Cornerstone Guide

100 Best Things to Do in West Virginia

The definitive Mountain State bucket list — from whitewater gorges and waterfalls to steam trains, mountain towns and hidden overlooks. Pick a category and start planning.

West Virginia crams an extraordinary amount of adventure into a small state. These 100 experiences are organized by category so you can build a trip around whatever you love — hiking, paddling, history, food or simply a great view. Each item links to a complete guide where one exists, and the whole list is mirrored on our WV Bucket List where you can check items off.

Outdoor Adventure

01Raft the New River GorgeClass III–IV whitewater through the gorge. 02Raft the Gauley RiverWorld-class Class V Gauley Season each fall. 03Hike the Endless Wall TrailCliff-top views above the New River. 04Walk beneath the New River Gorge BridgeDrive Fayette Station Road to river level. 05Rock climb Nuttall sandstoneSome of the East's best sport climbing. 06Hike Seneca RocksSwitchbacks to a razorback summit. 07Stand atop Spruce KnobThe highest point in West Virginia. 08Backpack Dolly SodsAlpine-like plateaus and bogs. 09Ride the Hatfield-McCoy Trails700+ miles of off-road trails. 10Bike Snowshoe's parkLift-served downhill and XC trails. 11Fish a mountain trout streamCranberry, Shavers Fork and more. 12Paddle Summersville LakeTurquoise water and cliffs. 13Camp in the MonongahelaDispersed forest camping. 14Ski or snowboard at SnowshoeThe Southeast's biggest resort. 15Catch sunrise at Bear RocksDolly Sods' iconic overlook. 16Watch elk at Chief LoganWest Virginia's reintroduced herds. 17Boat Stonewall Jackson LakeQuiet water and coves. 18Hunt whitetail in the highlandsPublic WMA and national forest land.

Waterfalls & Scenery

19See Blackwater Falls57-foot amber waterfall. 20Visit Sandstone FallsThe New River's widest falls. 21Hike to Falls of Hills CreekThree falls in a gorge. 22Find Elakala FallsA short walk from Blackwater Lodge. 23Chase Cathedral FallsA roadside cascade on US-60. 24Photograph Glade Creek Grist MillWest Virginia's most pictured scene. 25Overlook Grandview1,400 feet above the New River. 26Stand at Hawks NestA 1,000-foot view of the New River. 27Visit Canyon Rim Visitor CenterBoardwalk views of the bridge. 28Hike to Lindy PointBlackwater Canyon's best view. 29Drive for fall foliagePeak color across the highlands. 30Drive the New River GorgeFayette Station and the rim roads.

History & Culture

31Ride the Cass Scenic RailroadSteam Shay locomotives to Bald Knob. 32Visit Green Bank ObservatoryThe world's largest steerable radio telescope. 33Explore Harpers FerryWhere the Potomac meets the Shenandoah. 34Go underground at the Beckley Coal MineA living history mine tour. 35Wander ghost town ThurmondA preserved railroad boomtown. 36Tour the Bramwell mansionsCoal-boom Victorian homes. 37Visit Droop Mountain BattlefieldWest Virginia's largest Civil War battle. 38Tour the WV State CapitolA gold-domed Charleston landmark. 39Discover TamarackJuried WV art, crafts and food. 40Cross the Wheeling Suspension BridgeA 1849 engineering landmark. 41See the Pearl S. Buck BirthplaceHillsboro's literary history. 42Browse Hinton & the Railroad MuseumA Victorian New River town.

Towns, Drives & Food

43Drive the Highland Scenic HighwayFour overlooks atop the Alleghenies. 44Drive Route 60Midland Trail through the gorge country. 45Ride the Highland Scenic Highway23 miles of high-country views. 46Stroll downtown LewisburgAmerica's Coolest Small Town. 47Shop and eat in ThomasArt galleries and live music. 48Basecamp in DavisBlackwater and Canaan Valley. 49Soak in Berkeley SpringsHistoric warm springs baths. 50Wander MarlintonOpera house and river trail. 51Eat pepperoni rollsWest Virginia's signature snack. 52Try a Tudor's BiscuitA Mountain State breakfast institution. 53Attend Bridge DayBASE jumpers over the gorge. 54Join the Vandalia GatheringOld-time music and crafts in Charleston.

…and 46 more experiences

Our full 100-item list continues across the state's parks, rivers, small towns and hidden corners. Check off every one on the WV Bucket List, then browse the category guides for details.

Open the WV Bucket List Browse Attractions

Related guides

Attractions

Top places to visit statewide.

Hidden Gems

Underrated places to visit.

Family Activities

Things to do with kids.

Free Things to Do

Big experiences, no admission.

Things to do in West Virginia FAQ

What is West Virginia best known for?

Whitewater rafting, the New River Gorge, mountain scenery, state parks, the Hatfield-McCoy ATV trails and historic railroad towns.

Are there free things to do?

Yes — national park trails, state forest overlooks, scenic drives, downtown walking tours and many festivals are free or low cost.

How many days do I need?

Three to seven days lets you combine two or three regions. A single region can fill a long weekend.

About

Discover WV Today is an independent travel and outdoor guide dedicated to helping visitors discover the best places, outdoor adventures, small towns, state parks, historic sites and hidden gems throughout West Virginia. Learn more about us →