The Scenic Road Trip That Leads to 5 of West Virginia’s Most Charming Small Towns

It's our small towns that make West Virginia such a unique place. Charlestown and Huntington certainly have their charms, but the Mountain State's small towns are where you'll find that strong sense of community and rich history that makes our state so special. If you feel the same way, we think you'll love the amazing small-town road trip featured today. It's a lengthy one, and you'll want at least three or four days to explore all the stops, but these little towns are so amazing, and each is worthy of a visit.

Of course, you can always opt for a shorter trip if you don't have the time or budget to explore all five towns. You can get the itinerary from Google Maps, and it's fully customizable, so feel free to add or remove stops as you please. The entire trip requires 525 miles of driving and takes you through much of the Mountain State: it's quite the adventure!

We'll start our trip in the town of Moundsville, population 7,800. It's easy to see where the town's name came from. One of the main attractions here is the Grave Creek Mound Historical Site, one of many Native American mounds in West Virginia. Fans of the spooky and scary won't want to miss a visit to the West Virginia Penitentiary, thought to be one of the state's most haunted locales. It's no longer used to house prisoners, but paranormal tours are offered throughout the year.

We'll head southeast, and our next stop will be Capon Bridge, which is home to under 500 residents. Like many small towns, Capon Bridge is home to some incredibly delicious restaurants. The Farmer's Daughter Market & Butcher is a meat market that sources locally procured beef to make some of the best hamburgers you've ever tried. Another of our favorite spots is El Puente Mexican Restaurant. This is definitely a great place to stop for a bite to eat, but you'll find plenty more to enjoy here. The charming little town has a thriving art community and is home to the Cacapon River, allowing for fun outdoor recreation.

Love history? You'll adore our next stop: Harpers Ferry. It lies at the crossroads of several major transportation routes and plays an important role in the area's economic development as a trade hub. John Brown's famous 1859 raid took place here - this attempted slave rebellion was one of the matches that was to start the Civil War. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park features several 19th-century buildings, including John Brown's fort. This is also one of the state's best areas for outdoor recreation, and there are some wonderful hiking trails in Harpers Ferry. Honestly, you'll probably want to spend at least two days here because there's so much to do in this town of 270.

The next leg of the journey is quite lengthy, but it's through a scenic area of the state, and you'll end in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. Lewisburg is the county seat of Greenbrier County and has a population of around 3,800. Despite its low population, this is quite the happening place! Concerts and festivals occur regularly, and you'll also find natural wonders to visit, like the Lost World Caverns. Lewisburg's Herns Mill Covered Bridge, pictured above, is one of just two remaining covered bridges in Greenbrier County.

For our final stop, we'll head to the outdoor wonderland of Fayetteville, West Virginia. It lies just beside the stunning New River Gorge National Park. This 70,000-acre park is one of the most beautiful areas of the state, and Fayetteville is the perfect entrance point. It's really no wonder that it's been recognized as one of the top small towns in America. With Appalachian charm, delicious restaurants, and adorable boutique shops, there's a lot to enjoy here, and it's a great final destination for this small-town road trip.

Which of these small towns in West Virginia have you been to? Do you think anything should be on the list? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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