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West Virginia is world-famous for rugged, pure magnificence — which incorporates dense forests, waterfalls, and rolling hills — however it additionally has a stacked roster of a few of the most charming small cities within the Appalachian Mountains.
“What makes West Virginia small cities nice, and actually West Virginia as an entire, is that there are such a lot of hidden gems over the subsequent horizon or down the subsequent holler,” says Chef Matt Welsch, proprietor and government chef of Vagabond Kitchen. To search out them, although, you’ll must take the nation roads, the identical ones John Denver references in his timeless tune — you already know the one. “One of the best locations will not be at all times the best to get to, however they’re at all times definitely worth the journey,” provides Doug Perks, a historian at Jefferson County Museum in Charles City.
Whereas Welsch likens narrowing down the checklist of finest small cities in West Virginia to “going to a household potluck and making an attempt to choose your favorites,” we have been, with the assistance of a number of native consultants, capable of pinpoint our prime 10. Learn on to see which locations made the lower.
Capon Bridge
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“Capon Bridge is a favourite due to its folks and exquisite surroundings. When touring [there], I instantly felt embraced by the neighborhood. They’re so captivated with their city and historical past,” says Emily Sokolosky, co-owner of Base Camp Printing Co. The Cacapon River passes proper via city, the place you’ll discover quite a lot of regionally owned companies and attention-grabbing methods to move your time. Begin with the Capon Bridge Museum to study extra in regards to the vacation spot’s historical past, stretch your legs on The Inexperienced Bridge, and choose up some West Virginia-made souvenirs at Bent River Buying and selling Firm. And to expertise what Sokolosky calls the “finest burger you’ll ever eat,” place a lunch order at Farmer’s Daughter.
Wheeling
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Wheeling is positioned inside the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, and as Chef Welsch notes, it’s comparatively simple to get to, as Interstate 70 crosses via the downtown space. “With a multi-million-dollar avenue beautification mission and scads of native funding, Wheeling has by no means seemed higher,” he says. “And he or she’s rediscovering who she is. Music, meals, tradition, historical past — Wheeling is brimming with all of it.” While you’re on the town, make sure that to see a present at the Capitol Theatre, stroll throughout the Suspension Bridge, and cease in Vagabond Kitchen for what Welsch calls “high-end Appalachian consolation meals.”
Moundsville
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Nearly 11 miles from Wheeling sits Moundsville, a spot the place Chef Welsch says “there’s some nice native meals available” and several other must-see sights. He shares that the outdated West Virginia State Penitentiary and the Grave Creek Mound (after which the city is called) are necessary stops and “two fully totally different faces representing our complicated historical past upon these banks of the Ohio River.” In basic West Virginia kind, you’ll additionally discover quite a lot of out of doors actions within the space. “Cease simply out of city to go to Grand Vue Park. There is a ton of enjoyable available there, it is stunning, and I have been hanging about these trails since I used to be a wee one. Immerse your self within the mild rolling hills, go for a swim, whack some golf balls — you will have a blast,” he says.
Lewisburg
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In line with ERay Haynie, journey operations director at ACE Journey Resort, vacationers ought to make the time to go to Lewisburg, a metropolis with a inhabitants of simply over 3,800. “It is one other city recognized for an unimaginable impartial restaurant scene, and the historic downtown is stuffed with boutiques and vintage outlets to discover,” he says. In August, it performs host to the State Honest of West Virginia, dubbed “West Virginia’s Fried Meals Capitol.” And should you’re hoping to quench your thirst whereas within the space? You’re in luck. “You will additionally end up near Maxwelton, which is the house of each Easy Ambler Spirits and Greenbrier Valley Brewing. Hawk Knob Cidery is close by, as effectively,” says Chef Welsch.
Harpers Ferry
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You could be conversant in Harpers Ferry from historical past class; Perks notes it was the “web site of John Brown’s failed try in 1859 to free enslaved women and men.” Right this moment, it’s dwelling to Harpers Ferry Nationwide Historic Park, which, he says “preserves a nineteenth century industrial city.” The park covers over 3,500 acres throughout West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia, and it occurs to be one of many finest locations to see fall foliage within the state. The city of Harpers Ferry can be fairly photogenic — it’s positioned the place the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers come collectively, and also you’ll discover museums, excursions, and heritage websites to maintain you busy.
Buckhannon
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“Buckhannon holds a excessive place in my guide,” says Haynie, who describes the city as a spot that “prides itself on its neighborhood.” When plotting out issues to do within the space, contemplate biking the paved walkway alongside the Buckhannon River, taking a kayak out on the water, or respiration within the mountain air whereas traversing native mountaineering paths. Or head additional out of city and discover the West Virginia Wildlife Middle and Audra State Park. Buckhannon can be dwelling to West Virginia Wesleyan School, and the annual West Virginia Strawberry Pageant, which Haynie says is “definitely worth the cease to see its choices.”
Richwood
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“The folks [in Richwood] are revitalizing their small city right into a Important Road filled with distinctive small companies. The primary time I visited… a neighborhood gave me a hand-drawn map to a beautiful swimming gap,” says Sokolosky. Billed as a gateway to the Monongahela Nationwide Forest, the small city can be the proper base camp for every kind of outside adventures. There are greater than 150 miles of streams and rivers inside a 25-mile radius of Richwood, so vacationers who wish to swim, fish, or paddle gained’t be left wanting. Those that desire to journey on land can as a substitute take to the 16-mile Cranberry Tri-Rivers Rail Path that begins on the town.
Thomas and Davis
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Chef Welsch has nothing however good issues to say in regards to the “twin cities” of Thomas and Davis. “I am so happy with how these little mountain communities have grown up and turn out to be sustainable locations whereas retaining what makes them distinctive. There’s superb artwork, unbelievable meals, nice suds, and breathtaking views,” he says. “It would not matter what season it’s, these cities are vibrant with life and good instances.” The Purple Fiddle in Thomas is especially notable; the intimate reside music venue brings in all method of acts — from Afroman to The Avett Brothers. The good outside isn’t very distant, both; Blackwater Falls State Park and Fairfax Stone State Park are each a fast drive from Thomas and Davis.“Do your self this one favor: Get out of your automobile and stroll as a lot as doable,” Welsch suggests.
Fayetteville
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“Fayetteville will at all times be a prime favourite city of mine. It is my hometown and I could not be extra happy with it,” says Haynie, who calls it the “coronary heart of the out of doors recreation world.” This description stems from the truth that Fayetteville is positioned on the rim of the New River Gorge, making it the closest city to the New River Gorge Nationwide Park and Protect. You’ll wish to gas up earlier than and after mountaineering, climbing, or whitewater rafting (an absolute should) within the park, and Fayetteville has fairly a number of eating places — together with the Secret Sandwich Society and Wanderlust Creativefoods — that will name your title.
Charles City
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Given the truth that Charles City is nearly an hour away from the D.C. metro space, it’s one of many extra recognizable names on this checklist. “Maybe the most important draw on the town is Hollywood On line casino at Charles City Races,” says Perks, however slot machines and poker video games are removed from the one issues to do on this a part of the Jap Panhandle. There’s additionally the Outdated Opera Home Theatre Firm, mountaineering trails at Cool Spring Protect, and a variety of outlets to browse within the Downtown Charles City Historic District.