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
Things to do in West Virginia, United States: The Best Sights & Landmarks
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 Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 107 reviews
Site where sculptor Joe Mullins' work is displayed.
Reviewed By JenniferandAlan - Easton, United States
Every May my husband and I visit West Virginia to put flowers on a friend's grave in Princeton. We always visit the state capital and the veterans memorial on its grounds. The memorial is beautiful with the statues of soldiers and sailors of WWl, WWll, Korean War and Viet Nam wars. The memorial is tear wrenching--all those names all those lives lost. I believe the pool represents all our tears. Thank you for remembering.
3. New River Gorge Bridge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,054 reviews
Reviewed By NeoWasHere - Frederick, United States
We viewed the longest arch bridge in the Western hemisphere from the overlook decks on the Canyon Rim Visitor Center grounds. Its arch span is 1700 ft. long and the roadway is 876 ft. above the New River. The bridge opened for use in 1977 after taking over three years to complete. Every year on the third Saturday of October, Bridge Day is held to celebrate the anniversary of the bridge's completion. On Bridge Day, they close down the bridge to vehicular traffic as thousands of spectators walk across it and gather around to watch BASE jumpers risk their lives jumping off it and parachuting down to the landing zone or river below. Rappelling is also permitted. Bridge Day 2020 was cancelled due to safety concerns around mass gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. In its 40 year long history, this was only the second time Bridge Day had been cancelled with the other being in 2001 due to 9/11. See you on October 16, 2021 all you adrenaline freaks!
4. 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
5. Eckhart House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By KathyC615
Do yourself a favor and take a tour of this beautifully maintained home. It also has a very nice gift shop as well. The tea and cookies that are served after your tour are wonderful. You will not be sorry.
6. 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.
7. 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 :)
8. Monongahela National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
An 830,000-acre preserve with campsites and hiking trails.
Reviewed By pattelbert - Alexandria, United States
We went to the Otter Creek area of the park. We walked the roads and trails for a couple of miles. The campsites looked well-maintained, and the compost toilet had plenty of paper. We'd go back to actually camp!
9. Prospect Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
A panoramic overlook that stands nearly one thousand feet above the Potomac River.
Reviewed By NEWYORKUSATraveler - Daniels, United States
Just a short 3 mile drive from Berkeley Springs we found a smashing overlook from where we could see three states: West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. National Geographic Magazine rates this scene among America’s Outstanding Beauty Spots.
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!
