8 Darling Small Towns In West Virginia
The 35th state to be formally admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, West Virginia is a photographic landlocked US state situated wholly within the Appalachian region of the American South. Aptly upholding the moniker - ‘Mountain State,’ West Virginia is renowned far more for its craggy mountain peaks, rolling hills, heavily forested gorges, and crystal-clear water bodies, rather than its bigger cities like Charleston, Huntington, and Parkersburg. Nestled in mountain passes, adjacent to serpentine streams, and set along rural highways are innumerable darling small towns that are many a time overlooked by holidaymakers touring this part of the country. These lesser-known communities celebrated for their panoramic landscape vistas, gracious Southern hospitality, abundant outdoor adventures, and colorful festivals are worth visiting on your upcoming holidays.
Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry, primarily settled by Robert Harper in 1734, is a medieval Jefferson County town occupying the lower Shenandoah Valley at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers in the state’s eastern panhandle. This 269-inhabitant town’s lower flood-prone sections form a part of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, while the town’s elevated upper section is a part of the Harpers Ferry Historic District. Included within the historic district are countless early 19th-century houses constructed by the Federal Government for the Harpers Ferry Armory workers. Over time, the town progressively transformed from a conveyance and an antebellum manufacturing hub into a tranquil residential village and well-known holiday destination. John Brown’s Fort, Jefferson Rock, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters, and The Point are some noteworthy sites. However, no tour of Harpers Ferry is complete without traversing the myriad trails in the National Historical Park like the Murphy-Chambers Farm Loop Trail, Maryland Heights Trail, Loudon Heights Trail, and Lower Town Loop Trail.
White Sulphur Springs
Dubbed “Spa City,” this serene resort town is located at an elevation of 1,880 feet in the Allegheny Mountains around 10 miles east of Lewisburg in Greenbrier County of southeastern West Virginia. The town’s impressive natural settings have made it a preferred destination for adventurous souls who visit in hordes to witness the stunning views. Stroll the Main Street and peruse an assortment of lifestyle boutiques, eateries, and entertainment spaces like Barnwood Living, Road Hog’s BBQ, Big Draft Brewing, and Gum Store Studios. Additionally, stop by the other interesting sites such as the deluxe Greenbrier Resort, Greenbrier State Forest, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests, Greenbrier River Trail, Blue Bend & Lake Sherwood Recreation Areas, and the Monongahela National Forest.
Shepherdstown
Shepherdstown, christened in honor of Thomas Shepherd, is one of West Virginia’s oldest towns situated in the Eastern Panhandle in the upper Shenandoah Valley by the side of the Potomac River. Encompassing the historic core of this college town, the Shepherdstown Historic District features numerous meticulously preserved landmark structures, including Baker House, Rumsey Hall (Entler Hotel), Old Market House, Van Swearingen-Shepherd House, McMurran Hall of Shepherd University, etc. Currently, several of these German Street properties are home to locally owned shops, art galleries, cafes, music venues, bookstores, and first-class restaurants like Bistro 112 and The Press Room. Partake in a spooky tour with the Shepherdstown Mysteries Walk in addition to Shepherd University’s Contemporary American Theater Festival every summer.
Lewisburg
Greenbrier County’s administrative center, Lewisburg, is located to the west of White Sulphur Springs, approx. 1 mile north of the Greenbrier River. This ‘jewel of southern West Virginia’ named after the Irish-born American surveyor Andrew Lewis, enthralls holidayers with its downtown clothing boutiques, art galleries, vintage shops, sidewalk cafes, and high-quality restaurants like The Asylum, Food & Friends, and The French Goat. The Greenbrier Historical Society & North House Museum’s permanent and temporary exhibits are must-sees for heritage buffs, whereas creative connoisseurs can enjoy literary events, concerts, and live theatrical performances at Greenbrier Valley Theatre. Merrymakers flock here to participate in annual festivities like the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, Lewisburg Literary Festival, and Old Christmas with Shanghai Parade.
Buckhannon
Buckhannon, the Upshur County seat of government, called after Buckongahelas - the Delaware Indian Chief, sits alongside the Buckhannon River at the bottom of the Allegheny Mountains, about 88 miles northeast of Charleston. Apart from housing the West Virginia Wesleyan College’s principal campus, this 5,299-resident town features umpteen prominent red-brick buildings, trendy boutiques, specialty shops, and restaurants like C. J. Maggie’s, and Mama Roma, and 88’s Lounge on Main Street. Also, do not miss the town’s notable attractions such as the Upshur County Historical Society & Museum, West Virginia State Wildlife Center, and Audra State Park & Campground; besides attending the week-long ‘West Virginia Strawberry Festival’ annually in the third week of May.
Fayetteville
Baptized Fayetteville, in reverence of the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette, this seat of Fayette County is situated precisely south of the New River Gorge Bridge, next to the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Covering Fayetteville’s central business district and abutting residential areas, the National Register-listed Fayetteville Historic District comprises outstanding landmark properties including the Fayette County Courthouse, Old Methodist Church, Altamont Hotel, Fayette County Jail, E.B. Hawkins House, etc. The many scenic overlooks of the New River Gorge provide adrenaline junkies opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking along with whitewater rafting and kayaking activities in the New River. “Bridge Day” - a federal BASE-jumping event is held yearly in October to solemnize the successful completion of the 3,030-foot-long New River Gorge Bridge.
Berkeley Springs
The administrative center of Morgan County, Berkeley Springs, is located in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, approximately 36 miles west of Hagerstown, Maryland. Forming a portion of the Hagerstown-Martinsburg metropolitan area, this historic spa town lures holidaymakers to unwind in its full-service spas and therapeutic thermal waters. Furthermore, vacationers visiting the town must check out its booming artistic realm, the different quirky shops like Berkeley Springs Antiques Mall, dining establishments like County Inn Restaurant & Morgan Tavern, local craft breweries like Cacapon Mountain Brewing Co., and endless outdoor recreations at the neighboring Washington Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway, Berkeley Springs State Park, and Cacapon Resort State Park.
Elkins
Elkins, the seat of eastern West Virginia’s Randolph County, is situated along the junction of Leading Creek and Tygart Valley River, roughly 35 miles southeast of Clarksburg. Developed by two members of the United States Senate - Henry Gassaway Davis and Stephen Benton Elkins, this offbeat town and administrative headquarters of a 921,150-acre federal reserve - the Monongahela National Forest is a paradise for outdoor lovers. More than 3 million tourists visit this national forest yearly to observe its rugged landscape, highland bogs, blueberry thickets, and various floral and faunal species. The Mountain State Forest Festival - one of the Mountain State’s oldest and biggest festivals is celebrated here every fall with headline concerts, lumberjack competitions, parades, art & craft shows, carnival rides, and delectable local cuisines.
From the aesthetic Harpers Ferry to Lewisburg - the ‘jewel of southern West Virginia,’ the gorgeous small towns in the 10th smallest and 12th least populous state of the nation are waiting to be discovered by vacationists. Being preferred locales for rekindling a bond with Mother Nature, immersing in rich alpine traditions, engaging in limitless Appalachian adventures, and feasting on some appetizing dishes, these off-the-beaten-path West Virginia destinations deserve top spots on your itineraries.
