The Most Underrated Towns In West Virginia
West Virginia holds some of the greatest surprises in its most underrated towns. Davis sits at the highest elevation in the state near one of the country's standout waterfalls. Buckhannon dedicates an entire festival to strawberries each May. Keyser and Romney both carry rich Civil War history and changed hands repeatedly between Union and Confederate forces. Each of the towns on this list is special, singular, and underrated. None of them should be missed.
Buckhannon
An underrated Appalachian gem of a town, Upshur County's Buckhannon, on the Buckhannon River, is in north-central West Virginia, not far from Morgantown. It pairs small-town feel with college-town energy, as it is home to West Virginia Wesleyan College. The college's Naylor Planetarium opens to the public on the first Saturday evening of each month for stellar star shows.
Buckhannon's placement amidst the Appalachian Mountains offers visitors many outdoor recreational opportunities, such as River Walk Park along the Buckhannon River. The downtown area features locally-owned shops and eateries such as C.J. Maggie's American Grill. Buckhannon hosts the West Virginia Strawberry Festival each May, with live entertainment, a carnival, parades, and food.
Barboursville
Minutes away from the larger city of Huntington in Cabell County, Barboursville, nicknamed "Best Little Village," is a postcard small town. It is close to eastern Kentucky and southeastern Ohio, and houses the 750-acre Barboursville City Park. Here, visitors can hike, bike, and enjoy fishing at Lake William. Barboursville is also known for its Historic District, encompassing buildings such as the Miller House, circa 1852, the oldest building in town.
Barboursville is a tightly-knit community with a walkable downtown area, much of it focused around Central Avenue. The 1861 Public House, on said avenue, is famous for its hospitality, serving warm food and cold drinks to patrons. Every September, the Barboursville Fall Fest is held. It includes live music, a parade, a car show, retail vendors, and food, and draws many locals as well as visitors to the small town.
Davis
Davis sits at 3,520 feet elevation in the Allegheny Mountains in Tucker County, along the Blackwater River near Canaan Valley. It is the highest incorporated town in the state, and one not to miss. Davis is surrounded by natural beauty, such as Blackwater Falls State Park, with a 57-foot-high Blackwater Falls waterfall and 20 miles of trails. Davis also borders the Monongahela National Forest, covering over 900,000 acres and offering opportunities for hiking, biking, wildlife-spotting, and horseback riding.
The small downtown area in Davis is known as a culinary and craft beer hub, with eateries like Stumptown Ales being a local favorite. Each year during the last full weekend in September, Davis is the site of the Leaf Peepers Festival. This celebration of the beginning of the changing colors of leaves draws more visitors than any other event in Tucker County, and includes crafts, a car show, live music, a golf tournament, and other activities for all ages.
Shepherdstown
Shepherdstown shares the distinction with Romney, another town on this list, of being the oldest town in the state. Both were chartered on December 23, 1762. Situated on the Potomac River in Jefferson County, in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, Shepherdstown was important to both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The Shepherdstown National Historic District features many historic sites, as well as the Historic Shepherdstown Museum, home to a rare 35-star US flag and artifacts from the Civil War Battle of Shepherdstown.
Shepherd University, located in Shepherdstown, acts as the cultural hub of the community. This liberal arts university hosts public events such as the Shepherd Big Band Concert and Community Vocal Recital. If history is your interest, James Rumsey Monument and Park is the perfect place to spend time outdoors and learn more about a native son who was a pioneer of steam boating. Each June, Shepherdstown Street Fest is held in the downtown area. It features music, craftspersons and artisans, food, and activities for all ages.
Hinton
The southeastern West Virginia town of Hinton is in Summers County, where the New River, Greenbrier River, and Bluestone Rivers meet. Another historic town, Hinton was founded in 1871 and is the southern gateway to both New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Pipestem Resort State Park.
Hinton's Historic District consists of over 200 structures built in Classical, American Gothic, and High Victorian styles of architecture. They include the Campbell-Flannagan Murrel House Museum, circa 1875, the oldest standing residential structure in the town. Hinton's unique placement at the juncture of three rivers makes it the ideal place for the West Virginia State Water Festival at the end of July and beginning of each August. A craft show, food, car show, and other activities are all part of this annual festival.
Romney
Romney, in Hampshire County, was also chartered on December 23, 1762, same as Shepherdstown. Romney lies in the Potomac Highlands, on the South Branch of the Potomac River, surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains. Historic buildings to prove the town's age still stand in Romney, like Taggart Hall, circa 1790. Romney is famous as a town that changed hands 56 times between Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War.
Downtown Romney carries a 1950s vibe, with eateries like Main Street Grill serving American fare in a relaxed atmosphere. The Country Store on Main is another one-of-a-kind shop selling varieties of home decor and clothing. During the first weekend each August, downtown Romney draws visitors from across the region for the Hampshire County Summer Harvest Festival, featuring live music, artisans, food, and kids' activities.
Point Pleasant
Another small West Virginia river town, Point Pleasant sits in Mason County, at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers in the mid-Ohio Valley. One reason to make sure to visit this town is the Mothman Museum, which chronicles the story of the Mothman, a winged cryptid who was sighted in Point Pleasant in the 1960s that has since become a pop-culture legend. The town hosts the Mothman Festival on the third weekend of September each year to celebrate this paranormal story.
Point Pleasant is about more than just the Mothman, however. Some say that the town was the birthplace of the American Revolution, as the site of the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant. Tu-Endie-Wei State Park now sits at the site of this battle and can be explored to learn more about the town's history. Downtown Point Pleasant contains beloved local businesses and eateries like Village Pizza Inn.
Keyser
Not far from Cumberland, Maryland, the town of Keyser in Mineral County sits in the Potomac Highlands and is nicknamed the "friendliest city in the USA." It is home to Potomac State College of West Virginia University (locally referred to as "Pot State"), which hosts public events such as the Big Band Jazz Festival on campus. The college sits on the site of the former Civil War Fort Fuller. Keyser has a rich Civil War history, having changed hands 14 times during the war.
Keyser is part of the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, which spans 18 counties in West Virginia and western Maryland. Residents of the small town value its locally-owned, independent eateries such as Castiglia's Italian Eatery. Keyser is home to the Mineral County Strawberry Festival, taking place each June on Main Street. Food, crafts, fresh produce (more than strawberries), and live entertainment are all part of this fun-filled day.
Underrated And Understated In West Virginia
Keyser carries friendly folk, strawberries, and Appalachian history on its eastern edge. Hinton sits beside a national park and a state park in the south. Learn about the Mothman in Point Pleasant, or explore historic Romney with its 1950s atmosphere. Visiting any of these eight underrated, understated West Virginia towns is highly recommended.
