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West Virginia is world-famous for rugged, pure magnificence — which incorporates dense forests, waterfalls, and rolling hills — but it surely 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 govt 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 understand the one. “The most effective locations should not all the time the best to get to, however they’re all the time definitely worth the journey,” provides Doug Perks, a historian at Jefferson County Museum in Charles City.
Whereas Welsch likens narrowing down the record 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 specialists, in a position to pinpoint our prime 10. Learn on to see which locations made the reduce.
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 group. They’re so enthusiastic about their city and historical past,” says Emily Sokolosky, co-owner of Base Camp Printing Co. The Cacapon River passes proper by way of city, the place you’ll discover a wide range of domestically owned companies and attention-grabbing methods to move your time. Begin with the Capon Bridge Museum to study extra concerning the vacation spot’s historical past, stretch your legs on The Inexperienced Bridge, and decide 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 situated inside the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, and as Chef Welsch notes, it’s comparatively straightforward to get to, as Interstate 70 crosses by way of the downtown space. “With a multi-million-dollar road beautification mission and scads of native funding, Wheeling has by no means regarded higher,” he says. “And he or she’s rediscovering who she is. Music, meals, tradition, historical past — Wheeling is brimming with all of it.” If you’re on the town, be 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 a number of other must-see sights. He shares that the outdated West Virginia State Penitentiary and the Grave Creek Mound (after which the city is known as) are necessary stops and “two fully totally different faces representing our advanced historical past upon these banks of the Ohio River.” In basic West Virginia type, you’ll additionally discover a wide range of outside 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 lovely, and I have been hanging about these trails since I used to be a wee one. Immerse your self within the light rolling hills, go for a swim, whack some golf balls — you may have a blast,” he says.
Lewisburg
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In response to 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 identified for an unbelievable unbiased restaurant scene, and the historic downtown is stuffed with boutiques and vintage retailers to discover,” he says. In August, it performs host to the State Truthful of West Virginia, dubbed “West Virginia’s Fried Meals Capitol.” And for those who’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 Clean Ambler Spirits and Greenbrier Valley Brewing. Hawk Knob Cidery is close by, as effectively,” says Chef Welsch.
Harpers Ferry
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Chances are you’ll be accustomed to Harpers Ferry from historical past class; Perks notes it was the “website of John Brown’s failed try in 1859 to free enslaved women and men.” In the present day, 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 e-book,” says Haynie, who describes the city as a spot that “prides itself on its group.” When plotting out issues to do within the space, take into account biking the paved walkway alongside the Buckhannon River, taking a kayak out on the water, or respiration within the mountain air whereas traversing native climbing 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 Essential Avenue stuffed 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 right base camp for all types of out of doors 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 received’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 concerning the “twin cities” of Thomas and Davis. “I am so happy with how these little mountain communities have grown up and develop into sustainable locations whereas retaining what makes them distinctive. There’s wonderful artwork, unbelievable meals, nice suds, and breathtaking views,” he says. “It does 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 outdoor 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 attainable,” Welsch suggests.
Fayetteville
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“Fayetteville will all the time 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 outside recreation world.” This description stems from the truth that Fayetteville is situated 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 climbing, climbing, or whitewater rafting (an absolute should) within the park, and Fayetteville has fairly just a few eating places — together with the Secret Sandwich Society and Wanderlust Creativefoods — which will name your identify.
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 record. “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 Japanese Panhandle. There’s additionally the Outdated Opera Home Theatre Firm, climbing trails at Cool Spring Protect, and quite a lot of retailers to browse within the Downtown Charles City Historic District.
