Top Things to do in West Virginia
Top Hotels in West Virginia
- 1. La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Summersville
- 2. Hampton Inn Wheeling
- 3. Hampton Inn Charleston-Southridge
- 4. The Country Inn of Berkeley Springs
- 5. Hampton Inn Weston
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Beckley, WV
- 7. Wingate by Wyndham Elkins
- 8. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Charleston South, WV
- 9. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Morgantown
- 10. Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Beckley East
The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in West Virginia, United States
As you would expect, The Mountain State displays rustic charm with dramatic river gorges, large limestone caverns and spectacular mountain views. West Virginia hosts outdoor enthusiasts and family vacationers looking for fresh-air activities and serene mountain atmosphere. If stimulating city holidays are your preference, Charleston combines warm hospitality with a lovely riverside location. A family-friendly destination, you’ll discover children’s theatre, river park recreation and popular Bridge Road for shopping and dining. Smaller towns blend outdoor adventure with quaint village atmospheres. Set between the New, Greenbrier and Bluestone Rivers, Hinton is an historic rail town filled with turn-of-the-century architecture and a host of water activities at its doorstep – rafting, fishing, kayaking and more. In the heart of West Virginia, Summersville is a “Mountain Water Playground.” Its lakeside location encourages outdoor recreation from swimming and boating to scuba diving and rafting. And history buffs can trace Civil War battles throughout the states historic sites and state parks. Hiking or horseback riding along trails through deep hardwood forests is another family favorite, especially when you stop for a picnic along a clear mountain stream.
Restaurants in West Virginia
1. Culture Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 120 reviews
Complex that houses a variety of interesting tourist sites such as the State Museum, reference libraries, and a live-performance theater.
Reviewed By sheliadscott - Charleston, United States
I went to visit The Culture Center in Charleston to do my family research and I found a lot of interesting facts about WV. My visit turned into a tour because I was fascinated by the deep culture that is hidden in WV.
2. West Virginia State Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 396 reviews
Located in the Cultural Center, this interesting museum traces the history of West Virginia through a series of exhibits containing everything from an extensive collection of antique hats donated by a local school teacher to the telescope George Washington used to survey lands within the state.
Reviewed By ArwenElf - Rock Hill, United States
Free cultural museum with 26 Discovery Rooms that showcase West Virginia’s geology, prehistoric cultures, exploration and settlement, frontier conflicts and life...statehood, railroad, coal company town, mining,... the Great Depression, Civil Rights movement...transportation, fairs and festivals, cultural state collections and famous West Virginians. Very well done with extensive and interesting displays about West Virginia’s history and culture. Conveniently located next to the capital building.
3. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,206 reviews
More European castle than American hospital, this former insane asylum offers historic and paranormal tours six days a week from April through October. Full Museum & Patient Art Gallery entry is included with your tour purchase. This Gothic National Historic Landmark holds 130 years of American history's dark side.
Reviewed By brettewert - Indianapolis, United States
Awesome- I’m a history buff, who works in mental health- loved the history and enjoyed seeing the awesome restoration efforts to preserve this piece of history. Staff was super knowledgeable and genuinely cared about the building. Have been long skeptical of religious beliefs and questioned life after death. Saw and experienced thing that rocked my to my core... this place is a must see- regardless of your motivations- it is a national treasure
4. Gandy Dancer Theatre and Conference Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 843 reviews
West Virginia's ONLY Branson-style dinner theatre. Featuring music from the 50's - to present day, Country, Gospel, Rock and Roll, Patriotic with family-friendly comedy. Other shows throughout the year are: Murder Mystery Dinners, Patriotic Tributes, Aloha From Elvis, Mountain Memories Christmas Show and Christmas With Elvis.
Reviewed By jesimpjr
We were away from home and decided to make a small drive to see a Christmas show and dinner. They served a good dinner with excellent service. We were very pleased with the performers and extremely pleased that they kept Christ in their Christmas show.
5. Bloomery Plantation Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 275 reviews
We have closed our tasting room. After seven years we thought it was time for a change. Thank you to all of the wonderful guests , now friends, that have visited over the years. Keep following us on social media to see what the next chapter looks like. Cheers.
6. Wonderment Puppet Theater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 154 reviews
Wonderment Puppet Theater is a year round magical little theater for children as well as grownups producing 6 original shows a year. We are open Saturday and Sunday with show time at 1 pm. Doors open at 12:40 pm. Lots of interactive activities before and after the show. Open weekdays by special appointment only. We are the only full time theater in WV.
Reviewed By KymM_13
We loved our experience at Wonderment Puppet Theater! The owner Joe is so much fun and provided a most excellent experience for our family. The theatre is so colorful and quirky and fun fun fun with so much for all ages--the adults loved all the memorabilia and our 3 year old (and the teenagers too!) enjoyed all the hands-on, interactive activities. The puppet show was so very enjoyable as well. I have been wanting to check this place out for quite awhile and visiting family for the holiday was a great excuse. I highly recommend a visit for families!
7. State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 513 reviews
Designed by influential architect Cass Gilbert, this grand building, the highest state capitol dome in the United States, is open to the public for tours and features decadent interior details like marble walls a massive crystal chandelier.
Reviewed By JenniferandAlan - Easton, United States
Every May for about the past 10 years we have visited WV and we make sure to always see the capitol building. During the week you can have a guided tour of the inside and it is a good tour. This year we got there around 5PM and just strolled the grounds. The flowers are beautiful. The statuary is amazing, Our favorite is the WV coal miner. We also visit the war memorial each year--WWI, WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War and the list of names. Thank you for remembering.
8. Greenbrier Government Relocation Facility
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 465 reviews
A Cold War Bunker that was built between 1958 and 1961 underground on the grounds of the Greenbrier; the facility is open for tours.
Reviewed By YStonefan67
Visited,shopped and had lunch definitely going back have been here twice now going back with family to hopefully tour all the grounds and do the bunker tour :)
9. Oglebay Institute Glass Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
The museum displays glass items and has a demonstration area for glass blowers, cutters, and decorators.
Reviewed By jonesdf - Stafford, United States
Great history of Wheeling and the glass making industry. I had no idea that it was a popular place for glass factories. Great little museum that also explained how the colors are made for each piece. My favorite was watching a glassmaker make a Christmas ornament. The glass shop upstairs had some wonderful pieces for sale.
10. Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 692 reviews
Note - the Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum have changed their hours and days of operation due to the Covid 19 pandemic. As focal points of Beckley’s lovely New River Park, the Exhibition Coal Mine, the Rahall Company Store, Mine Museum and the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia draw thousands of people to the area annually. The unique underground mine, the recreated coal camp, the Youth Museum and the Mountain Homestead are surrounded by inviting lawns, colorful flowers, picnic areas, an imposing coal miner statue and a whimsical 20 ft. “Peace Totem. At the Exhibition Coal Mine, one can ride through the dark passages of a vintage coal mine. The guides are veteran miners and provide firsthand accounts of the daily responsibilities and tasks of past and present day miners. In addition to the Mine, one can tour the Mine Museum and the period coal camp situated throughout the grounds.
Reviewed By LiLa521 - Oshkosh, United States
We were so glad we visited! Knowing nothing about coal mines and how miners lived, this was so informative and interesting. From the coal mine tour, conducted by former coal miners to the pioneer village and coal miners’ buildings where docents shared their knowledge and answered our questions, this was a tour worth taking. Loved it all!
