Anatomy of a Cool Small Town

So what makes up a ‘cool’ small town? Well in our humble opinion it’s a combination of many things. It has to be both scenic and historic and MUST be close to some really fun things to see and do. Good eats and unique shops are another thing a town cannot be cool without and last and probably most importantly, you have to have some friendly folks that love rolling out the red carpet to guests.

We invite you to escape the sprawl of the big city and visit southern West Virginia. Why? Well, read on:

Our small towns have racked up a collection of awards and honors for their cultural and entertainment offerings, as well as their charm.

• Fayetteville, “Coolest Small Town” in Budget Travel 2006 and one of USA Today’s “Best Small Towns For Adventure” in 2021 – For its world-class rafting, vast forests, artsy and adventurous townsfolk, and proximity to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, this recreation hub earned the crown.

• Lewisburg, “Coolest Small Town” in Budget Travel 2011 and Southern Living’s “Best Small Town” in 2022 – Home to one of only four Carnegie Halls in the world, Lewisburg’s eclectic arts scene made the top pick.

• Beckley, named to The Smithsonian’s “20 Best Small Towns 2012”- Celebrating its coal heritage roots and Appalachian traditions earned this town a spot on the list.

Why Think Small?

Are you ready to give in to a ‘small-town’ vacation? Just because the towns are small that doesn’t mean the offerings are – here’s a few reasons our small towns are so swoon-worthy:

1. Culture
Southern West Virginia embraces not only the Appalachian heritage it comes from, but also the modern arts and culture that it’s cultivating. Beckley’s Exhibition Coal Mine explores the early lives of West Virginians, while right down the road at Tamarack, today’s artisans congregate to create and share, and just a few blocks away is the Beckley Art Center, which hosts art lessons and exhibits for all ages. Lewisburg’s Carnegie Hall draws in artists of every medium, and the city’s Greenbrier Valley Theatre is a hub for live performances.

2. Adventure

With outdoor playgrounds like the New River Gorge in your back yard, it’s hard not to heed the call of the wilderness. With some of the best rafting in the entire world for beginners and experts alike, an array of rock climbing cliff faces, and thousands of acres of forest to bike, hike, zipline and explore, Fayetteville is easily a top destination for recreation of all sorts. Rustic mountain trails weave throughout southern West Virginia, and much of it still remains “Wild and Wonderful.”

3. Charm

What’s a small town without brazenly unique independent shops? And what are those shops without hospitable shopkeepers to welcome you when you walk in? We couldn’t tell you, because we’re only aware of entrepreneurs who care about their businesses, from experimental culinary locales like Secret Sandwich Society to quirky storefronts stocked with primitives and crafts, like the stores in downtown Lewisburg. You can also sit down in our cozy coffee shops and restaurants  and make new friends. We like people, and we love to chat.

4. Celebration

This love of people means we, southern West Virginians, do a lot of gathering. We find hundreds of reasons to get together and pack as many people as we can into these tiny towns, from the BASE jumping extravaganza on Bridge Day that draws worldwide crowds, to the decadently sweet dessert tastings at the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival to the hot and spicy offerings shared and judged by thousands in Beckley at Chili Night in October.

We take a lot of pride in our small towns, which small southern West Virginia town is your favorite?