The Ultimate Guide To Seasonal Activities In West Virginia: Pumpkin Patches, Christmas Lights, Sunflower Farms, And More
Some people say that West Virginia is as close as you can get to heaven on earth. There is no denying the beauty of the landscape, and there is plenty to do any season of the year. Your West Virginia summer bucket list might include a water park or float trip down the New River. You can enjoy a dip in a natural pool, or perhaps visit a tubing park. In the spring, a trip to a tulip field will be sure to delight, and during the summer, you can enjoy plenty of wildflower trails with hummingbirds and monarch butterflies. The fall foliage puts on a beautiful display, and you can embark on an old-fashioned sleigh ride and marvel at a holiday drive-thru light display during the winter. Here are some of the best seasonal West Virginia destinations we think you will enjoy.
Visit This Dreamy Sunflower Farm In West Virginia
As the summer sun fades and the weather begins to turn, sunflowers put on their show. Flat Mountain has an experience that you will not want to miss. They offer strawberries in the spring, peaches in the summer, and pick-your-own sunflowers in the fall. The sunflowers come in a wide variety of colors sure to brighten your home, from early summer dark reds to brilliant, late-season yellows. You can relax and enjoy the day at Sunset Berry Farm in Alderson, where the flowers will make the summer seem to last just a little longer.
The Most Epic Fall Festivals In West Virginia
West Virginia has plenty of fall festivals that feature pumpkins, cider, and other typical fall activities, but the Kirkwood Winery in Summersville lets you experience something unique. Near the end of September, the Kirkwood Winery hosts its famous Grape Stomping Festival. This family-friendly event is an excellent way to spend a fall weekend. Adults can taste 39 different wines, and kids can enjoy a bounce house, face painting, and door prize giveaways. Everyone can listen to the live music and take off their shoes to jump into a big vat of fruit. The Grape Stomping Festival in Summersville is a unique experience that you will not want to miss.
The Best All-Day Fall Foliage Hike In West Virginia
The fall foliage in West Virginia is always a spectacular sight. If you want to know where locals go for the best fall foliage, Babcock State Park is always on the list. Photographers and artists come to this park in droves every fall for the beautiful scenery. Located along the famed New River Gorge, it has 4,127 acres of spectacular fall colors and includes a jaw-dropping view of the Glade Creek Grist Mill. One place you must visit is the overlook at Babcock Park in Fayette County for an iconic view that will take your breath away.
The Most Charming Pumpkin Patches In West Virginia
A visit to the pumpkin patch is what fall memories are made of, and the Pumpkin Farm at Saltwell is a favorite local destination. This farm is for pumpkin lovers, and you can see them stacked to the sky when you visit. The claim to fame of this pumpkin patch is its giant pumpkins. They have other things available too, such as gourds and other fall favorites. The giant pumpkins at Pumpkin Farm are something you will want to see.
Picture-Perfect Apple Orchards In West Virginia
Cider mills and their delicious apple cider are one of the most cherished treats of this time of year. West Virginia has plenty of choices, but we think the one you must visit is Rellim Orchard. This orchard was established in 1880, and it's filled with history and tradition. Apples are their specialty, and their trees produce some of the best-tasting apples in the state. They also offer cherries and peaches when in season! If you want a special treat this fall, visit Rellim Apple Orchard in Kearneysville.
Get Lost In These Awesome West Virginia Corn Mazes
A walk through a corn maze is the ultimate autumn activity for the whole family, and Old McDonald’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze is among the best in West Virginia. The maze is located in Inwood in the Eastern Panhandle, and it was once voted Good Housekeeping Magazine’s best pumpkin patch in the state. While there, you can enjoy a five-acre corn maze, giant slides, cornhole, a playground, and an antique tractor display. It has something for everyone, and the theme of the maze changes every year. Get up close with some adorable farm animals at Old McDonald’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze this year.
The West Virginia Halloween Towns That Will Terrify And Delight You
West Virginia is known for its plethora of haunted places, with some of the most noteworthy being the Trans-Allegheny Asylum and the historic ghost tours of Harper’s Ferry. If you are looking for family fun, Kenova’s Pumpkin House might be more your style. The display began in 1978 with just a few pumpkins , but has now grown to over 3,000. This "spooktacular" display takes over the home of Kenova’s former mayor, requiring hundreds of carpenters, electricians, and volunteers to pull off. The Pumpkin House in Kenova is an event that everyone will enjoy this year.
The Most Magical Christmas Village In West Virginia
If you are looking for the best Christmas Village in West Virginia, the Heritage Farm Museum & Village will put some holiday cheer in your step. This village is an actual 19th-century village that operates year-round. During Christmastime, it takes you on a magical journey to Christmases past. You can purchase unique historical gifts and modern handcrafts, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus travel the village handing out treats to kids from a horse-drawn carriage. There is also a petting zoo, nativity scene, and holiday baked goods. You should visit the Heritage Farm Museum & Village in Huntington for some holiday fun.
The One-Of-A-Kind Christmas Train In West Virginia
Did you know that Santa has a secret elf training ground in West Virginia? It’s true, and you can visit it on the Cass Scenic Railroad. You can travel by steam engine to the Parliament of Pines in climate-controlled passenger cars. Of course, this Christmas train also includes a visit from Santa, who has gifts for every helper. This enchanting ride will be a memory that will last forever, so put the Cass Railroad near Elkin on your holiday agenda.
Must-Visit Spots To View Christmas Lights In West Virginia
West Virginia has a long list of Christmas light displays, but the one that most people talk about is the display at Oglebay Resort, which has the honor of being the biggest light display in the state. It features 320 acres and six miles of fabulous light displays. This winter wonderland has over one million lights and more than 90 delightful scenes, with lighted tunnels that create the illusion of driving into a magical Christmas fantasyland. It is not only a local favorite, but it is considered one of the best light displays in the country. After the drive through the lights, you can stretch your legs and enjoy the gardens of lights and nativity. Take the kids to Oglebay Resort near Wheeling and meet Santa’s real reindeer at the Good Zoo while you are there.
