10 Of The Most Quaint Small Towns In West Virginia
West Virginia, the 10th-smallest and 12th least-populous state in the Appalachian region of the Southern United States is acclaimed for its rugged mountain peaks, sparkling waterbodies, and thickly wooded gorges. Speckled throughout this scenic terrain are some quaint small towns that often get overlooked by vacationers who otherwise flock in large numbers to the state’s bigger cities. These charming towns famed for their sweeping landscape views, colorful festivals, warm Southern hospitality, and plenty of world-class recreation are must-visits on your next vacay to the Mountain State.
Fayetteville
Fayette County’s seat, this adorable town is located directly south of the New River Gorge Bridge, adjoining the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Founded by Abraham Vandall and named Vandalia, the town was renamed Fayetteville in honor of Marquis de Lafayette, the Revolutionary War hero. The National Register-listed Fayetteville Historic District covering the town’s central business district and adjacent residential areas, includes notable landmark properties such as the Fayette County Courthouse, Altamont Hotel, E. B. Hawkins House, Jack’s Garage, Fayette County Jail, Old Methodist Church, etc. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts are drawn to the New River Gorge whose numerous scenic overlooks offer rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking activities, in addition to kayaking and whitewater rafting in the New River. Every third Saturday in October, the New River Gorge Bridge Commission hosts “Bridge Day,” a national BASE-jumping event commemorating the 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge.
Harpers Ferry
This historic Jefferson County Town in lower Shenandoah Valley is located in West Virginia's eastern panhandle at the junction of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park comprises the town’s lower, flood-prone sections, whereas the Harpers Ferry Historic District is on the elevated upper section of the town. The historic district contains uncountable 19th-century houses constructed by the Federal Government for the Harpers Ferry Armory workers and portions of the central town not included in the National Historical Park. From an antebellum manufacturing and transportation mecca, Harpers Ferry has over the years gradually transformed into a serene residential village and a popular tourist destination. The town’s noteworthy points of interest include John Brown’s Fort, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, The Point, and Jefferson Rock. However, no visit to Harpers Ferry is complete without exploring the different trails in the National Historical Park like the Maryland Heights Trail, Lower Town Loop Trail, Loudon Heights Trail, and Murphy-Chambers Farm Loop Trail.
Buckhannon
The administrative center of Upshur County, Buckhannon, named after the Delaware Indian Chief Buck-on-ge-ha-non or Buckongahelas, is situated at the base of the Allegheny Mountains along the Buckhannon River roughly 88 miles northeast of the state capital Charleston. Home to 5,299 inhabitants as per the 2020 US Census, the town houses the principal campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College, a private institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Featuring iconic red-brick buildings, stylish boutiques, scores of specialty shops, and local restaurants, the Main Street in Buckhannon is considered by many as West Virginia’s best Main Street shopping district. The Upshur County Historical Society & Museum, Audra State Park & Campground, and West Virginia State Wildlife Center are Buckhannon’s interesting attractions. To honor the state’s strawberry growers, the town organizes every year a week-long “West Virginia Strawberry Festival” in the third week of May, with strawberry gift shops, horse & carriage parades, carnival, arts & crafts shows, and food vendors selling all kinds of strawberry treats.
Hinton
A typical Victorian-era railroad town in Southern West Virginia, Hinton, the seat of Summers County is located along the New River immediately north of its meeting point with the Greenbrier River, around 90 miles from Charleston. Stroll the tree-lined streets of the historic downtown district packed with numerous meticulously preserved buildings such as the Summers County Courthouse, Hotel McCreery, C&O Railway Passenger Station, Carnegie Library, Campbell-Flannagan-Murrell House, etc., in addition to a plethora of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. As the gateway to the New River Gorge National River, Hinton is close to both Bluestone State Park and Pipestem Resort State Parks which provide vacationers with ample recreation opportunities. History buffs can get to know more about the bygone days at the town’s various museums like the Veterans Memorial Museum, King’s Civil War Museum, and the Hinton Railroad Museum. Hinton hosts several annual festivals like the West Virginia State Water Festival, Railroad Days Festival, and John Henry Days.
Berkeley Springs
Set in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, this historic spa town in Morgan County is situated around 26 miles northwest of Martinsburg and 36 miles west of Hagerstown, Maryland. A part of the Hagerstown-Martinsburg metropolitan area, Berkeley Springs lures vacationers from all over the world to relax in its healing thermal waters and full-service spas. Additionally, the town has a thriving art scene; an array of dining spaces like Lot 12 Public House, Angus & Ale, and the County Inn Restaurant & Morgan Tavern; entertainment venues such as the Star Movie Theatre and Ice House Art Center; eclectic shops like Berkeley Springs Antiques Mall, Rag Shop, and Fleur de Lis Cheese Shop; local craft breweries like Berkeley Springs Brewing Co, and Cacapon Mountain Brewing Co; and unlimited outdoor recreations at Berkeley Springs State Park, Cacapon Resort State Park, and the adjoining Washington Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway.
Shepherdstown
One of the state’s oldest towns, Shepherdstown is situated in the upper Shenandoah Valley along the banks of the Potomac River in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle. Originally named Mecklenburg, the settlement was formally renamed Shepherdstown in honor of Thomas Shepherd after the American Civil War. The Shepherdstown Historic District that encompasses this college town’s historic core comprises beautifully maintained landmark properties like Baker House, Old Market House, McMurran Hall of Shepherd University, Van Swearingen-Shepherd House (Bellevue), Rumsey Hall (Entler Hotel), etc. At present, many of these historic buildings on German Street house locally-owned shops, bookstores, cafes, art galleries, music venues, and award-winning restaurants serving Bavarian delights to modern fusion cuisines. For a spooky experience, do not forget to take a tour of haunted places with the Shepherdstown Mysteries Walk. The Shepherd University hosts the Contemporary American Theater Festival which produces six new American plays in a rotating repertory every summer.
Elkins
Developed by two U.S. Senators Stephen Benton Elkins and Henry Gassaway Davis, Elkins, the administrative center of Randolph County, is situated along the meeting point of Leading Creek and Tygart Valley River in eastern West Virginia, around 35 miles southeast of Clarksburg. Being the headquarters of the Monongahela National Forest, this quaint mountain town is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Drawing more than 3 million visitors annually, the 921,000-acre Monongahela National Forest is celebrated for the rugged landscape and the wide range of floral and faunal species found there. Every fall, Elkins hosts one of the state’s biggest and oldest festivals, the Mountain State Forest Festival, with headline concerts, arts and crafts shows, lumberjack competitions, carnival rides, parades, and mouthwatering local foods.
Lewisburg
Lewisburg, the seat of government of Greenbrier County, is located just about 1 mile north of the Greenbrier River to the west of White Sulphur Springs. This “jewel of southern West Virginia,” welcomes travelers to take a tour of the art galleries, antique stores, stylish boutiques, and eateries along its picturesque Main Street. Heritage lovers must view the permanent displays and temporary exhibits at the Greenbrier Historical Society & North House Museum, while cultural enthusiasts can enjoy musical concerts, literary events, and live theatrical performances at Carnegie Hall and Greenbrier Valley Theatre. The town’s annual celebrations include the Lewisburg Literary Festival, Chocolate Festival, Taste of Our Towns, Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, and Old Christmas with Shanghai Parade on New Year’s Day.
White Sulphur Springs
Nicknamed, “Spa City,” White Sulphur Springs is a resort town in the Allegheny Mountains of Southeastern West Virginia’s Greenbrier County, about 10 miles east of Lewisburg. The town’s spectacular surroundings have made it a favored destination for adventurists who visit in large numbers to take in the breathtaking views. Walk down the Main Street and check out the varied specialty shops, restaurants, and entertainment spaces like the Village Wine Shop, Gum Store Studios, Cross Creek on Main, Big Draft Brewing, Road Hog’s BBQ, and 50 East Restaurant & Tavern. White Sulphur Springs is home to umpteen sites of interest like the luxurious Greenbrier Resort, Greenbrier River Trail, the nearby Greenbrier State Forest, Monongahela National Forest, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, Blue Bend, and Lake Sherwood recreation areas.
New Martinsville
Christened after an early settler Presley Martin, New Martinsville, located along the Ohio River about 71 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, serves as the seat of Wetzel County. The town’s downtown commercial district is packed with alluring Victorian-style buildings that currently house a variety of shops, art galleries, and cozy eateries. New Martinsville’s notable attractions include the Wetzel County Courthouse, New Martinsville Bridge, Lincoln Theater, the New Martinsville Walking Trail, the New Martinsville Marina along Fishing Creek, and the different city parks like the Lewis Wetzel Park, Bruce Park, and Brooklyn Park. Throughout the year, the town hosts many festivals such as the Back Home Festival, Arts in the Park, Town and Country Days Fair, Northern Mountaineer Bass Tournament, New Martinsville Area Regattafest, Wetzel County Autumnfest, Chili Fest, and New Martinsville Christmas Parade.
From the historic Harpers Ferry to the luxurious Berkeley Springs, each of the small towns in West Virginia has its distinctive quirks and charm. These picture-perfect towns are ideal locales to reconnect with nature, study native history, soak in the rich mountain cultures, gorge on some delicious cuisines, and partake in unlimited Appalachian adventures. So, what are you waiting for? Come and experience all that these magnificent West Virginia small towns have to offer.
