Top Things to do in West Virginia
Top Hotels in West Virginia
- 1. La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Summersville
- 2. Hampton Inn Wheeling
- 3. Hampton Inn Charleston-Southridge
- 4. The Country Inn of Berkeley Springs
- 5. Hampton Inn Weston
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Beckley, WV
- 7. Wingate by Wyndham Elkins
- 8. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Charleston South, WV
- 9. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Morgantown
- 10. Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Beckley East
Countries
The 10 Best Museums in West Virginia, United States
As you would expect, The Mountain State displays rustic charm with dramatic river gorges, large limestone caverns and spectacular mountain views. West Virginia hosts outdoor enthusiasts and family vacationers looking for fresh-air activities and serene mountain atmosphere. If stimulating city holidays are your preference, Charleston combines warm hospitality with a lovely riverside location. A family-friendly destination, you’ll discover children’s theatre, river park recreation and popular Bridge Road for shopping and dining. Smaller towns blend outdoor adventure with quaint village atmospheres. Set between the New, Greenbrier and Bluestone Rivers, Hinton is an historic rail town filled with turn-of-the-century architecture and a host of water activities at its doorstep – rafting, fishing, kayaking and more. In the heart of West Virginia, Summersville is a “Mountain Water Playground.” Its lakeside location encourages outdoor recreation from swimming and boating to scuba diving and rafting. And history buffs can trace Civil War battles throughout the states historic sites and state parks. Hiking or horseback riding along trails through deep hardwood forests is another family favorite, especially when you stop for a picnic along a clear mountain stream.
Restaurants in West Virginia
1. West Virginia State Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 396 reviews
Located in the Cultural Center, this interesting museum traces the history of West Virginia through a series of exhibits containing everything from an extensive collection of antique hats donated by a local school teacher to the telescope George Washington used to survey lands within the state.
Reviewed By ArwenElf - Rock Hill, United States
Free cultural museum with 26 Discovery Rooms that showcase West Virginia’s geology, prehistoric cultures, exploration and settlement, frontier conflicts and life...statehood, railroad, coal company town, mining,... the Great Depression, Civil Rights movement...transportation, fairs and festivals, cultural state collections and famous West Virginians. Very well done with extensive and interesting displays about West Virginia’s history and culture. Conveniently located next to the capital building.
2. Museum of Radio and Technology
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By MaryR851 - Browns Summit, United States
We visited Saturday 12/21/19. We were in Huntington for the Candlenights Podcasts Taping that afternoon. Unfortunately we had to cut our visit to the museum a little short so we could get back in to town for that. Our docent, Dave Bond, was a real gem. He was knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and didn't even flinch at what were probably some pretty stupid questions. The collection is extensive. The demonstrations are informative. We enjoyed ourselves very much. Just a side note - they had put so much effort into decorating the place for the holidays - that was icing on the cake. If anyone in your group is interested in radio / TV / phonographs / computers / HAM / or just history, this is really worth a visit. There was a donation box on the way out. We were more than happy to contribute.
3. Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By LambMom - Morgantown, United States
Arrived earlier than we had scheduled. The lady (I think her name is Debbie) greeted us warmly and was very flexible to let us start the tour earlier. She guided us through the whole house and was very knowledgeable. Definitely a great place for local history! Also the house was beautiful and maintained very well! Parking behind the house is quite convenient.
4. Those Who Served War Museum
5. WVHighlands Artisan Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Strider2030 - Reston, United States
We stopped by on a whim, walking around Davis after lunch. This gallery is a co-op offering a variety from about two dozen artists: pottery, woodworking, watercolor, photos, jewelry and more. Friendly staff.
6. The Stirrup Gallery of Davis & Elkins College
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
The Stirrup Gallery is home to 12 of Davis & Elkins College's private collections- all on display. We have Ice Age Mammal fossils that include the remains of Woolly Mammoth, Mastodon Woolly Rhinoceros skeleton; as well as several other species of megafauna. Other collections contain over 70 firearms dating from the 1600’s through the Civil War. The museum also houses a large a collection of powder horns dating to the 1600’s. Also, stop by and see a collection of Roman Coins from Emperor Trajans reign 1,900 years ago . The museum has over 6,000 Native American artifacts dating back to the Paleo Indians. The collection contains materials from the Americas, which include pottery, basketry, stone tools, a gun from Custer’s Last Stand and much more! Also on display are Colonial American items ranging from medical instruments, weaving tools, irons, swords, and bayonets.
Reviewed By TRADisRAD
The Stirrup Gallery is a great free place to go. Their exhibits showcase all kinds of interesting artifacts and fossils. They have everything from pottery and arrowheads to muskets, roman coins, and mammoth fossils. Their location in historic Halliehurst Mansion on D&E campus adds to the historic atmosphere.
7. Virtu Art Glass Studio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By annamH9019HH - Encinitas, United States
I watched these glass blowers make 5 drinking glasses and I was the only one in the studio. The studio is quite a ways away from the hotel but it is worth the walk to the Art Colony! They have a nice retail shop too. The entire time they were working at the ovens, they were explaining what they were doing. Very interesting and creative.
8. Oglebay Institute Glass Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
The museum displays glass items and has a demonstration area for glass blowers, cutters, and decorators.
Reviewed By jonesdf - Stafford, United States
Great history of Wheeling and the glass making industry. I had no idea that it was a popular place for glass factories. Great little museum that also explained how the colors are made for each piece. My favorite was watching a glassmaker make a Christmas ornament. The glass shop upstairs had some wonderful pieces for sale.
9. Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 692 reviews
Note - the Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum have changed their hours and days of operation due to the Covid 19 pandemic. As focal points of Beckley’s lovely New River Park, the Exhibition Coal Mine, the Rahall Company Store, Mine Museum and the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia draw thousands of people to the area annually. The unique underground mine, the recreated coal camp, the Youth Museum and the Mountain Homestead are surrounded by inviting lawns, colorful flowers, picnic areas, an imposing coal miner statue and a whimsical 20 ft. “Peace Totem. At the Exhibition Coal Mine, one can ride through the dark passages of a vintage coal mine. The guides are veteran miners and provide firsthand accounts of the daily responsibilities and tasks of past and present day miners. In addition to the Mine, one can tour the Mine Museum and the period coal camp situated throughout the grounds.
Reviewed By LiLa521 - Oshkosh, United States
We were so glad we visited! Knowing nothing about coal mines and how miners lived, this was so informative and interesting. From the coal mine tour, conducted by former coal miners to the pioneer village and coal miners’ buildings where docents shared their knowledge and answered our questions, this was a tour worth taking. Loved it all!
10. The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Housed in a restored Victorian school, The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum boasts an impressive collection of tens of thousands toys and trains.
Reviewed By KathyC615
This museum is so much fun and contains so many toys from years ago. The owners are very pleasant and try to make your visit a fun adventure. The gift shop has some really neat and different items for sale at very reasonable prices.
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