Quirky Roadside Attractions You’ll Only Find in West Virginia
Nestled about 40 miles southeast of Charleston, the small town of Berkeley Springs offers visitors a slice of unusual charm centered around its natural mineral springs. The Berkeley Springs State Park is not only a tranquil spot to soak in the historic warm waters but also home to the Bath Stone Museum. Here, guests can explore exhibits on the town’s colonial history as a spa destination, complete with quirky memorabilia and antique bathing suits. The springs themselves are said to have healing properties, drawing people for centuries, and the park’s central fountain marks the spot where visitors can sample the mineral water. This combination of wellness, history, and eccentric local lore makes Berkeley Springs a one-of-a-kind stop, especially delightful in spring and fall when the surrounding hills burst into vibrant color.
Travel about an hour north of Morgantown to encounter the mysterious and captivating Blackwater Falls State Park. Its centerpiece is the striking amber-colored Blackwater Falls, cascading 62 feet into the canyon below. The unique tint comes from tannic acid released by fallen hemlock and red spruce needles, lending the water a surreal, coffee-like hue. The park’s elevated overlooks and well-maintained trails, such as the moderately challenging Elakala Falls Loop, reveal a dramatic landscape shaped by ancient geology and lush Appalachian forests. This park becomes particularly spellbinding in winter when the falls often freeze into glittering ice sculptures, creating a magical scene quite unlike any other waterfall in the region.
If you head about 20 minutes west of Beckley, you’ll find the town of Fayetteville, gateway to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This area is renowned for the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, an engineering marvel that soars 876 feet above the New River. Visitors can take part in Bridge Walk tours, venturing out onto catwalks beneath the arch for breathtaking views that thrill both heart and camera lens. Fayetteville itself sports a quirky vibe with local shops and eateries celebrating outdoor adventure culture. The gorge’s rugged cliffs, rapids, and dense forest make it a unique playground for rock climbers and rafters, especially vibrant in early fall when the foliage turns fiery red and gold.
About two hours northeast of Charleston lies the town of Lewisburg, famous for its historic district and the quirky Greenbrier Ghost story. At the Greenbrier Valley Museum of History, you can dive into the eerie tale of Elva Zona Heaster, whose ghostly testimony allegedly solved a murder case in the late 1800s. This mix of local folklore and history is embedded within the museum’s artifacts and exhibits, making Lewisburg a fascinating stop for those intrigued by the supernatural side of Appalachia. The town’s charming streets and antique architecture add to the experience, best enjoyed during the mild, colorful days of autumn when the surrounding mountains are ablaze with color.
Just east of Harrisonburg, roughly 90 miles from Morgantown, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston stands as a massive and eerie testament to 19th-century mental health care. This sprawling, Gothic Revival structure offers guided tours that delve into the asylum’s troubled history, complete with stories of patients and treatments that seem straight out of a ghost story. The architecture alone, with its vast hallways and imposing stone walls, provides an unforgettable backdrop. Visitors often find that twilight or overcast days amplify the mood here, making it a must-see for those fascinated by dark history and architectural oddities.
About 75 miles south of Wheeling, the town of Lewis County hosts the unusual and whimsical Stonewall Resort, situated on the shores of Stonewall Jackson Lake. While the resort itself is a modern getaway, nearby Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park features a distinctive 2.3-mile Peninsula Trail that juts into the lake, offering panoramic views of the water and surrounding forests. The park’s standout feature is its combination of recreational activities and natural beauty, particularly the striking limestone bluffs that border the lake, setting it apart from other West Virginia parks. Summer evenings here are magical when the setting sun casts golden hues over the lake, perfect for paddling or leisurely hikes.
In the far eastern panhandle, roughly 30 minutes southwest of Martinsburg, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park offers a compelling blend of natural beauty and quirky history. This small town, perched at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, is famed for John Brown’s 1859 raid and its role in Civil War history. Exploring the Lower Town area reveals charming shops and historical reenactments, while trails like the Maryland Heights Trail provide strenuous but rewarding climbs with sweeping vistas. The juxtaposition of well-preserved 19th-century streets with rugged hiking trails and river scenery gives Harpers Ferry a distinctive character. Fall is a particularly enchanting time to visit, as the park’s foliage colors complement the town’s historic ambiance perfectly.