The Most Picturesque Towns In West Virginia

West Virginia is a scenic wonderland in the US, endowed with some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. Nicknamed the Mountain State, it is the only state entirely in the Appalachian region, which is why it boasts a huge concentration of natural features, from dense woodlands to towering mountains, deep gorges, and rivers such as the Potomac River. All of these are enough reasons to visit West Virginia, and thankfully, the state is mostly full of small towns that promise to serve up the views unobstructed. From Lewisburg to Wheeling, and even the state’s capital, Charleston, these towns sit at some of the state’s notable natural features, flaunting picturesque scenery and exciting adventures. Visit these towns today and witness scenes that add context to the phrase “Almost Heaven.”

Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry stands at the forefront of West Virginia’s most beautiful towns. This town is gorgeous and is one of those places that looks like a page ripped out of a fairytale storybook. The Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet at this historic settlement, while the Blue Ridge Mountains loom in the background. On top of that, the entire area is peppered with greenery that changes according to the seasons. In the fall, particularly, this town transforms from beautiful to magical as the hues of orange, yellow, and gold color the unique landscape, almost blending perfectly with the red-roofed structures, many of which date to the 1800s when the area was a bustling industrial hub.

There are several ways to soak in this town’s scenery, and hiking on the Maryland Heights Trail is the most popular. Stretching between four and six miles, depending on the start point, this loop trail winds through Civil War fortifications, as it leads to a summit with an impressive view of the town, the surrounding vegetation, and the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Harpers Ferry also invites travelers to The Point for a closer view of the confluence of both rivers, as well as sights of Maryland and Virginia.

While in the area, stops can be made to explore some of the town’s historic attractions, especially John Brown’s Fort, where an abolitionist and his followers made a last stand after the failed mission of igniting a slave rebellion. White water rafting, canoeing, or tubing on the rivers is also a cool thing to do here, and there are several outfitters in town to make this experience pleasurable.

Lewisburg

Lewisburg, the county seat of Greenbrier County, is also a picturesque gem, combining historic architecture with the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. Just strolling through the downtown area of this town is pleasurable, as one can admire stunning historic structures like 1902 Carnegie Hall and the 1820 John Wesley Methodist Church, while soaking in the beauty of the surrounding lush forests and greenery.

For even better views, travelers are invited to the nearby 1884 Historic Herns Mill Covered Bridge, which sits beautifully amidst a scenic forest. Hikers, bikers, and all who love natural scenery can proceed to the Greenbrier River Trail for a 77-mile adventure through a lush forest full of wildlife, dozens of bridges, and tunnels, with opportunities to fish or kayak on the river. For a more unique experience, a visit to Lost World Caverns just outside town is recommended, as the underground caverns offer tours to see their stunning formations, including stalactites and stalagmites.

Charleston

Charleston is a must-visit town in West Virginia for lovers of scenery and adventures. The capital and largest city in West Virginia, this town sits at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers. Travelers are invited to the Haddad Riverfront Park to soak in some of the best views of the town and the Kanawha River while enjoying a concert.

From here, one can proceed on a walk through Capitol Street to shop while admiring beautiful trees, stunning brick buildings, and interesting artworks like the Mortar Man, a concrete sculpture of a miniature man that looks like he’s trying to get out. For even more impressive scenery, travelers can hike the 1.4-mile out-and-back Sunrise Carriage Trail, which winds through a beautiful forest above Charleston.

Parkersburg

Located in a valley where the Little Kanawha and Ohio rivers meet, Parkersburg is a charming town with impressive natural beauty and a handful of attractions serving up the views, one of which is Fort Boreman Park. Originally the site of a Civil War fort, this park on a hilltop is now an exciting place to picnic and hike with scenic views of the town, valley, and the rivers. The Point Park is another cool attraction in Parkersburg, featuring trails with impressive sights of the town and the Ohio River, alongside fishing and incredible kayaking opportunities.

Meanwhile, Parkersburg is full of impressive architecture, courtesy of its long history dating back even before 1820, when it was incorporated as a town. Today, the Julia-Ann Square Historic District in town is the largest and oldest historic district in West Virginia, and is a great place to stroll and admire historic structures, many of which date to the late 1800s and feature impressive Victorian architectural styles.

For bikers, Parkersville is near the start of the North Bend Rail Trail, a 72-mile trail that goes through approximately a dozen tunnels, over 30 bridges, and wooded areas, offering opportunities to witness some of the most scenic views in West Virginia.

Wheeling

Wheeling is one of West Virginia’s larger towns, with scenery worth traveling several miles to witness. Located right on the Ohio River and surrounded by the Appalachian foothills, this town will leave a huge impression on travelers, especially those who witness its best views, one of which can be seen from the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. Built in 1849 over the Ohio River, this bridge offers impressive sights of the surrounding lush forests and the town’s skyline, and is open for walking.

More awesome scenery of Wheeling can be enjoyed while hiking or biking on the Ohio River Trail, which runs for over 11 miles along the river. This trail is a segment of the Wheeling Heritage Trail system and connects with the Wheeling Creek Trail, which proceeds into beautiful wooded areas. For more adventures with the views, Wheeling Park is a recommended place to visit. This 406-acre park is characterized by well-maintained green fields, lush trees, walking trails, a spray/splash pad, and a beautiful lake ideal for paddling.

Fayetteville

Fayetteville is one of West Virginia’s small towns that punches far above its weight. Located adjacent to the New River Gorge National Park, this town is incredibly scenic and a paradise for outdoor lovers. From this town, travelers can easily enjoy a scenic drive across the New River Gorge Bridge, one of the highest vehicular bridges in the world, standing 876 feet above the New River and offering impressive scenery. For a more unique experience, travelers are welcome to schedule guided tours to walk beneath the bridge. Notably, the bridge is open for pedestrians on Bridge Day, usually held on the third Saturday of October. This festival is one of the most thrilling in the world, featuring extreme sports such as base jumping, rappelling, music, and more.

For more beautiful views of the area, travelers are invited to ride on the eight-mile Historic Fayette Station Road, which winds through the bottom of the gorge, offering jaw-dropping vistas of the river and the surrounding woodlands.

Meanwhile, the Long Point Trail, a popular attraction in the area, stretches 1.6 miles through fields and woodlands to a rock outcrop with breathtaking scenes defined by the New River Gorge as it is sliced by the river, crossed by the New River Gorge Bridge, and surrounded by lush trees. Back in Fayetteville, one can stroll through the downtown area to admire historic architecture and check out establishments like the Cathedral Cafe Welcome, which is designed with art and serves delicious coffee and fresh food.

Shepherdstown

Shepherdstown, one of the smallest towns in West Virginia, populated by around 1,000 people, is also among its most exciting places to visit. Situated on the Potomac River, this town dazzles in natural beauty and historic allure, being the oldest town in West Virginia, first settled in 1730. A great way to enjoy the scenery here would be to paddle on the river, and there are several outfitters and entry points in the town to make the experience memorable and seamless.

Alternatively, travelers can head to the James Rumsey Monument and Park to hike with charming views of the river and surrounding forests and mountains. Shepherdstown also sits on the C & O Canal, meaning opportunities to hike or bike the 185-mile trail stretching through scenic forest and along rivers from Cumberland, Maryland, to Washington DC.

As with any scenic town in West Virginia, a stroll through downtown Shepherdstown is strongly recommended, especially as the town is full of historic structures representing several architectural styles, from Federal style architecture to Greek Revival style. The Shepherdstown Historic District, centered on the main street, is where to see some of the most stunning landmarks, including Baker House, a Federal-style brick house dating to the 1790s.

Morgantown

Morgantown puts up a strong competition for the most picturesque town in West Virginia. A true definition of the phrase “almost heaven,” this town sits proudly on the Monongahela River, flaunting college vibes with the West Virginia University and natural allure with its lush and rugged landscape within the Appalachian Mountains. The Dorsey’s Knob Park is a great place to enjoy some of the best views here from Sky Rock, an elevated spot standing at 600 feet and overlooking the deep valleys, greater Morgantown, and the Monongahela River, one of the few in the US that flows in a northerly direction.

Winding right through the town, the Caperton Trail offers more close-up views and is ideal for walking and biking. The paved trail is around six miles long and also runs through some of the town’s top attractions, such as the Hazel Ruby McQuain Park, where one can picnic, catch a concert, fish, or kayak on the river. The WVU Core Arboretum is also on the trail and is a great place to hike three miles of trails through a scenic old-growth forest while observing native flora, beautiful flowers, and birds.

Part of What Inspired the Phrase “Almost Heaven”

Across all seasons, these towns in West Virginia flaunt impressive scenery that will leave travelers with unforgettable memories. Besides their natural features, these towns boast stunning architecture that blends perfectly with the natural scenes, making them even more pleasant to stroll through and explore. On top of that, these towns are incredibly historic, with some even older than the state. So whether you are seeking scenery, historic allure, impressive architecture, outdoor adventures, or all of the above, these West Virginia towns are amazing places and among the reasons for the state’s nickname “Almost Heaven.”