An outdoor playground with rich traditions, epic adventures and mountain heritage, West Virginia’s diverse destinations provide visitors with experiences that will make lasting memories. Craft a West Virginia getaway to connect with your family and friends and enjoy all that a vacation in the Mountain State has to offer.
Drive the winding mountain roads – by car, or better yet, on motorcycle and see the Allegheny, Appalachian and Cumberland Mountains, the Cabwaylingo, Calvin Price, Camp Creek, Coopers Rock, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Kumbrabow, and Seneca State Forests, and the Monongahela National Forest. Nearly the entire state provides options for outdoor recreation, stunning overlooks and scenic byways. Explore 11 major rivers, many perfect for whitewater rafting, venture down into Seneca Caverns or Smoke Hole Caverns, and scale rock faces at Seneca Rocks in the Mountain Highlands or Coopers Rock State Park. Zip line through the treetops on canopy tours, boat, swim or fish at places like Summersville Lake or ride a scenic railroad like Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad or Potomac Eagle Train Excursions in Grant County. Check out Canaan Valley’s world-class skiing or ATV in Mercer County and the Hatfield-McCoy Mountains Region.
Rich heritage is a trademark of West Virginia and you’ll find no shortage of mountain music, fine arts and handcrafts made by local artisans such as Blenko Glass in Huntington – Cabell County and Ron Hinkle Glass in Buckhannon- Upshur County. If it is live culture that feeds your craving for the arts, enjoy live productions at the Apollo Civic Theatre in Martinsville-Berkeley County, or the Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University – voted one of the“50 Essential Summer Festivals” by The New York Times. The sounds of West Virginia’s roots play at the Veterans Bluegrass Festival in Wetzel County.
Historic treasures such as Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park in Greater Parkersburg, frontier-era forts, Civil War cemeteries, Pricketts Fort State Park in Marion County, the ancestral home of Stonewall Jackson and Grave Creek Native American Burial Mound connect visitors with long past eras. Haunted history abounds as well at places such as the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Stonewall Country – Lewis County and the former West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville – Marshall County.
If it is the thrill of lady luck’s good fortune, you’ll find that on a West Virginia vacation too! Casinos and Greyhound racing in places like Wheeling, Thoroughbred racing and other games of chance will fill your appetite for entertainment.
Plan ahead and search out unique lodging such as a yurt or tree house vacation rental, or stick with the tried and true, but no less accommodating options of campgrounds, national brand hotels or vacation rentals. West Virginia vacation rentals may include small cabins to deluxe lodges in your choice of scenic and secluded locations. Luxurious amenities such as hot tubs, fireplaces or spas will make your West Virginia stay even more enjoyable.
Whether you’re gaming at a casino, hunting for game in the great outdoors, riding the rapids or the rails, reliving history or enjoying live entertainment, a West Virginia vacation is a getaway that you’ll never forget! Visit West Virginia and make this the year for your epic adventure!
