There are many unique things to do in West Virginia, from the historic to the artistic to the downright unusual. It can boggle the mind honestly because, for a state with a relatively low population, we sure do manage to fit a heck of a lot of strangeness within our borders. Take a look at of the most unique places to visit in West Virginia, maybe you’ll find yourself inspired to make a trip!
It’s not that a Swiss village is all that weird a place; it’s just that you don’t expect to find it in the hills of West Virginia. But that’s exactly what Helvetia in Randolph County is. The community was settled by the Swiss in 1869 and it’s so isolated that it’s known for maintaining Swiss traditions and food.
2. The John Brown Wax Museum
John Brown Wax Museum, 168 High St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA
This Harpers Ferry museum tells the story of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry using 87 life size wax figures. Am I the only one a little weirded out by life size wax figures?
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3. The Mothman museum in Point Pleasant
Mothman Museum, 400 Main St, Point Pleasant, WV 25550, USA
It’s not so much that the Mothman Museum is weird; it’s what the museum is about. Mothman is a legend in West Virginia. It was supposedly a humanoid, moth-like creature that was reportedly seen in Point Pleasant in the late 60s. It may have also contributed to the collapse of the Silver Bridge, an event that killed 46 people.
4. The Chester teapot
World's Largest Teapot, Co Hwy 30/6, Chester, WV 26034, USA
Chester’s claim to fame is having the World's Biggest Teapot. It doesn’t seem to actually make any tea, so I’d love to hear the story about how this weird attraction came about. If anyone knows, you’re welcome to comment about it.
5. The Coal House in Williamson
The Coal House, 73 E 2nd Ave, Williamson, WV 25661, USA
We love coal so much we made an entire house out of it, and that's a little weird. The Coal House is in Mingo County, right next to the court house in Williamson.
6. Lost World Caverns
Lost World Caverns, 907 Lost World Rd, Lewisburg, WV 24901, USA
Did you know that this cave system in Lewisburg was the home of half human, half bat called Batboy? It was according to the supermarket tabloid Weekly World News. That's what makes Lost World Caverns kind of weird.
7. Lake Shawnee amusement park
Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park, 470 Matoaka Rd, Rock, WV 24747, USA
It’s an entire amusement park — and the scene of the deaths of at least 2 children -- that’s been abandoned. Lake Shawnee Amusement Park weird and creepy.
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8. Our Lady of the Pines
Our Lady of the Pines, 101 Breedlove Rd, Eglon, WV 26716, USA
Silver Lake, W.Va. in Preston County is home to Our Lady of the Pines, which is the smallest church in the continental United States. Incidentally, it sits next to a teeny, tiny post office.
9. Hillbilly Hotdog
Hillbilly Hot Dogs, 6951 Ohio River Rd, Lesage, WV 25537, USA
The trailer-park ambiance is what makes Hillbilly Hotdog in Lesage one of a kind, to say the least. It will make you think you’re living every negative stereotype you’ve ever heard about West Virginia, but in a fun way.
10. The Mystery Hole in Ansted
Mystery Hole, 16724 Midland Trail, Ansted, WV 25812, USA
Every fall, Pocahontas County hosts a roadkill cookoff. Ever wanted to try bear, or deer, or squirrel? Here’s your chance. Winners from this year’s event had such inventive dishes as "Bear Butt Savory Stew," "Busted Tailgate BBQ Macaroni & Cheese" and "Catch Yer-self a Husband."
Wow, these are some pretty unique places to visit in West Virginia! Which of these weird West Virginia spots are you most excited to visit? Have you ever been to any of them? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!
If you can’t get enough of the many weird things in West Virginia, we recommend taking a look at our list of wacky roadside attractions in West Virginia. With 7 attractions, ranging from a golden palace to the worlds largest teapot, there is something on this list for every type of lovable weirdo.
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Discover West Virginia
Sara Dager|December 30, 2022
Are there any fun road trips in West Virginia that I can take?
Boy are there! Gas up the car, load up on some snacks, and head out on any number of awesome road trips in West Virginia, such as:
If you are on the hunt for a hike with rewarding views, West Virginia is the ideal place to be. Some of the most scenic hikes in West Virginia include:
Can I visit any strange or cool museums in West Virginia?
The ideal rainy day activity is exploring a fun new museum and learning something new. If you are looking for fun museums in West Virginia, a few of the best are:
