Visiting West Virginia this fall - what are the "must see" places?? (Charleston: theater, camping)

[suecen]

Eventually I'm trying to get to all the states. I've picked West Virginia for fall and we've never been. Can anybody suggest some areas - we like historical places, parks, beautiful scenery.Thanks for any and all suggestions.

[vec101]

How long of a trip? There are a lot of things in different areas that fit your list.

Canaan Valley area is my fav. Tucker County CVB - Canaan Valley, West Virginia

Fayetteville/ Hawks Nest State Park/ Beckley area has white water rafting, scenery, coal mine exhibition which takes you underground. West Virginia Tourism, Travel and Vacation Planning - Southern West Virginia CVB Also, I just adore the Mystery Hole http://www.mysteryhole.com/

The Eastern Panhandle (Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown, etc) offers a lot of history. Jefferson County, West Virginia Convention & Visitors Bureau

Also check out Travel Planner

[David Kennedy]

Festivals and re-enactment camps exist at Prickett's Fort in Fairmont and Ft. New Salem in Salem, Wv. The Prickett's Fort Camp is very well done and from the French and Indian War Period...colorful...near the water and very realistic with the re-created old fort..In that same area is Ft. Necessity near Uniontown, Pa...about 45 minutes away.

Other than those, most of the festivals are theme oriented or serve the history of the Civil War...Buckwheat Festival in Kingwood is good...Hick Fair at Parsons on Labor Day...Everybody ignores the Hick Fair but its a winner...blue grass music like grandpa played..

[snorpus]

You're planning your trip for the fall, so you won't want to miss the Mountain State Forest Festival in Elkins. While in Elkins, you can ride several tourist trains (broken link), and take in the show at the American Mountain Theater.

About 45 minutes south of Elkins is the Cass Scenic Railroad, complete with a restored 1900s company town, and ride behind an authentic coal-burning locomotive to the 2nd highest point in West Virginia.

Another 45 minutes south of Cass, and you're at Watoga State Park, the largest WV State Park with 10,000 acres. Nearby is the birthplace of Pearl S. Buck in Hillsboro and Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park.

[David Kennedy]

Set up a base camp in Elkins and plan day trips for a week...you will see most of the best that way...Canaan, Cass...trout fish at Bowden...Blackwater Falls....work that around a festival and you will come back again and again.
Leaves turn in late September.

[tbailey1138]

Another option that would let you see all of the fall foliage along with the states 2 largest cities and some of the smaller towns would be to take the New River Train from Huntington. The train starts out at the beautiful old train station in Huntington and then heads towards Charleston on its way to the New River Gorge. Some beautiful scenery and you get to see the wild side and the city side of WV. Here's the link.
Tim

The New River Train - Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society
Huntington, WV : CSX Station photo

[David Kennedy]

To do this regionaly, another region is the Harpers Ferry area and camping at Cacapon with the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah Valley.

As also the Hinton, Pipestem Park, Bluestone Lake area.

Summersville, New River Gorge area, Gauley River area.

Parkersburg, Blennerhasset Mansion and Ohio river area..


What is so common in Wv is the rivers...couple that with the changing leaf foilage and some R & R and Wv is a wonderful choice for getting the mind and body back into sync.

the real problem will be 'What to choose....its not like going to the Grand Canyon, riding a burro to the bottom and saying, "I've done that.....

[snorpus]

Definitely allow time for pure R & R. Just sit yourself down somewhere outsides, preferably away from the highway, and let the mountains talk to you.

[BJC]

I would suggest that you have your base in Summersville, (26651) and do day trips from there. Close to Gauley, for white water rafting.

[suecen]

Thank you everyone for your comments! I really appreciate it. I will research them all! I imagine it's just beautiful there in fall.