7 Undiscovered Small Towns in West Virginia

West Virginia is a beautiful state with a diverse range of scenery. There are larger than life mountain ranges, dazzling rivers, and stretches of serene forest across the state. It also has a rich history with many industries such as coal mining and logging paving the way forward for small towns. The best places to experience West Virginia's rich heritage and culture are in its small towns—away from the hustle and bustle of busy streets.

Thomas for example is a little-known town in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains with a thriving arts community. Shepherdstown is another town with a unique history in the Civil War, shown in local museums. Whether you are looking to explore town's with unique history or enjoy the serenity of West Virginia's mountains, these seven undiscovered small towns are a must visit in West Virginia.

Hinton

Hinton is a charming town with Victorian-era style architecture that sits on the New River in southern West Virginia. Hinton is an old railroad town that was once booming with shops and 21 miles of “first-class” sidewalks. Many of the town's original buildings have been restored and still stand today. For a unique experience, walk along the historic district to check out spots like Grandma's House to see one-of-a-kind antiques, primitives, and collectibles. Delve into Hinton's railroad days at the Hinton Railroad Museum. Here you can view artifacts from the C&O Railway. History buffs will want to check out the Veterans Memorial Museum. The museum has displays from the Revolutionary, Civil, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf Wars.

Hinton is also full of natural beauty and is a gateway to New River Gorge National Park, Winterplace Ski Resort, and Bluestone National Park. Enjoy the serenity of lake life at Bluestone National Park where boating and fishing are popular activities. The park also has 26 cabins in the woods for year round rentals.

Lewisburg

Lewisburg is another historic town in West Virginia, surrounded by mountain views. The quaint town has a charming Main Street full of local shops, eateries, and art galleries. Stop at local eateries like Stardust Café to enjoy local, fresh ingredients and tasty food. Grab your morning coffee at the Wild Bean before exploring the rest of the town. Everything you need in Lewisburg is in walking distance, making it one of the state's most walkable towns.

Some must visit attractions downtown include North House Museum, Paragon Fine Art, Bodies in Motion and Studio 40. Later check out a local live performance at the Carnegie Hall. This is one of only four Carnegie's in the world. To escape the bustling town streets, head to Greenbrier State Forest and hike or bike on the Grenbrier River Trail. The 78-mile former railroad line travels through remote wilderness, making it a perfect place to enjoy the serenity of the woods.

Shepherdstown

Shepherdstown is a lively town on the banks of the Potomac River. The town is only an hour and a half from both Washington D.C. and Baltimore. It is steeped in Civil War history with most of the buildings in town once serving as a temporary hospital for 8,000 Confederate soldiers. Historic Shepherdstown and Museum offers guided walking tours of the town's historic sites. Visit the Civil War Center and Elmwood Cemetery to learn more about this era of the town's past.

Beyond it's historic importance, Shepherdstown is a great place to enjoy boating, tubing or fishing on the Potamic River. Bird lovers will enjoy the variety of birds around town. Shepherdstown is part of many birds migratory routes with The Potomac Valley Audubon Society offering guided birding tours. Since Shepherdstown is considered one of the most haunted town's in America, the Shepherdstown Mysteries Walk is one of the town's top attractions and a must do. In the summer, the town hosts the Contemporary American Theater Festival.

Elkins

Elkins is an old fashioned mountain town with a history in logging and rail. Right on the edge of the Monongahela National Forest, Elkins is an outdoor adventurers paradise. Outdoor enthusiasts come to the area to hike, bike, and fish. A unique way to enjoy the Appalachian Mountains in Elkins is on a steam powered locomotive. Hop on the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad to enjoy a trip through the mountains.

Elkins is also a mecca for culture and art. The Randolph County Community Arts Center hosts art exhibits, and classes open to the public. The Augusta Heritage Center hosts workshops and events. They have bluegrass and old-time workshop weeks focusing on ol’ folk sounds and arts.

Thomas

Thomas is a small town built on the coal mining industry and full of art, culture, and history in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains. There are around 50 homes and sites on the National Historic Register in town. Walk around the town exploring these historic buildings, as well as the town's unique art galleries such as Invisible, Bloom, Nellie Rose Textile Studio, and Artspring. In the Spring check out the town's annual three-day Art Spring festival, that celebrates local artists.

On weekends, enjoy some live music at the Purple Fiddle. The deli-style restaraunt is in old DePollo General Store and is a stop is on the Mountain Music Trail. Unwind after a day of exploring at Stumptown Ales, Mountain State Brewing Company, or Blackwater Brewing Company, the town's three breweries.

Davis

Davis is a small town near Thomas in the heart of Tucker County's mountains. The town is a paradise for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. It is only a short drive from the best whitewater kayaking and rafting streams and rivers including Blackwater River and Cheat River Water Trail. The town is full of great spots to go hiking and biking year round. Some of the best places include Canaan Valley State Park, Dolly Sods Wilderness, and Blackwater Falls State Park. Some great mountain biking trails include Brown mountain Trail, Allegheny Highlands Rail Trail, yellow Birch Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail. Davis also has seasonal festivals and activities to enjoy including the Leaf Peeper’s Festival or winter and cross-country skiing in the state parks.

Buckhannon

One of the most art rich communities in West Virginia is Buckhannon. The town is on the West Virginia Artist Gallery Trail with its' Main Street Gallery hosting 30 local artist's work. Other interesting galleries to check out include Artistry on Main, a local Non-Profit Artist Co-op; The Infamous Art Collective; and Colonial Arts Center. Film lover's should check out Lascaux Theater which regularly screens rare film finds. At night Buckhannon is one of the best places to see the night sky. Visit West Virginia Wesleyan Planetarium for a sky tour.

Overall, West Virginia is home to some charming, unique towns. These seven towns have everything from art galleries to seasonal festivals and beautiful trails. In Hinton you can step back into the past and enjoy Victorian-Era architecture. In Elkins, enjoy the natural paradise that is the Monongahela National Forest. If you are looking to plan a trip and want to go somewhere off the beaten path, these seven towns are a great option. Whether you prefer a rustic getaway in the mountains or a rich cultural experience in a bustling town, there is something for everyone in these seven undiscovered West Virginia towns.