Almost Heaven Awaits: 10 Must-See Spots + Hidden Gems in West Virginia (Where to Stay, What to Do & How to Get There)

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Hook: Craving a Mountain Escape? Let’s Head to West Virginia!

Ready to swap your work emails for wildflowers and mountaintop views? West Virginia is calling — and no, it’s not just the spirit of John Denver serenading you in the distance. With its jaw-dropping landscapes, charming small towns, and thrilling outdoor adventures, West Virginia is an underrated wonderland begging to be explored.

From soaring through canyons to cozying up in a riverside cabin, I’ve rounded up the top 10 things to do and see in West Virginia — plus a few hidden gems for my savvy wanderlusters. And of course, I’ve tucked in some affordable stays, slick travel tools, and epic activity links to make your trip downright effortless.

Top 10 Things to Do and See in West Virginia

1. New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Why You’ll Love It: West Virginia’s crown jewel — the USA’s newest national park!

Home to one of the oldest rivers on the continent, this stunning park boasts endless hiking trails, world-famous whitewater rafting, and that Insta-famous bridge you’ve definitely seen.

Don’t Miss:

• Bridge Walk (a guided catwalk tour under the bridge!)
  
  

• Endless Wall Trail for the best views
  
  

• New River Gorge Zipline Tour Book your zipline adventure here
  
  

Where to Stay: Find cozy cabins nearby

Pro Tip: Book a rental car ahead to cruise those mountain roads. Check rates here

2. Seneca Rocks

Why You’ll Love It: Towering rock formations perfect for climbers, hikers, and photo ops.

Take a short but steep hike to the observation platform or channel your inner adventurer with a guided climb.

Hidden Gem: Stay at Yokum’s Vacationland — a quirky motel-cabin hybrid with treehouse rooms.

Getting There: Book a car or transfer

3. Blackwater Falls State Park

Why You’ll Love It: Iconic amber-tinted waterfalls surrounded by scenic hiking trails and dreamy mountain lodges.

Top Spots:

• Blackwater Falls Overlook
  
  

• Lindy Point at sunset (thank me later)
  
  

Where to Stay: Snag a charming lodge stay

Bonus: Save your luggage schlep with Radical Storage

4. Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Why You’ll Love It: A four-season playground with skiing, mountain biking, festivals, and lakeside lounging.

Fun Fact: In the summer, the slopes turn into downhill mountain bike trails.

Activities:

• Hit the slopes in winter
  
  

• Ride ATVs in summer
  
  

• Take a scenic lift ride any time
  
  

Plan Ahead: Book ski passes or bike rentals

5. The Greenbrier

Why You’ll Love It: Historic luxury resort with secret Cold War bunkers, spa indulgences, and world-class golf.

Hidden Experience: Take the secret bunker tour — a declassified underground government shelter built to house Congress during the Cold War.

Where to Stay: Book your stay at The Greenbrier

6. Dolly Sods Wilderness

Why You’ll Love It: Wild, untamed, and wonderfully remote — this high-altitude plateau feels like a piece of Canada misplaced in the Appalachians.

Activities:

• Hike Bear Rocks Preserve
  
  

• Camp under the stars
  
  

Stay Nearby: Find affordable mountain stays

Travel Tip: No signal here — grab an Airalo eSIM for backup data anywhere.

7. Harpers Ferry

Why You’ll Love It: A quaint riverside town packed with history, hiking, and ghost stories.

Must-Dos:

• Hike to Jefferson Rock
  
  

• Explore Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
  
  

• Stroll the charming streets
  
  

Hidden Gem: Try the ghost tour — it’s deliciously eerie.

Where to Stay: Book a riverside inn

Getting There: Hop a private transfer

8. Lost World Caverns

Why You’ll Love It: Underground magic with towering stalactites, ancient formations, and cool temps year-round.

Fun Fact: A prehistoric sloth skeleton was found here!

Activity: Take a self-guided cave tour.
Book tickets online

9. Green Bank Observatory

Why You’ll Love It: Home to the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope, this science hub is in a federally designated radio-free zone.

Must-See: The massive telescope and museum exhibits.

Travel Hack: No cell signal here — grab a Drimsim global SIM card

10. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Why You’ll Love It: Creepy? Yep. Fascinating? Absolutely. This historic asylum offers ghost tours, history walks, and paranormal hunts.

Hidden Gem: Book a night investigation if you dare.

Tickets: Reserve yours now

Bonus Hidden Gems Worth the Detour

• Cathedral Falls: Gorgeous roadside waterfall.
  
  

• Cass Scenic Railroad: Ride an old-timey steam locomotive.
  
  

• The Purple Fiddle: Live music, local eats, and laid-back vibes.
  
  

Find rentals near these gems

How to Get Around West Virginia

Public transport? Cute — but no. You’ll need wheels to roam these wild hills.

Best Options:

• Economy car rentals
  
  

• Bike rentals
  
  

• Private transfers
  
  

• LocalRent for vans & SUVs
  
  

Flight Deals: Book budget flights here

Where to Stay in West Virginia

Top Picks:

• The Greenbrier
  
  

• Rustic cabins near New River Gorge
  
  

• Ski-in lodges at Snowshoe Mountain
  
  

• Quirky inns in Harpers Ferry
  
  

Compare deals now

Travel Smarter (and Sexier)

• Skip roaming fees: Airalo eSIM
  
  

• Store luggage on the go: Radical Storage
  
  

• Catch all activities & tours: WeGoTrip
  
  

Plan Your Trip Like a Pro

Ready to turn those travel daydreams into a reality? Snag deals, rent rides, and book stays right now.

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