Travel in West Virginia offers countless benefits, especially as the remote-work revolution draws new residents from big U.S. cities seeking adventure, relaxation, and a slower pace of life. Known for its stunning mountain scenery, outdoor recreation, and welcoming small towns, West Virginia provides the perfect escape for travelers looking to unwind and explore nature without venturing too far from home. Visitors can hike scenic trails, discover hidden waterfalls, enjoy cozy cabin stays, and experience local culture through charming shops, Appalachian cuisine, and vibrant festivals. As more remote workers settle in the Mountain State, travel within West Virginia becomes even more rewarding, with easy access to breathtaking parks, peaceful retreats, and friendly communities that make every trip feel like a refreshing getaway.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Fall officially arrived in West Virginia Tuesday night, but depending on where you live and how you define the season, autumn may have started weeks ago or may still seem a long way off. The autumnal equinox occurred at 8:05 p.m. EDT Tuesday, marking the astronomical beginning of fall in the Northern … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After years of trying to convince travelers to discover West Virginia, the state’s new tourism secretary says the next challenge is giving them reasons to return. Kayla Kessinger, the incoming secretary of the W.Va. Department of Tourism, used Monday’s appearance at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism to outline priorities focused on repeat … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has been ranked the second-most naturally beautiful state in America in a national analysis comparing the forests, rivers, waterfalls, and mountains of all 50 states. New Hampshire finished first, followed by West Virginia and Virginia. West Virginia also ranked ahead of Hawaii, Washington, and North Carolina—states widely associated with scenic tourism. … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s 2026 Vacation Guide has won a national tourism marketing award as distribution of the printed publication has climbed past 350,000 copies, the West Virginia Department of Tourism said. The guide received a 2026 U.S. Travel ESTO Award for Excellence in Print Marketing, department spokesperson Lindsey Funk announced Wednesday. The award … Read more
BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — A 24.5% income increase over eight consecutive quarters is helping a historic West Virginia spa town bring its 250th-anniversary tourism campaign to Philadelphia during the nation’s own 250th year. Travel Berkeley Springs has launched a $36,000 campaign that will put 10 wrapped rideshare vehicles on Philadelphia streets for 12 weeks, according … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia tourism officials have released the state’s 2026 fall foliage projection map, offering travelers an early look at when autumn color is expected to sweep across the Mountain State. The W.Va. Department of Tourism announced Wednesday that it will update its Live Leaf Map weekly throughout the fall, giving travelers current information … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginians will have a front-row seat to an unusually deep lunar eclipse Thursday night, when Earth’s shadow covers nearly the entire full moon. The partial lunar eclipse will unfold overnight on Aug. 27, into Friday, Aug. 28, reaching its maximum at approximately 12:12 a.m. Friday. Though technically a partial eclipse, it … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Before Wikipedia, WVExplorer.com helped people navigate the Mountain State. More than 25 years later, it reaches more than 100,000 monthly readers looking for places to visit, things to do, and communities to explore. “We bring businesses an audience that’s already interested in West Virginia,” said Lori Noble, the publication’s new advertising director. … Read more
LEWISBURG, W.Va. — At the southern end of the Allegheny Mountains, where the Greenbrier River enters a landscape of bluegrass pastures, mineral springs and cavernous limestone, a West Virginia valley is finding itself particularly well suited to one of the travel industry’s fastest-growing summer trends. They are called “coolcations”—vacations chosen at least partly to escape … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Every summer, the cool morning arrives almost like clockwork. After days of sticky afternoons, something changes. Thunderstorms rumble across the mountains, the wind shifts, and the following morning, windows are open again. Front porches fill with coffee drinkers. Campgrounds stir earlier than usual. Visitors who expected another sweltering July day discover that … Read more
