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.
This fall, visitors to the historic ghost town of Thurmond, West Virginia, will encounter more than ghosts. They’ll encounter goats. The National Park Service at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is implement a plan to use goats to treat invasive plants among its historic buildings, according to ranger Dave Bieri. “Resource managers … Read more
Widely considered one of the most important railroading landmarks in the U.S., the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad complex at Martinsburg exemplifies the form-follows-function principal of building design. It’s beautiful, and it’s practical. In my opinion, it’s also one of the most stupendous buildings in the world. According to Mark Jordan, executive director of the Berkeley … Read more
Last week I found time for a stroll on the trail to Ship Rock at Beckley — a loop that wanders a mile through cliffs and boulders along the Piney Creek Gorge. For years the rock had been a favorite picnic-spot but was difficult to reach until 2014 when Gary Morefield opened he path that … Read more
Few better places from which to enjoy the approach of autumn exist than the Canaan Valley, perched high in the Alleghenies of eastern West Virginia. Here, where the lowest elevations exceed 3,000 feet above sea level, the leaf change is vivid and comes early — as early as mid-August, says Steve Drumheller, superintendent of Cannan … Read more
Cacapon Resort State Park will host West Virginia native and professional storyteller Adam Booth Aug. 11 for a family friendly evening of campfire ghost stories and tall tales. Booth has been professionally telling stories for more than 12 years, has performed across the country, and was featured in Wonderful West Virginia magazine’s May 2018 issue, … Read more
The West Virginia State Parks system on July 16 will dedicate three new cabins at Chief Logan State Park in Logan County during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Chief Logan Lodge and Conference Center. The ceremony is open to the public and starts at 11 a.m. Guests may arrive at 10:30 a.m. for complimentary refreshments. … Read more
Rangers at North Bend State Park on July 21 will helps guests learn new outdoors skills, offering introductory courses in backpacking, geocaching, and backcountry camping. The courses last anywhere from two hours to overnight, according to Steve Jones, superintendent of North Bend. “Sometimes you need a little help learning a new outdoor skill,” Jones said of … Read more
Blair Mountain, the site of the largest labor uprising in U.S. history, has been added again to the National Register of Historic Places, according to officials with the Department of Interior who called its removal from the register nearly a decade ago “erroneous.” Fought for five days in August 1921, the Battle of Blair Mountain … Read more
Visitors to Canaan Valley Resort in the highlands of northeastern West Virginia are learning the fundamentals of wilderness living from experts in the field, thanks to a new educational program being provided there. Through September, the resort is offering classes designed to teach participants how to build shelters, light fires, navigate the back-country, and identify … Read more
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park will debut an early 19th century-style garden party June 23 at the park’s recently restored Blennerhassett Pleasure Garden. The party will feature lawn games, period music, and dancing, as well as an appearance by Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett and their English gardener, Peter Taylor, as portrayed in costume by historians … Read more
