11 Best Small Towns In West Virginia For A Crowd-Free Summer
Appalachian gorges and river bends hold most of West Virginia's small towns, and the summer crowds rarely follow. The Appalachian Trail still runs through Harpers Ferry's preserved 19th-century streets. Davis puts hikers and nature lovers within reach of Blackwater Falls, where the water is amber-colored and drops through the mountains. That is the West Virginia summer this list follows, quieter, scenic, and rooted in places that still feel close to the land.
Harpers Ferry
With its setting among three state lines and two rivers, Harpers Ferry feels like the ultimate traveler's town. That is especially true along the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the heart of the preserved old town. The Trail's headquarters sit just up the hill that slopes from the mountains to the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. In warmer weather, rafting and fishing happen frequently in both waterways. From there, one can see parts of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland.
Dramatic history awaits in town, which boasts the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The site maintains exhibits on John Brown's 1859 raid on the federal armory, an event that accelerated the United States' movement toward civil war. To take a break after a history lesson in town, head to Harpers Ferry Waterpark, which has slides, trampolines, and other types of summertime fun.
Princeton
In the far-southern curve of the state, the town of Princeton offers both classic and unique West Virginia attractions. Long a coal-mining town, Princeton, settled in 1826, has transformed itself into a regional arts hub. Murals on Mercer Street brighten up the downtown center, while the Chuck Mathena Center puts on dramatic arts productions. The Princeton Railroad Museum, a must-stop for families on a summer road trip, highlights the technologies that altered the landscape here for good. Visitors wanting to cool down can check out Princeton’s City Pool; the new Wave Pool is expected to open in July, so travelers should confirm its status before visiting.
Davis
Davis, a tiny town in the mountainous heart of Tucker County, makes a great base for much bigger things. Nearby is the Dolly Sods Wilderness, a vast hiking area with bog and heath ecosystems more typical of southern Canada. Blackwater Falls State Park, just outside town, offers mountain biking and a waterfall famous for its unique amber-colored water.
For a cooling drink after a warm day outside, the brewery called Stumptown Ales has well-deserved pints on tap. History fans enjoy Davis for its past as a logging center and its NRHP-listed historic buildings, including the Herman August Meyer House and the National Bank of Davis.
Ansted
In south-central West Virginia, the small town of Ansted offers a picturesque choice for a weekend or longer. The town has moved from its past as a coal mining hub to a place that now thrives mostly on tourism, making it well-prepared for the summer travel season. That history is evident at the Page-Vawter House, a fine example of Gothic-style architecture. Ansted also sits along the Midland Trail, a scenic byway that is designed to encourage travel through the southern part of the state.
For summer visitors, Ansted's outdoor attractions come first. Hawks Nest State Park offers wide views of the New River Gorge and hiking trails. In warmer weather, whitewater rafting provides a thrilling way to experience the state’s mountain landscape.
Elkins
Like Davis, Elkins owes part of its stature to the once-mighty timber industry. Set at the foot of the Monongahela National Forest, the town is a natural choice for outdoor explorers in summertime. The town is surrounded by Appalachian scenery, making the outdoor opportunities impossible to miss. Traveling families will enjoy the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad’s New Tygart Flyer from Elkins, a vintage diesel-powered mountain excursion that runs from April into early November.
For a taste of local flavors, Elkins options include Beander’s Restaurant and Tavern downtown, Clementine’s Cantina on Davis Avenue, and Big J’s Hotdog House on Beverly Pike.
Helvetia
The hamlet of Helvetia may be small, but its cultural interest is worth the mountain drive. The town's roots lie in a group of Swiss and German settlers who arrived here starting in 1869. Its out-of-the-way location helped preserve its Germanic traditions, and today, Helvetia maintains its historic, European-style wood buildings with care. On the Saturday closest to August 1, Helvetia celebrates Swiss National Day, a time of traditional dress, games, and remembrance across that country's global diaspora. For a more modern celebration, the town holds the Follow Your Bliss Helvetia Festival, with music and food, on the weekend after Father’s Day each year.
For a further taste of Germanic life in Helvetia, head to the Hutte Restaurant, which serves hearty meals with Swiss favorites like bratwurst and, of course, Swiss cheese sandwiches.
Martinsburg
In West Virginia's eastern panhandle, the town of Martinsburg offers plenty of history. A major center of Civil War activity, given its position as the so-called gateway of the Shenandoah Valley, the town saw its share of soldiers and spies. The Belle Boyd House and Museum, once the childhood home of Confederate spy Belle Boyd, tells the story of her wartime spying for the Confederacy. Other, more public roles have played out at the Apollo Civic Theatre, built in 1913, which today organizes performances and community events. The Main Street Martinsburg Concert Series takes place every Friday in summer and adds a seasonal reason to visit.
Morgantown
In north-central West Virginia, Morgantown is ideal for those seeking a break from crowds. The town, home to West Virginia University (WVU), empties out during the summer break, leaving its charms open to visitors when many of the roughly 23,600 students on WVU’s Morgantown campus go home. Active types can walk, run, or bike the Mon River Rail-Trail, which follows the Monongahela River. A slower pace may take the visitor to the West Virginia Botanic Garden or the Art Museum of West Virginia University. For a classic American evening of baseball under bright lights, catch a game of the West Virginia Black Bears, who play at Kendrick Family Ballpark in nearby Granville, with a June-to-early-September season.
Ravenswood
Set at a bend in the Ohio River near the Ohio border, far-western Ravenswood takes pride in its surroundings. The Great Bend Museum, with a downtown location overlooking the river, offers insights into local history, from Native American days and European settlement to portraits of 20th-century community life. It also makes a useful stop for families on summer vacation. Ravenswood Bridge stands out as a more recent historical reference, erected in 1981 to serve both West Virginia and Ohio.
Ravenswood works hard at its various annual festivals, especially the Ohio River Festival, held each July. The event features country and folk music, craft vendors, and barbecue meals.
St. Albans
In west-central West Virginia, the town of St. Albans makes for a quiet escape. A few miles west of Charleston, St. Albans sits between the Kanawha River to its north and the smaller Coal River to its west. Summer visitors can get their bearings and a sense of the past from the St. Albans Historical Society, which has worked to preserve Morgan's Kitchen Museum, a local point of interest. The education-focused site is a natural and kid-friendly stop for traveling families.
For some outdoor exercise, grab a kayak for the Coal River Water Trail, which winds through lovely mountain scenery. The Tour de Coal, a kayak event taking off from the upstream town of Tornado, takes place every June. For some fair-weather time on dry land, hit the fairways at Big Bend Golf Course in nearby Tornado, southwest of St. Albans.
Wardensville
Heading into northeastern West Virginia from the Virginia state line, the small town of Wardensville greets the visitor with an outsized number of attractions. Lost River Trading Post sells jarred preserves, antiques, art, and local goods along East Main Street. Wardensville Garden Market offers coffee, fresh-baked goods, and an outdoor patio for summer days. Wardensville Town Park sits along Waites Run, a stream where kids can cool off after time on the park's playground.
Where Summer Slows Down In West Virginia
Clearly, West Virginia's smaller towns offer an abundant array of places to eat, stay, play, and relax for local and out-of-state visitors, especially in summertime. Ansted's architecture, and Davis' NRHP-listed sites, will not disappoint, while Elkins' vintage train is an ideal, relaxing choice for traveling families on summer vacation. Helvetia and Ravenswood put on cultural festivals that inspire and entertain. Harpers Ferry and St. Albans offer enjoyment on or directly on their respective rivers. Meanwhile, Morgantown combines summer baseball and summer break for WVU students for an exciting city break in the state's education capital. To unwind in West Virginia's smaller towns, these and other places promise a crowd-free, fun-filled visit.
