There’s nothing like a cool breeze off the river on a hot summer day, while you go sightseeing without a care in the world. These charming West Virginia towns are a great place to spend a day close to the waterfront.
- Point Pleasant
WikiMedia Commons/Charles Johnson This friendly little town is best known for its ties to the Mothman legend. You can visit the Mothman statue and museum, but don’t miss other gems like the Navy Poster Museum, Point Pleasant River Museum, and Tu-Endie-Wei State Park.
- Shepherdstown
Flickr/Ron Cogswell One of West Virginia’s oldest towns (some say it’s the oldest) has plenty to see and explore. Check out Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle for adventures along the Potomac.
- Fairmont
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn Fairmont is becoming a destination for great food and activities. Visit Valley Falls State Park to get close to the water.
- Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park/Buddy Secor This tiny town is full of history. and much of the town is officially designated as a National Historic Park. You can enjoy the river views as you hike the portion of the Appalachian Trail that goes through West Virginia.
- Kanawha Falls
WikiMedia Commons/Loco Steve Spend the day fishing in the community of Kanawha Falls, named after the Kanawha Falls that span the river. It’s also worth a visit to Glen Ferris on the other riverbank.
- Gauley Bridge
WikiMedia Commons/Ken Thomas Just a couple miles away from Kanawha Falls is the community of Gauley Bridge. Enjoy the town alongside the river, then take a short hike to see close-up views of the 60 foot high Cathedral Falls.
- Fayetteville
WikiMedia Commons/Shawn Ullerup Fayetteville is home to West Virginia’s iconic New River Gorge Bridge, and it’s been called one of America’s coolest small towns. Spend a day or several here… you won’t get bored!
- Sistersville
WikiMedia Commons/Tim Kiser Enjoy the charming little restaurants of this riverside town, and then take the ferry across the Ohio River.
- St. Marys
WikiMedia Commons/e r j k . a m e r j k a St. Marys is one of the few towns left in America where you can see trains roll right down the same streets as regular automobile traffic. Enjoy the trains and the shops along Second Street, and then take a walk down the the waterfront.
- Parkersburg
WikiMedia Commons/Mgoudy85 Parkersburg is one of West Virginia’s relatively larger cities, but it still feels like a small town. Enjoy the water by taking a ferry to Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park.
To explore more of West Virginia’s beautiful towns, try our small town road trip!
WikiMedia Commons/Charles Johnson
This friendly little town is best known for its ties to the Mothman legend. You can visit the Mothman statue and museum, but don’t miss other gems like the Navy Poster Museum, Point Pleasant River Museum, and Tu-Endie-Wei State Park.
Flickr/Ron Cogswell
One of West Virginia’s oldest towns (some say it’s the oldest) has plenty to see and explore. Check out Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle for adventures along the Potomac.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Fairmont is becoming a destination for great food and activities. Visit Valley Falls State Park to get close to the water.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park/Buddy Secor
This tiny town is full of history. and much of the town is officially designated as a National Historic Park. You can enjoy the river views as you hike the portion of the Appalachian Trail that goes through West Virginia.
WikiMedia Commons/Loco Steve
Spend the day fishing in the community of Kanawha Falls, named after the Kanawha Falls that span the river. It’s also worth a visit to Glen Ferris on the other riverbank.
WikiMedia Commons/Ken Thomas
Just a couple miles away from Kanawha Falls is the community of Gauley Bridge. Enjoy the town alongside the river, then take a short hike to see close-up views of the 60 foot high Cathedral Falls.
WikiMedia Commons/Shawn Ullerup
Fayetteville is home to West Virginia’s iconic New River Gorge Bridge, and it’s been called one of America’s coolest small towns. Spend a day or several here… you won’t get bored!
WikiMedia Commons/Tim Kiser
Enjoy the charming little restaurants of this riverside town, and then take the ferry across the Ohio River.
WikiMedia Commons/e r j k . a m e r j k a
St. Marys is one of the few towns left in America where you can see trains roll right down the same streets as regular automobile traffic. Enjoy the trains and the shops along Second Street, and then take a walk down the the waterfront.
WikiMedia Commons/Mgoudy85
Parkersburg is one of West Virginia’s relatively larger cities, but it still feels like a small town. Enjoy the water by taking a ferry to Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park.
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