The 8 Can't-Miss Towns In West Virginia
Some West Virginia towns hold something you would kick yourself for driving past. Harpers Ferry has the armory engine house where John Brown was cornered in 1859, still standing in Lower Town. Lewisburg has Lost World Caverns, where the trail drops 120 feet past a 28-foot stalagmite called the War Club. Fayetteville has the New River Gorge Bridge, which opens to BASE jumpers one day each fall. Berkeley Springs has the warm mineral springs that drew George Washington in the 1700s and still fill the bathhouses today. These eight are the towns to build a day around.
Harpers Ferry
There is history in every corner of Harpers Ferry, with rivers and ridgelines to match. The town has existed for centuries but is best known as the site of John Brown's 1859 raid, an event widely regarded as a catalyst for the American Civil War. Nowhere is this better seen than at John Brown's Fort, the site where the abolitionist and his men were cornered during their attempt to seize the U.S. Armory and Arsenal. Today, the fort sits in historic Lower Town, a short walk from the shops and exhibits of the restored district.
Like the fort, many of the sites visitors flock to in Harpers Ferry are within Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, which spans more than 3,500 acres. The climb up the Maryland Heights trail passes several Civil War fortifications on the way to one of the region's best overlooks. From the top, the view takes in the town and the meeting of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers below.
Downtown, local businesses have made a national name for themselves. True Treats sets itself apart from other candy stores across the country with its unique selection of historic sweets and teas enjoyed by civilizations centuries ago.
Fayetteville
Fayetteville pairs dramatic river scenery with a tight community atmosphere that keeps the historic town on many travelers' lists. North of the town, visitors explore the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Its trails carry hikers past wildlife and spring wildflowers along the rim of the gorge. Also in the park is the New River Gorge Bridge, which locals and visitors eagerly descend on during the annual Bridge Day celebration. For a single day, the bridge is open for activities such as the bridge walk, experiencing the highline, or even BASE jumping from the bridge.
Local businesses work to keep the town's good spirits up when the celebration has come and gone. Independent businesses like Bridge Brew Works are not only places to enjoy craft beer from the taphouse but also to enjoy local company. The Historic Fayette Theatre also aims to bring people together through community theater, which was constructed in town in 1938 and continues to host live performances.
Lewisburg
Visitors step into history as they walk through downtown Lewisburg. History was written on its streets in 1862, during the Battle of Lewisburg, as the Civil War raged. The North House Museum and Archive holds the key to uncovering the rich history of Greenbrier Valley. The building, constructed in 1820, now houses artifacts from the lawyer who originally lived in the North House, as well as items from the Civil War. Another historic building to stop by is Carnegie Hall, built in 1902 and one of a small handful of Carnegie Halls worldwide still running as a performing arts center. Music, dance, and other live entertainment now fill the space's stage.
There are more wonders to discover under the surface of the town. Lost World Caverns has been a geological wonder that has amazed all who have explored its rock formations since its discovery in 1942. Descending 120 feet below the surface, adventurers on the trail pass towering stalagmites like the 28-foot War Club and stalactites like the Snowy Chandelier. The Greenbrier bunker, an extensive Cold War-era fallout shelter, is another tour that invites visitors to immerse themselves in a hidden underground hideaway.
Thomas
Those looking for colorful inspiration will find refuge in Thomas's vibrant arts scene. While Thomas was once a town dominated by the coal industry in the early 20th century, it has since become a haven for artists. The enthusiastic atmosphere is best captured at establishments like the Purple Fiddle, a family-friendly bar and cafe that also functions as a performance space for national and local acts. The venue also hosts annual events that bring creatives together, such as the ArtSpring Local Music Showcase.
Other spaces are slightly quieter but bursting with just as much creativity, like artist-run gallery Invisible. Once known as The White Room, the gallery has been a place to browse and purchase local works of art for over a decade.
Shepherdstown
The college-town atmosphere has made Shepherdstown a can't-miss destination for culture and the arts. Founded in 1871, Shepherd University's liberal arts campus has been a major supporter of the local arts scene. The annual Contemporary American Theater Festival produces a batch of bold new plays and performances on the university's campus. Since its establishment in 1991, the festival has staged over 100 plays for theatergoers, some of which have been adapted for and off-Broadway.
Touring historic Shepherdstown will make travelers yearn for a time long in the past. Sites such as the iconic Entler Hotel, the Rumsey Steamboat Museum, and the centuries-old Crooked House will excite historians seeking to uncover relics of the town's architecture. For visitors coming to stay and explore for a while, the Mecklenburg Inn B&B is a place that will take a weary traveler's bags for the night. The building is right in the National Historic District of Shepherdstown, and the lively English-style pub has performers and outdoor seating to entertain guests and locals alike.
Buckhannon
Buckhannon is home to West Virginia Wesleyan College, which adds a boost of liveliness to its streets during festivals, such as the annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival. Established in 1936, the festival honors the local farmers who are vital to the region's strawberry harvest. The weeklong celebration brings entertainment, parades, and culture to local families and visitors who have come to join in on the festivities. Visitors of all ages will also seek out the nearby Audra State Park. The park's star attraction is the Middle Fork River, where recreationists swim, fish for trout, or go boating.
Main Street is lined with locations visitors won't be able to resist. A staple in the arts community, Artistry on Main operates as a gallery for working artists and a place to pick up special souvenirs. The collective also hosts an annual Spring Into Art festival that celebrates the best handmade creations from local artists.
Berkeley Springs
Berkeley Springs has been a favorite for famous visitors throughout history, with none other than George Washington frequenting the area in the 1700s. Visitors can experience the same relaxing elements that give the town its name at the Berkeley Springs State Park. Since the colonial era, the mineral springs and their steady flow of warm water above 70 degrees Fahrenheit have drawn guests. A mix of bathhouse services and access to the public spring make the park a staple for all visitors in the area.
It's not just the natural sights that beckon visitors to Berkeley Springs. Another landmark that draws visitors is the 19th-century Berkeley Springs Castle, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The castle's sandstone construction and architecture, including a dungeon and a grand staircase, are thought to have been inspired by European castles. More hand-made works, albeit on a smaller scale, are showcased at the Ice House Artists' Co-Op. The gallery showcases the work of over 30 regional artists, featuring unique and colorful designs that reflect the town's character.
Davis
Although it was once a 20th-century boomtown known for its thriving logging and sawmill industries, coal, and the railroad industry, modern-day Davis is a nature lover's paradise. At Blackwater Falls State Park, visitors are met with a combination of easygoing and challenging trails that will keep any hiker, no matter how experienced, engaged with the impressive natural formations. A more leisurely day at the park could include a trip to Pendleton Lake, where fishing for trout makes for an easygoing afternoon.
Davis now frequently celebrates the wilderness that surrounds it. The annual Leaf Peepers Festival marks the turning of the Tucker County foliage each fall, featuring a parade, a classic car show, and a duck race down Beaver Creek.
Eight Towns Worth the Afternoon
What links these eight towns is how much history they keep within a few walkable blocks. John Brown's Fort and the North House Museum hold the state's Civil War chapters, while the Greenbrier bunker and Berkeley Springs reach back to the Cold War and the colonial era. The same short drives lead to Blackwater Falls, the New River Gorge, and the passages of Lost World Caverns. Each town rewards a slow afternoon more than a quick stop.
