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 5 Best Science Museums 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. 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. Clay Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 191 reviews
Opened in the summer of 2003, the Clay Center strives to present a variety of arts and sciences all under one roof. The Avampato Discovery Museum is two floors of fascinating interactive science exhibits, while the ElectricSky™ Theater features planetarium shows. In addition there are a large performance hall and a small black-box theater, an art museum, a fun museum shop, and a cafe. There's something interesting scheduled virtually every night here!
Reviewed By kielal2016 - Scott Depot, United States
My family comes here occasionally! My children really enjoy it! Their favorite part of the Clay Center is the water area! As a mother with two special need toddlers, this is a great place to come to allow kids to explore and learn in a safe and fun environment! The bottom floor has things for kids to learn about shopping, cars, and different type of careers! I highly recommend this place to families!
3. Spark! Imagination and Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Spark! Imagination and Science Center is a hands-on children's museum and science center. Children and adults explore engineering,dinosaurs, space weather, nanoscience and health in a fun and interactive way. Children can also expand their imaginations through dress up and puppets and get exercise through play with our interactive Squishlets exhibit.
Reviewed By Tefrazer
Took my 4 1/2 yr old grandson. He wanted to go back the next day. He played well with other children, he asked for help from the staff who made him comfortable helping him, and Grandma was comfortable watching him from a nice couch. Amazing use of a relatively small space (?30 feet by 60) for a children’s museum. Smaller area enhanced child to child interactions.
4. Avampato Discovery Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By rreishman - Charleston, United States
The exhibits are very entertaining and wonderful learning experiences. Plan a reasonable length of time as it is hard to drag the kids away. Go to the Water Works last as they mostly will get a little bit wet.
5. T-Rex Science Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
