Courtesy of WV Tourism
West Virginia
Ready for rugged East Coast adventuring with a gorgeous mountain backdrop? Then set your car toward wild and wonderful West Virginia, a state often overlooked by both American and foreign travelers. It doesn't help that the state can't seem to shake its negative stereotypes. That's too bad, because West Virginia is one of the prettiest states in the Union. With its line of unbroken green mountains, raging white-water rivers and snowcapped ski resorts, this is an outdoor-lovers' paradise.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
West Virginia
A striking rock formation rising 900ft above a fork of the Potomac River, Seneca Rocks is one of the most recognizable natural features in the state. Rock…
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
West Virginia
Halloween is the busy season at this former mental hospital, when ghost tours of the massive facility will scare the living daylights out of you. The…
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Completed in 1977, the New River Gorge Bridge is the third-highest bridge in the US and the longest single-arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Made…
West Virginia
Red spruce trees, windswept boulders, valley views and boggy forests set a striking scene in the northern reaches of this remote but popular wilderness…
West Virginia
One of the most photogenic spots in all of West Virginia is the main overlook at Coopers Rock. Picture a stone-and-log fence wrapped around a sandstone…
West Virginia
A wooden boardwalk drops, climbs and twists for a half-mile through a wonderland of moss-covered boulders in a leafy forest. On the slopes of Droop…
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West Virginia
The enormous Green Bank Telescope is a radio telescope, so you won't be looking at the stars through any lenses here. But you can learn about radio…
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West Virginia
This mine in Beckley, 22 miles south of Fayetteville, is a museum about the region's coal heritage. Visitors can ride a train 1500ft into a former coal…
Top picks from our travel experts
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West Virginia
The largest ski resort in the region, Snowshoe attracts skiers and snowboarders from across the country with 59 trails across three ski areas. Twelve…
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West Virginia
The thrills begin the moment you clip into your harness for this rugged via ferrata adventure, a fixed-anchor guided rock climb that scrambles up and over…
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West Virginia
Six-hundred miles of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails are marked and patrolled in and around Williamson and Matewan. In Williamson, you'll see ATVs…
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
West Virginia
Halloween is the busy season at this former mental hospital, when ghost tours of the massive facility will scare the living daylights out of you. The…
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West Virginia
One of those great mountain stores where bluegrass culture and hipster day-trippers from the urban South and Northeast mash up into a stomping good time…
West Virginia
Start the day with breakfast and coffee under stained-glass windows at this inviting cafe and former church. Local staff all seem to either work in, or…
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New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
See gravity and the known limits of tackiness defied at the Mystery Hole, one of the great attractions of roadside America. Everything inside this…
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West Virginia
The magic in the signature Trust Me Salad is the homemade granola. Or maybe it's the just-right mix of chevre and avocado. Oh heck, maybe it's the hearty…
West Virginia
A striking rock formation rising 900ft above a fork of the Potomac River, Seneca Rocks is one of the most recognizable natural features in the state. Rock…
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West Virginia
Don't let the locker-room appearance deter you from the Berkeley Springs State Park's Roman Baths – it's the cheapest spa deal in town. Fill your water…
West Virginia
Oooh baby. Let's talk about the Gouda Chicken. Topped with gourmet cheese, chipotle crema, apple-smoked bacon and grilled yard bird, this decadent pizza…
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New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
There are hiking trails, a nature center and an aerial tram, which runs from the lodge down to the river's edge for jet boat tours of the river and views…
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West Virginia
Industrialist Andrew Carnegie helped fund this 1902 Colonial Revival performance hall, one of only four Carnegie music halls still in continuous use. Stop…
West Virginia
One of the most photogenic spots in all of West Virginia is the main overlook at Coopers Rock. Picture a stone-and-log fence wrapped around a sandstone…
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Completed in 1977, the New River Gorge Bridge is the third-highest bridge in the US and the longest single-arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. Made…
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West Virginia
This mine in Beckley, 22 miles south of Fayetteville, is a museum about the region's coal heritage. Visitors can ride a train 1500ft into a former coal…
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West Virginia
The voice of billionaire governor Jim Justice welcomes guests to this engaging museum, where a path winds past exhibit areas spotlighting key moments and…
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New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Wow. The bird's-eye view of the New River from the catwalk running below the river's namesake bridge is amazing. And it's eerie to hear traffic rattling…
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West Virginia
If you're in southern West Virginia, don't miss this unique guided tour. A top-secret relocation center was built at the resort in the 1950s for Congress…
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
How many experiences does this reputable outfit offer? Well, their catalog is 63 pages long and covers everything from white-water rafting on the New and…
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West Virginia
This oft-recommended spot is housed in an old newspaper building, but the hospitable vibe and cozy decor evoke the home of a close friend. Fresh and…
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West Virginia
If you're a connoisseur of sandwiches, or just super hungry, this easygoing spot is a must. The eatery has sandwiches slathered in tasty toppings,…
West Virginia
Red spruce trees, windswept boulders, valley views and boggy forests set a striking scene in the northern reaches of this remote but popular wilderness…
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Cranberry Glades Boardwalk Trail
West Virginia
A half-mile boardwalk trails meanders through a mesmerizing swath of peat bogs, home to orchids and carnivorous plants. You'll want to photograph the…
Articles
Latest stories from West Virginia
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Activities
The best whitewater rafting in West Virginia (and where to get wet and wild)Apr 12, 2022 • 9 min read
- Wildlife & NatureThe newest national park in the US is a hotspot for outdoor adventures
Jan 11, 2021 • 2 min read
Wildlife & NatureWest Virginia's New River Gorge is full of wild and wonderful outdoor adventuresMar 2, 2020 • 9 min read
- CocktailsGet a taste of Appalachia with 24 hours in Charleston, West Virginia
Jan 9, 2020 • 5 min read
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