7 Best West Virginia Towns For A Weekend Trip
It is almost heaven in West Virginia, especially in the seven best West Virginia towns worth visiting for a weekend trip. The state, so named after England's "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I, was formerly part of the neighboring state of Virginia until a congregation of county delegates formed their own government in 1863 in defiance of Virginia’s secession from the Union. Many of West Virginia’s exciting small towns were part and participants of the state’s historical epochs and periods. From Wheeling’s contributions to author Zane Grey and the American Civil War, Charles Towns’s connections with America’s first president, and Lewisburg’s military position in battles long past, these small towns will keep you updated and informed about the past as you enjoy a modern adventure in the best West Virginia towns worth visiting for a weekend trip.
Wheeling
Wheel your way to Wheeling, a small town located on the Ohio River and at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Since Wheeling is quite close to both the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania, numerous travelers pass through this gateway community on their way to other locations nearby. Ever since the Zane family established Wheeling in the year 1769, the town has served as a vital station on the Underground Railroad before and during the American Civil War. Wheeling also became the seat of the restored government of Virginia in 1861 and the "nail capital of the world” for its mass production of iron nails.
The Wheeling Conventions in 1861-62 were held in Wheeling, which led to the creation of West Virginia a year later, and these same conventions also turned Wheeling into the state capital of West Virginia from the periods of 1863-70 and 1875-85. Fort Henry, formerly known as Fort Fincastle when it was built in 1774, was originally constructed to withstand a possible Native American raid but ended up being the last major battlefield of the American Revolutionary War. Renowned novelist Zane Grey’s first published work, Betty Zane (1903), is based on one of his ancestors who founded the town. So, in this town so named after a Delaware Native American term meaning “head” or “skull,” head on over to some of the best lodgings you can find in Wheeling, such as Oglebay Resort.
Lewisburg
On the Greenbrier River lounges the lovely town of Lewisburg. Lewisburg was first established as a military outpost around Camp Union from 1751 - 1769, specifically for General Andrew Lewis, after whom the town is named and who led a campaign against the Shawnee chieftain Cornstalk in the Battle of Point Pleasant on October 10, 1774. A few miles east of Lewisburg lies the White Sulphur Springs, where travelers can enjoy lush accommodations in the renowned resort of the Greenbrier as well as the humungous arboreal expanses of the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest in the main state of Virginia.
Much closer attractions around Lewisburg include the Greenbrier State Forest and the Lost World Caverns, a limestone cave system replete with gargantuan stalagmites and stalactites to take photographs of. For more glimpses into the past, you can always tour the Old Stone Presbyterian Church from 1796, the General Lewis Inn from 1834, and Carnegie Hall from 1902, which continues to host a number of lively performances to showcase Lewisburg’s vibrant arts and culture.
Buckhannon
Situated on the banks of the Buckhannon River, the eponymous small town of Buckhannon cannot be disregarded or forgotten. With its proximity to Stonewall Resort State Park, Audra State Park, West Virginia State Wildlife Center, Holly River State Park, Kumbrabow State Forest, and Tygart Lake State Park, Buckhannon is a gateway to a splattering of spectacular attractions in West Virginia. Buckhannon was settled in 1770 and was so named after a local Delaware chieftain, Buck-on-ge-ha-non, or Buckongahelas. The town was once visited by Colonel Edward Jackson, grandfather of Confederate general Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, who platted the town into the modern map. There are plenty of other historic and natural amenities worth seeing, but the first thing you ought to do is book a room in a fine establishment like The Bicentennial Inn.
Thomas and Davis
Like twins still wobbling in the mother’s womb, the twin towns of Thomas and Davis are tucked nice and comfortable in the Allegheny Mountains. As exhilarating and enchanting as it might be to explore all the beautiful art galleries and studios lining the vivacious thoroughfares of both Thomas and Davis, these twin towns are mostly known for being the stopovers for outdoor explorations throughout the Monongahela National Forest. Whether you are soaking in the tantalizing waterfalls at the Blackwater Falls State Park, admiring the artificial view and landscapes at the Canaan Valley Resort State Park, or experiencing skiing and snowboarding from Timberline Mountain, you will undoubtedly be exhausted from all your adventures and want to head back to either Thomas or Davis depending on your preferences. Either way, both towns will have quite a few accommodations to suit your daily and nightly needs, like Buxton Common's or The Billy Motel & Bar / ISH Kitchen.
Fayetteville
Approximately 54 miles from Lewisburg, Fayetteville is a fine and favorable village beside the New River. So named after the Marquis de Lafayette, George Washington’s popular French advisor during the American Revolutionary War, Fayetteville was a site of contention between the Union and Confederate armies in the Civil War and has been exchanged four times in such a violent period. At the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, travelers can see the place where the lowest sulfur and highest-grade coal in America was extracted extensively during the coal boom of the early 1900s. Additionally, you can see the New River Gorge Bridge, which was considered the world’s longest arch bridge when it was completed in 1977. Trekkers ought to go hiking on a handful of scenic trails crisscrossing Fayetteville, such as Kaymoor Miners Trailhead and the Civil War Trail. Most importantly, you ought to stay cozy and comfortable in resplendent abodes like the Ramsey Mountain Lodge or The Barn Loft.
Charles Town
Deriving its name from town founder Charles Washington, the youngest brother of President George Washington, Charles Town treats newcomers to plenty of entertainment and new experiences alongside the Shenandoah River. Charles Town was a prestigious residence for some of Virginia’s wealthiest aristocratic families, particularly the Washington family, as best seen in their abodes like Happy Retreat, home of Charles Washington, and Harewood, home of George Washington’s younger brother Samuel.
Charles Town was also the center of education by the 18th century, with the Charles Town Academy for Boys in 1787 and an identical institution for girls a few years later. In 1859, John Brown, a member of the abolitionist movement, along with several of his followers, seized the United States Armory and Arsenal at the neighboring port city of Harpers Ferry. However, he was captured and convicted at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Charles Town and hanged the same year. Should you wish to see more of Charles Town’s stunning histories and modern appeals, you can certainly book a room in places like the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races for a longer stay in Charles Town.
Elkins
Less than one hour from Thomas, Davis, and Buckhannon, the electrifying town of Elkins will dazzle and astound visitors with its impressive and memorable attractions. As another gateway community of the Monongahela National Forest, travelers will find an assortment of outdoor sceneries when following the Tygart Valley River. The town changed its name from Leadsville to Elkins in homage to U.S. Senator Stephen Benton Elkins, whose contributions to the Western Maryland Railway improved the town significantly in 1890. Every year in October, Elkins celebrates nature’s beauty with the Mountain State Forest Festival, one of the oldest and largest festivals in West Virginia. For recreational pursuits, you can head over to panoramic areas like the Bowden National Fish Hatchery and Stuart Recreation Area. And for lodgings, you can seek your accommodations in welcoming establishments such as the Tygart Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection.
Even though West Virginia was the last state to have a Starbucks in 2003, it should be one of your first options to go journeying through the vibrant woodlands and mountains of America and immerse yourself in the compelling stories of the past. At the best West Virginia towns for a weekend trip, specifically, you can attend mesmerizing and memorable festivities in nature-embracing destinations like Elkins or learn more about the wartime moments of American history in historic small towns such as Fayetteville. As the West Virginia motto goes, “Montani semper liberi” (“Mountaineers are always free”), so free your calendar and schedule a weekend trip through the best towns in the Mountain State.
