West Virginia is home to gorgeous natural areas, interesting history, and much more.
If you’re planning a trip to this wonderful state, you may want to make a West Virginia bucket list. This will help you keep track of the things you want to do so you don’t miss anything.
In this article, we share our own West Virginia bucket list so you can get some ideas and start your own list of things to see.
Bluestone National Scenic River
The Bluestone River is in a rugged gorge in the southern Appalachians. The river provides an opportunity to escape into nature and experience an unspoiled West Virginia.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
The C&O Canal was once a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River. Cargo boats carrying coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated to market on this canal, ensuring the people of the area had the things they needed. Visit the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park to learn the history behind this waterway.
Gauley River National Recreation Area
Check out gorges and valleys, admire natural features, and examine cultural features as you explore the Gauley River National Recreation Area. You can head out onto the water to experience some of the most adventurous whitewater rafting in the country.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park covers nearly 4,000 acres over three states. The park includes the historic center of the town of Harpers Ferry as well. You’ll see Civil War battlefields, hiking trails through the Shenandoah Valley, and stops along the Underground Railroad.
New River Gorge National Park
Despite the name, the New River is one of the oldest rivers in America. It’s a spectacular whitewater river that has, over time, carved incredible, deep canyons. See the river and the gorge it created at New River Gorge National Park.
National Trails
There are also some national trails that make their way through West Virginia. You can check these out as well while you’re in the state:
Step Back in Time at Heritage Farm Museum and Village
An open-air living history museum, Heritage Farm Museum and Village presents the perfect opportunity to step back in time. Explore a blacksmith shop, a log church, a homestead site, and more. Be immersed in history and discover what life was once like in Appalachia.
Discover the Exhibition Coal Mine
The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum is another great way to learn about the history of West Virginia. Guests have an opportunity to ride through an underground coal mine. During their ride, visitors will learn about the history of coal mining from a veteran miner. In addition to the mine tour, you can also see a coal camp, explore the youth museum, and browse the gift shop.
Stroll the West Virginia Botanic Garden
West Virginia Botanic Garden is home to a large variety of regional ornamental plants and landscaping. Those with a special interest in plants can take a guided walk or attend a workshop onsite, but a leisurely self-guided tour is also a great way to explore.
Explore Lost World Caverns
Lost World Caverns gives guests another opportunity to head underground. Formations such as stalagmites and stalactites make the place feel otherworldly. Be sure to look for the Snowy Chandelier, the War Club, and the Bridal Veil formations. When you’re done in the caverns, make time to see the onsite museum.
Visit Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is a well preserved park in a historic mountain town that features old railroad company housing, a company store, a restored train depot, and more. Learn about the logging history of this railroad and then hop aboard a train for a scenic tour.
Admire Art at the Huntington Museum of Art
Huntington Museum of Art is an enormous museum that is perfect for art lovers and appreciators. The museum has a magnificent collection of fine art. It also plays host to some groundbreaking exhibitions that have been recognized nationally. While you’re there, make sure to head outside and explore the hiking trails that meander around the museum’s property, and pay a visit to the Steelman Butterfly Garden, as well as the C. Fred Edwards Conservatory.
Learn at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park presents yet another great opportunity to learn about the history of the area. Start at the museum, which features an orientation video discussing the lives of the Blennerhassets. After that, you can explore a full three floors of exhibits. Finish the day by riding over to Blennerhassett Island to tour the Blennerhassett Mansion, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, rent bikes, and more.
Gather Info at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Founded in 1956, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory operates the world’s most versatile radio telescopes. It’s also home to the world’s largest moving telescope. Visit the observatory and take a tour of the facility, including the “Catching the Wave” exhibit hall, as well as the auditorium. Educational programs, planetarium sessions, and hands-on activities are also available.
Get Your Thrills at Grand Vue Park
Grand Vue Park has a zipline canopy tour, a 40-foot rope course, and hiking and biking trails. You can also play disc golf or paintball, go swimming, and try other outdoor activities.
Wander the West Virginia State Museum
The West Virginia State Museum presents the history of West Virginia. This Charleston museum offers free admission and contains a huge collection of artifacts that help tell the story of the past. In addition to these permanent exhibits, be sure to look for rotating exhibits that change regularly.
Ride Mountain Rail Adventures
Mountain Rail Adventures offers a number of locomotive adventures. From April through December, guests can board a train in Elkins, Durban, or Cass. From there, they are taken on a ride through the beautiful West Virginia countryside. They even offer overnight excursions and dinner train rides.
Shop Charleston Capitol Market
Charleston Capitol Market is a unique shopping spot. The building was created using the bones of the Kanawha and Michigan Railroad rail yard that dates back to the 1800s. It is now used as a year-round outdoor market and plays host to a number of small shops. The market and shops offer shoppers a variety of local goodies such as books, fruits and veggies, wine, coffee, meat, chocolates, and flowers.
Have Fun at Mothman Museum
Mothman is a creepy West Virginia legend that you can learn all about at the Mothman Museum. The museum shares historical documents from alleged eyewitnesses of Mothman encounters, along with press clippings. You can also see memorabilia from the movie The Mothman Prophecies.
See the Glass Museum
Visit the Museum of American Glass to see over 3,000 objects that were created between 1829 and 1939 using Wheeling glass. From Victorian art glass to peachblow glass, there is a variety on display here. You can also see artifacts from the National Marble Museum, which transferred its collection here.
Meet Ghosts at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum was constructed in the mid-1800s and is now a national landmark. It is the second largest hand-cut stone masonry building on earth, and has quite a history behind it. The asylum was built to house 250, but it was almost always extremely overcrowded, sometimes holding as many as 2,400 patients. Today, the asylum operates as an attraction, offering both heritage and ghostly tours to curious guests.
Dive into the Past at the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum
The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum tells the story of this early-20th-century event which brought coal miners of the state together to fight for workers’ rights. Learn about the Matewan Massacre and the Battle of Blair Mountain—as well as about important figures such as Mother Jones and Sid Hatfield.
Get Outside at Cranberry Mountain Nature Center
Cranberry Mountain Nature Center gives visitors an opportunity to get up close and personal with lots of plants and animals. Attend the live snake show, wander through gardens, check out the hummingbirds, and hike the two interpretive nature trails. No matter what you do, you’re sure to love your time connecting with nature at this awesome center.
There are lots of amazing things to experience in the state of West Virginia. You might also want to consider seeing the state while renting a West Virginia RV. Doing this allows you to move around the state freely so you can complete your West Virginia bucket list while staying in comfort wherever you roam.
