Communities in West Virginia offers 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, along with 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.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — From the peaks of the Allegheny Mountains to the forested chasm of the New River Gorge, West Virginia is a destination built on adventure, heritage, and heart. It offers everything from small-town charm to rugged outdoor escapes—all within a day’s drive of more than half of the U.S. population. Whether you’re planning … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is now accepting applications for economic development grants to support and maintain historic properties, particularly those in historic districts across the state. Funded through the National Park Service, the funds are appropriated by the U.S. Congress to support preservation efforts vital to the economic well-being of communities. Applications must be … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The brilliant colors of chrysanthemums, or mums, signal the arrival of fall across West Virginia. But without the right care, these seasonal favorites can quickly dry out and fade before the season’s end, according to a West Virginia University plant expert. “Mums are cool-season flowers, so hot temperatures will cause them to … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — While rare “synchronous fireflies” are becoming a tourist attraction across Appalachia, a West Virginia University researcher is reminding visitors to enjoy the spectacle responsibly and without disrupting the insects’ delicate mating rituals. Synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus) are known for their remarkable ability to coordinate their flashes of light in unison, a natural … Read more
DAVIS, W.Va. — When the first sharp chill settles over the Allegheny highlands and the red spruce stands take on a bronze cast, peak fall color in West Virginia begins its slow, spectacular climb down the mountains. Across the Mountain State’s rugged ridges and deep river gorges, the landscape becomes a living map of chemistry … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Top travel destinations in West Virginia are once again receiving national recognition, with three of the state’s premier resorts named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The Greenbrier, Stonewall Resort, and Snowshoe Mountain all earned high marks from readers in this year’s rankings, underscoring West Virginia’s growing reputation as a … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Michael T. Benson, new president of West Virginia University, urged faculty, staff, students, and alumni Monday to “think big” as the university works to strengthen enrollment, expand research, and raise its national profile. Delivering his first State of the University address at the Fitzsimmons Event Hall in the WVU College of Law … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Five West Virginia agri-businesses, organizations, and agencies will share more than $300,000 in specialty crop block grant program funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administered through the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. The grants will support marketing, education, and research initiatives that strengthen West Virginia’s specialty crop industry. The U.S. Department … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The crackle of autumn leaves underfoot is a familiar sound in West Virginia, but this year those leaves carry more than just the promise of fall. Dry weather, gusty winds, and lower-than-average rainfall have created a perfect recipe for West Virginia wildfires, according to Mark Lambert, director of the WVU Extension Fire … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Autumn is sweeping across ‘Almost Heaven,’ West Virginia, as the West Virginia Department of Tourism releases its third fall foliage update of the season. Brilliant hues of crimson, gold, and orange now paint the hillsides, enhanced by recent rainfall that has sparked vibrant displays across many regions. West Virginia is truly ‘Almost … Read more
