Top 20 Things to Do in West Virginia
As a Mountaineer mom, I’m sharing my family’s list of the best things to do in West Virginia on a family vacation.
I’m not sure what it is about traveling away from home that can actually make me appreciate my own home even more. And I don’t mean the actual house that we live in. (Although it does always feel nice to sleep in your own bed after a trip away, doesn’t it?) I mean home, as in the place where your roots are. The place that feels like a worn-in, favorite pair of jeans.
For me, that place is West Virginia. And the older I get the more I realize just how big a part of me that place is. I’ve lived in the state all but three years out of my life and I’ve had the opportunity to experience some pretty awesome places to go and things to do. These are 20 of my favorites that I think you’ll love too.
Click HERE for our longer list:
50 Of The Best Places To Visit In West Virginia On A Family Vacation
1. Visit the West Virginia Capitol building.
Standing taller than the US Capitol, the West Virginia Capitol is not only an architectural gem, it’s also a history lesson in itself and a great thing to do while you’re in West Virginia. A tour of the building reveals how the state has changed over the years, including why the capital now stands in Charleston in the first place. When the legislature is in session, visitors at the Capitol hear issues debated and voted on live and in person in the gallery. Students can even apply to be a page in the legislature for a day, where they’ll work on the legislative floor during session.
Visiting the Capitol is at the top of the list of things to do in West Virginia.
2. Ride the Hatfield-McCoy Trails on an ATV.
Sometimes having fun and learning results in a few extra loads of laundry, like when you take an ATV ride on the Hatfield-McCoy trails. The 700+ miles of trails are in the mountains of WV and offer rides for every skill type. To make this attraction extra memorable, don’t forget to check out the famous feud that provided the trails their name.
3. Tour Harpers Ferry.
History at its best is represented in this small town in the eastern panhandle of the state. Several museums, small shops, a historic church and lovely restaurants dot the town. Visitors feel as if they’ve stepped back in time. Don’t forget to go to John Brown’s Fort and Wax Museum for a great West Virginia thing to do and a history lesson on the famous abolitionist.
Things to do in West Virginia - visit Harpers Ferry.
4. Visit the Governor’s Mansion.
Not every state allows visitors to tour the house where the sitting governor resides. Luckily for tourists to Charleston, West Virginia is a state that does. Tours are rarely overcrowded so touring the WV Governor’s Mansion is like walking through a personal visit to the governor of the state. Your visit here will allow you to learn where important artifacts originated and get a feel for what it’s like for the head of the state.
The entrance of the Governor's Mansion.
5. Whitewater raft the Gauley or New River.
Both veteran adventure seekers and newbie rafters alike can enjoy rafting in West Virginia. Pick your poison for whichever trip suits your fancy on your family vacation and know that you’ll be rafting one of the premier spots not just in West Virginia, but in the entire country.
Whitewater rafting the lower New River.
6. Stay at the Greenbrier Resort.
If vacationing in the footsteps of Elenor Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and the Clintons is on your family vacation to-do list, the Greenbrier will fit that bill. This luxury resort oozes southern charm, high-end service, and sprawling grounds. The Greenbrier also houses a declassified bunker built for Congress in the event of a Cold War-era nuclear attack. Tours of the bunker are a fascinating must see.
The pool at the Greenbrier Resort.
7. Tour the West Virginia State Museum.
Don’t let the fact that this West Virginia State Museum is free fool you. It’s packed with fantastic exhibits, animatronics, and scenes that will make you feel like you’re not just learning about the state’s history, you’re a part of it. You’ll also learn how important events in history affected West Virginia and how West Virginians in turn affected the nation.
8. Float on the Shenandoah or the Potomac.
This calm water activity is a family-friendly thing to do in West Virginia to enjoy the water in the Eastern Panhandle. You’ll float over shallow ledges on this beautiful stretch of water along the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
9. Visit Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
Snowshoe Mountain might be best known as a wintertime destination because it’s the largest ski resort in the southeast region, but family vacation fun can actually be had here year-round. Early fall is a good time to catch the autumn footage. Visiting in the summertime provides great hiking and other outdoor activities and the chance to catch special events like the Wine and Jazz festival in May.
10. Hike the Appalachian Trail.
Four miles of the 14-state Appalachian Trail pass through historic Harpers Ferry, which is also home to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the trail’s headquarters. Hikers can pick up guides, shop for souvenirs, and meet with staff who can answer questions. The stretch here is ranked easy to moderate, with an elevation between 265 and 1,200 feet, making it a great place to get in some hiking on this famous trail.
Things to do in West Virginia.
11. Attend a WVU football game.
West Virginia University football games are football at its finest - with lots of tailgating, school pride, and excitement in the air. You don’t need to be an alumni to share in the excitement of this thing to do in West Virginia. Mountaineers are known to offer you a cold beverage and a seat at their tailgate... even if you’re cheering for the opposing team. You might want to memorize the lyrics of Country Roads before hitting the road to Morgantown for this one though because you’re bound to hear a lot of the song all Mountaineer fans love.
12. Tour Blennerhassett Island.
This island may be named for the wealthy Irish immigrants who built a mansion on it, but it was the doings of Aaron Burr that gave the island its fascinating tie to history. Today it’s a unique state park accessed by riding a sternwheeler from Parkersburg, WV. Once on the island, visitors can enjoy tours of the grounds and mansion, take horse-drawn carriage rides... and learn the tie the landmark has to Mr. Burr.
Things to do in West Virginia - visit Blennerhassett Island.
13. Attend a festival or fair.
West Virginia festivals are as varied as the state itself and you’re sure to find one that you’ll love. For an authentic thing to do WV, check out the state fair in Lewisburg. Or eat delicious food at the Italian Heritage Festival in Clarksburg. See an amazing display of Christmas lights at the Olglebay Winter Festival of Lights. Or enjoy all things related to apples at the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival in Martinsburg. For even more West Virginia Fair options, check out a longer list HERE.
14. Visit a small town.
Visiting off-the-beaten-path destinations are sometimes one of the best things to do … in West Virginia and beyond. West Virginia has a plethora of small towns that fit the bill. Bramwell (which is reminiscent of Mayberry), Shepherdstown (with its’ artsy feel), or Lewisburg (think picturesque small town) are just a few of the great choices for a family vacation.
Things to do in West Virginia - visit Bramwell.
15. Go trout fishing.
West Virginia is a fly-fisherman’s paradise, with several locations being great picks for good fishing. Cranberry River in the Monongahela National Forest, Seneca Creek in Seneca Rocks, WV and Elk River in the Allegheny Mountains are some of the best picks. Check out more top fishing picks in West Virginia HERE.
Things to do in West Virginia - trout fish.
16. Visit the Monongahela National Forest and Canaan Valley.
No list of things to do in West Virginia would be complete without lots of outdoor options. You’ll enjoy seeing vistas, country roads, flowing streams, and many animals and plants at Monongahela National Forest in Elkins. Neighboring Canaan Valley features ski slopes in the winter and hiking trails, golf, sporting clays, archery and other activities in the warmer months.
Things to do in West Virginia.
17. Visit Blackwater Falls State Park.
The beautiful waterfalls at Blackwater Falls State Park in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, WV is another great outdoor thing to do in West Virginia. The falls are also some of the most photographed sites in West Virginia. The park offers outdoor recreational activities, as well as camping, resort, and cabin accommodations.
Things to do in West Virginia - visit Blackwater Falls.
18. Explore a cavern.
Turns out there are even cool things to do below ground in West Virginia. The Lost World Caverns in Greenbrier County feature one of the nation’s largest stalagmites. Seneca Caverns in Pendleton County were named for the Seneca Indians who used the cave beginning in the 1400s and descend 165 below ground. Smoke Hole Caverns are also worth exploring in neighboring Grant County. After you enjoy the geologic sites, you can stay at nearby cabins for a true West Virginia experience.
Things to do in West Virginia - explore a cavern.
19. Do some shopping.
Even us wanna-be-minimalists love to take home a little something after a trip and West Virginia has great, authentic souvenirs. You can find FIESTA® dinnerware where it’s been manufactured since 1902, in Newell, WV. Or purchase hand blown glass at the Blenko Glass, a company that has perfected the West Virginia tradition in Milton. And take home yummy apple products, after a visit to the Eastern Panhandle, where the fruit is harvested. Lots of other towns offer antiques and other handcrafted items from the Mountain State.
Things to do in West Virginia - shop for authentic handmade items, like blown glass.
20. Tour the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.
Coal is a huge part of the history of West Virginia. A visit to the Exhibition Coal Mine explains the relationship the people of WV have with what came to be known as “black gold”. At the attached museum, visitors can get a feel for what life was like in the early 20th century for miners and their families. It also shows just how dangerous the business of coal is for those who mine it.
Things to do in West Virginia - Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
