Culture

Unique northern panhandle of West Virginia created by historic dispute

History / Prehistory Amanda Larch Hinchman - August 1, 2025

WEIRTON, W.Va — West Virginia's remarkable shape is partly defined by its odd northern panhandle, a finger of land that extends northward more than...

August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

Festivals / Events Clyde Craig - August 1, 2025

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a time of celebration. Its hills and hollows awaken to a season steeped in rituals of...

Historic West Virginia heat waves and how the state can recover its coolness

History / Prehistory Bianca Bosworth - July 30, 2025

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While known for its forests and cool mountain air, West Virginia has nonetheless endured its share...

West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.

Festivals / Events David Sibray - July 29, 2025

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in 2025 when it becomes the first U.S. location to host...

From Jerry West to Best Virginia, basketball in West Virginia is a unifying force

History / Prehistory Clyde Craig - July 28, 2025

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Mountain State is a land stitched together by rugged mountains, close-knit towns, and a complicated...

The five worst floods in West Virginia history: A Chronicle of Disaster

History / Prehistory David Sibray - July 27, 2025

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Shaped by rugged mountains and winding rivers, West Virginia has endured some of the most catastrophic...

Appalachia's haunted highway: legends of West Virginia Turnpike ghosts

Lore and Legend David Sibray - July 25, 2025

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Completed in 1954, the West Virginia Turnpike, twisting like a ribbon through 88 miles of the...

From Greenbrier Valley to global fame, the defiant jazz legacy of Ada "Bricktop" Smith

Arts David Sibray - July 24, 2025

ALDERSON, W.Va. — Perhaps few people could have predicted that one of the most electrifying figures of the Jazz...

West Virginia Explorer Webzine is an online publication that celebrates the Mountain State's rich culture and natural beauty. Readers enjoy travel tips, hidden gems, outdoor adventures, local lore, and community news. For more than a quarter century, we've been the No. 1 trusted guide for exploring West Virginia.

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