Communities in West Virginia offer residents a welcoming atmosphere, affordable cost of living, and a strong sense of connection to nature and neighbors alike. From charming small towns to vibrant cities like Charleston and Morgantown, West Virginia communities provide friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and access to outdoor recreation right at your doorstep. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life, surrounded by the state’s beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as rich local culture, historic sites, and community events that bring people together.
With safe streets, local businesses, and a true spirit of Appalachian hospitality, living in West Virginia communities means enjoying a high quality of life and a supportive, tight-knit environment where everyone feels at home. Be sure to visit our Communities Travel Guide for information about communities in West Virginia.
In search of a cozy cabin? The New River Gorge has become an increasingly popular winter retreat for travelers in search of cabin lodging, natural beauty, and plenty of great food. Off-season rates combined with world-renowned hiking trails, rock-climbing areas, and restaurants are attracting more vacationers every year, says Heather Johnson of River Expeditions, an … Read more
A new extended-stay hotel being built in the Teays Valley between Huntington and Charleston is a harbinger of increasing travel growth along the interstate corridor there, according to its owners and travel-industry officials. To open along Interstate 64 in summer 2019, the 74-room dual-brand facility will include Sleep Inn-style rooms for short-term guests and MainStay … Read more
The diversity of West Virginia’s cultures and landscapes presents challenges when it comes to marketing the state, says David Sibray, publisher of the West Virginia Explorer. Many parts of West Virginia are dramatically different, Sibray told radio-show host Steve Novotney during an interview Friday on AM 1600 WKKX in Wheeling, West Virginia. While discussing his … Read more
WVExplorer Magazine and the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources are urging motorists in West Virginia to use caution while driving in autumn when vehicle collisions with deer increase. Tyler Evans, a wildlife biologist with the division, says deer are more active during the period, which has much to do with the incidence of deer-involved accidents. … Read more
While we at West Virginia Explorer tend to focus on the natural attractions and landmarks that define West Virginia, it’s hard to deny the excitement that surrounds the college football season here each fall. Over the years, West Virginia University’s Mountaineer Football has established a reputation as a consistently competitive program and one that tends … Read more
Fall color in high-elevation Tucker County will peak during the first ten days of October, says Brian Sarfino, who’s worked to determine exact schedules for autumn leaf change at Dolly Sods and in the Canaan Valley in West Virginia’s Allegheny Highlands. “Peak fall foliage comes in the first ten days of October. This is the … Read more
The online lodging marketplace Airbnb today released a report revealing its most “wish-listed” listings for home-sharing markets in West Virginia. The company’s online “wish-list” function allows users to save listings that they most desire to visit when planning trips to West Virginia. The wish-listed listings in the Mountain State are among the most remarkable on Airbnb’s … Read more
Searching for refuge from summer heat? If swimming isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps a jog through one of the tunnels along the North Bend Rail Trail in northern West Virginia might be. Ten tunnels through which the trail passes on its 72-mile course between Clarksburg and Parkersburg are sure to provide relief during the … Read more
A new pedal-train excursion that leads tourists along a glittering trout stream and deep into the mountains of central West Virginia has attracted more than 1,200 guests from 20 states in the last 30 days, according to spokesmen for the venue. “Most of what we’re seeing so far is from word-of-mouth or from Facebook,” conductor … Read more
West Virginia’s abundant land holds promise for agricultural prosperity for the state and its people, according to Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. To ensure this valuable industry thrives for years to come, agribusiness owners, retailers and other stakeholders are being asked to give their input. The West Virginia Agriculture Advisory Board announced the first step in … Read more
