There are a lot of great places to visit in the Mountain State. Some of them just don’t get enough credit. The next time you want to show a visitor how awesome West Virginia is, here are a few suggestions for where to take them:
- The West Virginia State Museum
Mariefromgeorgia This place, located at the state Capitol Complex in Charleston, is great for learning about the history of West Virginia. Best of all, there’s no charge to get in.
- Summersville Lake
Richard Freeman/Flickr Summersville Lake has something for everyone — you can swim, rock climb, scuba dive, and there are even beaches to enjoy.
- The Mothman Museum
Odysseymoon/Tripadvisor West Virginia has a lot of weird legends and tourist attractions and Mothman is chief among them. This museum in Point Pleasant will tell you everything you need to know about this local monster.
- The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum
West Virginia Mine Wars Museum/Facebook Teach your out-of-town guest about the history of West Virginia that is sometimes left out of even our history books — the Mine Wars. This museum is located in Matewan in the same building that still has bullet holes from the Battle of Matewan.
- Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling
Joanne C. Sullivan/Flickr You may know of this resort’s legendary Christmas light show, but this Wheeling attraction has lots to offer in all seasons. From beautiful flower gardens and a zoo to skiing and paddle boating, Oglebay has something for everyone.
- Harpers Ferry
The_Consierge_8/Tripadvisor If you’re in the Eastern Panhandle, there’s nothing quite like this beautiful, historic town. You can learn the history of West Virginia during the Civil War, see where John Brown’s Raid took place or even zip line.
- Taylor Books in Charleston
Taylor Books/Facebook Sometimes the best places to take a visitor are the ones that the locals frequent. In Charleston, Taylor Books is one of those places. It’s got everything you need for a relaxing time: coffee, books, beer, and good company.
- Bramwell
Josh/Flickr Bramwell in Mercer County used to be a booming coal town and home to a lot of rich people. In fact, in the late 1800s it was noted as having the most millionaires per capita in the United States. Many gorgeous historic homes are still standing there.
- Prickett Fort State Park
Jeff Turner Come see what life was like on the (then Virginia) frontier in the late 18th century. This 22-acre park north of Fairmont has a reconstructed fort from the era.
- The Huntington Museum of Art
Huntington Museum of Art/Facebook Not only can you experience beautiful art, you can also take classes and hike on nature trails at the Huntington Museum Art. There’s also the plant conservatory which features tropical and subtropical plants.
- Lewisburg
GBValley/Tripadvisor This Greenbrier County town was once named coolest small town in West Virginia. There are all sorts of great restaurants and shops here that you need to check out to believe.
How many of these places have you been to? Would you recommend them?
Mariefromgeorgia
This place, located at the state Capitol Complex in Charleston, is great for learning about the history of West Virginia. Best of all, there’s no charge to get in.
Richard Freeman/Flickr
Summersville Lake has something for everyone — you can swim, rock climb, scuba dive, and there are even beaches to enjoy.
Odysseymoon/Tripadvisor
West Virginia has a lot of weird legends and tourist attractions and Mothman is chief among them. This museum in Point Pleasant will tell you everything you need to know about this local monster.
West Virginia Mine Wars Museum/Facebook
Teach your out-of-town guest about the history of West Virginia that is sometimes left out of even our history books — the Mine Wars. This museum is located in Matewan in the same building that still has bullet holes from the Battle of Matewan.
Joanne C. Sullivan/Flickr
You may know of this resort’s legendary Christmas light show, but this Wheeling attraction has lots to offer in all seasons. From beautiful flower gardens and a zoo to skiing and paddle boating, Oglebay has something for everyone.
The_Consierge_8/Tripadvisor
If you’re in the Eastern Panhandle, there’s nothing quite like this beautiful, historic town. You can learn the history of West Virginia during the Civil War, see where John Brown’s Raid took place or even zip line.
Taylor Books/Facebook
Sometimes the best places to take a visitor are the ones that the locals frequent. In Charleston, Taylor Books is one of those places. It’s got everything you need for a relaxing time: coffee, books, beer, and good company.
Josh/Flickr
Bramwell in Mercer County used to be a booming coal town and home to a lot of rich people. In fact, in the late 1800s it was noted as having the most millionaires per capita in the United States. Many gorgeous historic homes are still standing there.
Jeff Turner
Come see what life was like on the (then Virginia) frontier in the late 18th century. This 22-acre park north of Fairmont has a reconstructed fort from the era.
Huntington Museum of Art/Facebook
Not only can you experience beautiful art, you can also take classes and hike on nature trails at the Huntington Museum Art. There’s also the plant conservatory which features tropical and subtropical plants.
GBValley/Tripadvisor
This Greenbrier County town was once named coolest small town in West Virginia. There are all sorts of great restaurants and shops here that you need to check out to believe.
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