Are you planning any road trips? Consider adding this road trip to Fayetteville, West Virginia, to your itinerary. This charming town offers a plethora of outdoor adventures, shopping, dining, and historic landmarks that will make your trip unforgettable.
Nestled in the heart of the New River Gorge National Park, Fayetteville offers many exciting opportunities for adventure seekers. Whether you enjoy hiking, rock climbing, or zip lining, Fayetteville has it all.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most popular things to do and see in Fayetteville, West Virginia.
New River Gorge National Park
Your road trip to Fayetteville should begin at West Virginia’s newest National Park and Preserve, the New River Gorge. Learn about the region at Canyon Rim Visitors Center before hiking the boardwalk to the observation decks for unobstructed views and terrific photo ops.
You’ll be in awe as you admire the New River Gorge Bridge, one of the world’s longest steel-arch bridges at 876 feet and 3,030 feet long. The path is wheelchair friendly.
Fun Fact: There are only 63 true National Parks, but the US National Park Service manages 423 territories covering over 85 million acres around the country. You can learn more about this breakdown on this informative list from the NPS.
Another way to see the New River Gorge Bridge is with a “panoramic three-hour adventure” with Bridge Walk, a guided bridge walking tour on the catwalk 25 feet below. The ultimate time to visit the New River Gorge is on the third Saturday in October for Bridge Day, one of West Virginia’s most exciting festivals.
If fishing or a fun float trip down the New River is on your agenda, Pro River Outfitters can organize a trip that includes food, drinks, and equipment.
For more adventures in the Mountain State, check out this post, with 95 choices.
Hiking Long Point Trail
The Long Point Trail hike is a moderate 2.6-mile loop that is perfect for hikers of all skill levels. The trek offers scenic views of the New River Gorge from a privately owned property opened to the public. The sandy beach at the trailhead is a popular swimming hole, making it a great place to cool off after your hike.
More Fun and Adrenaline Rushes
Fayetteville is known for its adrenaline-rush adventures—mainly white water rafting. Book a guided rafting trip on the Upper and Lower New River (one of the oldest rivers in the world) and the nearby Gauley River (the most challenging rapids) from Ace Adventure Resort or Adventures on the Gorge (premier whitewater rafting resort in the country) from May to November.
A second popular offering in the area is aerial adventures, designed to show you the thrills from the treetops looking down. Rappelling is yet another impressive outdoor activity in Fayetteville.
The city’s terrain makes mountain biking another thrilling adventure. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one from Arrowhead Bike Farm. You can take part in a bike clinic and have lunch while you are there. And, if rock climbing interests you, head to Beauty Mountain.
Adventures on the Gorge
Searching for a thrilling adventure? Adventures on the Gorge is a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers. Offering whitewater rafting, zip lining, and rock climbing, Adventures on the Gorge will push you out of your comfort zone and give you the ultimate adrenaline rush. You can even walk underneath the New River Gorge bridge in one of the latest adventures.
With experienced guides and state-of-the-art equipment, Adventures on the Gorge is deemed safe, fun, and accessible for all skill levels. The property has a multitude of spaces for eating, shopping, hearing live music and hanging out.
I was a big fan of the well-appointed gift shops, which included S’mores-making kits and souvenir tees.
As with any gorgeous property like this, I prefer to hang in the pool area, and the one at Adventures on the Gorge (Canyon Falls Pool) is spectacular! You even have views of the New River Gorge Bridge from the pool, surrounded by a rhododendron forest.
Adventures on the Gorge is also your one-stop shop for lodging. Choose from cabins (hotel-style, loft, and rustic-many handicapped accessible), glamping, campsites, vacation homes, and RV sites.
I stayed in a spacious hotel-style cabin at Sunnysides with two comfortable queen beds, a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, huge bathroom, and roll-in shower. Perhaps the best part was the deck with wooded views, which offered solace after a day exploring.
Did you notice the heated towel bar on the wall? What a great perk in that would be in the cooler months!
I might add that there was no lip on the door in the shower or to get outside on the deck, which my friends in wheelchairs are always curious about.
My accommodations at Adventures on the Gorge were hosted as part of a familiarization trip. As always, opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.
Shopping in Downtown Fayetteville
Downtown Fayetteville offers a unique shopping experience that you won’t find anywhere else. The beautiful architecture and stunning courthouse property will make this an exciting walking tour.
From artisanal pottery to trendy clothing boutiques, the shops in Fayetteville are diverse and welcoming. Here are a few of my faves.
Lost Appalachia Trading Co.
I love the looks and great products in this Fayetteville shop. Things to watch for at Lost Appalachia are cute stickers, books, candles, apparel, and other unique finds from local artisans.
Thread
Thread is an eclectic clothing boutique on the corner of Maple Avenue. Inside are racks full of retro and vintage-looking clothing, sunglasses, jewelry, interesting items, and beautiful displays.
Water Stone Outdoors
No stranger to the downtown Fayetteville shopping scene is Water Stone Outdoors. You’ll find quality outdoor apparel and products, as well as specializing in rock climbing gear and the best shoe selection possible.
Hobbit Hole
Inside the Hobbit Hole is a gallery of mystery and intrigue. Vintage items squirreled away in nooks and crannies will pique your interest and test your window-shopping willpower. It’s insanely good!
Out of the Ashes
A newer name to Fayetteville is Out of the Ashes, a cutesy shop on Maple Avenue. I loved the arsenal of West Virginia products (candles, purses, notecards), throws, handbags, clothing, and jewelry.
While you’re downtown, make sure to stop by the New River Antique Mall for a selection of vintage and antique finds.
Drinking Around Fayetteville
You’ll find a darling coffee shop in downtown Fayetteville: Range Finder Coffee. This craft coffee shop serves specialty and ethically sourced coffee and espresso. They also have a small variety of locally-made baked goods. I found the shop to be so darned cute; it made me want to linger longer.
Bridge Brew Works
Bridge Brew Works is a local microbrewery that offers a wide range of craft beers. The brewery is located in a renovated school building. It features an outdoor patio where you can enjoy a cold beer while taking in the views of the New River Gorge. The brewery is open for tastings, and growler fills, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a day of adventure.
Dining in Fayetteville, WV
Fayetteville offers many delicious dining options, from casual to upscale. You can find everything from farm-to-table cuisine to classic burgers and fries. Some of the most popular dining options in Fayetteville are Tudor’s, Cathedral Cafe, Secret Sandwich Society, and Pies & Pints.
Tudor’s Biscuit World
Breakfast is the most important meal. Luckily, Fayetteville has a Tudor’s Biscuit World, a West Virginia icon, with homemade biscuit sandwiches that melt in your mouth. The gang’s all here: Ron, Dottie, Duke, Mickey, Mary B—popular biscuit combinations, but the Peppi, with pepperoni and melted cheese, is my standing order.
Pies and Pints
Downtown Fayetteville is home to the original Pies and Pints, a pizza joint franchised around the country with plentiful tap beer options. The Steak and Mushroom pizza is scrumptious, but get this…you can split the pizza between two gourmet creations.
Pizza Skins and Pork & Pepper Nachos with a chipotle crema are two pleasing appetizers to start your dining experience off right.
Secret Sandwich Society
Tempting culinary bites await you in Fayetteville. Currently rebuilding from a fire, Secret Sandwich Society is known for top-notch gourmet sandwiches and salads. We sure hope they will rebuild in the eclectic fashion that delighted their devoted customers.
SSS’s Truman is my favorite sandwich (turkey, peach jam, blue cheese spread, and crispy onions), but the pimento cheese smothered fries will make your eyes roll back in your head.
Cathedral Cafe
Cathedral Cafe has been a hippie mainstay in Fayetteville for years and an exceptional eatery for paninis, quesadillas, and coffee drinks. However, the quiche and chicken salad with bacon has been my favorite for years. If you just need a snack, try the artichoke and spinach dip. Nom!
Save room for the mixed berry cobbler and bread pudding—both are absolutely delicious.
Smokey’s on the Gorge
Smokey’s on the Gorge is a place for a special meal with one-of-a-kind scenery. Try the Smoked Gumbo Dip with crostini or the filet mignon tournedos for your main course. Yummy! West Virginia farm-raised trout is another recommended dinner selection at Smokey’s.
Historic Fayette Theater
The circa 1938 Historic Fayette Theater is a restored movie theater and performing arts venue that offers live theater productions from local groups and often traveling shows throughout the year. It’s a great place to experience the arts and history of the town all in one place. Check the website for currently running shows.
Additional Lodging Choices
You can find options as rugged or upscale as you want to be in this town.
At Ace Adventure Resort, cabins, chalets, cottages, and log homes around the spring-fed mountain lake are trendy.
Hawks Nest State Park is only a few miles away, a picturesque destination with a sweeping vista of the New River, an onsite restaurant, a 31-room lodge, and a nerve-racking aerial tram ride that takes you to the ground level for jet boat rides.
Hawks Nest has undergone a major renovation, and I can’t wait to see it.
The Historic Morris Harvey Bed and Breakfast would be a romantic option for staying in Fayetteville, offering a gourmet breakfast, charming details, clawfoot tubs, free WiFi, and a fabulous home-cooked breakfast.
Lafayette Flats, boutique lodging in the heart of historic downtown Fayetteville, has me intrigued. The artwork and stylish decor are really exceptional.
A Bonus Find!
Just a hop, skip, and jump from Adventures on the Gorge is Swiftwater General Store (physical address is Lansing). This provision station features firewood bundles, fire starters, produce, groceries, prepared gourmet foods, beer, wine, ice, and souvenirs.
They also have a cute little eatery serving breakfast and lunch, including vegetarian items, breakfast burritos, WV hot dogs, and homemade soups. Grab & Go items are popular, too.
Fayetteville: Fun and Funky, Guaranteed to Satisfy
Fayetteville, West Virginia, has so much to offer visitors. From the adventures on the New River to the historic charm of downtown, Fayetteville is the perfect destination for those seeking outdoor activities, shopping, dining, and history.
We hope this guide inspired you for your next road trip to West Virginia. Don’t forget to add Fayetteville to your itinerary for an unforgettable experience.