John Denver crooned “almost Heaven, West Virginia” and once you visit, you will understand why! Known as the Mountain State, West Virginia offers stunning landscapes, outdoor adventures, and small town charm.
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New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve became the United State’s newest national park on December 27, 2020. But the area has always been a go-to place in West Virginia due to its natural beauty, outdoor activities, and Appalachian history. One of the key sites is the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, the longest steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Schedule a Bridge Walk to walk on the catwalk beneath the the vehicular bridge. And visit the Canyon Rim Visitors Center to learn more about the bridge and see the spectacular views.
Hike the Endless Wall Trail, a 2.4 mile loop offering terrific views of the gorge and lush forests. If you want great views of the bridge, try the Long Point Trail which is 3.2 miles round trip. And if you love history, the 1.6 mile Kaymoor Miners Trail offers a look at an abandoned coal mining operation. If you prefer views without hiking, take a scenic drive.
New River Gorge is a great place for thrill seekers! The park offers world-class whitewater rafting. Choose the Upper New River for a family-friendly float or the Lower New River to experience the thrill of Class III to V rapids. If you prefer rock climbing, there are 1,400+ established climbs. You can also zipline in the park!
Nearby: Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
Fayetteville is the home base for exploring New River Gorge. Here you will find a charming historic downtown full of shops and restaurants. But I highly encourage you to take the quick 30 minute drive to Beckley to tour the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. Coal mining is such an important part of West Virginia’s history. The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine gives you a guided tour of a real coal mine and a recreated coal camp with miner’s homes, a schoolhouse, church, and other buildings.
You can camp in the park. There’s also plenty of great places to stay in Fayetteville. And there’s a ton of other stuff to see and do nearby.
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Harpers Ferry is the site of the famous John Brown’s Raid in 1859. John Brown was a radical abolitionist who attempted to seize a federal armory and start a slave rebellion along with 21 followers. The event is considered to be important in the lead up to the American Civil War.
Today Harpers Ferry National Historic Park houses the fort that John Brown raided. The park also features Historic Lower Town where you will see preserved buildings and learn about life in the 19th century. The museums and exhibits in the town cover military history, civil rights history, and the role of industry in the area. If you are interested in diving deeper into civil war and civil rights history, follow this 1-day itinerary.
You will want to walk to The Point to see where the Shenandoah and Potamic Rivers flow together. From here you can see three states (Maryland, West Virgina, and Virginia) as well as the Blue Ridge Mountains. Another highlight is hiking to Jefferson Rock (0.5 miles round trip) for beautiful views. If you want a panoramic view of Harpers Ferry, take the Maryland Heights Trail (4.5 miles roundtrip).
Harpers Ferry is known as one of the most haunted places in the U.S. There are three major Civil War battlefields nearby including Bolivar Heights, Harpers Ferry Battlefield, and Antietam Battlefield. Take at ghost tour to learn more about the people who lived and died in the area. And don’t miss the hauntingly beautiful ruins of St. John’s Episcopal Church which served as a hospital and barracks during the Civil War.
There are plenty of great places to stay and other great things to see and do nearby as well.
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers the opportunity to take a steam train ride through the Appalachian Mountains and visit an authentic company town. Board a historic Shay locomotive and chug along the 11 miles to Bald Knob, the third-highest peak in West Virginia. Then visit the circa 1900s logging company town complete with restored houses, general store, and a historical museum. If you want to learn more about logging railroads and locomotives, visit the Cass Railroad Museum. You can also see the remains of the Cass Lumber Mill and learn about the town’s logging history.
For a bit of nature, spend some time hiking or biking along the Greenbrier River Trail. Enjoy fishing or canoeing on the river. Or go to the nearby Cranberry Glades Botanical Area with 750 acres of bogs. Here you will see carnivorous plants, moss-covered peat bogs, and wild life such as black bears, deer, flying squirrels, and a variety of birds.
You an stay in a restored Cass company house in the park. There are also many great places to stay nearby, as well as other fun things to see and do.
Greenbrier Resort
Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains lies Greenbrier, a luxurious resort and National Historic Landmark. In the early 19th century, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, became the site of a health retreat due to the hot springs healing properties. The original hotel was built in 1858. Over the years, it has played host to U.S. presidents, royalty, and other celebrities.
Golfers will love the the resort’s championship golf courses. There’s also 11,000 acres of nature preserves and gardens to explore. You can hike or bike on the resorts many hiking trails and fish in mountain streams. Other outdoor adventures include an aerial adventure course, alpine climbing tower, horseback riding, and a mountaineer experience featuring archery, air rifles, and tomahawk throwing. After all of this exertion, you can experience the healing waters at the Greenbrier Spa. There’s a ton of other things to keep you busy at the resort as well.
During the Cold War, a bunker was built at Greenbrier to house Congress in the event of nuclear war. Today you can take a guided tour of the decommissioned bunker and the hotel’s interior, exterior, and history. You can also take a self-guided tour of the Presidents’ Cottage Museum.
The resort is open to day guests, or you can stay at the resort. There are also plenty of other great places to stay and several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Blackwater Falls State Park
Blackwater Falls State Park is in Davis, West Virginia. The main attraction is the park’s namesake, Blackwater Falls. This 57-foot waterfall is named for the dark amber color of the water, which is caused by tannins created by leaves and needles. Visit the falls from the Main Boardwalk. You can also see Elakala Falls, a series of four cascades along Shays Run.
The park has many scenic trails. The Balanced Rock trail is a moderate 2-mile hike to formation of stacked sandstone rocks. Lindy Point trail offers an easy 0.8 mile hike to the best panoramic view of the park. If you are interested in something a bit more challenging, try the 3.2 mile Dobbin House Trail. And make sure to stop by Pendleton Point Overlook for either sunrise or sunset.
In the summer, rent a boat, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to explore Pendleton Lake. And you can fish for trout, bass, and catfish at both Pendleton Lake and Blackwater River. If you are visiting in the winter, enjoy the longest sled run on the East Coast, complete with a conveyor belt lift. The park also offers opportunities for cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing.
You can camp or stay in a lodge or cabin in the park. There are also many great places to stay nearby. And there are other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is a national historic landmark located in Weston, West Virginia. It served as a hospital for the mentally ill from 1864-1994. It is one of the largest hand-cut stone building in the United States and offers a captivating glimpse of mental health care history.
You can take a day tour to learn about the hospital’s history and see patient rooms, medical equipment, and other artifacts. Or opt for a ghost tour to learn more about the ghosts that haunt the asylum. Better yet, do both! During your visit, make sure to check out the exhibits on medical and Civil War history and pay your respects at the patient cemetery.
You can opt to stay overnight in the asylum on a Ghost Hunt. There are also many other great places to stay in Weston. And there are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Seneca Rocks
Our final stop on our trip to West Virginia is Seneca Rocks. This iconic natural landmark is located in the Monongahela National Forest. Learn all about the area’s geology, history, and wildlife at the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Then hike the 2.6 mile round-trip path from the center to the Seneca Rocks Overlook for panoramic views.
If you are into rock climbing, Seneca Rocks offers more than 375 climbing routes. For those who prefer to stay on the ground, you can also fish, swim, bike, and take a horseback riding tour in the park.
Drive about 15 minutes south to Seneca Caverns where you can take a guided tour through ancient limestone caves. Or drive about 30 minutes north to Smoke Hole Caverns where you will see amazing stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools.
There are plenty of great places to stay and other great things to see and do nearby as well.
What’s on your Virginia trip itinerary?
These are just 7 of the sensational sites to see in Virginia. But the state is full of many more incredible destinations that are worth exploring. Tell us below where you plan to visit!
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