
Rangers and naturalists at seven parks in southern West Virginia will lead guided wildflower hikes on woodland trails April 26-28 during the 16th annual New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend. Ranger Jodi French-Burr stressed that the hikes and most additional events are free, and that the New River Gorge region and the New River basin is extremely rich … Read more
One of the last coal camps that remain in the coalfields near Beckley, West Virginia, has been found eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, according to a spokesman for the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. Once a mining boom-town, Helen, with a population of nearly 125 residents, was determined eligible for … Read more
On April 13, Dr. Kelli Shapiro will present “The Evolution of the West Virginia Movie Theatre” in the Archives & History Library at the Culture Center in Charleston, West Virginia. Based on her 2018 book for Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series, Historic Movie Theatres of West Virginia, Shapiro’s lecture covers the evolution of movie theaters … Read more
More than 30,000 visitors now tour the old West Virginia Penitentiary at Moundsville every year, and officials say traffic is expected to increase as the landmark enters its 23rd year as a tourist attraction. Suzanne Park, executive director of the Moundsville Economic Development Council, says expanding media coverage and a concerted effort to market the … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Until 1834, nearly every residence in the Kanawha Valley near present-day Charleston was built of hewn timbers. Then along came James Craik, whose Greek Revival home, counted among the state’s best examples of Greek Revival architecture, still stands. Now a museum, an afternoon at the residence, “Elm Grove,” also known as the … Read more
As often as I’ve visited North Bend State Park, I only just found out about Old Stone Face —one of many fascinating landmarks at this park in the hills east of Parkersburg, West Virginia. This is the second time in a month that someone’s directed me to a “profile rock,” as they’re often called — … Read more
Legendary springs across West Virginia are attracting new audiences among health-conscious people longing for a return to simpler times. Once supposed curative, “healing” springs have attracted travelers in search of better health since the 1700s, says Jonathan Bellingham, whose family has managed Capon Springs for four generations. Now, these bubbling springs—which notably include Capon and … Read more
Bald eagles—never before seen in southern West Virginia—have become inhabitants over the last decade, and naturalists at Pipestem Resort State Park are inviting the public to help survey these beautiful birds them during its twelfth annual spring survey March 1-3. Part of the park’s epic Winter Birding Weekend, activities will include a bird-watching instruction program … Read more
