West Virginia

Take a sternwheeler from Parkersburg on the Ohio River to tour this state park and its historic mansion. Hike, bike or camp on the grounds.

An outdoor enthusiast’s dream, this recreation hub near Morgantown offers mountain biking and rock climbing on the Cheat River Canyon rim. Try the Raven Rock Trail to size up the views of one of West Virginia’s northernmost gorges.

This lake’s turquoise water earned it the nickname “Little Bahamas of the East,” but it’s the world-class whitewater (Class IV-V rapids) on the Gauley River here that draws the crowds. Fish, boat, scuba dive or hike the sandstone cliffs.

Ride historic steam-driven locomotives and vintage diesel-powered passenger trains April through December, viewing some of the most remote and untouched areas of the Mountain State, including Monongahela National Forest, along the banks of the Greenbrier and Tygart Valley and Shaver's Fork rivers.

Eastern West Virginia is home to the nation’s largest “quiet zone,” where the Green Bank Observatory picks up radio transmissions from outer space. Visit the science center here to learn what makes this unique facility tick.

This powerful river drives right through the Appalachian Plateau, creating the gorge. A stark contrast to dense forests, cross the western hemisphere’s longest steel arch span on a bridge walk tour. Stride along a catwalk for the vantage point of a lifetime from 260 meters high. Nearby, go zip-lining, rock climbing or whitewater rafting. For a more relaxing experience, tube the river or birdwatch.

Plunge 50 meters below the earth on a tour of these ancient caverns, whose largest chamber measures 18 meters in some areas. Inside you’ll find steps down a well-lit path into a dazzling example of limestone formation.

It may be small, but the town of Harpers Ferry played a big role in the Civil War as the site of John Brown’s raid on the national arsenal. Recount that history through the park’s museums and exhibits, or explore it yourself on the 32 kilometers of trails. See historic structures as well as the point where the Shenandoah River meets the Potomac.

Literally walk through the state’s history on a path that goes from dirt to paved, with plenty of stops that explore West Virginia’s past along the way. The Charleston museum has 60,000 artifacts and exhibits on everything from paleontology to art, as well as a fully reconstructed settler’s cabin.

Stop and see this enormous, extravagant and historic hotel, a National Historic Landmark. Set on a mineral spring, the Greenbrier was built in 1778 and features a special bunker tour, where visitors can go into a declassified Cold War fallout shelter built into the mountainside.