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
- 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
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