Here for a short time or want a calmer day during your vacation? We got the itinerary for you.
There’s a chill in the air, we are layering our sweaters, and, along with the wildlife around us, we are slowing down for the colder months. While we still enjoy a crisp walk in the woods and scenic sights, we aim to savor the small moments and relish in the comfort of the season ahead. Here’s our suggestion on how to spend 24 cozy hours in each area of Southern West Virginia.
Beckley-Raleigh County
Morning
Start your day with fresh-baked cinnamon rolls or bagels from Uptown Dish in the heart of Beckley. This intimate eatery features comfortable seating options to relax in while you sip morning coffee or a Lotus Energy drink.
After waking up with coffee and a filling meal, it’s time to enjoy the morning rays at a scenic overlook. Drive over to Grandview at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and walk a few steps to the main overlook. Take in the endless sky and mountain tops, intersected by the New River. If you would like, there are more views down the Grandview Rim trail at the North Overlook, just a short walk through the woods from the Main Overlook. No matter where you’re looking, remember your camera and your bird guide, as turkey vultures and hawks frequently fly through the valley.
Afternoon
After a slow morning of taking in one of the area’s most iconic sights, move on to Tamarack Marketplace. Explore the artisan goods made in West Virginia by West Virginians. This is the perfect place to pick up gifts for loved ones. Once you’ve finished browsing, sit down and taste the flavors of Appalachia in Tamarack Marketplace’s restaurant. However, there’s more than just seeing and tasting here; there’s creation. Appalachia is a place of pride in handmade and artisan goods, and one of those goods is blown glass. Glass Dimensions is a studio within Tamarack where you can blow your own glass. Under the guidance of glass-blowing expert John DesMeules, you can make your own glass piece and have it mailed to you for an added fee.
Once you finish glass blowing and browsing the art at Tamarack, visit the Chocolate Moose for a warm drink, a seat by the fire, and maybe a board game. The Chocolate Moose has a lot to offer, from specialty coffees, teas, and hot chocolates to ice cream, a full 18-hole mini-golf course (seasonal), and indoor rock climbing.
More options: Sometimes the fix for a chilly day is a bowl of noodles. Dive into a dish of comfort at Young Chow’s, West Virginia’s oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant.
When snow starts piling up, spend an afternoon on the slopes of Winterplace Ski Resort.
Evening
After warming up at the Chocolate Moose, wander down Harper Road to Black Circle Bistro to finish your day with a fresh burger made with locally sourced beef. Black Circle Bistro takes pride in sourcing ingredients locally, and, if not, at least regionally. The experience doesn’t stop at the “y’allternative” cuisine. Top off the night with a game of pinball and a cookie to go for dessert.
Burger photo credit: Black Circle Bistro Facebook
Northern New River Gorge and Fayetteville
Morning
A hidden gem in Ansted, West Virginia, is Gran Robbie’s. A cafe featuring local art offers a myriad of coffee drinks and breakfast plates to begin your day. From delicious breakfast sandwiches on ciabatta to croissant French toast topped with maple cheesecake cream, there’s no way to go wrong.
After your hearty breakfast, drive down the road to Hawks Nest State Park’s overlook. This spot is less crowded than nearby scenic spots, so it’s a great place to relax, breathe deeply, and soak in a grand view in soft morning light.
Next on the list is taking a drive down Fayette Station Road. This road is a driving tour through the northern section of the New River Gorge National Park. Follow the paved path and stop at various sections to get views of the New River Gorge Bridge. At the bottom of the gorge, park, and explore the shores of the New River.
More options: Starting your day in the heart of Fayetteville? Get your breakfast at Wood Iron Eatery for a hearty, made-from-scratch breakfast.
Afternoon
Fayette Station Road ends at the town of Fayetteville. By now, you may have worked up an appetite, so stop by Cathedral Cafe for a panini or one of their all-day breakfast menu items. As the name suggests, Cathedral Cafe sits in a converted cathedral. While eating a warm meal and sipping a refreshing drink, delight in warm colors shining through stained-glass windows. Before you leave, head upstairs to the gift shop.
Stepping outside of the cafe, you find yourself in downtown Fayetteville. Now is the perfect time to walk the main strip of small businesses. Heading left outside of Cathedral Cafe, you’ll find boutiques, antique stores, and adventure gear shops like Water Stone Outdoors. To your right, you’ll find the Visit Fayetteville visitor center, The Stache ice cream shop, and Wisteria’s Gifts. One notable stop outside of town is Dove’s Village. Found along Route 19, Dove’s Village is a curated shop featuring rustic and farmhouse decor.
End your afternoon outing with an escape room challenge. Escape-A-Torium features three engaging games—all West Virginia-themed. Escape from a Hatfield house in the heat of the Hatfield-McCoy feud, or try to get a secret Cold War bunker operational before bombs strike down, or uncover the truth behind a haunted vacation rental. Each escape room features tricky puzzles that require collaboration and out-of-the-box thinking.
Evening
Your brain was working hard, and now you need nourishment. Luckily, you’re in the heart of Fayetteville. The perfect places to wind down your day with dinner are Pies & Pints Pizzeria or Secret Sandwich Society. At Pies & Pints Pizzeria, specialty pizzas and local beers are the go-to. They offer wild flavors like street corn as well as more traditional staples like margherita. Secret Sandwich Society hosts a variety of hot sandwiches, salads, burgers, and craft cocktails. At either location, you’ll be ending the night with a belly full of comfort food.
More options: Want the night to go on? Drop by The History Morris Harvey House Inn for a sip at Rosa’s Speakeasy.
Summersville
Morning
There’s nothing like starting your day with a big, buttery biscuit, and West Virginia is the only place where you can find a Tudor’s Biscuit World—voted as the best biscuit in the South. Whether you’re grabbing a plate of eggs, meat, and biscuit goodness or just a breakfast sandwich to go, the moment you bite into a Tudor’s biscuit is the exact moment you start planning your next trip to West Virginia. If you just want to relax with a great cup of coffee, Gad Dam Brewing is the place to go. Curl up by the fireplace with a latte and your favorite reading material to ease into your day.
With a full belly, you’re ready to start your day. Begin by taking in some of the iconic sights just outside of Summersville. Drive to the Long Point overlook, where you’ll see Long Point jutting out into Summersville Lake. During the fall and winter, Summersville Lake is drained into the Gauley River, creating an otherworldly landscape. After this brief visit, wander to Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park. This park was the site of a Civil War battle that ensured West Virginia’s succession from Virginia and kept the new state part of the United States rather than falling into Confederate hands. The grounds feature paths cutting through old-growth forest if you’d like to go for a morning stroll, or you can simply sit and enjoy the main overlook at the park, peering down to the Gauley River below.
After a morning in the outdoors, drive south to Gauley River Pottery. Mary Bethune handmakes whitewater-inspired mugs, bowls, platters, and more. Since each piece of stoneware is hand-crafted, each piece is unique. You can take a piece home knowing it’s ovenproof, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe.
Afternoon
Next stop is lunch. There’s nothing like the comfort of cheese on a chilly day, and The Market and Drinkery is ready to serve. Settle down with a variety of grilled cheeses or bowls of mac n’ cheese. Once you’ve finished your filling meal, look around the shop to browse goods made in West Virginia.
With a belly full of food, it’s time to wander. Drive to the Gauley National Recreation Area by the Summersville Dam. Following the winding road to the base of the Summersville Dam, visitors can watch the dam release water from the lake into the Gauley River from the lower viewing platform. Return to the main parking area and explore the shore of the Gauley River before getting back in the car and heading to Kirkwood Winery and Isaiah Morgan Distillery for a wine tasting and a cocktail.
Evening
If, at the end of the day, you are still hungry, we recommend visiting The Tractor Bar. Housed in an old farm equipment dealership, The Tracor Bar is a unique roadhouse often hosting live music and events.
Photo Credit: The Tractor Bar Facebook
Hinton and Pipestem
Morning
Rise and shine with a coffee and pastry from Otter Cafe. Located in the upstairs section of Otter & Oak, Otter Cafe offers a variety of coffee drinks to choose from and features local art for sale. Once you’re done sipping, venture downstairs to browse the styles and outdoor goods at the Otter & Oak boutique.
Hinton’s Historic District is the beating heart of Hinton. Wander down Temple Street to the Hinton Railroad Museum to learn about the rail industry, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, and how the trains running through the area were a major travel artery for people and goods. Further down and across the street is Hinton Outfitters. Take a step inside for specially designed souvenirs for Hinton and the surrounding areas.
Once you’re done exploring Hinton’s main strip, drive across the bridge and up to Sandstone Falls. Sandstone Falls is the largest waterfall on the New River, stretching 80 feet across. Various views of the falls can be seen from the boardwalk—a flat, quarter-mile path that goes through Sandstone Island. As one of West Virginia’s most iconic landmarks, Sandstone Falls is a photo-ready destination, so remember to bring your camera.
Afternoon
After a morning of shopping and roaming, head back to Hinton for lunch. The Market on Courthouse Square serves salads, burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. Make sure to leave room for dessert—they have a whole fridge dedicated to pies, cheesecakes, cakes, and cookies.
Once you’re full of warm food, it’s time to head to Pipestem Resort State Park. The first place to go to in the park is the Almost Heaven swing. Located at a scenic overlook near the Pipestem Championship Golf Course, the Almost Heaven swing looks over the Bluestone Gorge and peaks of the surrounding mountains. This is just a taste of the views to come. Next, head to the Pipestem Aerial Tram. West Virginia State Parks recently renovated this tram system to feature a new, spacious gondola that glides passengers down the gorge to the Mountain Creek Lodge. On the way down, riders can take in the breathtaking mountain landscape. Once you’re at the bottom, either head back up or go for a walk along the Bluestone National Scenic River. This tram is open seasonally, until December 16. Once snow hits the ground, stop by the pro shop for cross-country ski or sled rentals.
Evening
When you’re back at the top of the mountain or ready to come in from the snow, we recommend heading to McKeever Lodge within Pipestem Resort State Park. The lodge’s lobby is perfect for reading in a cozy chair with a book by the fire and looking up to see rolling hills through its panoramic windows. At dinner time, go to the Bluestone Dining Room for a meal with fresh, seasonal produce and meats provided by West Virginia farmers.
Union, Alderson and Lewisburg
Morning
This area of Southern West Virginia is known for its farmlands and historic downtowns. Start your morning in Lewisburg with a cup of coffee from the Wild Bean. Continue moving through the main strip of town on Washington Street and browse through the numerous boutiques and stores, such as Brick House Antiques—a nine-room shop of collectibles.
When you’ve worked up an appetite, pop into The Humble Tomato for pizza or pasta. The Humble Tomato makes its own pizza sauce,hand-tossed pizza dough, and pasta. They also work with local farmers to ensure the freshest ingredients. The food is excellent, and the atmosphere stays true to the historic home that houses the restaurant. Between the carbs and hearth, it’s the perfect place to relax and dine in comfort.
More options: The Pomona Salt Cave and Spa in White Sulphur Springs is not far from Lewisburg. Enjoy a relaxing massage treatment or pass through a hobbit-hole-like door to the salt cave to relax in a lounge for halotherapy.
Afternoon
The next stop we recommend is across the street at the Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum. The Greenbrier Historical Society’s museum is well-researched and dives into the Colonial, Civil War, and Civil Rights history of Greenbrier County. The displays and tours reveal the nuances of early American conflicts and how our history leaves a legacy to the issues we see today.
Continuing with the historic theme, drive to Alderson to shop at the oldest family-owned store in West Virginia. In operation since 1887, Alderson’s sells an eclectic collection of antiques and gifts. Next, go across the street to the Alderson Artisan’s Gallery. The gallery showcases work by local artisans, including sculptures, photographs, paintings, prints, pottery, metalworks, and more.
Evening
To finish off the day, drive south to Old World Libations. This farm winery grows many of its own ingredients, and when the ingredients are missing, the vintners try to source locally. Old World Libations focuses on quality ingredients, environmental sustainability, and a welcoming atmosphere. Relax on their patio or in their tasting room, sipping a glass of mead and delighting in a cheese plate.
Mullens, Princeton, and Bluefield
Morning
Start the day with a fluffy and buttery biscuit from Tudor’s Biscuit World. Found only in West Virginia, Tudor’s biscuits were named “The South’s Best Biscuit” by Garden and Gun. Once you taste one, you’ll see why.
Twin Falls Resort State Park in Mullens, West Virginia, is over 3,700 acres of wilderness, trails, and park amenities. Spend the morning walking the falls trail to both of the park’s waterfalls. Relax in the wooded surroundings while watching the water cascade. If the falls aren’t flowing, hike the Cliffside Trail to a scenic overlook. Next, drive to the other side of the park to explore the pioneer homestead. The Pioneer Farm is home to various farm animals and a garden.
To fuel up for a midday meal, head to the lodge for lunch of fresh, locally-sourced food, including vegetables grown within the park at the Pioneer Farm.
Afternoon
After delighting in the fresh foods at the Lodge at Twin Falls Resort State Park, get on 77 and head to Princeton. Mercer Street is full of charming shops and businesses to peruse. Once you’re done, hop back onto the highway to travel to the East River Mountain Overlook. There, you’ll find an Almost Heaven Swing in front of an endless view of the valley below and mountains in the distance.
Evening
We recommend finishing off the day with a dinner at The RailYard. Featured on “America’s Best Restaurants,” The RailYard offers burgers made with high-quality meat and piled high with toppings. We can’t forget to mention the out-of-this-world milkshakes.