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.
VALLEY GROVE, W.Va. — Fishing access at Bear Rock Lakes Wildlife Management Area near Wheeling will temporarily close as the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources begins modifications to two dams at the popular Ohio County fishing area. The work aims to bring the dams into full compliance with the West Virginia Dam Control and Safety Act, according … Read more
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Few travelers expect to find West Virginia’s only Smithsonian Institution affiliate tucked into the hills outside of one of its largest cities. Yet Heritage Farm Museum and Village has become one of Appalachia’s most distinctive destinations, combining seven museums, an interpretive 19th-century village, artisan demonstrations, wildlife encounters, mountain biking, zip lines and … Read more
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Hidden beneath the forests of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is one of the easiest ways to experience one of America’s newest national parks. Unlike many of the gorge’s steep, rugged trails, the Rend Trail follows the nearly level grade of a former railroad line. Families, cyclists, older hikers, … Read more
THURMOND, W.Va. — As the National Park Service moves forward with plans to demolish more than a dozen deteriorating historic buildings in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, a new proposal argues that Washington and West Virginia need not choose between preserving unsafe structures and tearing them down. Instead, advocates say the park … Read more
PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Long before the first plate of crawdad fritters reaches the table, dinner at Mountain Creek begins with a remarkable descent. Visitors board an aerial tram at Pipestem Resort State Park in the mountains of southern West Virginia and glide 1,200 feet into the forested depths of the Bluestone Gorge, where a secluded … Read more
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — The duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton remains a defining episode in early American history. Even those with only a passing knowledge of the nation’s founding may remember how the sitting vice president fatally shot Hamilton in 1804, ending the life of one of America’s foremost statesmen and bringing Burr’s own … Read more
WHEELING, W.Va. — West Virginia is rarely considered a destination for Catholic pilgrimage. Settled largely by Virginians and Scots-Irish pioneers before later immigrant communities arrived, the Mountain State has long been associated more with frontier Protestantism than with Gothic cathedrals or sacred shrines. Yet veteran ABC News correspondent Peggy Stanton found enough remarkable stories here … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — July marks not only the 250th anniversary of American independence but also the 50th anniversary of a modern Mountain State masterpiece—the West Virginia Culture Center. This deceptively simple, large, gray, boxy, stone-clad building in Charleston houses some of the state’s most important cultural treasures. From museum exhibits and valuable documents to educational … Read more
ELKINS, W.Va. — Travelers heading into the Monongahela National Forest during West Virginia’s fall recreation season will encounter two more road closures, including restrictions along Cranberry River Road near Richwood and Forest Road 19 along the eastern side of the Dolly Sods area. U.S. Forest Service officials announced the closures Wednesday as construction continues on … Read more
MIDDLEWAY, W.Va. — One of the nation’s leading historic preservation organizations has joined the legal battle over a proposed industrial water-extraction and bottling facility near one of West Virginia’s oldest villages, arguing that the project would irreparably damage a nationally recognized historic district and could weaken preservation protections statewide. The National Trust for Historic Preservation … Read more
