There are plenty of top-rated WV entertainment travel attractions for value tourists like yourself. West Virginia is the perfect all-season destination for your next family vacation or solo travel getaway. From historic small towns to beautiful mountain resorts, there is truly something for everybody. After you are done soaking up the history and experiencing the outdoor adventures within the state, you can begin to experience some local entertainment. From fabulous restaurants, live music, and sports, there is plenty to do in the Mountain State. To help you plan your next getaway, read on to learn about the top-rated West Virginia entertainment travel attractions for value tourists.
Head To Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is an excellent place to start your entertainment and food travel itinerary in West Virginia. Once in town, you will find Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream shop. Serves healthy lunch options as well. 225 Capitol Street
For dinner head to 1010 Bridge. They serve Appalachian style farm to table food. 1010 Bridge Rd. Learn more at 1010bridge.com
To finish off your evening, go out for some local entertainment. Mountain Stage is a two hour live radio program that airs on 240 public radio stations across America. You will see four or five local and regional musicians perform 15 minute sets. Some of the superstars who had their first national exposure here are Norah Jones, Barenaked Ladies, Counting Crows, Phish and R.E.M. The shows are at the Culture Center Theater, on the grounds of the West Virginia State Capitol complex. More details at mountainstage.org
Stop into Taylor Books to browse while you are in town. It is an independent bookstore, coffee shop, café and art gallery. They also feature the local Charleston Brewing Company beers on tap. Taylor Books is the only local outlet for Mountain Stage tickets. Jennifer Garner likes to go there when she is in town visiting family. Located at 226 Capitol Street.
20 minutes from Charleston in Elkview, you can have an adrenaline rush by attending a live Crowder Auction and grab yourself some deals. They sell merchandise from QVC which has extra inventory and returns. Go to the Crowder Auction Facebook page for more information.
Experience Some West Virginia Sports Travel
Looking for some baseball excitement? Go see the Minor League class A Pittsburgh Pirates team. Some of the superstar players who started there were Willie Randolph of the NY Yankees 1975 and Ryan Braun Milwaukee Brewers 2009. The team plays in Charleston and the economic impact of the West Virginia Power baseball team is nearly 3 million dollars to the city each season. Check out the home schedule for April thru September at www.milb.com
Down in Wheeling, West Virginia, you can even experience some great local hockey. The Wheeling Nailers, is a minor league affiliate of the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins and play at the Wesbanco Arena. This organization has developed more NHL talent than any other team in ECHL history. 59 former Nailers reached the NHL. www.wheelingnailers.com
Check Out Some Hand-Blown Glass In Milton
A short drive outside of Charleston in Milton, you can take a tour of the family owned and operated Blenko Glass Factory. They have been in Milton since 1921. They are known for the color, skilled craftsmen, and imaginative designs in hand-blown glass.
The Air Force Academy Chapel in Colorado, the Navy Academy Chapel in Annapolis, the Washington Cathedral in Washington, D.C. and thousands of other locations feature Blenko Glass. www.blenko.com
Drive Down To Wheeling, West Virginia
The city is located in between Columbus, OH and Pittsburgh, PA. It is also just 175 miles from Charleston. It was also the home of country superstar Brad Paisley.
Learn About The West Virginia Native, Brad Paisley
Son of a schoolteacher and transportation worker, Brad Paisley graduated John Marshall High School. During his childhood, he learned how to play guitar from his grandfather, Warren. Eventually, Paisley would go on to play at rotary clubs, churches, as well as parties for Christmas or Mother’s Day. Years later, he would be invited to a radio station in Wheeling where he would make regular appearances on a show known as Jamboree USA.
Experience The Nostalgia Of Wheeling
In the city of Wheeling, you will be brought back to your childhood! Expect to see toys you had growing up at the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum. They have a Transportation Room that consists of toy vehicles. The Train Room has all train lines including Lionel. The Miniatures Room displays tin soldiers and action figures. In the Doll Room you will see the display of dolls and dollhouses. Finally, the Game Room has board games and pinball machines. $ 12 age 18 and older. Students $ 6 www.toyandtrain.com
Eat Some Classic West Virginia Dishes
Grab breakfast or lunch downtown at The Public Market. They feature local farmers. Products from over 40 regional farmers and vendors are sold. 1401 Main Street.
Need your morning coffee? Stop in a local favorite, Coffee and Spice. They offer over 50 varieties of coffees and coffee related products. Located at 13 Fourteenth St.
Coleman is well known for its famous fish sandwich. Consisting of two slices of white bread supporting fried fish filets, simple but delicious. One of the most famous destinations for this WV treat is the Center Market House. Located on 2200 Market St, this West Virginia establishment has been serving up food for over 100 years.
Coleman also offers the “Canadian white” sandwich (a bit more mild tasting than the regular fish), shrimp, clams, oysters, crabs, and catfish. Coleman’s remains a West Virginia staple since 1914.
The Vagabond Kitchen is the Ohio Valley’s premier location for innovative quality food. It is in the heart of downtown. 1201 Market St
Take In The Great Outdoors
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the 17 miles of paved roads in Wheeling for walking, jogging and bicycling. Of course, as the Mountain State, there is plenty more to experience in West Virginia. To learn more, check out our West Virginia outdoor travel guide for adventure seekers. In the meantime, be sure to read our all-season Jackson Hole Wyoming travel and recreation guide.
Stay At A Local Bed & Breakfast
Check out Bonnie Dwaine B&B in Glen Dale for your stay. All five guest rooms have a private adjoining bathroom and a fireplace. A gourmet breakfast is served Saturday and Sunday and an extended continental breakfast is served during the week. $ 109 weekdays and $ 119 weekends. Learn more at Bonnie-Dwaine.com
Experience The West Virginia Nightlife
Looking for something to do in the evenings? Check out the online calendar of the Oglebay Institute. Since 1930 it has been the cultural hub of Wheeling. Hundreds of public events and performances are held each year from art exhibits, theater productions, jazz concerts and culinary events. oionline.com
Visit The World-Famous Greenbrier Resort
If you are looking to experience a world class resort but don’t want to spend the crazy bucks to stay there, head to the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs for the day. Check out their daily activities schedule online and join in if you see something of interest. www.greenbrier.com The cost of each activity is listed on the website. Non-registered guests are welcome but on weekends and other high occupancy time periods dining and all other activities are only available to registered guests.
Non-registered guests are asked to park across the street from the main entrance in the train depot lot and call 304-536-1110 upon arrival for a shuttle to the hotel. If the occupancy levels are low enough during non-holiday weekdays, non-registered guests are welcome on property for select activities. Bunker tours, escape room, golf, tennis, horseback riding, carriage/sleigh rides, spa services, gun club, off-road driving, etc.), based on availability.
You would not have access to The Casino Club, swimming pools, fitness center, history tours, theatre, fishing, afternoon tea, Adventure Zone or childcare services.
Photograph Some Beautiful West Virginia Covered Bridges
From the resort you are also not far from beautiful covered bridges if you don’t mind a little drive. One in Union from 1903, One from 1899 in Hokes Mill and Herns Mill in Asbury from 1889. There are 17 covered bridges in total scattered across West Virginia. A photographer’s dream.
Drink Some Local Craft Beverages
Very close to Herns Mill, stop by the Hawk Knob in Lewisburg. They produce local craft beverages like cider made from West Virginia apples. Commercial hard ciders use pressed juice concentrate. Hawk Knob uses only local apples that were used traditionally in cider making. they don’t add sulfites or sugar and do not filter. The cider goes through a 10 month bourbon barrel aging cycle. hawkknob.com
Learn About Some West Virginian Hollywood Legends
West Virginia takes pride in the people who grew up there and made it big! Jesse Donald (Don) Knotts, born in Morgantown, was well known for his roles on TV and in the movies. He was most famous for playing Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith Show as well as the landlord on the very popular TV show Three’s Company. Don’s presence is felt everywhere in Morgantown. He grew up there attending Morgantown HS. You will drive on Don Knotts Blvd and then head to the Don Knotts Statue, which is on High St.
While you are paying your respects in Morgantown to Don Knotts, have a fabulous dinner at Hill & Hollow. It is a quality West Virginia restaurant and offers locally-grown ingredients and Appalachian cuisine. It is only open for dinner. hillandhollowwv.com
12 miles from Morgantown is the Modern Homestead Guest House in Reedsville. A deluxe one bedroom will run you $ 95. Contact them at 304-864-4333.
If you want to see the most famous athlete from West Virginia, go see the life-sized, bronze statue of Jerry West, at the WVU Coliseum. If you look at the globally-recognized logo of the NBA, you will see it is Jerry West from the Los Angeles Lakers.
The most recent homegrown celebrity is Jennifer Garner from Charleston. She took ballet lessons for nine years from her H.S. Math teacher/ballet studio owner and graduated George Washington H.S. in 1990. You may even have a sighting when you are there because she goes back often to visit.
Visit The Birthplace Of Mother’s Day: Grafton, WV
If you are passing through anywhere near Grafton, stop to see the Mother’s Day Shrine. This church was where the first Mother’s Day observance took place May 10, 1908. It became a national holiday six years later. Anna Jarvis recalled that when she was 12, her mom, in a Sunday School class, called for a day honoring mothers. Mrs. Jarvis taught Sunday School at that church for 25 years.
When her mom died in 1905, Anna pledged to fulfill her mother’s wish. She accomplished this goal when President Woodrow Wilson on May 9, 1914, signed a declaration officially recognizing the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Located right at 11 East Main St. Call them by contacting 304-265-1589.
Try Your Luck With West Virginia Gambling
If you are a fan of gambling and casinos, there is plenty for you to do in West Virginia. WV law permits video lottery games, as well as licensed horse and dog racing. For travelers looking to get in on the action, be sure to stop by the Hollywood Casino, Max’s Place, and the Mardi Gras Casino & Resort. Most of these establishments offer accommodations, coupled with dining, gambling, and racing. Certainly, be sure to try your hand at gambling on your West Virginia entertainment vacation.
Listen To Some Traditional Mountain Music
Of course, no West Virginia entertainment getaway is complete without listening to some authentic mountain music. Mountain music is well defined by its smooth strings, familiar rhythms, and soothing vocals. To soak up some West Virginia tunes, be sure to visit during the Vandalia Gathering, Appalachian String Band Festival, or the West Virginia State Folk Festival. The Charleston Vandalia Gathering in May brings together the finest traditional Appalachian musicians for a weekend of great picking. You will enjoy fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar contests, and concerts in the State Theater in the evenings. The string band festival, located in southern West Virginia near Babcock State Park, is a five day August mountaintop gathering of musicians with contests, concerts, workshops, square dances, camping and a hymn-sing. The folk festival begins the third Thursday in June in the city of Glenville. See antique cars, quilt shows, and Appalachian arts and crafts. You will be treated to the sounds of banjo and fiddle contests, jam sessions in the streets, old-time gospel singing, and oral traditions. If there are not any festivals currently taking place, try to catch a concert at local venues like 123 Pleasant Street or The Grove. If you are a fan of music travel, be sure to check out our guide on how to experience traditional Fado in Lisbon Portugal.
Learn How I Saved Over $15,274 On Booking Flights, Hotels, & Entire Vacations
This expert guide on "Travel Hacking Tactics To Slash Vacation Costs" has personally saved me over $15,274. Within the guide, you will learn how to:
Understand Credit Report
Impact On Travel
Leverage Travel Hacking
Credit Cards
Earn Substantial Travel
Miles & Points
Maximize Credit Card
Loyalty Programs