9 Charming West Virginia Towns For The Perfect Getaway

Beautiful West Virginia, home of the Capitol Market in Charleston and the Oglebay Good Zoo in Wheeling, has a plethora of awesome small towns that are perfect for a weekend getaway as well. Whether you wish to escape to the countryside with someone special, want to take the family on a weekend vacation, or just wish to explore the rural aspects of a different state, the picturesque towns within the majestic state of West Virginia are phenomenal. From Buckhannon to Fayetteville and New River Gorge, here are nine of the most charming towns West Virginia has to offer.

Buckhannon

The quaint town of Buckhannon, with around 5,000 permanent residents, is home to a plethora of natural and historic attractions. Audra State Park, situated 14 miles east of town, offers hiking, swimming, kayaking, fishing, and camping. Buckhannon’s Historic District displays almost 60 structures that showcase several different architectural styles, including Queen Anne and Classical Revival.

North Buckhannon Riverfront Park and Skateland are also great places to check out while in town. Riverfront Park leads to the Riverwalk Trail System, while Skateland, entertaining guests since 1950, offers a plethora of exciting activities for all ages. And, for those planning on spending the weekend, Deer Park Inn provides excellent service, comfortable rooms, and breakfast the next morning.

Fairmont

Approximately an hour north of Buckhannon, the picturesque town of Fairmont is home to Pricketts State Park. This almost 200-acre piece of land features historic Pricketts Fort, which enables guests to experience the Virginian frontier of the late 18th century. Other activities within the park include boating, fishing, and hiking the Prickett Cemetery Trail.

Some other awesome attributes of Fairmont include the Telephone Museum, which showcases Alexander Graham Bell’s most important invention, Three Rivers Festival on Memorial Day in Palatine Park, and Feast of Seven Fishes, held downtown in December. Swisher Hill Campground is also located just outside of Fairmont, for those who prefer to enjoy nature at its best.

Shepherdstown

Next to one of the many bends of the Potomac River, tiny Shepherdstown, with less than two thousand permanent residents, is home to a plethora of awesome attractions. From O’Hurley’s General Store, in operation for over a century, to the Shepherdstown Museum, with its own resident ghost, William Payton Smith, who died in 1809, Shepherdstown displays a vast wealth of historic knowledge.

Shepherdstown is also home to several establishments that are worth visiting, like the Press Room and Thomas Shepherd Inn, both located on West German Street in the Historic District. While the Press Room offers fine dining cuisine, like a tasty grilled duck breast and a delicious salmon with balsamic vinaigrette, Thomas Shepherd Inn offers fireplaces, wi-fi, cozy rooms, and a free breakfast the next morning.

White Sulphur Springs

White Sulphur Springs, located ten miles east of Lewisburg, is a true hidden gem, whether your interest lies in nature or history. Home of the Blue Bend Recreation Area, a part of the Monongahela National Forest offering fishing, hiking, swimming, and camping, and the Greenbrier Resort, with its own Cold War fallout shelter, the town of White Sulphur Springs is well worth the visit.

Also home to Meadows Golf Course and the Old White TPC Golf Course, White Sulphur Springs displays a thick vein of culture. Plus, in case you plan on staying for the night or an entire weekend, this small town of just over two thousand people is home to the James Wylie House Bed & Breakfast, which offers exquisite rooms and a delicious breakfast the next morning.

Elkins

Home to Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, with over 10,000 acres in the Monongahela National Forest, picturesque Elkins is the perfect weekend getaway. Visitors can also experience a plethora of historic aspects, like the Halliehurst Mansion, built in 1890, and the Iron Horse Statue, one of two identical sculptures honoring Senator Henry Gassaway Davis. The other is located in Charleston in Davis Park.

Elkins is also home to several establishments that cater to comfort and taste. C.J. Maggie’s American Grill, with an identical restaurant in Buckhannon, serves everything from an apple and bacon-stuffed pork chop to spinach ricotta and roasted garlic pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven. Revelle’s River Resort, on Rainbow Drive, features camping at one of the most charming campgrounds in the state.

Moundsville

Along with the New Vrindaban Temple and Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, one of the most influential spiritual communities honoring the Hindu religion, the small town of Moundsville is home to Grand Vue Park. The park, situated slightly to the east of downtown, offers zip lines, an adventure park, a swimming pool, and much more. For those who want to live and breathe nature, you can even camp in Grand Vue.

There is also the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville. This venue features a museum, an archaeological research center, and the Grave Creek Mound, which is the largest in the state of West Virginia. The Fostoria Glass Museum calls Moundsville home as well, featuring glass exhibits from as early as the late 17th century.

Summersville

The picturesque town of Summersville, between Gawley River and Summerstown Lake, is a natural haven. From the Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, which is over 150 acres and an important American Civil War site, to Summersville Lake State Park, best known for currently being the newest state park in the state, the town of Summersville has something for even the toughest outdoor critic.

Some other great aspects to this small town are Battle Run Beach, which offers fishing, hiking, kayaking, and even camping, and the Summersville Lake Retreat Lighthouse Festival. This festival, which occurs in August, celebrates West Virginia’s only lighthouse in operation currently with tasty food, local arts & crafts, and much, much more.

Barboursville

Halfway between Huntington and Milton and close to the most southern bend of the Ohio River, the town of Barboursville is home to Barboursville Park and Beech Fork State Park. Barboursville Park allows for horseback riding, with a horse arena for those special events. Beech Fork offers a plethora of awesome outdoor activities, including quite a few lake activities, as well as bird-watching and picnicking.

Hiking and camping are also offered in Beech Fork State Park. Some of the better trails available are Mary Davis Trail, Lost Trail, and the Overlook Trail. In regard to camping, whether you wish to camp by the lake or not, Beech Fork State Park offers almost 300 different spots, at four different sites.

Fayetteville

The quaint town of Fayetteville, situated along the western banks of New River, is home to a plethora of natural attractions. Along with New River Gorge, which is just south of town and consists of several rapids, like Dudley’s Dip Rapids and the Fayette Station Rapids, there are a variety of awesome hiking trails in the area. Both Long Point Trail and Headhouse Trail are scenic and filled with the wonders of nature.

Fayetteville is also home to over a hundred different historic buildings, including Jack’s Garage from 1934, Fayette County Jail from 1907, and the McClung House from 1850. There are also several charming restaurants and rustic inns within the borders of Fayetteville, including Secret Sandwich Society, Cathedral Cafe, and the Historic Morris Harvey House Inn, which has wi-fi, free parking, and a serene garden on site.

The majestic yet rugged landscape of West Virginia has a plethora of awesome towns that fit into the tranquil, charming aspect. Whether you wish to spend the whole weekend at a romantic spot with the person you love most, like the James Wylie House in White Sulphur Springs, or want to spend a couple of days checking out all the scenic hiking trails outside of the town of Barboursville, the towns of West Virginia are perfect for a weekend getaway.