Visiting West Virginia (Elkins, Lewisburg, White Sulphur Springs: travel, home, train)

[Cat43]

I will be travelling with my elderly mother for 6 days in April.

We are spending two nights in Washington and then we have four nights in Virginia/West Virginia. I want a mixture of nice small towns with some spectacular mountain scenary. I thought possibly two nights in Staunton, Virginia (is it worth it?) before maybe going to White Sulphur Springs after this and then back to Dulles.

What do people think or are there better ways/places to see/routes to take.

Any ideas appreciated? Visiting from UK. Thanks,

[BJC]

I think you have a sound plan, Charlottesville would be good for 1 night, you could go to Thomas Jefferson's home, then on to Staunton for another night, then travel up Rt 81 north to Harper's Ferry, WV for a night or two and then back to Dulles, because you will be close. You will have traveled in a BIG circle, sort of! If I can help with any specific plans just ask. Where are you staying in DC, because Warrenton, VA is very nice as well, 45 miles or so west of the city, DC that is.

[snorpus]

Here's a bigger loop that will really get you into the mountains...

By all means spend a night in Charlottesville, tour Monticello, etc.

Then go south on I-81, then west on I-64 to Lewisburg/White Sulphur Springs for your next night (or two).

Now, drive north on US-219 from Lewisburg, through Marlinton, to Elkiins. This stretch of 219 is spectacular.

After spending the night in Elkins, continue north on 219 to Blackwater Falls, see the falls and maybe Dolly Sods. Then back north on 219 again to US-50, then East on US-50 through Romney, onto Winchester VA and back to the DC area.

Whatever you decide, Welcome to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.

Snorpus

[g_massie]

Snorpus has it right.

[GottaHerdOn]

if you can, in Elkins ride the Tygart Flyer excursion train! It takes you from the history railroad depot into the deep mountains of the mon. national forest and finally stops at the High Falls of Cheat River! Truly breath taking! Here is a link if your interested. I think the trip takes about 4 hours round trip or so.

http://www.mountainrail.com/tygartflyer.htm

[clawhammerist]

Snorpus is right indeed. I particularly urge you to not miss Lewisburg; its combination of historic beauty and small-town charm is unmatched in the region. In my opinion, Lewisburg is far more worthy of sightseeing time than White Sulphur.

If BJC's suggestion is more convenient for you (i.e. if keeping your travels that much closer to DC is helpful), do check out Shepherdstown while in the Eastern Panhandle/Harpers Ferry vicinity. Also very historic and quaint; perhaps the Lewisburg of this (very different) region!

[Cat43]

Thanks everyone - fantastic!

CAT 43

[snorpus]

Cat-

It's our pleasure.

As your trip gets closer, come back and we can provide some specific "sights to see", web links, etc.

Snorpus