7 of the Most Hospitable Small Towns in West Virginia
“The Mountain State” of West Virginia has an appropriate nickname, as it is short on cities and large on natural beauty with its many mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes. West Virginia is also full of quaint small towns set along country byways, overlooking winding streams, and nestled in mountain passes. Among these communities, some truly stand out for their hospitality, and we have picked out seven of the most welcoming small towns that deserve spots on your travel list.
Berkeley Springs
Berkeley Springs, once called Bath, is named for the local mineral springs that have for centuries lured visitors seeking health and healing by bathing in the spring water. The town has an interesting mix of a classic health resort feel and a New Age vibe due to the springs, with antique shops and art galleries lining a timeless downtown corridor that is anchored by a small spring-fed state park. Berkeley Springs is also only about 10 miles north of Cacapon Resort State Park, which offers hiking trails, golf, a sand beach, and much more.
Point Pleasant
The name Point Pleasant suits not only this town’s location—at the meeting point of the Kanawha River and Ohio River—but also its welcoming community atmosphere. Family-friendly activities abound in the area, with highlights such as Tu-Endie-Wei State Park and the West Virginia State Farm Museum. Meanwhile, for fans of the supernatural and unexplained, Point Pleasant is home to the infamous Mothman. This specter was blamed for a tragic 1967 bridge collapse and has been immortalized in books, a 2002 film starring Richard Gere, a local museum, and the town’s annual Mothman Festival held each September.
Harpers Ferry
You may remember the name Harpers Ferry from your history books, as John Brown’s 1859 raid on the federal military arsenal in town is often cited as a key event leading up to the American Civil War. If you enjoy historical tourism, Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, which includes a recreated downtown area circa 1859, is a must-see. But the residents and businesses in Harpers Ferry are just as happy to welcome visitors who prefer nature to history. Outdoor activities like boating and birdwatching abound due to the town’s picturesque setting at the confluence of the Potomac River and Shenandoah River.
Bluefield
Bluefield, set in the rugged mountains of southern West Virginia, was once a bustling mining town and railroad depot, but its population has halved (to about 9,000) since the decline of those industries. Unlike some of the less fortunate towns in its situation, however, Bluefield has managed to survive and even thrive as a tourist destination. The businesses in the historic downtown area welcome visitors seeking to take advantage of Bluefield’s cool summers and spectacular mountain vistas, and the town gained a further boost with the restoration of Bluefield State University’s residential campus in 2019. Bluefield may never reach its past prominence, but its future looks bright.
Shepherdstown
Shepherdstown was founded in 1762, a century before West Virginia separated from Virginia, making it one of the two oldest towns in the Mountain State. From its perch alongside both the Potomac River and the Shenandoah Valley, Shepherdstown occupies one of the most beautiful locations in a state full of natural beauty. The town is equally picturesque, with a classic downtown area that—along with the entirety of Shepherdstown—is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shepherdstown is not only hospitable but also possibly haunted, with regular ghost sightings that are often connected to the Civil War era and sometimes with Shepherd University (founded in 1871).
Elkins
While it is a challenge to narrow down any list of West Virginia’s prettiest small towns, Elkins frequently makes the cut. This community of fewer than 7,000 residents sits along the Tygart Valley River, right near the western edge of the state’s Eastern Panhandle. Each October, Elkins bursts to life during the popular Mountain State Forest Festival, which has annually showcased the history, culture, and beauty of the West Virginia countryside for nearly 100 years. Elkins is much quieter but just as hospitable the rest of the year, with Davis and Elkins College—a private Christian school with about 800 students—well-suited to calling this serene little town home.
Fairmont
Fairmont makes West Virginia’s top ten list of biggest cities with just 18,000 people, but it definitely has a small-town look and feel. Fairmont sits at the headwaters of the Monongahela River, which winds through what was once an industrial heartland of West Virginia and western Pennsylvania. Today, however, this setting is more popular for boating, fishing, hiking, and visiting nearby highlights like Tygart Lake State Park and the West Virginia Botanic Gardens. Fairmont State University, one of the oldest colleges in the state, fuels both the economy and social calendar of Fairmont, while the state’s flagship institution, West Virginia University, is only 20 miles away in Morgantown.
West Virginia’s small towns have seen their share of hard times, with declining industries, population shifts, and other challenges. But most West Virginians have a great sense of pride in their communities, which has helped many towns transform into welcoming destinations for outdoor adventurers and other travelers. If you are seeking some genuine Mountain State hospitality, use our list as a starting point, but also take time to do some exploring of small-town West Virginia as well.
