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
Countries
What to do and see in West Virginia, United States: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
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. New River Gorge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 194 reviews
A 53-mile stretch on the river that is set aside as a national park.
Reviewed By WiseWomanWanderer - Mount Orab, United States
New River Gorge and area should be on everyone's bucket list! I went for the hiking and the views for 3 nights accompanied by my dog. I could only manage easy-moderate trails. And I love water features. So, here is our itinerary>>> Sunday 1. stop at Canyon Rim Visitor Center, get trail maps, walk the boardwalk trail 2. hike Long Point Trail Monday 1. wake early to get parking place and then hike Endless Wall Trail (small parking lot, they will tow if on main road). 2. travel to Sandstone Falls and experience the boardwalk, island trail and overlooks 3. head to Thurmond area to hike the Rend Trail along the Dunloup Creek. Drove a little further to check out the New River. Driving back I pulled over to venture down to the falls (no sign so keep your eyes on the look out!). Tuesday 1. travel to Babcock State Park to experience the Grist Mill. Then hiked the Island in the Sky Trail which was nothing spectacular because the views were overgrown. Then, hiked around Lake Boley 2. drive to Summersville Dam and check out the two overlooks. Then, drive down the Gauley River access road and walk down the two steep entries to the Gauley River. 3. drive to Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park and hike the portion of the Patteron Trail with the 3 overlooks. 4. drive the Fayette Station Road Tour and get up close and personal with the New River. 5. hike the Timber Ridge Trail just because I was in the car a lot and needed more hiking! Wednesday 1. stop at Hawks Nest Overlook, Cathedral Falls, Confluence at Gauley Bridge (a city), and Kanawha Falls on SR 60 on my way back home I reviewed most of these trails on separate Tripadvisor entries. I just posted highlights of the trip. I gave each a 5 rating! I would have given 10 ratings if I could!
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. 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.
6. The Greenbrier Falconry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By 457sheilas - Dumfries, United States
My husband and I spent a wonderful relaxing week at the Homestead Resort. It was the highlight of the trip to experience the falconry. My husband is absolutely fascinated by birds of prey. He's always got an eye to the sky for eagles and hawks. We call him "the bird man". Linda was fabulous. Her love and respect for her birds was clear. She gave an over view of the birds she had that day ( an eagle owl, Harris hawk and a lanner falcon). She answered every question we had and then we took a walk while the Harris hawk flew over head. It was such a treat! At the end, we each got to have the hawk land on our gloved hand !!! She also had the hawk fly between and around us. A once in a lifetime experience for us !! We would definitely do this again and encourage anyone staying to enjoy the falconry.
7. 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!
8. 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.
9. Valley Falls State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Once the site of a lumber and grist mill community, Valley Falls State Park is a place of scenic beauty and historical significance. A series of four picturesque falls created by the dark, rushing waters of the Tygart Valley River distinguish this 1,145-acre park. In addition to its scenic charm, Valley Falls State Park offers miles of hiking and biking trails and fishing. The day-use park gates open at 7 a.m. and close at dark. This park does not offer overnight accommodations within the park.
Reviewed By garythephenom - Shinnston, United States
Absolutely breathtaking so beautiful the wild and wonderful West Virginia amazing View and to hear the roar of the water coming over the falls there's hiking trails people riding bicycles people having lunch at the picnic tables people walking their dogs people taking pictures Ulta beauty
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!
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