7 Awesome Things to Do in West Virginia

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West Virginia’s license plate speaks its truth: “Wild and Wonderful.” And, it is. Still, it’s not enough to simply drive its roads with this inspiring tagline at your tailgate. To fully understand West Virginia, you must walk the winding footpaths of Greenbrier River Trail while crunching fallen leaves on an autumn day; savor a smooth, local brew on a patio overlooking Appalachian Mountains in the peak of summer’s heat — that’s the way to get to know West Virginia.

Here are 7 of the coolest things to do in the Mountain State:

1. Check out Blackwater Falls.

Tannic acid from fallen hemlock and spruce needles contribute to the burnished color of the water as it cascades for 62 meters into the gorge at Blackwater Falls State Park. The falls draw major crowds, but the entire park has incredible views looking out to the Appalachians.

2. Be a daredevil at New River Gorge Bridge.

Strap on a harness and experience the heart-thumping thrill of walking beneath an 876-foot-high bridge on the Bridge Walk Tour. Zipline through the branches of the Appalachians. Take on the whitewater rapids. Climb and rappel among the countless trails.

Or, you know, just hang out at the main New River overlook and absorb the magic of the forest.

3. Find your dangerous side on Bridge Day.

Bridge Day is the exception to that question your mom always asked you: “If (insert friend’s name here) jumped off a bridge, would you?”

On the third Saturday of each October, New River Gorge Bridge shuts down to traffic for six hours to allow the most daring of daring to hurl themselves off the bridge and seize the ultimate adrenaline rush. It ranks as one of the most extreme sporting events in the world, and only in West Virginia can you BASE jump from 876 feet and tumble among brilliant golds, tangerines, and rubies of crisp autumn foliage.

4. Visit the legendary Greenbrier.

When I came here for the first time, my mother told me I was a princess. She didn’t have to tell me twice. Also known as “America’s Resort,” this pristine mansion in the heart of the Alleghenys has a rich history, beginning with its use as a hospital to both the north and south during the Civil War. During the Cold War the Greenbrier harbored a classified underground bunker. Yes, presidents frequented these hallways.

Walking inside today is like traveling back in time — all Dorothy Draper with spiral staircases, marble-checkered floors, pastel wallpaper, kaleidoscope curtains, plush chairs, glimmering chandeliers and fireplaces. That’s just the inside. The Greenbrier is also home to healing White Sulphur Springs spa waters and top-notch golf and tennis facilities. It also hosts summer sporting events like The Greenbrier Golf Classic and the Champions Tennis Classic. And the town of Lewisburg, The Greenbrier’s next door neighbor, is well worth exploring.

5. Have a local brew at Stumptown Ales.

In the mountains of Davis, WV, Stumptown Ales is known for its relaxed vibe and house-brewed ales. Started by two men who bonded over years of sharing hops, the idea of a brewery was the obvious next step.

The name “Stumptown” keeps a bit of Davis history alive by paying homage to the original timber town of days past, when neighbors could reach each other’s houses by jumping from tree stump to tree stump. Stumptown’s shining 21-foot red-oak bar is the main attraction, where eight taps boast Stumptown’s own double and triple IPAs. Try their Over the Tip Top Breakfast Stout, which features coffee from Tip Top Coffee Shop in nearby Thomas.

6. Grab dinner at Livery Tavern.

The locally-driven menu at the Livery Tavern in Lewisburg changes according to the season and the availability of vegetables in the restaurant’s herb and vegetable garden, as well as whatever fish and livestock is available from nearby farmers. Go early to unwind near the stone fireplace.

Tip: The wine menu is excellent.

7. Get spooked touring Moundsville State Penitentiary.

Beyond the hulking towers of this dark fortress, broken furniture and chipped paint litter the tattered floors. Filthy cells with grim lighting and haunting graffiti tell grim tales of being locked inside — maybe forever. The Department of Justice still refers to The Moundsville State Penitentiary or West Virginia Penitentiary as a one of the top ten most violent correctional facilities in the nation, with deaths totaling 998 inmates between its operating years of 1866-1995. The prison has also earned its title as one of the most haunted in the United States.

On guided tours, expect to experience the brutal living quarters and working areas, prisoners’ artwork and Old Sparky, the electric chair responsible for nine deaths before West Virginia abolished the death penalty. For those who would rather seek the light, there’s always the Elizabethtown Festival, a BYOB ‘Sip n’ Seek’, and kickass Halloween events.

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