6 Most Vibrant Towns in West Virginia

The Mountain State is one of the least-visited states in the USA, which is a shame. Boasting river miles and miles upon miles of stunning landscapes from the banks, through the rolling hills, and up the mountains, the untapped charms offer the most vibrant experiences and no crowds to cherish with your loved ones.

There is still plenty of time to plan for a summer escape into the prime outdoors or get an early start in the first town, along the West Virginia Artist Gallery Trail, during its West Virginia Strawberry Festival in May. From quality coffee roasters to the vineyards, discover the most vibrant towns in West Virginia.

Buckhannon

One of the many coal-mining towns in the state, Buckhannon stands out as a vibrant experience for visitors in the naturally beautiful foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, which change dress according to the season. Settled in the mid-18th century but founded only in 1816 in the northeastern quadrant of the state, the town wears its makeup proudly, with a rich art and history scene along and within old buildings. The whole town center comes alive in May during the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, not quite as busy for nature strolls and mountain hikes as the summer holidays, while the surrounding farms celebrate the harvest with heaps of plump, sweet goodness through the markets.

With its beautiful architectural composition, dating from the mining days to the classical Revival style, its courthouse was rebuilt after it burned down in the early days of electricity. Buckhannon's honorable spot along the West Virginia Artist Gallery Trail delights with talent and creativity, like the Main Street Gallery with works by 30 local artists, as well as imaginative shops like Nerducopia and unique restaurants. The antique mall bursts with ages-old artifacts, whereas the Lascaux Theater screens rare flicks, you won't see in mainstream cinema for a memorable evening. Don't miss the Skateland, a local favorite rink for over 60 years, and the West Virginia Wesleyan Planetarium, delighting young and old with shows and sky tours.

Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry is a must-visit at least once in your life for the most vivid insights into the history of our nation, so make a detour if you must on your travels through West Virginia, at the border with Maryland. Its strategic stage at the crossroads of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers translates into rich soils and rare native plants on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people. Take in the natural environs, like the Appalachian Trail, from its halfway point here or along the miles of trails in the nearby Blue Ridge. Reiterating a number of historical events that unraveled in this vital American town, now a historic park, visitors will discover it as a supply for Meriwether Lewis’s Corps of Discovery and how John Brown’s abolitionist raid took place in your shadow in 1859.

Then, hosting the gathering of civil rights leaders for the Niagara Movement in 1906 and more, Harpers Ferry National Historic Park reminisces of its heritage through museums, events, and tours, while Storer College displays the struggle for freedom. Visitors can stroll through history from the transportation hub days through the middle of the 19th century and thriving in the late 1800s as an industrial center thanks to the powerful rivers, with a detour to some Civil War battlefields. Designated a National Historic District, Harpers Ferry welcomes quietly into "almost heaven," where prominent history and nature unite. After a dose of the past, the old architecture invites you to decompress in your favorite way through shops, a bakery, and restaurants like a vegan one or The Rabbit Hole.

Lewisburg

Born less than a decade after the founding of our nation, Lewisburg is a quaint mountain town. Its impressive efforts to preserve the vibrant past delight the eye along the rows of impeccable architecture, like the stone spring house and various Civil War sites. Taking great pride in celebrating heritage, visitors can enjoy antiquing and join the local festivals—a fun way for the whole family to acquire a taste of American history. The charming Lewisburg Downtown takes your imagination back in with illustrious attractions to linger for entertainment, like the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, a reputable venue for spectacular plays and musicals. From the monthly gallery crawl to the Chocolate Festival, don't miss a live performance or music concert at the historic Carnegie Hall.

The picture-perfect Main Street offers days of shopping, art, and dining on truffles and American classics at the family-owned Food and Friends or farm-fresh, handcrafted dishes at Stardust Cafe. On the edge of the Monongahela National Forest, with plenty of caves and mountain terrain to explore, there's no better start than over a strong coffee at The Wild Bean and some browsing through Roberts Antiques. Taking a convenient approach to bestow the greatest knowledge even on a short getaway and enjoying yourself, you will leave with the most vibrant impressions, like an adventure through the nearby unique Lost World Caverns. The Greenbrier Resort is a not-to-miss site, as is the Wine Shop, before a ride home.

New Martinsville

With easy access from major highways and Pittsburgh, this hidden town in the rolling hills near Little Grave Creek is perched on the banks of the Ohio River, upstream of the mouth of Fishing Creek. New Martinsville offers a lovely waterfront for views and a vibrant downtown area with thriving small-town businesses your city soul craves, like local restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Home to just over 5,000 people on the northwestern edge of West Virginia, it is a perfect blend of rural tranquility and urban amenities, where history comes alive along the pretty streets dating from its founding in 1838, while "New" was added to the name only in 1846.

Nestling the border with Ohio across the river, the homegrown vibe is palpable throughout the Downtown Historic District, with beautiful buildings that the commercial district repurposes without imposing on their character. Starting the day waterfront at Baristas, don't miss the sandstone-built Wetzel County Courthouse with its Medieval castle profile, which appears like a crafted fort by a giant out of sand, a stone's throw from the riverside. Within 20 miles of town, find public recreation areas like Bruce Park, Hydro Park, and Lewis Wetzel Park. The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge feels isolated in time for immersive natural encounters along its trails, with Dos Hermanos for dinner afterward.

Summersville

Summersville, a town with a vibrant name in the heart of West Virginia, welcomes visitors to its vivid surroundings. From the dense hardwood forests, providing shaded trails and cliffs for sightseers and photographers, all roads lead back to the banks, game for wet and dry land adventures. With calm waters flowing from the peaks, the pristine Gauley and New Rivers are fun to take on a whitewater raft. Nothing feels better than a summer day hike along the Muddlety Creek Trail, a refreshing dip in Summersville Lake, or serene boating with gorgeous views of the forested landscape. Offering world-class outdoor recreation, its charming downtown invites you afterward to mix it up along the old storefronts, in front of the beautiful courthouse building, and at Stoney's for all-day American-style dining.

Summersville, a revered town to escape reality for every group, is home to the kid-friendly Mountain Water Playground, while the nearby Kirkwood Winery and Isaiah Morgan Distillery offer beautiful vineyards, tastings, and tours. Receiving a second wind in the fall, Summersville is sought from near and far for its one of the most vibrant foliage displays and a cozy feel in town after your peeping ventures. Don't miss the annual Nicholas County Potato Festival and casual dining places like the family-friendly Deep Water Grill with an extensive burger list and Craft Kings for local craft beers over world fusion crafted with Appalachian comfort cuisine. Utilizing its 73,000 square feet within a state-of-the-art multi-use area, Summersville Arena and Conference Center is a must-stop for great entertainment, events, and more.

Thomas

Thomas, not just another old coal mining town, offers vibrant experiences and cherishable memories for every group and taste. Whether you're in for the Wild West vibe or the National Historic Register with over 50 homes, sites, and architectural styles, the incredible mountain views follow. Taking advantage of the historic infrastructure without impeding on its storytelling powers about the once-booming coal town, the re-imagined spaces house modern galleries, shops, and restaurants, while many of the original storefronts offer a magical shopping experience from the past. One of its top attractions is actually a live bar, The Purple Fiddle, with a musician on stage and hand-dipped ice cream.

TipTop coffee bar with artisanal roasts and cocktails is a destination in itself, with no other like it in the state to keep your family on your feet in between antique and artisan shops. With a number of historical markers throughout, there's no better way to get the feel of town than along its snaking riverfront trail, framing you in timeless charm with remnants like coke ovens and mines themselves. Come at your convenience for a dose of vibrancy in the cozy unity of history and culture, but nature paints away over the spectacular mountains in the fall time.

Discover West Virginia's Lively Towns

Sitting knee-deep in nature with roots back in the past, West Virginia towns shine through with historic hearts, fantastic food, great entertainment, and friendly people. Lewisburg is home to the unique Lost World Caverns, while Summersville offers world-class outdoor recreation with two riverfronts, shaded trails, cliffs, and pristine mountain ranges. From Buckhannon in the Allegheny foothills to the Blue Ridge, these are the gateways to your adventure, like along the Appalachian Trail, which also runs at its midpoint through Harpers Ferry, a historic park.