8 Most Welcoming Towns In West Virginia's Countryside
"Wild and Wonderful." "Almost Heaven." These and other slogans have long given would-be visitors a tantalizing set of ideas by which to imagine West Virginia and its welcoming countryside. A part of the state of Virginia until the tumult of the US Civil War, this place, also called The Mountain State for its place entirely within the Appalachian Mountains, has served as a crossroads of culture and commerce. Today, the out-of-state visitor can see the best fo West Virginia's rich legacies on a trip through small towns like these. From riverside locations like Elkins and Huntington, to industrious villages like Davis and Thomas that typify the state's hard-working spirit, West Virginia has much to offer the tourist hoping for something authentic, and different, in his or her upcoming travels.
Ansted
In tiny Ansted, in West Virginia's south-central region, nature comes first. Hawks Nest State Park encourages relaxation in the great outdoors, with famous views of the New River as it rushes below. The waterways here attract whitewater rafting fans, and Hawks Nest Lake offers a calmer place to find waterside bliss.
Ansted's in-town offerings run on the cozy side. Hawk's Nest Lodge and Restaurant serves up American staples, and J&J's Main Street, shoppers will find wood-carved goods made only in West Virginia. Gino's Pizza and Spaghetti House reflects the state's rich heritage of Italian immigrants, who came here to work in coal mines and other industrial jobs at the turn of the past century.
Davis
Davis, a modest town by the state's Eastern Panhandle, makes a great base for outdoor adventure. The former logging town welcomes skiiers in winter, and hikers year-round, given its closeness to the Dolly Sods Wilderness area, the Canaan Valley ski resort, and Blackwater Falls State Park, a favorite among families and those who prefer lower-key activities.
Davis has its own craft alcohol producers, and visitors can sample a pint at Stumptown Ales, or sip spirits at New Heritage Distilling. Davis restaurants include Smokehouse at Blackwater, as well as Sirianni's for Italian cuisine. Despite its petite size, the town has a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP): the Herman August Meyer House was added to the list in 2010. For a retro place to stay, try the Billy Motel and Bar, a hipster's haven right in town.
Elkins
Also near the Eastern Panhandle, the town of Elkins combines the great outdoors and the lively arts. The town sits near a trio of ski resorts, making it a popular spot for a winter visit. It is also close to the Monongahela National Forest, a hiker's paradise that showcases West Virginia's beautiful rhododendron forests.
For fans of natural wonders and caves deep underground, the town has massive cave networks that travelers can visit. The nearby Tygart River offers a challenge for whitewater enthusiasts. For some culture after sunset, take in some live theater at the Old Brick Playhouse.
Hinton
The town of Hinton sits in rural southeast West Virginia, and is beloved to fans of railroad history. The town owes its founding, among other reasons, to intersection of the Greenbrier and New Rivers. Rail companies came here to build The Avis Overhead Bridge, a photogenic edifice that spans the New River — and is a landmark from US rail's golden era.
Part of Hinton, like Davis, sits on the NRHP, thanks to the town's past as a stop on the Chesapeake and Ohio rail networks. History fans can geek out in Hinton Railroad Museum, while architecture lovers can explore the eclectic styles present around the town's historic district. Stylistic examples include American Four-Square, Classical Revival, and Late Victorian.
Huntington
Southwestern Huntington — the state's second-largest town after Charleston, the state capital — offers a more urbane choice for a weekend or later stint away from home. The town is perched above the confluence of the Ohio and Guyandotte rivers, not far from the three-part border shared with states Kentucky and Ohio. While Huntington has endured a decline in population since its boom days of the mid-20th century, the town still continues to hold its own economically. It is the second-busiest inland port in the United States, which serves as a major source of West Virginia commerce and tax revenue.
Huntington's unique position provides the traveler a unique mix of northern, southern, and midwestern US influences here. And the town is home to Marshall University, open since 1837, with some 10,600 students. For an authentic college football experience, head to Marshall's Joan C. Edwards Stadium, which hosts the team known as the Thundering Herd.
Ripley
Between the Appalachian foothills and the Ohio River Valley, the small town of Ripley, is an arts-focused place in the state's western region. Artists gather in Ripley every year to share their work and appreciation at the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair, which focuses on creative elements from the Appalachian Mountains.
But the biggest celebration comes every 4th of July, when Ripley hosts its beloved Independence Day festival. The event is billed as "America's largest small-town Independence Day celebration," according to local press. In 2002, Ripley welcomed a July 4th speech from then-president George W. Bush, suggesting the town's all-American reputation stretches far and wide. For a balance of small-town tradition and larger-city lights, a trip to Ripley pairs nicely with Charleston, the state capital, about 40 minutes south.
Thomas
The mountainside village of Thomas stands a few minutes away from Davis. (The two towns owe their names to a pair of brothers and statesmen, Thomas and Henry Davis, who helped industrialize West Virginia from the 19th century.) Historically, Thomas is a classic West Virginia coal town, as many immigrant workers came here to work in the mines the pock the surrounding hills.
Thomas' short, quaint main street features a handful of vibrant storefronts, which offer antiques, art galleries, local crafts, and entertainment. The Purple Fiddle, a cafe and local performance space, hosts bluegrass, string bands, and other folk music artists typical of Appalachia. Cyclists come to Thomas for the Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail, a biking area converted from an old railroad bed.
Wardensville
Just over the state line from Virginia, the small town of Wardensville offers a touch of artisanal class in the state's northeastern Potomac Highlands region. The first-time visitor should come hungry — or plan another visit immediately after. The Wardensville Garden Market sells local produce, from high-quality goods baked on the premises, to sandwiches and other food items to go. Across the street, the Kac-Ka-Pon Restaurant, named sort of like the local Cacapon River, serves American rural classics like country ham and biscuits. The Lost River Trading Post, which also includes a cafe, sells down-home handicrafts from West Virginia and beyond, while its adjoining art gallery provides beauty to ponder or purchase. For a lunch or dinner that steps things up a notch, check out Mack's Bingo Kitchen, which offers terrific, towering burgers, as well as beer and tasty desserts.
West Virginia's Most Welcoming Towns Run Small
As these places show, West Virginia's small-town gems await the tourist willing to go off the beaten path. Beyond the state's larger cities like Charleston, small-town life in West Virginia is, for many visitors, what West Virginia does best. Petite places like Ansted, as well as Davis and Thomas, make for a quiet place to stay, with abundant natural attractions in the immediate surrounding regions. Elkins blends whitewater adrenaline with the exciting possibilities of live local theater. Ripley puts on an all-American July 4th celebration that is enough to attract past presidents, while Wardensville is the West Virginia foodie's invitation to the world. For a wild, wonderful trip through a unique and welcoming state, West Virginia's small towns deserve a visit soon.
