8 West Virginia Day Trips Worth Your Time
If you’ve ever driven through West Virginia and thought there wasn’t much beyond winding mountain roads and scenic overlooks, think again.
Over the years, I’ve explored nearly every corner of the Mountain State and discovered something many travelers overlook: West Virginia is filled with charming small towns, fascinating attractions, memorable restaurants, and outdoor adventures that easily justify a weekend getaway.
What I love most is the variety. One weekend might include ghost tours at a former asylum, while the next revolves around whitewater rafting, historic downtowns, waterfalls, craft breweries, or some of the best comfort food you’ll find anywhere in Appalachia.
These destinations aren’t necessarily the biggest or most famous. They’re simply the places I recommend most often when someone asks me where to spend a long weekend in West Virginia.
Quick Take
Perfect For:
- Road Trippers
- Empty Nesters
- History Buffs
- Outdoor Adventurers
- Small-Town Explorers
Worth Your Vacation Time?
★★★★★
What You’ll Find:
- Charming historic downtowns
- National park adventures
- Local restaurants worth the stop
- Scenic mountain drives
- Quirky roadside attractions
- Unexpected cultural experiences
My Top 3 Picks
- Fayetteville
- Lewisburg
- Wheeling
Fayetteville
Why It’s Worth the Trip
Fayetteville may be small, but it delivers one of the biggest adventure payoffs in the eastern United States. Home to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, this lively mountain town combines outdoor recreation, local shopping, excellent food, and some of the state’s most spectacular scenery.
Don’t Leave Without
- Seeing New River Gorge Bridge
- Walking the Bridge Walk
- Whitewater rafting
- Shopping downtown
- Eating at Pies & Pints
- Visiting Mystery Hole
Read Next: New River Gorge Getaway
Huntington
Why It’s Worth the Trip
Most people know Huntington as the home of Marshall University, but visitors quickly discover a thriving arts scene, unique museums, and some surprisingly great restaurants.
Don’t Leave Without
- Heritage Farm Museum
- Huntington Museum of Art
- Camden Park
- Ritter Park Rose Garden
- Bahnhof WVrsthaus (don’t miss the signature cream puffs)
- Hillbilly Hot Dogs (nearby)
Tip #1: Huntington is six miles from Ceredo, where you’ll find Kenova’s Pumpkin House (a seasonal attraction), and Rocco’s Ristorante, an awesome Italian eatery.
Lewisburg
Why It’s Worth the Trip
Lewisburg consistently ranks among my favorite small towns in America. The walkable downtown combines boutique shopping, excellent restaurants, local breweries, and historic architecture, all wrapped up in a welcoming mountain-town atmosphere.
Don’t Leave Without
- Shopping downtown
- Visiting Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company
- Dining at Stardust Cafe
- Exploring The Greenbrier
- Visiting during TOOT Festival
- Attending the West Virginia State Fair
Read Next: Top Things to Do in Lewisburg
Tip #2: Fifteen minutes away is the iconic Greenbrier Resort, a steeped in history and fame luxury resort decorated by Dorothy Draper, dating to 1778. Here, you’ll find a world-class shopping arcade, gambling, dining, year-round Christmas store, championship golf courses, and 55 other amenities.
Fairmont
Why It’s Worth the Trip
Fairmont surprised me. While many travelers pass through north-central West Virginia on their way to Morgantown, this friendly city offers enough attractions and memorable restaurants to justify a stop of its own.
History lovers will appreciate Prickett’s Fort State Park, where costumed interpreters bring frontier life to life, while families can enjoy East Marion Park’s splash pad and outdoor recreation areas.
What really keeps me returning, though, is the food. Muriale’s Restaurant serves some of the best Italian food in the state, while Dairy Creme Corner and Poky Dot (sadly now closed) satisfy every sweet tooth imaginable. Fairmont may not make many West Virginia bucket lists, but it should.
Don’t Leave Without
- Exploring Prickett’s Fort State Park
- Visiting East Marion Park
- Dining at Muriale’s Restaurant
- Trying a crunch-coat cone from Dairy Creme Corner
Tip #3: You have many choices for other areas to add on within 20 miles or so. First, Morgantown, home to West Virginia University, is only 14 miles away. Bridgeport is 15 miles, and Cheat Lake is 20. You’ll find an abundance of breweries in this area, as well as exploring the Core Arboretum and the fun offerings at Morgantown’s Seneca Center.
Hinton
Why It’s Worth the Trip
Tucked along the New River, Hinton blends railroad history, outdoor recreation, and small-town charm into one surprisingly rewarding day trip. The historic downtown continues to evolve with new businesses and local energy, while the free Hinton Railroad Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the town’s transportation heritage.
The location makes Hinton especially appealing. Within minutes, you’ll find Pipestem Resort State Park, Bluestone State Park, and Bluestone Lake. Whether you’re boating, fishing, hiking, or simply soaking up mountain views, Hinton serves as an excellent base for adventure.
Don’t Leave Without
- Visiting the Hinton Railroad Museum
- Exploring downtown Hinton
- Having coffee at Otter & Oak
- Riding the aerial tram at Pipestem Resort State Park
- Seeing the John Henry Historical Park
- Taking a photo at the Almost Heaven swing overlooking Bluestone Lake
Shepherdstown
Why It’s Worth the Trip
As West Virginia’s oldest town, Shepherdstown offers a wonderful blend of history, shopping, and small-town walkability. Located just 90 minutes from Washington, D.C., it feels worlds away from city life. The downtown area is packed with locally owned boutiques, bookstores, cafés, and historic buildings that encourage slow exploration.
One of my favorite things to do here is simply wander. Grab a coffee from Lost Dog Coffee, browse the shelves at O’Hurley’s General Store, then enjoy lunch at the Blue Moon Cafe or a more refined dinner at The Press Room. Shepherdstown proves you don’t need a packed itinerary to have a memorable day.
Don’t Leave Without
- Shopping downtown Shepherdstown
- Visiting O’Hurley’s General Store
- Seeing the James Rumsey Monument
- Enjoying coffee at Lost Dog
- Dining at The Press Room
- Touring nearby Antietam National Battlefield
Read Next: A West Virginia Panhandle Road Trip
Tip #4: Ten miles away is Charles Town, WV, where you’ll find primo casino action, and also Boonsboro, MD, home to New York Times best-selling author, Nora Roberts, and also Washington Monument State Park, the first monument dedicated to the memory of George Washington.
Weston
Why It’s Worth the Trip
Few places in West Virginia offer experiences quite like Weston. Most visitors come for the famous Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, one of the largest hand-cut stone buildings in North America and the setting for countless history and paranormal tours.
Whether you’re interested in architecture, history, photography, or ghost stories, it’s a fascinating place to explore.
Beyond the asylum, Weston rewards visitors with a charming downtown and the excellent Museum of American Glass. Add a good meal and a famous West Virginia hot dog, and you’ve got the ingredients for a surprisingly fun day trip.
Don’t Leave Without
- Touring the world-famous and haunted Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
- Visiting the Museum of American Glass
- Dining at Thyme Bistro
- Trying a West Virginia hot dog from Dave’s Famous T&L
- Exploring nearby Buckhannon
Tip #5: Need more? The darling town of Buckhannon is 13 miles away. If you go, my suggestions are Audra State Park, matcha from Stone Tower Brews, fried zucchini from C.J. Maggie’s, and a world-class pepperoni roll from The Donut Shop.
Wheeling
Why It’s Worth the Trip
Wheeling combines history, culture, shopping, and one of West Virginia’s most impressive resorts into a destination that deserves far more attention than it receives. Located just outside Pittsburgh, the city offers enough attractions to fill an entire weekend, starting with the expansive grounds of Oglebay Resort.
Beyond Oglebay, you’ll find the historic Centre Market district, unique local shops, public art, and the iconic Wheeling Suspension Bridge. The city feels different from much of West Virginia, blending Appalachian heritage with river-city character and a growing food scene.
Don’t Leave Without
- Spending time at Oglebay Resort
- Exploring Centre Market
- Walking across the Wheeling Suspension Bridge
- Visiting the Good Zoo
- Dining at Generations Restaurant & Pub
- Taking a side trip to the Palace of Gold
Read Next: A Dozen Fun Things to Do in Wheeling, West Virginia
If You Only Have One Long Weekend
If I were planning my first West Virginia road trip, I’d focus on Fayetteville, Lewisburg, and Beckley.
Start in Fayetteville for New River Gorge National Park and outdoor adventure. Spend a night exploring downtown Lewisburg and enjoying its excellent restaurants and shops. Then wrap up the trip in Beckley with Tamarack Marketplace and the fascinating Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.
Together, these destinations showcase everything I love about West Virginia: beautiful scenery, friendly people, memorable food, and experiences that feel genuinely different from anywhere else.
Tip #8: If you are driving from Charleston, a stop at the retro Burger Carte, a local eatery serving yummy burgers, fries, and milkshakes, is a must. Enjoy your meal outside on one of their picnic tables.
Would I Come Back?
Absolutely.
West Virginia continues to surprise me. Every trip reveals another scenic drive, hidden restaurant, historic attraction, or welcoming small town that deserves more attention.
I’d Return For
- New River Gorge adventures
- Shopping in Lewisburg
- Heritage Farm Museum
- Oglebay Resort
- The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
- Bahnhof WVrsthaus cream puffs
- Muriale’s Italian Kitchen in Fairmont
- Pies & Pints in Fayetteville
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) About West Virginia Day Trips
What is the best small town to visit in West Virginia?
That depends on what you’re looking for, but Lewisburg, Wheeling, and Parkersburg are among my favorites. Each offers walkable downtowns, great restaurants, local shopping, and enough attractions to easily fill a weekend.
Is West Virginia worth visiting for a weekend getaway?
Absolutely. West Virginia offers scenic mountain drives, charming small towns, outdoor adventures, historic attractions, and surprisingly strong food and arts scenes. It’s one of the most overlooked states in the country for weekend travel.
What is the prettiest area of West Virginia?
The New River Gorge region near Fayetteville is hard to beat. Between the iconic bridge, dramatic overlooks, whitewater rafting opportunities, and mountain scenery, it’s one of the most beautiful and memorable destinations in the state.
Wherever I May Roam helps travelers spend their limited vacation time wisely through first-hand recommendations, surprising discoveries, and destinations genuinely worth the trip.
These look like fun day trips! I think that as Americans looking to travel, we often look abroad but forget that we have some beautiful landscapes and historic sites in our own backyard. Thank you for the reminder that there are some amazing towns on the east coast that deserve our attention!
Jessica, well said. I totally agree. I’m hoping to concentrate on seeing more of our country this year myself as well. Thanks so much.
These all sound like great road trips to take! I’ve never been to any of these places, they sound really interesting. 🙂
Thanks! So many great places to explore! I love finding the little hidden gems.
Sometimes I can understand why Americans don’t travel abroad as much when I see amazing little towns like this and some of the unbelievable national parks in the states! I’m totally making time to visit the states in the future.
That sounds perfect! So many great things to see and do in each state. We are blessed with wonderful scenery and activities.
These look like awesome day trips! I loved how unique each state in the US was! 🙂
Simone
http://www.theaussieflashpacker.com
Thanks so much. Did you visit many of them? Thanks for stopping by.
So many nice ideas here! I would love to make it to the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival.. haha, it is so appealing!
I love Lewisburg regardless but stick chocolate in front of something and it takes on a whole new dimension. 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
My heart is thumping and jumping with the thought of seeing the jumpers during Bridge Day! Must be a thrill! 🙂
They just started having to sign a waiver and be scheduled within the past few years. Before that, it was anyone that was brave enough. LOL
I just love these old American states! So much history and also amazing wilderness to explore too. The list of places to visit in the US just grows and grows!
I hope you make it over here soon! We need to visit Disney!
This is a really neat article, I love how you did a virtual tour and gave the history on the town. I always love learning new things and I certainly learned a lot.
Thanks for reading!