One of the most enduring images of West Virginia is evoked by the world-famous 1970s song ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’, as sung by the late John Denver. He wasn’t mistaken. Just about anywhere you travel here you’ll find a country road leading to remarkable scenery. Nicknamed the Mountain State—West Virginia is entirely in the Appalachian Mountains—it is an outdoor recreation mecca, with world-class whitewater rafting, mountain biking, ziplining, rock climbing and much more. West Virginia is also more than 80% forested with hardwood trees, making the mountains ablaze with vivid autumn colours.
West Virginia Highlights
Breathtaking scenery
- Beautiful autumn foliage in a state that is over 80% forested
- Train rides through the lush green mountains
- Great rock climbing at Seneca Rocks
- The Highland Scenic Highway—a two-lane road that hugs the mountains as you wind through the Potomac Highlands
- Canopy tours with fantastic views of bird and squirrel nests
- Watching parachute jumpers from high on top of the New River Gorge Bridge, 876 feet above the New River, on Bridge Day.
Dont leave without tasting...
West Virginia mountain trout and/or the fried green tomato sandwich at Tamarack.
History happened here
- Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
- West Virginia Independence Hall
- Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
- The Greenbrier Bunker
- Philippi Bridge.
Just want to indulge?
Then visit DeFluris Fine Chocolates in Martinsburg and Holl’s Swiss Chocolatier in Vienna.
Made in the state
- Fiestaware at Homer Laughlin China (in Newell)
- Marbles at Marble King (Paden City)
- Charcoal at Kingsford (Parsons)
- Hand-blown glass at Blenko Glass Company (Milton) and Appalachian Glass (Weston)
- Many artisanal crafts and products—including pottery, food, fabric and more—at Tamarack.
Outdoor excitement
You name it, West Virginia has it: whitewater rafting, ziplining, canopy tours, TimberTrek Aerial Adventure Park, mountain biking, skiing, abseiling and the New River Gorge Bridge Walk.
Roadside attractions
The world’s largest steerable telescope at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
Top photo opportunities
- Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park
- New River Gorge Bridge
- Dolly Sods Wilderness Area
- Bissonnette Gardens at Oglebay Resort
- Waterfalls at Blackwater Falls State Park.
Want to stay up late?
Take a late-night ghost tour at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum!
You might be surprised by...
The Greenbrier Resort, which has been welcoming guests from around the world for over 200 years and offers more than 50 activities.
