10 West Virginia Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life
In scenic West Virginia, the place known as the Mountain State has no lack of tourist draws and longstanding attractions, from Morgantown — home of football-loving West Virginia University — to its stately capital, Charleston. Yet its smaller towns, with their more relaxed pace of life, may be among the best elements the state has to offer the visitor. From the Eastern Panhandle close to the Atlantic seaboard to the state's contact with the Ohio River, West Virginia, and its mythical Appalachian Mountains show off its best features in smaller towns like these.
It is no wonder the state's license plates bear the motto: "Wild, Wonderful." In towns like Davis, where the trails beckon, or Blennerhassett, with its riverfront elegance, the motto feels especially true — and these towns prove West Virginia is both wild and peaceful in equal measure.
Blennerhassett
In a state sometimes associated with rugged mountain life, the town of Blennerhassett, on West Virginia's western edge, offers a glimpse of bygone luxury and ostentatious affluence. The area is named after Harman Blennerhassett, an Irish aristocrat who built a lavish mansion on the nearby island in the early 1800s and became embroiled in the infamous Burr conspiracy. Today, that history of wealth endures at the nearby Blennerhassett Hotel, which opened in 1889 and has served millionaires (and their fellow guests) ever since.
For history amid some fresh air, Blennerhassett Island, sitting between Ohio and West Virginia in the Ohio River, is the home of the original Blennerhassett family, which owned a plantation here. On the island itself, the Blennerhassett Mansion welcomes visitors and can be reached by vintage riverboat departing from nearby Parkersburg.
Bluefield
At West Virginia's southernmost end, the town of Bluefield, set in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains within Appalachia, holds a secret: it lives next to Bluefield, Virginia, much like the similarly two-state town of Bristol, between Virginia and Tennessee. Together, the Bluefield area lies more than 2,600 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest cities east of the Rocky Mountains. Given its altitude, summertime here brings cooler temperatures than much of the surrounding region. The climate has inspired Bluefield's nickname as "nature's air-conditioned city."
For a good time out, Bluefield offers a variety of places to eat and play. The RailYard, a restaurant, includes an upscale bar and an all-American menu. The Granada Theater, a revitalized building first constructed in 1928, offers live entertainment of all kinds and sells a signature treat: authentic Italian gelato, reflecting the state's Italian heritage of the past.
Buckhannon
Buckhannon is a small town with big opportunities in the middle of the state. Outdoor adventure fans come here for its proximity to ample rafting, kayaking, and fishing on the Buckhannon River. At the same time, the nearby Stonewall Jackson Lake makes a great biking, walking, and picnic spot. Cultural highlights in town include antique shopping, public murals in Traders Alley, and hard-to-find indie and foreign films at the Lascaux Micro-Theater. Moreover, Buckhannon organizes a vibrant seasonal calendar of festivals, including the Strawberry Festival held each May.
Charles Town
The hamlet of Charles Town, tucked in the state's Eastern Panhandle between Maryland and Virginia, makes a pleasant stop in or out of Harpers Ferry and to West Virginia's points south. Founded in 1786 by Charles Washington, brother of American President George Washington, the place has borne a feeling of quiet gentility for more than two centuries. Those who want to learn about the past can visit the Jefferson County Museum, where local history waits for students and curious tourists.
Various entertainment options keep things lively in this relaxing community. The Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races gives the gambling visitor everything he or she could want: trackside betting, 2,500 slot machines, table games, and fine dining at Final Cut, a steakhouse. Meanwhile, the Old Opera House puts on six full-scale stage productions and other events each year, not to mention the classes it offers to community members.
Davis
The tiny town called Davis, a place of grid streets along the Blackwater River, once thrived as a logging village. Since those days. Davis has transformed itself into a surprisingly comfortable weekend destination, as it sits close to two state parks, the Canaan Valley ski resort, and mountain hiking and biking trails galore. Those interested in the full experience should opt for the Canaan Valley Resort State Park, which has a golf course, spa, dining areas, and plenty of wilderness to explore.
For a taste of Davis culture, the scene goes down at Stumptown Ales. Its name is a nod to the town's felled trees (leaving only a stump) and the brewery and bar that prides itself on its IPAs in particular. Also in town, the Billy Motel and Bar uses retro, Mad Men-style furnishings and rockabilly style to great effect for the in-crowd passing through Davis. The place's tagline — "hillybilly fabulous" — says it all.
Elkins
Southwest of Davis, within an easy drive to the Monongahela National Forest, the town of Elkins makes the perfect base for regional tourism in any weather. For a breathtaking view of nature's beauty, the vista of Seneca Rocks is almost as spectacular as seeing the valley below after climbing to the outcropping's highest point. The 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army trained on these cliffs during World War II. Closer to the ground, rafting enthusiasts can easily get from Elkins to the Tygart River, a celebrated adventure-sports hub.
Culture in Elkins takes various forms. Davis and Elkins College, one of the state's standout liberal arts schools, gives the town a collegiate feel. Come autumn, the Mountain State Forest Festival, held in Elkins and celebrating the unique aspects of the Monongahela and other wooded areas in the state, appeals as a family-friendly event. Food, carnival rides, and lumberjack games all make this annual experience one not to miss.
Hurricane
Despite its stormy name, the small western town of Hurricane maintains a very peaceful style of living. The town frequently ranks on local lists of best places in West Virginia to raise a family, in light of its affordable family housing, high-scoring schools, and access to I-64, which makes the town a viable bedroom community for both Charleston and Huntington.
Hurricane's cultural offerings score just as high. The town's murals, performance venues like Arts in Action and Dancing Unlimited, and other draws give families and couples reasons to visit and even relocate here. The City Gift Shop trades in souvenirs as well as local information, which makes Hurricane a great place to live and visit.
Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry, sitting at the confluence of three states and two rivers, has long attracted visitors, adventurers, and people looking for a slowed-down pace of life. Set in the Eastern Panhandle, with Maryland and Virginia on either side, the town rests above the meeting point of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. It is known as the site of the famous anti-slavery insurrection led by one John Brown. Brown's actions helped spark the events that would lead to the U.S. Civil War.
In Harpers Ferry today, several national parks seek to educate and inform travelers about the town's outsized role in history. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park provides grounds, explanatory placards, and other information on the town's enduring contributions to the region and the country. For a bite to eat in an atmospheric setting, head uphill to the Rabbit Hole Gastro Pub, a cozy, wood-walled burger joint with a deck overlooking the Potomac. Fun fact: the Appalachian Trail Conservancy runs its headquarters here, and the trail itself passes right through town.
Moorefield
Between the Panhandle and the western parts of the state, Moorefield, with ample restaurants, shops, and hotels, makes another sturdy base for exploring the region. The history of the Civil War looms large here, as evidenced at Olivet Cemetery, an elevated patch of ground from which Union forces shelled the town in 1863. The town changed hands repeatedly during the war, and the cemetery became the final resting place for numerous Union and Confederate soldiers who perished in local fighting. Today, with good schools and a modest population for the town's size, Moorefield ranks among West Virginia's best towns to live in.
For an evening out in Moorefield, dinner options range from Salvadoran staples at Pupuseria Emerita to classic American fare at O'Neills or the Grillin' Time Diner. Afterward, catch a show at South Branch Cinema 6, which plays just-released movies from Hollywood.
Pea Ridge
In the rural southwest of West Virginia, east of Huntington, the town of Pea Ridge awaits visitors and longer-term guests. The residential community lies a stone's throw from numerous attractions and interests, including the Guyan Golf and Country Club and comfort-food restaurants like Christopher's Eats and Oscar's Breakfast, Burgers, and Brews.
Options for a day or evening out tend to fit in the small-town mold, like Ritter Park, with a rose garden, dog park, and a pair of playgrounds to choose from. The Guyandotte River defines the northern edge of town and provides ample opportunities for swimming, fishing, and rafting. Pea Ridge gives easy access to the river for these and many other local activities. East of town, Billy Bob's Wonderland, a kid-focused entertainment center, makes an ideal location for birthday parties, with puppet shows, mini-golf, and arcade games.
In West Virginia, Small Means Slower — and Wonderful
These towns make a strong case for the idea that West Virginia's loveliest places are, sometimes, some of its smallest. Outdoor havens like Bluefield and Davis hold everything for an ideal weekend away. Cultural gems, from Blennerhassett's legacy of wealth to the festivals in Buckhannon and Elkins, prove that the Mountain State enjoys an elevated sense of local culture, too. In addition, history buffs will find much to ponder in Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, and Moorefield — all of which have altered the history of the state, the Mid-Atlantic region, and the United States at large. Whatever a traveler's individual interests, West Virginia's small towns and slower pace of living promise a satisfying visit, no matter how long a visitor ends up staying. The state motto holds true: West Virginia is wild and wonderful, indeed.
