West Virginia doesn't exactly make the top of the list of places to visit in the United States, which is a shame. The state boasts miles and miles of stunning scenery, plus adorable little towns and the warmest hospitality you'll find anywhere. Take a trip through the mountains, and once you arrive, here are 10 of the most beautiful cities you will want to visit.
Charleston
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| Charleston |
If you drive on the interstate through West Virginia, your path will eventually lead you to a thickly forested break in the mountains, with a massive golden dome raising its head into the trees. That dome is the West Virginia State Capitol Building, and the city around it is Charleston (not to be confused with Charles Town, which we'll cover later). As the capital of the state and the largest city, there are numerous cultural events throughout the year, in addition to several impressive historical structures and some beautiful parks.
Lewisburg
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| Lewisburg |
Established less than a decade after the founding of the United States, Lewisburg takes great care of its historic buildings and prides itself on celebrating its heritage. This is a perfect place to visit if you're interested in gaining a fuller understanding of American history, and the charming downtown area will make you feel like you've traveled back in time. The Greenbriar Valley Theater draws people from all over to see high-quality theater and concerts, and nearby attractions also include the unique Caverns of the Lost World for something adventurous.
Buckhannon
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| Buckhannon |
Buckhannon, one of West Virginia's many coal mining towns, is located in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in the northeast quadrant of the state. While it was established in the mid-18th century, the city itself wasn't founded until 1816. After the original courthouse was damaged by fire in the early days of electricity, they built a new one in the Classical Revival style. , and you can still find it there today. The entire downtown area is reminiscent of an earlier period in American history. If you get around in May, you can stop by Buckhannon to see the West Virginia Strawberry Festival.
Barboursville
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| Barboursville |
Named after the governor of Virginia (of which West Virginia was a part) at the time of its founding in 1813, Barboursville is near the western border of the state. The city's historic district is on the National Register of Historic Places, and there is a trail that visitors can take to easily see many of the buildings of interest. A good time to visit is in the fall when they have the Fall Festival, which was originally modeled after Munich's Oktoberfest. The hills are beautiful to behold and the red brick buildings in the city center offer a striking contrast to a blue sky on a sunny day.
New Martinsville
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| New Martinsville |
New Martinsville is also on the western edge of West Virginia, but it is much further north. This pretty little town was founded in 1838 and sits on the banks of the Ohio River, which offers beautiful views. It has a strong family character, which you can put together as you walk through the small center and get the feel of the city. There are some very nice historic buildings in New Martinsville, like the tan sandstone Wetzel County Courthouse, which is almost reminiscent of a medieval castle, turrets, and all.
Shepherdstown
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| Shepherdstown |
Shepherdstown, which thanks to its founding in 1762 is probably the oldest city in the entire state, is located in the northeast corner of the state on the Potomac River. Less than 2,000 people live there, so this is the perfect place to come and experience the small town of America. There are some very interesting rock formations along the river to see if you like geology, but if you prefer the more cultural aspects of travel, you can go downtown to German Street where you will find many shops and cafes. Shepherdstown is home to Shepherd University, so there is some college life here even with such a small population.
Spencer
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| Spencer |
Spencer is located in the forested center of West Virginia and is the county seat of Roane. There are several points of interest for travelers, such as the McIntosh Mansion, the Robey Theater, and Lake Charles Fork. Although this is a relatively poor part of the country in general, this is a perfect place to come and experience the warm hospitality that is so typical of the people in Spencer and West Virginia. You'll find family-friendly parks, quiet streets, and roadside restaurants where you can get the region's delicious Southern and Appalachian food.
Summersville
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| Summersville |
While Summersville, also in central West Virginia, has a nice downtown area with old storefronts and a beautiful courthouse building, it's a sought-after destination for nature lovers who want to try their hands on Whitewater Rafting on the Gauley River or take a relaxing boat ride around Lake Summersville. The lake, which was created by a dam not so long ago, offers magnificent views of the landscape and dense forest. Perhaps the best time to come is in the fall when all the trees will glow orange and yellow. If you are very lucky, you can come when the annual Potato Festival takes place.
Hinton
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| Hinton |
Hinton, which was established shortly after the Civil War in 1873, is of great interest to history buffs because of all the museums they have. Military history is particularly well represented by the Veterans Memorial Museum and the King's Civil War Museum. This is the perfect place to come if you like trains, because the station here is very old and in excellent condition, and they also have the Hinton Railroad Museum. In particular, if Lassie was one of your favorite childhood movies, you may recognize parts of the city, as it was largely shot in Hinton.
Charles Town
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| Charles Town |
Because of its founder, Charles Town is intimately connected to the early days of the United States. The Charles who lent the city its name is, in fact, Charles Washington, George Washington's younger brother. He built a farm here, Happy Retreat, that you can still visit, and donated the land that would become the center of the city. Later, James Madison, the fourth president of the country, married here. It was also the site of an abolitionist raid in the run-up to the Civil War, and then the area saw a lot of action when war finally came. The historic buildings and the surroundings, in general, are beautiful, but it is the history that makes this city a must-see.
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