My Small Tiny Obsession With National Parks

So I'm sure if you are friends with me on Instagram (@gracep2023) you have seen that I have a slight obsession with the National parks. Especially since they have come up with this book.

Look how pretty she is. Jason (my fiance) hates her. He has threatened that if we ever break up that he will burn her (HOW RUDE!). That could be because I made him run around Boston collecting stamps and he was miserable.

But let's talk about the book and what it entails.

The inside has the states separated into sections with each of the National Park's locations in the state like the above photo. Then in the next few pages is the place where you put the stamps yourself.

There are even stickers that are released every year! (Yes I bought them all).
There is even a travel club for people trying to get them all!!!!

www.parkstamps.org

I love them. For $10 dollars, you can join and they will tell you where the stamps are. You can also check off all the parks you've been as well!

Now for the things that matter... how far along I am on the quest to see all the National Parks. Everything in BOLD I have checked off!


Grand Total 174/401


North Atlantic Region  25/41
Connecticut - Weir Farm NHS
Maine -Acadia NP, Saint Croix Island IHS
Massachusetts -Adams NHP, Blackstone River Valley NHP, Boston NHP, Boston African American NHS, Boston Harbor Islands NRA, Cape Cod NS, Frederick Law Olmsted NHS, John Fitzgerald Kennedy NHS, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters NHS, Salem Maritime NHS, Springfield Armory NHS, Lowell NHP, Minute Man NHP, New Bedford Whaling NHP, Saugus Iron Works NHS.
New Hampshire -Saint-Gaudens NHS
New York -African Burial Ground NM, Castle Clinton NM, Eleanor Roosevelt NHS, Federal Hall N MEM, Fire Island NS, Fort Stanwix NM, Gateway NRA, General Grant N MEM, Governors Island NM, Hamilton Grange N MEM, Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt NHS, Martin Van Buren NHS, Sagamore Hill NHS, Saint Paul's Church NHS, Saratoga NHP, Statue of Liberty NM, Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace NHS, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural NHS, Vanderbilt Mansion NHS, Women's Rights NHP.
Rhode Island - Roger Williams N MEM
Vermont - Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP



Mid-Atlantic Region  49/56
Delaware - First State NHP
Maryland - Antietam NB, Assateague Island NS, Catoctin Mt Park, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP, Clara Barton NHS, Fort McHenry NM, Greenbelt Park, Hampton NHS, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad NHP, Monocacy NB, Piscataway Park, Potomac Heritage NST, Thomas Stone NHS,
New Jersey - Gateway NRA, Great Egg Harbor NSRR, Morristown NHP, Paterson Great Falls NHP, Thomas Edison NHP
Pennsylvania - Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS, Delaware Water Gap NRA, Edgar Allan Poe NHS, Eisenhower NHS, Flight 93 N MEM, Fort Necessity NB, Friendship Hill NHS, Gettysburg NMP, Hopewell Furnace NHS, Independence NHP, Johnstown Flood N MEM, Steamtown NHS, Thaddeus Kosciuszko N MEM, Upper Delaware SRR, Valley Forge NHP
Virginia - Appomattox Court House NHP, Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Mem, Assateague Island NS, Booker T. Washington NM, Cedar Creek & Belle Grove NHP, Colonial NHP, Fort Monroe NM, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania County Battlefields Memorial NMP, George Washington Birthplace NM, George Washington MEM PKWY, Maggie L. Walker NHS, Manassas NBP, Petersburg NB, Prince William Forest Park, Richmond NBP, Shenandoah NP, Wolf Trap NP For The Performing Arts
West Virginia - Appalachian NST, Bluestone NSR, Gauley River NRA, Harpers Ferry NHP, New River Gorge NR


National Capital Region 16/21
Constitution Gardens, Ford's Theatre NHS, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Frederick Douglass NHS, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House NHS, National Capital Parks: East, National Mall & Memorial Parks, Pennsylvania Avenue NHS, Potomac Heritage NST, President's Park/The White House, Rock Creek Park, Theodore Roosevelt Island, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Fort Washington Park

Southeast Region 34/63
Alabama - Horseshoe Bend NMP, Little River Canyon N PRES, Russell Cave NM, Tuskegee Airmen NHS, Tuskegee Institute NHS
Florida - Big Cypress N PRES, Biscayne NP, Canaveral NS, Castillo de San Marcos NM, De Soto N MEM, Dry Tortugas NP, Everglades NP, Fort Caroline N MEM, Fort Matanzas NM, Gulf Islands NS, Timucuan E & H PRES
Georgia - Andersonville NHS, Chattahoochee River NRA, Chickamauga & Chattanooga NMP, Cumberland Island NS, Fort Frederica NM, Fort Pulaski NM, Jimmy Carter NHS, Kennesaw Mt NBP, Martin Luther King, Jr. NHS, Ocmulgee NM
Kentucky - Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHP, Cumberland Gap NHP, Mammoth Cave NP
Mississippi - Brices Cross Roads NBS, Gulf Islands NS, Natchez NHP,  Natchez Trace NST, Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo NB, Vicksburg NMP
North Carolina - Blue Ridge Parkway, Cape Hatteras NS, Cape Lookout NS, Carl Sandburg Home NHS, Fort Raleigh NHS, Guilford Courthouse NMP, Moores Creek NB, Wright Brothers N MEM
Puerto Rico - San Juan NHS
South Carolina - Charles Pinckney NHS, Congaree NP, Cowpens NB, Fort Sumter NM, Kings Mountain NMP, Ninety Six NHS
Tennessee - Andrew Johnson NHS, Big South Fork NRRA, Fort Donelson NB, Great Smokey Mts NP, Obed WSR, Shiloh NMP, Stones River NB
Virgin Islands - Buck Island Reef NM, Christiansted NHS, Salt River Bay NHP & PRES, Virgin Islands NP, Virgin Islands Coral Reef NM

Midwest Region 27/42
Illinois - Lincoln Home NHS, Pullman NM
Indiana - George Rogers Clark NHP, Indiana Dunes NL, Lincoln Boyhood N MEM
Iowa - Effigy Mounds NM, Herbert Hoover NHS
Kansas - Brown v Board of Education NHS, Fort Larned NHS, Fort Scott NHS, Nicodemus NHS, Tallgrass Prairie N PRES
Michigan - Isle Royale NP, Keweenaw NHP, Pictured Rocks NL, River Raisin NBP, Sleeping Bear Dunes NL
Minnesota - Grand Portage NM, Mississippi NRRA, Pipestone NM, Voyageurs NP
Missouri - George Washington Carver NM, Harry S. Truman NHS, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Ozark NSR, Ulysses S. Grant NHS, Wilson's Creek NB
Nebraska - Agate Fossil Beds NM, Homestead NM of America, Missouri NRR, Niobrara NSR, Scotts Bluff NM
Ohio - Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers NM, Cuyahoga Valley NP, Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP, First Ladies NHS, Hopewell Culture NHP, James A. Garfield NHS, Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, William Howard Taft NHS
Wisconsin - Apostle Islands NL, Saint Croix NSR


Southwest Region 5/40
Arkansas - Arkansas Post N MEM, Buffalo NR, Fort Smith NHS, Hot Springs NP, Little Rock Central High School NHS, Pea Ridge NMP, President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home NHS
Louisiana - Cane River Creole NHP, Jean Lafitte NHP & PRES, New Orleans Jazz NHP, Poverty Point NM
New Mexico - Aztec Ruins NM, Bandelier NM, Capulin Volcano NM, Carlsbad Caverns NP, Chaco Culture NHP, El Malpais NM, El Morro NM, Fort Union NM, Gila Cliff Dwellings NM, Pecos NHP, Petroglyph NM, Salinas Pueblo Missions NM, Valles Caldera N PRES, White Sands NM
Oklahoma - Chickasaw NRA, Washita Battlefield NHS
Texas - Alibates Flint Quarries NM, Amistad NRA, Big Bend NP, Big Thicket N PRES, Chamizal N MEM, Fort Davis NHS, Guadalupe Mts NP, Lake Meredith NRA, Lyndon B. Johnson NHP, Padre Island NS, Palo Alto Battlefield NHP, Rio Grande WSR, San Antonio Missions NHP


Rocky Mountains Region 8/42
Colorado - Bent's Old Fort NHS, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, Colorado NM, Curecanti NRA, Dinosaur NM, Florissant Fossil Beds NM, Great Sand Dunes NP & PRES, Hovenweep NM, Mesa Verde NP, Rocky Mtn NP, Sand Creek Massacre NHS, Yucca House NM
Montana - Big Hole NB, Bighorn Canyon NRA, Glacier NP, Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS, Little Bighorn Battlefield NM
North Dakota - Fort Union Trading Post NHS, Knife River Indian Villages NHS, Theodore Roosevelt NP
South Dakota - Badlands NP, Jewel Cave NM, Minuteman Missile NHS, Mt Rushmore N MEM, Wind Cave NP
Utah - Arches NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Canyonlands NP, Capitol Reef NP, Cedar Breaks NM, Glen Canyon NRA, Golden Spike NHS, Natural Bridges NM, Rainbow Bridge NM, Timpanogos Cave NM,  Zion NP
Wyoming - Devils Tower NM, Fort Laramie NHS, Fossil Butte NM, Grand Teton NP, John D. Rockefeller, Jr.  MEM PKWY, Yellowstone NP


Western Region 3/60
American Samoa - National Park of American Samoa
Arizona - Canyon de Chelly NM, Casa Grande Ruins NM, Chiricahua NM, Coronado N MEM, Fort Bowie NHS, Glen Canyon NRA, Grand Canyon NP, Hohokam Pima NM, Hubbell Trading Post NHS, Montezuma Castle NM, Navajo NM, Organ Pipe Cactus NM, Petrified Forest NP, Pipe Spring NM, Saguaro NP, Sunset Crater Volcano NM, Tonto NM, Tumacacori NHP, Tuzigoot NM, Walnut Canyon NM, Wupatki NM
California - Cabrillo NM, Cesar E. Chavez NM, Channel Islands NP, Death Valley NP, Devils Postpile NM, Eugene O'Neill NHS, Fort Point NHS, Golden Gate NRA, John Muir NHS, Joshua Tree NP, Kings Canyon NP, Lassen Volcanic NP, Lava Beds NM, Manzanar NHS, Mojave N PRES, Muir Woods NM, Pinnacles NP, Point Reyes NS, Port Chicago Naval Magazine N MEM, Redwood N & SP, Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front NHP, San Francisco Maritime NHP, Santa Monica Mts NRA, Sequoia NP, Whiskeytown NRA, Yosemite NP
Guam - War in the Pacific NHP
Hawaii - Haleakala NP, Hawaii Volcanoes NP, Honouliuli NM, Kalaupapa NHP, Kaloko-Honokohau NHP, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau NHP, Pu'ukohola Heiau NHS, World War II Valor in the Pacific NM
Nevada - Great Basin NP, Lake Mead NRA, Tule Springs Fossil Beds NM


Pacific Northwest & Alaska Region 7/36
Alaska - Alagnak WR, Aniakchak NM & PRES, Bering Land Bridge N PRES, Cape Krusenstern NM, Denali NP & PRES, Gates of the Arctic NP & PRES, Glacier Bay NP & PRES, Katmai NP & PRES, Kenai Fjords NP, Klondike Gold Rush NHP, Kobuk Valley NP, Lake Clark NP & PRES, Noatak N PRES, Sitka NHP, Wrangell-St. Elias NP & PRES, Yukon-Charley Rivers N PRES
Idaho - City of Rocks N RES, Craters of the Moon NM & PRES, Hagerman Fossil Beds NM, Minidoka NHS, Nez Perce NHP
Oregon - Crater Lake NP, John Day Fossil Beds NM, Lewis and Clark NHP, Oregon Caves NM & PRES
Washington - Ebey's Landing NH RES, Fort Vancouver NHS, Klondike Gold Rush NHP, Lake Chelan NRA, Lake Roosevelt NRA, Mount Rainier NP, North Cascades NP, Olympic NP, Ross Lake NRA, San Juan Island NHP, Whitman Mission NHS

Pennsylvania

I'll be the first to tell you that I have a love/hate relationship with PA. I love Pittsburgh but I loathe Pitt University and a good portion of the people in the city(I'm a WVU fan, It's like in my DNA). I hate Philadelphia but I love the history of the city.
Which makes this blog post hard for me, but my goal is to give you my opinions on where I've been and what I've seen.

*Some of these photos are my own, some my fiance Jason took! Just wanted to make sure he got some credit*

Pittsburgh
So I lived here for 4 years during Pharmacy school right in downtown and I hated it the first two years I was here and loved it the last 2. There are actually a lot of things to do in Pittsburgh, especially in the outer areas, but I'm just going to focus on the Downtown area!

Mount Washington

Mount Washington

There are 2 ways to get to the top of Mount Washington which is over the Fort Pitt Tunnel to get this kind of view. You can drive up and find a parking spot or you can take the inclines.

Personally, I think the best way is the Inclines. You really get the charm of the city by taking these. Back during the coal mine/steel mill days of Pittsburgh, a dozen or so of these inclines took men up and down the mountain to get to work and back home. 

The Mon Incline takes you from Station Square (a pretty popular eating location) up to Mt Washington.

The Duquesne Inclines is about a mile down the road and boasts the original wooden cars! 

Now the main restaurant in Mt. Washington is the LeMont. It boasts the "best view in the city" and is where the picture above was taken from. The LeMont is considered fine dining so be ready to pay for that view! 

North Shore

This is where the Pirates and the Steelers call home. 

During home Pirates games they shut down the Roberto Clemente Bridge (aka the bridge right beside of the stadium) and I think it's really cool that you can walk down the center of a major bridge. 

Ok now I may be biased, but PNC Park is a BEAUTIFUL Field! I'm also a Pirates fan sooo there's that. 

The View from Heinz Field

I've been to a couple pre-season Steeler games and a few concerts at Heinz Field. My main issue is that Pitt also plays there and as a WVU fan, I just cannot like the place :) 

The stadiums are not the only thing that North Shore has to offer. It also has the Rivers Casino, The Carnegie Science Center, and the Andy Warhol Museum. The only one I haven't been to is the Andy Warhol Museum, but as an always broke college student, paying $10 ($20 if you aren't a student) seemed a steep price. Especially since I'm not an art person. 

The Rivers Casino is a casino but it's on the river! (please read that with all the sarcasm I put into it). 

The Science Center is really cool if you are a nerd like myself, but when I went in 2010, it was still a little childish for my 21-year-old self. 

Places to Eat! 

Jerome Bettis' Grille 36 - sports bar

Burgatory - burger place

Foundry - gastropub 

McFadden's -Irish pub

Mullen's - bar and grill

All of these are around the stadiums and get there early because on game days they fill up quickly! 

The last thing I want to say about North Shore is the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. It's beautiful and gives you a great view of the city! 

Southside

This is the place all the college kids go to party. So if you are looking for something other than a drunken fest every Wednesday-Saturday night. Maybe avoid this place. 

If watching drunk girls say "I'm totally fine. I've had like nothing to drink. I'm totally fine and not drunk." The south side is for you!! 

There is a section on either side of the south side "strip" that is a little more classy. Station Square and Southside Works. 

Station Square is where you can hop a ride on the Mon Incline, drink at Bar Louie, or Eat at Buca di Peppi. 

Southside Works has Hofbrauhaus and Cheesecake Factory along with some really cute shops. 

Downtown

I lived in the Downtown area for 4 years and I loved/hated it. Loved it because I could walk to everything, hated it because sometimes the traffic was ridiculous. I lived by the Mellon arena and watched as they tore it down and built the new arena (I think it's called PPG Paints Arena now). 

Point Park - it is completely beautiful especially during the summer. The fountain is on and there are all kinds of people around the area. There is also the Fort Pitt Museum that depicts life when it was a British fort. 

There are way way too many places to name to eat in the downtown area. 

But one place you HAVE to check out is Pittsburgh Popcorn Company! It's really good and worth it. 

One more thing in downtown is the Benedum Center and Heinz Hall, which is where all the great Broadway shows to come! I saw the Little Mermaid on Broadway at the Benedum and loved it! They have really good deals for college students.

Benedum 

Outside of the City

There are a few other things to do outside of the city.

Kennywood is one - its a theme park with a few rollercoasters and isn't a bad place to spend an afternoon. 

Sandcastle - a water park near Kennywood. It has a lazy river and really what more can you ask for in a water park? 

Pittsburgh Zoo - be ready to climb some hills! 

Philadelphia

Ok, let me make sure I say this at the beginning. I hate Philly. I think it's dirty and gross. I've been there twice and both times I was completely underwhelmed. But I would be a horrible travel blog writer if I didn't include it into this blog post. 

Independence Park

Independence Park

Independence Hall

Independence Hall

Liberty Bell

This is probably the only place I really enjoy in Philly. I adore history and getting to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall was an amazing experience. The Liberty Bell is in a separate building from Independence Hall and does not require a ticket. However in the summer, the line is crazy long, but if you go in the fall or when school is in on a weekday, the line to see the bell is much much shorter. 

Getting into Independence Hall is a little different. It requires a ticket, now those tickets are free, but have to either be reserved in advance or you have to go to the Visitors Center and get the ticket. It gives you a time for you to do the guided tour. 

The desk where they signed the Declaration of Independence 

Up close view

Some other things to see at Independence Park is the Presidents house. It's directly in front of the Liberty Bell and is now only the foundation of a house where George Washington and John Adams created the office of President while living here. 

The Carpenter's Hall - where the 1st Continental Congress met. 

Carpenter's Hall

Elfeth's Alley - the oldest street/alley/houses in America.

Elfeth's Alley

Franklin Court - houses that Ben Franklin owned. 

Franklin Court

Betsy Ross House - where the famous lady made the first flag of the United States.

Betsy Ross

There are a lot of other things that you can see in Independence Park, but I feel that these are the most important. There is also a new Museum of the American Revolution by the Visitor's center that I didn't get to see. But I've heard stellar reviews about! 

Reading Terminal Market

This was actually an old train depot market that has lost the train part but kept the market! It is on the ground floor and is covered with food markets and little cafes. This is a perfect place to grab lunch or sample some of PA's finest foods. 

LOVE Statue 

The JFK plaza that it normally calls home is under renovation and for the life of me, I could NOT find where they moved it! But do not worry, LOVE should be back in its home come November of 2017. 

Rocky Steps 

Let me just say, that Rocky was in killer shape when he did these steps. I tried and I was convinced I was going to die before I made it to the top. The steps are actually the steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and there is a statue dedicated to Rocky off to the right of the steps. 

Other Sights in PA

Valley Forge 

This is about an hour away from Philly and if you like history, then you should definitely spend some time here. I only did the driving tour (sometimes I'm exceptionally lazy) but still, it is really an informative drive. 

I'm only going to talk about the things I found interesting because honestly I'm not a historian and I tend to get dates/facts messed up in my brain. 

The National Memorial Arch - it is so pretty. It was erected in 1917 to honor the soldiers who fought for our independence. This photo does not do it justice and you should definitely take the time to get out of the car and walk around it!

Washington's Headquarters - Where Washington really stayed. (I geek out over this)

The last thing that I thought was really cool was Washington Memorial Chapel. Off to the left is an outdoor grotto area. Where you can become a princess if you want.

The church is beautiful inside as well. 

Hershey/Gettysburg

How could I forget these extremely two important places in Pennsylvania the first go-round! Don't worry travelers I will fix it immediately! 

Hershey

I've actually been here twice, once just for the rollercoasters and another time for a half marathon in Lancaster.

There are actually two separate parks! Hershey Park and Chocolate World. Hershey Park is an amusement park and I have been before, but I honestly do not remember. 

Chocolate World is just that a world of wonderful chocolate. You can buy all kinds of different chocolate themed gifts and when I was there in 2016, you can take a ride with 3 cows (I loved this part) and they took you for a "tour" of how the chocolate is made and the history of the company. My understanding is the company has changed this now to something more modern, which makes me sad because I loved the cows. ("It's the milk chocolate, moo moo") 

You can also become a chocolate expert at their tasting class and you can even make your own chocolate bar! 

If you have kids or just love chocolate, I would put this on my to-see list.

Gettysburg

This is the battle of the Civil War with the most casualties and is known as the turning point of the war. It was another one of the first battlefields preserved. To me, this is an important part of our history as Americans. It is one thing to learn about it in a classroom and it is another to see it firsthand. I have a lot of photos of the place, but in all honestly, without going through an entire history lesson of what happened in that photo, they are really just an empty field.

That's about all I have so far for PA!! 

If you have any questions about anything email me! graceparsons2023@gmail.com

Happy Traveling! 

West Virginia

My home state, and as I feel the best state in the union.... and the one that no one can seem to remember is actually NOT part of Virginia. Seriously y'all we've been separated since 1863.

I'm gonna give you the serious low-down on why my state is the coolest and why everyone should come here. This post will probably be the most updated one (you know because I live here and I need to do it justice)!! 

Ripley

I may be a tad biased especially since this is my hometown, but Ripley is an adorable little place. Lots of shops on the main drag to check out!

Things to See/Do
But the best time to come is for our 4th of July celebration. We have the largest small town 4th of July celebration in the USA! The parade is 2 hours long starting at noon with entertainment on the court house lawn the rest of the afternoon! Flea Markets and Craft shows are all throughout the county as well.

The last week of July is the Jackson County Jr. Fair, which has become one of the biggest and biggest money makers in our state. Now I could be extremely biased,  but it is by far the best fair in the world. Come check out the 200+ pigs, 150+ lambs, 100+ goats, and 100+ cows. Not too bad for a county boasting less than 30,000 people in it, and remember only kids under 18 can exhibit at the fair. So come on down and support our kids, but good luck trying to buy an animal. I've been trying for 4 years now :)
In September, we put on the Mountain State Arts and Crafts Fair at Cedar Lakes. I haven't been since they moved it to September (it used to be during the 4th of July) but the food was always on point so I would check it out if you are in town!! :)
If you like kayaking we have a 22-mile water trail starting at Cedar Lakes and finishing up at the Ohio River! It's called the Mill Creek Water Trail!

Food
The Fairplain Yacht Club is the main place to eat. It's a locally owned steak and burger place where you will see a lot of the locals on any given day!



Charleston
Our capital city, NOT to be confused with Charleston South Carolina, which again everyone seems to do. Charleston has our main airport, so chances are if you are coming to WV you'll be flying into CRW.
Things To See/Do
Make sure you at least do a drive-by of our capital. The dome is gold! And honestly, the views of it from across the Kanawha River are stunning!

Appalachian Power Park (a baseball field) is a great way to spend an evening in the spring/summer months! Games start in early April and continue until the beginning of September.

The Clay Center is also a highlight of Charleston. There are several Broadway shows that visit us every year, as well as a science/discovery center inside the complex!
Capital Market is next on the list of things to see! This is a half outside half inside farmers market. It has a really great Italian restaurant called SoHo's inside. Depending on the time of year you go, will depend on what is available outside. Example, in the spring there is lots and lots of flowers, in October there will be pumpkins :)

Pumpkins and Mums for fall! 

Kanawha Falls is not really in Charleston but it is on your drive to my next stop on this blog post and is worth seeing. It is really difficult to get photos of this place because it is a really wide waterfall. It's on RT 60 heading to Fayetteville so don't forget to stop and see this!

Food
SoHo's at Captial Market
Pies and Pints - in downtown Charleston, it's a pizza joint that is so good!


Fayetteville
Other than maybe Elkins, Fayetteville has the most to do surrounding it, especially for an adventure enthusiast.

Downtown Fayetteville

The Courthouse in Fayetteville

Things to See/Do

New River Gorge Bridge

New River Gorge Bridge

Firstly the New River Gorge Bridge should be number 1 on your list of things to see. When it was done in the late 70's, it was the largest steel spanning bridge. Now it's number 3 in the U.S. but it's still extremely impressive. You can do a bridge walk under the bridge for $75 dollars a person, or go to the National Park's visitors center and walk to the lookout for great photo ops. Also, don't forget to take the drive down the narrow road to the actual New River to watch the kayakers and white water rafters take the plunge.
Speaking of the plunge, you can kayak (make sure you actually know how to kayak before attempting this) or white water raft with a number of companies and don't worry no experience is necessary. Adventures on the Gorge is one that I highly recommend :)

Rafting the New River 

Lastly for our famous bridge is Bridge Day! It's always the 3rd Saturday in October and it is one of the biggest events of the year. Hundreds of Base jumpers come to jump off our bridge and it is the only day that the bridge is closed to traffic. There is also a 5k, but the main highlight is the chili cook-off. It also could be that I'm obsessed with food. It's only for 6 hours (9am-3pm) so get there early!
The New River Gorge Bridge area is a National Park (Y'all know how I feel about them) and has a lot of trails that are in the park! The best is Long Point Trail, it's about 3 miles total and offers some of the best views of the Gorge!

Hawks Nest State Park is another stop along Rt 60. Stunning views of the Gorge and the Lodge is a great place to stay as well! :)

Food
Pies and Pints - this is where they started!!
Cathedral Cafe - inside a beautiful old church
Secret Sandwich Society - long long wait normally but the food is really good (so I hear)
Gumbo's - Louisiana style food how can you go wrong?





Elkins
Like Fayetteville, there are so so many things to see and do in and around the Elkins area. You need at least a week I feel to do the whole place justice, but even if it's just for a weekend, you will find plenty of things to do here!

Things to See/Do

1. Blackwater Falls - now I could be biased since this is the place that my dad proposed to my mom (everyone say aww). But I believe that this place is so pretty in all the seasons. 
   
   
   
   

Blackwater Falls 

2. Seneca Rocks is next on my list! You can climb to the top (holy hills) orrrr you can be super smart and pay around $70 to horseback up the mountain! The view is the same, and you aren't nearly as tired! 

Seneca Rocks

View from the Top

3. Grafton, WV - There are several things to do in and around this cute little town. Firstly, this is where Mother's Day originated and there is a Shrine up by the church to commemorate this! yay moms! Secondly, this is where the Tygart Lake and River is. Kayak and boating are really common here and always a good time! 

4. Tygart Flyer - this is just one of trains that do various runs on the mountains. It normally takes half a day or so and is wonderful especially if you have little kids! They have dinner murder mystery trains as well as the "polar express" ones in the winter time! 

5. Dolly Sods - part of the Monongahela National Forrest and has stunningly beautiful landscapes perfect for hiking! 

6. Smoke Hole Caverns - used for moonshining back in the day! Now you can hike through this :) 

7. Skiing/Snowboarding - Canaan Valley and Winterplace are your two choices for skiing/snowboarding here! 

Harpers Ferry

This adorable old town is full of Civil War history and with it being only an hour from Baltimore and D.C., it is an easy stop on your road trip! It is a beautiful little town right where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet. 

Harpers Ferry was put on the map when John Brown, an abolitionist, led 21 men on a raid of the armory. 

Where the Armory Stood

The engine house where John Brown took refuge

He was eventually overcome by Robert E. Lee and was hung for treason. 

Lewis and Clark even came here!

But one of the biggest selling points for most people is that this is where the Headquarters for the Appalachian Trail are. The trail encompasses states from Georgia to Maine and Harpers Ferry is the "middle point". There is really only 4 miles total however in WV (I've done, it is super hilly). 

Right by the Rivers in Harpers Ferry

The stone steps that are part of the trail (and are hell)

Ok! This will be constantly updated as I get more photos and updated info on locations around my beautiful state! 

Anything you need to see/want to know about? Email me! graceparsons2023@gmail.com