20 Places In West Virginia To Add To Your State Bucket List
If you’re looking to start a bucket list of things to see before you die, here are some things in the Mountain State to consider. From monuments to mountains, from resorts to places of historical significance, there are endless must-see places in West Virginia. Here are 20 incredible places we think you should add to your bucket list.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
Also known as Weston State Hospital, this asylum operated from 1864 until 1994 and now is considered an extremely haunted place. With numerous accounts of paranormal activity, ghost tours are offered at the facility year-round. For more information, visit the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum website.
Known as America’s resort, The Greenbrier is a little bit of luxury in the heart of Appalachia. It’s worth a visit, especially to see the congressional bunker at one of the most famous sites in West Virginia. For more information and to book your stay, visit The Greenbriar Resort website.
Named one of the 8 religious wonders in the United States by CNN, Prabhupada's Palace of Gold was intended to be the residence of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada , the founder of International Society for Krishna Consciousness, but he died before he could move in. When the palace opened in 1979, Life magazine called it, "a place where tourists can come and be amazed." For more information, visit Prabhupada's Palace Of Gold website.
Located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park includes historic Harpers Ferry, which was the site of John Brown’s abolitionist uprising. This is a fascinating place of historical significance and one of the best day trips in West Virginia. For more information, visit the Harpers Ferry webpage on the National Park Service website.
Blair Mountain in Logan County is the site of one of the largest civil uprisings in the United States and the largest rebellion since the Civil War. During an attempt to unionize the coalfields of southern West Virginia, roughly 10,000 armed coal miners confronted 3,000 police officers and strikebreakers. Between 50 and 100 striking coal miners died and 10-30 lawmen died. The battle ended when the U.S. Army intervened by presidential order. Today you can visit the site. See more at Friends of Blair Mountain website.
The only “true peak” ( a peak inaccessible except by technical rock climbing techniques) on the East Coast. We recommend seeing this spot and hiking to the top to see the valley below from the height of about 900 feet above stream level. It’s a great view. For more information, visit this Seneca Rocks webpage.
The view from Seneca Rocks is breathtaking.
The West Virginia Penitentiary, a retired prison in Moundsville, operated from 1876 to 1995. It is now a tourist attraction offering paranormal and historical tours. To plan a visit, head to the West Virginia Penitentiary website.
The Capitol is absolutely beautiful from the outside, but you should see this gorgeous building from the inside, too. This photo shows a view of the Capitol dome. For more information, visit the West Virginia State Capitol Building website.
Connected to the Hatfield and McCoy feud, Devil Anse was the patriarch of the Hatfield clan and is buried in Logan County at the Hatfield Cemetery along with the rest of his family. His grave is adorned with a statue of himself.
Visitors can enjoy 47 miles within the 17,371 acres that make up Dolly Sods. This park is just a portion of the Monongahela National Forest in Grant, Randolph, and Tucker counties and is especially beautiful. For more information, visit the Dolly Sods webpage.
Named for its tannic acid-darkened water, the 57-foot cascading Blackwater Falls in Davis is among the most photographed places in West Virginia and a spectacular sight. To plan your visit, head to the Blackwater Falls State Park webpage.
The Chester Teapot stands at 12-feet tall and 44-feet wide, making it the world’s largest teapot - and it's right here in Chester! This roadside attraction is definitely worth a detour. For more information, visit the Chester Teapot webpage.
The Greenbank Telescope is the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope and the world's largest moveable land object with a diameter of 100-meters. To learn more, head to the Green Bank Observatory website.
This statute honors John Henry, an African American folk lore hero said to have beaten a steam power hammer at driving steel. Several places, including Big Bend Tunnel near where the statue stands, have been thought to be the site of the legendary contest. For more information, visit the NPS website.
The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the most iconic sights associated with West Virginia. It spans the gorge and the New River, which is one of the five oldest rivers in the world. And if you visit on Bridge Day, people actually jump off it. For more information, visit the New River Gorge webpage.
Babcock State Park has 4,127 acres and is one of the most iconic sights in West Virginia. Plan your visit in the autumn when the leaves have changed their colors - it's spectacular! To learn more, visit the Babcock State Park webpage.
A former railroad that's now used as a 78-mile trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It offers some stunning views, like this one of the Greenbrier River. For more information, visit the Green Brier River Trail website.
Enjoy the 11 miles of heritage railroad and go back in time to when steam locomotives were a major mode of transportation. This scenic railroad is a great way to get a good look at beautiful Pocahontas County. For more information, visit the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park webpage.
An icon in downtown Huntington, the Keith Albee cost $2 million to construct in 1928, and was dubbed a “temple of amusement” by the Herald Dispatch newspaper. Even after all that time, the inside of the theatre is still a sight to behold. For more information, visit the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center website.
A little Swiss village, right here in West Virginia. Helvetia in Randolph County was settled by the Swiss in 1869. Due to its isolation, it has retained many of its Swiss traditions. To plan your visit, go to the Helvetia website.
As you can see, there is no shortage of things to do in West Virginia. What other destinations around the state would you add to this list of must-see places in West Virginia? Please let us know in the comments!
And if you’re looking for even more must-see places in West Virginia, check out this list of lesser known spots!
Address: 50 S River Ave, Weston, WV 26452, USA
Address: 101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986, USA
Address: 3759 McCreary's Ridge Rd, Moundsville, WV 26041, USA
Address: Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA
Address: Logan County, WV, USA
Address: Seneca Rocks, WV 26884, USA
Address: 818 Jefferson Ave, Moundsville, WV 26041, USA
Address: 1900 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV 25311, USA
Address: Hatfield Family Cemetery Access Rd, Omar, WV 25638, USA
Address: Petersburg, WV 26847, USA
Address: 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260, USA
Address: Chester, WV 26034, USA
Address: 155 Observatory Rd, Green Bank, WV 24944, USA
Address: Talcott, WV 25951, USA
Address: US-19, Ramsey, WV 25938, USA
Address: Greenbrier River Trail, Anthony, WV 24938, USA
Address: 486 Babcock Rd, Danese, WV 25831, USA
Address: 12363 Cass Rd, Cass, WV 24927, USA
Address: 925 4th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
Address: Helvetia, WV 26234, USA
Must-See Places In West Virginia
February 27, 2021
What are some must-see places in West Virginia?
The list of must-see places around the Mountain State is almost endless, but there are several that should be at the top of the list. Summerville Lake is West Virginia’s largest lake covering an area of 26,000 acres. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, but it’s a popular place for swimming, boating, and scuba diving. Lost World Caverns provides an otherworldly place to explore 120-feet underground. Take a self-guided tour to marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites at your own pace. It’s truly remarkable and should be added to your bucket list.
What are the best small towns in West Virginia?
Small towns can be quite charming and West Virginia has quite a few around the state. If you want to see a small picturesque town along the banks of a river, the tiny community of Glen Ferris is worth a visit. Then there’s Charles Town, a small town filled with history and a lovely downtown. You can find more information by reading our previous article on small towns in the Mountain State.
What day trips can I take in West Virginia?
There are plenty of places to take day trips in West Virginia. From the historic Harpers Ferry to a covered bridges tour around the state, from wineries to waterfall hikes, the options for fun are endless! And a scenic drive around any part of the gorgeous Mountain State is always a good choice.
Address: 50 S River Ave, Weston, WV 26452, USA
Address: 101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986, USA
Address: 3759 McCreary's Ridge Rd, Moundsville, WV 26041, USA
Address: Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA
Address: Logan County, WV, USA
Address: Seneca Rocks, WV 26884, USA
Address: 818 Jefferson Ave, Moundsville, WV 26041, USA
Address: 1900 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV 25311, USA
Address: Hatfield Family Cemetery Access Rd, Omar, WV 25638, USA
Address: Petersburg, WV 26847, USA
Address: 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260, USA
Address: Chester, WV 26034, USA
Address: 155 Observatory Rd, Green Bank, WV 24944, USA
Address: Talcott, WV 25951, USA
Address: US-19, Ramsey, WV 25938, USA
Address: Greenbrier River Trail, Anthony, WV 24938, USA
Address: 486 Babcock Rd, Danese, WV 25831, USA
Address: 12363 Cass Rd, Cass, WV 24927, USA
Address: 925 4th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
Address: Helvetia, WV 26234, USA
