West Virginia Was Just Named A Top 10 World Travel Destination For 2022

Searching for some new places to visit? The worldwide travel brand Lonely Planet just released a new book titled Lonely Planet's Best In Travel 2022. Within the pages of this brand-new, much-anticipated work, Lonely Planet lists the 10 best countries, regions, and cities to visit on all of Planet Earth. Of the 30 destinations featured in this esteemed travel guide, only three of the best places to visit are associated with the United States. One is Puerto Rico. One is Atlanta, Georgia. And one is the wild, wonderful state of West Virginia.

What does Lonely Planet love about West Virginia as a region? They mention that now is the perfect time to discover all that West Virginia has to offer because, as they note, it is a "still-uncrowded region with unspoiled mountains and unmistakable heritage where the leisurely tempo of Southern small towns converges with the adrenaline sports that attract adventurers from across the continent." How's that for some great PR for WV tourism?

Uncrowded? Why yes. Not only is West Virginia a great place to visit, but it is also one of the most rural states in the nation.

Mountains? Of course. In fact, among the places to see in West Virginia, it is the only state that lies entirely within the Appalachian Mountain region. To experience some of the best mountain views our area has to offer, try one of these stunning overlooks in West Virginia.

Heritage? You know it. West Virginians have a strong sense of their mountain roots, and with it, we've got a culture and a past all our own. From West Virginia coal to comfort food to the Civil War, the colorful strands that form the tapestry of our heritage are almost too many to count, and certainly too many to list! It is what makes the state one of the best places to visit in the US.

Small towns? Exclusively. If you want big cities, don't come here. We can't help you.

Read more about some of our favorite West Virginia small towns.

Adrenaline sports? Indeed. How about some adrenaline-inducing white-water rafting? A Via Ferrata? A 1.5-mile zipline? An 851-foot-tall bridge walk? There is much to do when it comes to WV tourism.

To learn more about what you can do here, check out the website for West Virginia tourism.

All that to say, OF COURSE, West Virginia deserves a spot on Lonely Planet's Top 10 World Regions! We really do have it all. They wouldn't call us Almost Heaven otherwise. What do you think makes West Virginia a great place to visit? Tell us in the comments!

Looking for somewhere to satisfy your hunger? Check out these restaurants in West Virginia.