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Attractions

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.

Capitol Market In Charleston West Virginia

Attractions

W.Va. celebrates record number of National Register nominations

December 3, 2024 by Cody Straley

CHARLESTON. W.Va. — Two-thousand-twenty-four has proven record-breaking for historic preservation in West Virginia. Twenty sites, buildings, and districts were nominated to the National Register of Historic Places—the highest number in 18 years. The listings cover a wide range of historic resources in the state—from farms and cemeteries to monuments and African American sites. According to … Read more

New River Gorge Bridge, Fayetteville, West Virginia, New River Gorge Region

Attractions

Park ranger lists the four must-see attractions in the New River Gorge

November 9, 2024 by David Sibray

THURMOND, W.Va.—Visiting America’s newest national park? There are countless trails to walk, rocks to climb, and streams to paddle, but there are four places every visitor should see in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in southern West Virginia. According to park ranger Jodi French-Burr, the following four must-see destinations are worth visiting … Read more

Attractions

Tu-Endie-Wei in W.Va. added to Underground Railroad network

October 21, 2024 by David Sibray

POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Tu-Endie-Wei State Park has been added to a national Underground Railroad program to honor the role of the Shawnee in protecting enslaved people who escaped to freedom in their territory in the late 1700s. Though the Shawnee could not legally prevent the return of freedom seekers, they fiercely protected their loved … Read more

Attractions

Economic impacts nearly double at Harpers Ferry park over a decade

September 4, 2024 by David Sibray

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — Economic impacts have nearly doubled in communities surrounding Harpers Ferry National Historical Park over the last decade, according to the National Park Service. Park superintendent Tanya Gossett said that in 2023, more than 427,300 visitors explored the historical park in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle. She said they spent $23.8 million, supporting … Read more

Attractions

New trail connects off-road trail system with Chief Logan park lodge

September 4, 2024 by David Sibray

LOGAN, W.Va. — A new 4.6-mile trail connecting Chief Logan State Park and the Hatfield-McCoy Trails system has opened in southern West Virginia. This new trail connects to the system’s Bearwallow Trail with the lodge at Chief Logan State Park, allowing riders to stay at the park without trailering off-road vehicles to the trails. According … Read more

Attractions

Spending near national parks in southern W.Va. jumps by 9 percent

September 3, 2024 by David Sibray

GLEN JEAN, W.Va. – The National Park Service reports that in 2023, more than 1,900,000 visitors spent 96.5 million dollars in communities near the three national park areas in southern West Virginia. Their spending supported 1,268 jobs in the area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of 116.5 million dollars, according to … Read more

Attractions

Towering Champe Rocks named for would-be captor of Benedict Arnold

August 30, 2024 by David Sibray

HOPEVILLE, W.Va. — Champe Rocks in Pendleton County might seem a world away from the battlegrounds of the American Revolution, but by chance, they are tied to the history of Towering Seneca Rocks[/caption] At the advice of Major Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, Washington enlisted the help of a young sergeant-major in the Continental Army, … Read more

Lost River State Park Overlook in West Virginia

Attractions

Lost River, Cass Scenic Railroad state parks to see major expansions

August 22, 2024 by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Lost River State Park and Cass Scenic Railroad State Park will enjoy nearly $13 million in expansions to be completed in 2025. According to Gov. Jim Justice, the projects are part of West Virginia’s ongoing investments to enhance outdoor recreation and tourism. The governor announced that Cass is adding its first campground … Read more

Itmann Company Store Sells in West Virginia

Attractions

Coalfields “castle” in W.Va. sells to investor planning tourism center

August 7, 2024 by Clyde Craig

ITMANN, W.Va. — The historic Itmann Company Store complex in southern West Virginia has been purchased by a Texas investor who says he’ll work with state and local officials to develop the landmark. Gary Drabek, of Houston, Tex., closed on the property today in Beckley but has been meeting for months with potential partners to … Read more

Anglers boat on the Ohio River near Parkersburg, West Virginia.

Attractions

Islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are a Noah’s Ark for wildlife

July 31, 2024 by Amanda Larch Hinchman

WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. — Hidden in plain sight, the islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are a Noah’s Ark for wildlife that has managed to escape development elsewhere. As the Ohio River became cleaner in the 1980s, thanks to legislation like the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, wildlife started to return, … Read more

West Virginia state parks celebrate National Trails Day with hikes, volunteer events

Iconic “Almost Heaven” swing added to Cedar Creek State Park in central West Virginia

Monongahela National Forest seeks conservation proposals in five West Virginia counties

Seneca Rocks draws excited new crowds to West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest

Rural women entrepreneurs fuel economic growth in America’s small towns, WVU study finds

W.Va. agriculture officials monitoring screwworm after first U.S. detection

10 free things to do in West Virginia with family this summer

Chinn, Noble appointed to key leadership roles at West Virginia Explorer

W.Va. Tourism announces 2026 History Heroes award winners

Mike Fink grave marks site of deadly frontier encounter in Calhoun County

Historical society celebrates history of W.Va. Miners’ Vacation with fish fry fundraiser

Wild Man of West Virginia? The cave-dwelling lives of Orval Brown and Jack Franklin

Bowden Fish Hatchery to host free Youth Fishing Derby during W.Va. Free Fishing Days

Here’s why fishing records are being broken more often now in West Virginia

South Branch ends mourning dove permits; controlled hunt begin at Stonewall Jackson

John Terry catches record-breaking tiger trout in lake at Seneca State Forest

Attractions

W.Va. celebrates record number of National Register nominations

Park ranger lists the four must-see attractions in the New River Gorge

Tu-Endie-Wei in W.Va. added to Underground Railroad network

Economic impacts nearly double at Harpers Ferry park over a decade

New trail connects off-road trail system with Chief Logan park lodge

Spending near national parks in southern W.Va. jumps by 9 percent

Towering Champe Rocks named for would-be captor of Benedict Arnold

Lost River, Cass Scenic Railroad state parks to see major expansions

Coalfields “castle” in W.Va. sells to investor planning tourism center

Islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are a Noah’s Ark for wildlife