12 Stops for Adventure, History and Flavor in West Virginia

Nature Getaways
From tram rides through a gorge to rock climbing alongside a lake, these outdoor adventures showcase the state’s scenic beauty.

Pipestem Resort State Park

With two lodges, 20 miles of trails and access to the scenic Bluestone River, the 4,050-acre Pipestem Resort State Park in southern West Virginia offers a full resort experience where g uests can unplug and unwind. McKeever Lodge can keep the whole family occupied, with opportunities for boating on Long Branch Lake, volleyball and tennis courts, a splash park, horseback excursions, golf courses, a sauna, and hiking and mountain biking trails.

“The River Trail takes a long, winding trail downhill all the way down Bluestone Gorge to the river itself,” says Pipestem Resort State Park superintendent Aaron England. 

Hikers can keep an eye out for eagles nests and even a family of otters who are routinely spotted swimming in the Bluestone River. 

“If you’re adventurous, you can try to come back up,” England says, “but the ideal thing for me is to catch the tram.” 

Operating Wednesday through Sunday, the Pipestem Aerial Tram provides riders 360-degree views of the stunning scenery through glass walls. Plus, the tram is the best way to access the remote Mountain Creek Lodge on the western bank of the Bluestone River. 3405 Pipestem Dr., Pipestem, West Virginia 25979, 304/466-1800, wvstateparks.com/parks

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

The biodiverse New River Gorge National Park and Preserve boasts an equally varied array of sights and activities, becoming a destination for thrill-seeking adventurers and sharp-eyed birders alike. Birdwatchers can look for bald eagle nests, while climbers love the rock faces and hikers can explore the roughly 73,000-acre park’s approximately 100 miles of trails. 

As clouds lift from the gorge at the Grandview Main Overlook, visitors can catch sights of the New River as it curves into the distance below. Although it is one of the oldest rivers in the world, the waterway got its name when early surveyors saw an unmapped river and simply called it the New River.

From the Canyon Rim boardwalk, birders can see raptors soaring over the river’s Class III and IV whitewater rafting rapids, while the calmer Class I and II rapids invite tubing. Farther south, visitors hike out to the expansive Sandstone Falls, the largest waterfall on the river. Canyon Rim Visitor Center, 162 Visitor Center Rd., Lansing, West Virginia 25862, 304/574-2115, nps.gov/neri

Summersville Lake State Park

Rock climbers from across the United States travel to Summersville Lake State Park in central West Virginia to try take on one or more of the  200 climbing routes on the lakeside cliffs. A 2.8-mile, multiuse loop trail circles the entire 177-acre park on the lake’s northern shore and connects to the Climbers Trail, which leads to the Colosseum, the park’s primary rock-climbing area. When the lake is lowered each winter to prevent flooding, the drop in water reveals additional bouldering opportunities.

Across Route 19 from the park, the Salmon Run boat launch and swimming area offers direct access to Summersville Lake’s clear blue waters. On weekends in September and October, the U.S. Corps of Engineers opens the Summersville Dam, and whitewater rafters take to the rushing Gauley River.

Back on the state park’s grounds, Joe Branch Campground offers 26 secluded sites selectively spaced among the laurel thickets. Each creekside site has a tent platform, fire pit and picnic table. 36 Park Rd., Summersville, West Virginia 26651, 681/355-0328, wvstateparks.com

Tygart Adventure Lake • Grafton
After a day of hiking the scenic Ridge or Dogwood trails at Tygart Lake State Park, relax at the sandy beaches and cool waters of Adventure Lake. Thirty miles south of Morgantown, the Tygart Valley River slows and widens to form this long, 10-mile lake. Visitors of all ages can clamber over 25 inflatable platforms and slides floating in the peaceful waters. Beyond swimming, paddleboard and kayak rentals offer an easy way to get on the water. A picnic on the beach followed by a nap on the lounge chairs make for a picturesque lakeside day. wvstateparks.com

History & Culture
Explore history in Harpers Ferry and at two live-music venues that have become West Virginia institutions.  

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry was a deeply contested town during the Civil War, changing hands between Union and Confederate armies eight times. Today, trails circle the earthworks and cannons where champions of American freedom stood their ground at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers.

“The story that stands out is Harpers Ferry as a place where people kept pushing America to live up to its promises,” says Isaac Wickenheiser, park ranger at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.At Lower Town, visitors connect to the past through living-history programs. Original 19th-century buildings share the town’s history, including John Brown’s 1859 abolitionist raid on the federal arsenal here that became an early spark of the oncoming Civil War. The town was also home to the first integrated school in West Virginia, Storer College. The Bolivar Heights Trail loops the plateau where the Union planted their flag at the 1861 Battle of Bolivar Heights. A year later, President Lincoln walked the battlefield where troops still held the line.

“When visitors come here, I hope they do more than take in the view,” Wickenheiser says. “I hope they ask what freedom meant here, who fought for it, who was denied it and what responsibility we have to protect these stories now.” 171 Shoreline Dr., Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425, 304-535-6029, www.nps.gov/hafe

Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage primarily records live in Charleston from the historic Culture Center Theatre, filling the intimate 460-seat venue with over two hours of live music on select Sunday evenings. The show, which is broadcast nationwide on NPR Music, invites audiences to discover musical legends and new artists playing soaring bluegrass, genre-defying indie and everything in between.

Grammy Award-winning host Kathy Mattea introduces five featured artists and hosts a menu of musical variety with a passion for sharing novel music from West Virginia and beyond. To close the show, Mattea invites the performers back on stage for a collaborative song that celebrates live music’s special spark of spontaneity. Ohio’s own singer-songwriter David Mayfield guest hosts on occasion, bringing his unique comedic presence between sets.

This August, take a weekend to explore Charleston and experience the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys’ traditional bluegrass melodies or Tony Trischka’s inventive banjo tunes live on the Mountain Stage. 1900 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston, West Virginia 25305, mountainstage.org

The Purple Fiddle

Over the last two decades The Purple Fiddle has hosted hundreds of musical acts, from the Grammy Award-winning Sierra Ferrell to the Avett Brothers. On Saturdays and Sundays, the venue fills with the thrum of stringed instruments as popular bands take to the intimate stage.

At the Fiddle, musicians and audiences are treated like royalty, connecting through live music and separated by only the low stage. Solo artists perform free at afternoon shows, and patrons enjoy deli sandwiches and ice cream from Lakeside Creamery that is made fresh from the milk of local cows. 

Faithful to the bluegrass of Appalachia, the Fiddle also features international artists and genres. This summer, sip from a collection of local and world-class beers and dance to The Plate Scrapers, Cincinnati’s own Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle, S.G. Goodman, Jocelyn and the Sweet Compression, and many other acts. 96 State Highway 32, Thomas, West Virginia 26292,  304/463-4040, purplefiddle.com

The Great Bungee Co. • Harpers Ferry 
Near Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, a bungee jumping tower rises over the Old Standard Quarry. The Great Bungee Co. location opened in May 2026, offering adventurers a high-adrenaline drop through fresh mountain air. Jumpers ascend the tower and step out over the cliff to hover above the rock-quarry lake. Diving headfirst with an ankle harness or falling forward or backward with a body harness, thrill seekers fall 150 feet. The cord stretches out to dip jumpers into the water before tugging them back up 120 feet into the air. greatbungee.com

Food and Drink
Discover award-winning chefs, local ingredients, craft beer and Appalachian hospitality at these Mountain State favorites. 

Chef Paul Smith’s Paulie’s Fine Italian

The smell of fresh bread and the sound of a boisterous family gathering greet diners at James Beard Award winner Paul Smith’s Paulie’s Fine Italian. 

Those familiar with the chef’s fine dining establishment 1010 Bridge in Charleston can find here the same seasonal ingredients freshly paired with Italian cuisine just down the street. Smith cultivated a menu of nostalgic comfort food with recipes from his and his wife Carrie’s families. 

“Some of the recipes in our recipe book we had to laminate because they’re so brittle that they would fall apart: my grandfather’s Sunday gravy, Carrie’s family lasagna, the alfredo sauce. It’s an homage to all our Italian families,” Smith says. 

Wood-fired pizzas, chicken parmesan and lasagna pair well with the lemon vinaigrette arugula salad. Daily features celebrate seasonal vegetables, and springtime ramps appear in pestos and vinaigrettes. On the sleek wood bar sits an antique hand-crank cocktail shaker for mixing the signature Paulie’s Pick, a bourbon-forward drink made with Smooth Ambler distillery barrels served exclusively at Paulie’s.

 “It’s really just about coming in and feeling comfortable and joining our family,” Smith says of how hospitality defines Appalachian-Italian culture. “When people say this is ‘our place’ that means we’re doing something right.” 915 Bridge Rd., Charleston, West Virginia 25314, 681/205-2210, pauliesitalian.com

Chef Scott MacGregor’s Appalachia Kitchen

Located in the Corduroy Inn on the vacation destination of Snowshoe Mountain, Appalachia Kitchen welcomes mountain bikers and skiers still in their biking gear and ski boots to a casual fine dining experience. Led by James Beard Award semifinalist Scott MacGregor, the kitchen serves diners Friday and Saturday evenings, inviting guests to experience a menu shaped by the seasons. 

The scratch kitchen sources ingredients from local farmers and backyard gardens, stewarding the mountain’s abundant provisions and unique produce. Trout from a local hatchery as well as rabbit and quail can be found on the menu, which changes regularly throughout the summer. Freshness is central, from the house-made pasta and trout ceviche to the seasonally picked morels and ramps. Game meats such as braised elk pair with a smooth, warm polenta. Along with a vast wine selection of 400 bottles, the drink menu incorporates fresh fruits and berries. 5811 Snowshoe Dr., Snowshoe, West Virginia 26209, 304/572-2030, appalachiakitchen.com

Mountain State Brewing Co.

When Brian Arnett and Willie Lehmann founded the Mountain State Brewing Co. over two decades ago, they filled a niche in the market for easy-drinking ales. Now with four locations, their original Thomas, West Virginia, microbrewery and restaurant remains an integral part of the mountain town.

In the summer, Thomas boasts temperatures that average 10 degrees cooler than outlying towns. There, at the top of the watershed, the brewery’s four flagship beers are crafted from fresh mountain water. Along with the brewery’s Cold Trail Blonde Ale, Almost Heaven Amber Ale, Seneca Indian Pale Ale and Miner’s Daughter Stout, the seasonal Otter Creek (hopped American lager) carries the clean, crisp quality of its local creek namesake.

The kegged, house-made sangria on tap offers a fizzy and fruity alternative to beer. The restaurant serves handmade flatbread pizzas, including the classic Fire on the Mountain with smoked gouda and house-made chipotle hot sauce. 1 Nelson Blvd., Thomas, West Virginia 26292, 304/463-4500, mountainstatebrewing.com  

Almost Heaven Swingo Challenge • Various Locations
Explore West Virginia’s natural beauty by completing the Almost Heaven Swingo Challenge, a game of Bingo that takes travelers to the farthest corners of the state. After downloading a digital 25-spot Swingo card from the West Virginia Tourism website, explorers can choose from 53 swings to fulfill categories such as proximity to a historical site or seasonal visits. To mark a spot on their Swingo card, travelers check in at each location by mobile phone (and snap a selfie while they’re there) to achieve a Bingo and win prizes. wvtourism.com

For more Ohio travel inspiration, sign up for our Ohio Magazine newsletters.

Ohio Magazine is available in a beautifully designed print issue that is published 7 times a year, along with Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter editions of LongWeekends magazine. Subscribe to Ohio Magazine and stay connected to beauty, adventure and fun across our state.