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.
Over the past 17 years I’ve been able to engage many wonderful people in the development of West Virginia Explorer, but there’s one person who I can confirm we could not have survived without — Jonathan Moore. He was here at the beginning when I had nothing to work with but concept. He was a … Read more
Have you ever seen a ramp or attended a ramp dinner? Proud West Virginia fans of the ramp are sharing photos of their favorite ransom feasts. Have a minute to spend sifting through photos of this uniquely North American tradition? Do you have photos of ramp dinners you’d like to share? Please contact us for … Read more
The National Development Council will host the first of a two-part Historic Real Estate Finance Professional Certification series to Fairmont State University May 8-12, 2017, according to a press release from the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. The five-day course offers a step-by-step look at the real estate development process from the perspective of lenders, developers and … Read more
Inns, cabins, hotels, and campgrounds – the diversity of lodging in the Fayetteville area is growing as year-round tourism increases, according to the executive director of the town’s convention and visitors bureau. Sally Kiner says diversification of the local outdoor-adventure market and the addition of new attractions and dining and shopping venues have helped draw … Read more
Many communities that depend on warm-weather tourism suffer through winter, but one West Virginia town renowned as a destination for whitewater rafting is breaking out of that cycle. Hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking have increased year-round in the Fayetteville area, benefiting a growing number of eclectic shops, restaurants, and cultural venues that are particularly attractive in … Read more
Daytripper magazine has agreed to sponsor the launch of a new directory of waterfalls at WVExplorer.com. The magazine based in Lewisburg, W.Va., will help provide information on 25 waterfalls in West Virginia to be published in March. Other contributors and sponsors are encouraged to provide content on many of the other accessible waterfalls in the Mountain … Read more
Sponsoring a page at WVExplorer.com is a great way to recognize a friend or loved one while sharing your love for the Mountain State. Sponsorship makes an ideal Christmas gift. For $100 your name or theirs will appear on the sponsored page in perpetuity. Here’s an example page sponsored by Beckley native Bill Shaver, who … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s 2014 ginseng harvest will open Monday, Sept. 1, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 30, according to Leslie Fitzwater Smithson, public information specialist with the W.Va. Division of Forestry. The native herb grows in all 55 counties in West Virginia and is ready to harvest when its berries turn red. State law … Read more
The newest resident of the West Virginia Wildlife Center at French Creek is accepting visitors. Born May 2, the female bison, who’s name has not yet been reported, is apparently hale, though a little unsteady, according to Rob Silvester, a wildlife biologist at the center. “A bison calf can walk almost immediately after birth, albeit … Read more
West Virginia may be among the best destinations for birding in the U.S. More than 300 species call the state home (at least temporarily, as many overwinter in the tropics). I asked naturalist Randy Bodkins which summer denizens were most likely to be spotted by those of us who have the opportunity to get out and … Read more
