Top Things to do in
5 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in , United States including Green Bank Observatory, Pocahontas County Opera House, The Spa at Snowshoe, Marlinton Railroad Depot, Al's Upper Inn Club.
Restaurants in Pocahontas County
1. Green Bank Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 273 reviews
The Science Center remains temporarily closed for COVID 19 restrictions (see greenbankobservatory.org for updates). However our grounds are open for walking tours, docent activities, and seated presentations. See our website for complete schedules and updates.
Reviewed By glennbelkin - Murrysville, United States
This is currently the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope. This is NOT an optical telescope that you would LOOK through visually. This is a radio telescope. A radio telescope RECEIVES radio waves from various distant celestial sources. A very complex science indeed. It is near the tiny village of Green Bank, W.V. About 20 miles east of Snowshoe ski resort. VERY ISOLATED (on purpose). The drive from just about any direction is worth the trip. Just a gorgeous part of W.V. Warning: Roads are well maintained but VERY winding and significant changes in elevation. My GPS went anywhere from 1000 ft above sea level to 3800 ft! Fun drive though. The best time to go is of course during the peak of fall foliage. There are around 14 different radio telescopes on site (which has been around since the late 1950's) with I believe about half of which are currently operating. The highlight, of course is the GBT or Robert C. Byrd radio telescope.(Operating since about the year 2000). Even from a distance it is truly awe-inspiring! It does help if you have interest in the cosmos and question whether we "are alone". WE ARE NOT! I am sure of this. Great photos can be taken of the GBT from a viewing platform, where digital cameras ARE allowed. Medium to long telephoto lens does help though. (Digital cameras are not allowed on the tour that takes you up close (real close) to the GBT. Only disposable film cameras are permitted on this tour.(Digital cameras or even film cameras with ANY electronic components emit RF signals.That was news to me! You REALLY get a true gauge of just how big the GBT is on the tour to the base of the scope. INCREDIBLE. One interesting fact about the sensitivity of the GBT: From their website "If you were to take your cell phone to Mars, its energy as seen here on earth would be much, much greater than the energies frequently measured by the GBT." Think about that! They said they have measured unbelievably faint "signals" from the very edge of the known universe! Try and wrap your head around that! Nearby (5mi.) is the town of Cass. Great little town with the Cass Scenic Railroad with train engines from 1901 that take you on very scenic trips. Well worth a stop also. About 40 mi. north east of Cass is the Seneca Caverns. A must see!! One of the best caves I have been to. Incredible formations inside. And last, about 8 mi north of the caverns is Seneca Rocks formation. Another must see! A scaled down version a little like Yosemite. Climbers come from all parts of the country come to climb the sheer cliffs. Great photo op also. Have fun.
2. Pocahontas County Opera House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
The Opera House is Pocahontas County’s premier music hall and performing arts center. An intimate venue, with seating for 250, the Opera House is part of the West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail. Its annual performance series brings more than a dozen performances on its stage each year, ranging from bluegrass to jazz, folk to musical theatre and everything in between.
3. The Spa at Snowshoe
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 9 reviews
4. Marlinton Railroad Depot
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 16 reviews
The C&O Railroad 1868-1873) linked Huntington with Richmond, VA opening up southern West Virginia to industrialization. The depot is over 100 years old and listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as Marlinton's Visitor's Center.
Reviewed By Sightsee792978
I love to shop and support local business when I travel. This co-op is filled with interesting, unique items made by local artisans. I enjoyed looking at everything and left with a few purchases as well.
5. Al's Upper Inn Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By pghbill7 - Pittsburgh, United States
Fantastic! In the middle of nowhere. It's a long drive down the mountains to Durbin and there are not any places to stop and eat. Then Durbin itself is very small. When I had called for reservations for the Durbin Rocket, I had asked the agent about where to get lunch. She said there was a cafe in the railroad station and the Upper Inn Club at the end of their building. She said the Upper Inn Club was a lot better and well worth it. They were closed the day I tried calling to see what they had so I emailed the question and received no response. I found out the new owner Greg ( I think, I wrote it on the doggy bag container and it got thrown away). Had bought the restaurant from his cousin last year but his cousin kept all the email and web page and he didn't have access to them, which is why I never received an answer. It is worth the stop, the food is fantastic & reasonable. He has several good craft beers on tap and because we were riding the train he made sure our food was served quickly. I think he is changing the name. There were 4 of us (two couples) and everyone had more than they could finish and the food was great!
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