Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in West Virginia, United States

February 25, 2022 Major Galusha

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. West Virginia State Museum

1900 Kanawha Blvd E Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305-0009 +1 304-558-0162 http://www.wvculture.org/museum/State-Museum-Index.html
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 396 reviews

West Virginia State Museum

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.

2. New River Gorge Bridge

U. S. Route 19, Fayetteville, WV +1 304-465-0508 http://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/crvc.htm
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,054 reviews

New River Gorge Bridge

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!

3. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

71 S Asylum Dr Mail: 71 Asylum Drive, Weston, WV 26452-1593 +1 304-269-5070 [email protected] http://www.trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com
Excellent
83%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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5.0 based on 6,206 reviews

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

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. Beartown State Park

4800 Watoga Park Rd, Marlinton, WV 24954-5962 +1 304-799-4087 [email protected] http://wvstateparks.com/park/beartown-state-park/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 110 reviews

Beartown State Park

Beartown State Park is a natural area of 107 acres located on the eastern summit of Droop Mountain, seven miles southwest of Hillsboro, West Virginia. The name Beartown was chosen because local residents claimed that the many cave-like openings in the rocks made ideal winter dens for the black bears of the area. Also, the many deep, narrow crevasses were formed in a somewhat regular criss-cross pattern and appear from above like the streets of a small town. Beartown is noted for its unusual rock formations, which are comprised of Droop, or Pottsville, Sandstone formed during the Pennsylvanian age. Massive boulders, overhanging cliffs, and deep crevasses stir the imagination of most visitors. Pocketing the face of the cliffs are hundreds of eroded pits, ranging from the size of marbles to others large enough to hold two grown men. Ice and snow commonly remain in the deeper crevasses until mid to late summer. Vegetation clings tenaciously to life, sending roots into mere cracks in the rocks.The land was purchased in 1970 with funds from the Nature Conservancy and a donation from Mrs. Edwin G. Polan, in memory of her son, Ronald Keith Neal, who lost his life in the Vietnam War. Development of the park has been minimal in order to preserve the natural attractions of the area. However, basic facilities are provided, and a boardwalk permits easy access. Interpretive signs along the boardwalk guide visitors and provide insights concerning the ecology of the area. The park is open daily from April to October. During the closed winter season foot travel to the boardwalk area is welcome, with parking available at the closed entrance gate. Group tours may be arranged by contacting the Superintendent at nearby Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. No fee is charged to visit Beartown.

Reviewed By JohnnyNVA - Manassas, United States

I had no idea what to expect from this park when I put it on my list of things to visit in WV, and was amazed! The sandstone rock formations are some of the most unusual and unique geological structures I have ever seen. To protect the flora and the stones, the path is via raised wooden walkway. There are loads of stairs and at one point I felt like I was in an Escher painting. It's not a long hike, and the stairs are rarely more than 6 in a row, so unless you just cannot navigate stairs at all you shouldn't have any problems. Highly recommend this hidden gem!

5. Bloomery Plantation Distillery

16357 Charles Town Rd, Charles Town, WV 25414-5489 +1 304-725-3036 http://www.bloomerysweetshine.com
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 275 reviews

Bloomery Plantation Distillery

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. Fayette Station Road

Fayette Station Road, Lansing, WV 25862 +1 304-574-2115 http://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/fayette-station-road.htm
Excellent
85%
Good
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5.0 based on 62 reviews

Fayette Station Road

Reviewed By stevehud29 - Sandusky, United States

This was a wonderful drive down into the gorge. It takes you down a very nice paved road with many sharp twists and turns. There are several stop off points to take pictures and explore. I enjoyed it so much I took the drive twice! When you’re at Canyon Rim Visitor’s Center, ask them for the CD that provides historical information and points of interest that sync up when playing it on the drive. It took me about an hour and 20 min because I stopped a lot for pictures and to take in the scenery!

7. Wonderment Puppet Theater

412 West King Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401-3204 +1 304-258-4074 [email protected] http://www.wondermentpuppets.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 154 reviews

Wonderment Puppet Theater

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!

8. Endless Wall Trail

Lansing-Edmond Rd, Lansing, WV 25862 http://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/endlesswall.htm
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 119 reviews

Endless Wall Trail

Reviewed By xu2002 - Cincinnati, United States

We hiked this trail the day before we went rafting on the Lower New River. It was so cool to see rafts going down the river where we were going to be the next day. The hike wasn’t too long and the views were amazing. It was over 90 degrees the day we hiked it and it was so shaded that we weren’t too terribly hot. Highly recommend this trail!

9. Greenbrier Government Relocation Facility

White Sulphur Springs, WV +1 855-453-4858 http://www.greenbrier.com/Activities/The-Bunker.aspx
Excellent
63%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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4.5 based on 465 reviews

Greenbrier Government Relocation Facility

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 :)

10. Babcock State Park

486 Babcock Rd Butt, Clifftop, WV 25831-7240 +1 304-438-3004 [email protected] http://wvstateparks.com/park/babcock-state-park/
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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4.5 based on 210 reviews

Babcock State Park

One of West Virginia’s most iconic locations, Babcock State Park has 4,127 acres of stunning scenery. Located 20 miles southeast of the New River Gorge Bridge, the park is most known for the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a fully functional replica of the original Cooper’s Mill, which once stood on the grounds. Other attractions include recreational activities like hiking, fishing and mountain biking, as well as whitewater rafting nearby in the New River Gorge. The Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park is a popular destination for nature and landscape photographers and artists capturing the beauty of this iconic setting.

Reviewed By 491brandyl

Babcock is a beautiful state park. It has cabins for rent, picnic areas, playground, a lake where you can rent paddleboard, and a old mill. Park was much larger than I thought it would be. Lots of hiking!

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