Did you know that West Virginia is only two states away from Michigan?! I must have missed that day in geography class, because I was shocked to see it was only a 6.5 hour drive from our house to the Airbnb that we stayed in located in Central West Virginia.
Similar to last year, my husband and I wanted to take our kids somewhere for Spring Break that would have slightly better weather than home, but would also be an easy drive for us. After doing some looking around, we landed on West Virginia. Having never visited there before, we researched lots of things to do. I couldn’t believe how many National Parks the state has!
We had a great time traveling around West Virginia for a week. I’m sharing some of the best highlights from our trip. Maybe it will inspire you to plan your own, or just learn more about the state!
National Parks + Outdoor Adventures in West Virginia
Cathedral Falls | Gauley Bridge, WV 25085
Located right off the side of the road. You can pull right in and walk up to the gorgeous waterfall. My kids thought it was super cool.
Hawks Nest State Park | 49 Hawks Nest Rd, Ansted, WV 25812, (304) 658-5212
This place has the best gift shop out of all the state parks we visited. There’s also a really nice restaurant on location as well. They’re building an awesome sightseeing ride that will be completed in the next year or so.
Kanawha Falls | Gauley Bridge, WV 25085
Pro tip: Head there for lunch. Glen Ferris Inn is located right on the falls. Have yourself a very relaxing afternoon.
Kanawha State Forest | 7500 Kanawha State Forest Dr, Charleston, WV 25314, (304) 558-3500
Huge and so much to do! We had a picnic in one of the park locations, played on numerous playgrounds, walked some trails, and even got to pet some horses at the barn.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve | 4700 Grandview Rd, Beaver, WV 25813
Breathtaking views! The park has numerous locations and sightseeing opportunities. Plenty of hiking and camping options, and some great waterfalls to visit.
Attractions in West Virginia You Must Visit
Haddad River Front Park | 601-699 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV 25301
On the banks of the Kanawha River, Haddad Riverfront Park is home to the city’s free concert series, Live on the Levee. Check the schedule before you go!
Rail Explorers: Elk River Division | 874 Buffalo Creek Rd, Clay, WV 25043, (877) 833-8588
I was so bummed that this attraction didn’t open until after our visit. If you’re visiting the area after the opening day in April, schedule a tour! It looked super cool.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Spot
Avampato Discovery Museum | 1 Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301, (304) 561-3500
My kids could have stayed here all day! With three floors of interactive activities, it’s a great place to visit on a rainy day. The water room was especially our favorite.
Favorite Place for Sweet Treats
Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream | 225 Capitol St, Charleston, WV 25301, (304) 343-6488
It’s homemade ice cream . . . does it even need an explanation?! Everyone we encountered in downtown Charleston told us to go there, and we’re so glad we did!
Restaurants You’ll Love
Fife Street Brewing | 180 Summers St, Charleston, WV 25301, (304) 346-3433
Part of “Brewers Row” in downtown Charleston, West Virginia. Fife was our favorite! Make a fun day out of walking to each one and try out the brews they have to offer.
The Historic Glen Ferris Inn | 9022 Midland Trail Route 60, Glen Ferris, WV 25090, (304) 632-1112
A historic hotel located in Glen Ferris, West Virginia, offering picturesque views of Kanawha Falls. Talk about a real southern home-cooked meal! The food here was delicious, even down to the homemade rolls. I had trout and my husband had the baked steak. We talked about it for days!
Pies & Pints | 222 Capitol St, Charleston, WV 25301, (304) 342-7437
We ordered a few different pizzas, you can’t go wrong with anything! The restaurant is kid-friendly and has a great vibe. Highly recommend if you’re in the city.
Bonus Tips to West Virginia
- If you’re visiting Charleston in the summer, be sure to check out their summer music guide! They do live shows right in the park on Fridays.
- Charge your phone and bring good GPS. So many roads and back roads along the mountainside! It’s quite the adventure.
- Plan your days ahead of time. Before we left, I scheduled our days as best as I could. There’s so much to do and driving can take up a lot of your time! Our Airbnb was about 45-50 minutes from everything we wanted to do.
