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.
PIPESTEM, W.Va. — After two years of construction, a new aerial tram at Pipestem Resort State Park has reopened. At a ribbon-cutting at the top of the tram at Pipestem, Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, said the project marked a major milestone in the park’s history and will highlight the … Read more
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Officials at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia have announced the publication of a collection of oral history recordings of residents and others with knowledge of the park and region are now available for listening and downloading on the park’s website. The recordings include those of … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is haunted by the ghosts of rivers that no longer exist. They writhe like snakes through its mountains, nearly invisible to the unaware. Geologist William G. Tight first theorized the existence of what’s now perhaps the best-known of these hidden rivers, the “Teays River,” in 1903. He suggested the Teays … Read more
CLIFFTOP, W.Va. — At first glance, the Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in West Virginia looks as though it has stood for centuries, its wooden frame weathered to the color of old hickory, its water wheel turning with the steady rhythm of the creek. Featured on postcards, calendars, and guidebooks that promote … Read more
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — For more than a century, Camp Kootaga stood as a summer sanctuary for generations of scouts, a place where leadership, outdoor skills, and camaraderie were passed down along the wooded bluffs of the Hughes River. Now, thanks to a determined group of alumni and community leaders, the camp’s future is secure — … Read more
SARAH ANN, W.Va. — A new entrance to a historic Hatfield Cemetery in southern West Virginia is making it easier for visitors to pay respects at the graves of William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield and his family, a key site for Appalachian history enthusiasts. Once a difficult climb, the cemetery—long a pilgrimage destination for thousands … Read more
LANEVILLE, W.Va. — At more than 4,000 feet above sea level, the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia has become one of the most recognizable outdoor recreation destinations in the Appalachian Mountains. Once considered remote and difficult to reach, the completion of the US-48 expressway from Washington, D.C., has dramatically changed how people experience the … Read more
ANSTED, W.Va. — The restoration of the Tyree Tavern, a historic landmark near the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia, is now visibly underway in advance of its transition to a museum. The architectural team employed to manage the restoration, technically termed a historical rehabilitation, began replacing the roof this week, marking the first … Read more
PEYTONA, W.Va. — Drawdy Falls, one of the most scenic and accessible waterfalls in West Virginia, is attracting a huge amount of attention after a generation of neglect. In fact, the restoration of the falls and the redevelopment of a surrounding park may herald economic growth and stewardship in what had been an impoverished mining … Read more
EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — Some say that the American West begins at West Virginia— specifically at the tip of its northern panhandle—and there’s a quantifiable reason to support that claim. Somewhere beneath the Ohio River, on what was the river’s north bank before it was dammed, Thomas Hutchens in 1786 established what’s now called the … Read more
