Home Travel Guides United States West Virginia (WV) 25 Amazing Hidden Gems in West Virginia. 3. 22, 2023, Up to 60% Off + Exclusive 5% Guaranteed Priceline Coupon, Up to 50% Off Travel Plans with Top Expedia Promo Code, Discount Travel Plans with 50% Off on Hotels.com bookings, 50% Discount on Getaways with Barcel Resort & Hotels, Booking.com Promo Code Up to 50% Off + Extra 10% Off. These iconic hikes in West Virginia are must-sees Seeming mostly wooden and with no hair, one of the women (according to a letter from her brother) is a former resident of the Weston insane asylum. Home of a 28-foot tall stalagmite known as the War Club. When George Washington was only 16, he worked as a surveyors assistant and paid frequent visits to the spa town of Berkeley Springs in West Virginia. Grab one and head out for a picnic lunch. Today, the only inhabitants of the prison compound are the shadow man (a legendary apparition), a few spirits, and the ghost chasers who like exploring the century-old penitentiary. One day a year it is legal to jump off of this astoundingly tall bridge that spans an Appalachian gorge. Whether you splurge for an overnight stay or not, don't miss the Bunker Tour, where you'll discover a former emergency fallout shelter and top-secret government relocation facility for Congress from the Cold War period. The park also features a reconstructed pioneer homestead, where guests can learn about frontier life at the attraction's working farm and gardens. This amusement park in Huntington is a great place to spend the day on rides with the family. West Virginia's mountainous landscape is an outdoor paradise with adventures for all interests and experience levels. The Shepherdstown Museum houses a half-built replica of Rumseys steamboat. Saltville, Virginia Great Channels of Virginia This maze-like slot. On October 16th, 1859, John Brown gathered 22 men, including his three sons and five black men, and declared war on the Harpers Ferry federal complex as a way of retaliating against the practice of slavery. Love West Virginia? See national parks, caves, museums and even the "World's Largest Teapot" on your next West Virginia vacation. Volunteers involved with the decoration wanted to stop at 2,000 but Griffith insisted to make it 3,000 one pumpkin for one resident each. Even though the stone structure isnt the same one from George Washingtons time, today, the bathtub attracts tourists, hikers, and locals alike. West Virginia. A particularly creepy abandoned hospital that sparks interest for lovers of the supernatural. 25 Most Beautiful Hidden Gems in the USA - Attractions of America It's time to change your mind about West Virginia, and if you've found yourself on this page, chances are you're ready for the challenge and a memorable experience. Spectacular mineral formations fill these caves, which have been used for everything from smoking meat to stashing illicit liquor. Club 33, California. West Virginia Tourist Attractions and Oddities Index - Roadside America Whether you prefer a luxury retreat at a world-class resort or a rustic campsite stay under starry night skies, West Virginia has accommodations for every type of traveler. But that's not all. 20 Must See Northern Virginia Hidden Gems Rich in Nature and History This short hike in Babcock State Park will lead you to a hidden pavilion that looks out over a cliff. She communicates her passion for traveling and discovering new cultures with an engaged public through her public speaking, photography and writing that has appeared in magazines all over the globe. There's so much to do that the park offers a variety of overnight accommodations, from tent camping to lodge guest rooms. He was patient, engaging, authentic, and provided an overflowing wealth of true stories and a lifetime of experiences. In 1966, two grave diggers in Clendenin, West Virginia, reported the sighting of a strange winged figure with red eyes. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Here are a few of our favorites. Berkeley Springs State Park 549 State Parks By Bboston8 Shaped by the famous New River Gorge, youll find plenty of riverside activities, outdoor adventures and some of the most extraordinary views. Source: Gregory M. Davis Jr / shutterstock, Archive of the Afterlife "the National Museum of the Paranormal" / Facebook, 40 Places to See in California Before Your Kids Are All Grown Up, 40 Places to See in Florida Before Your Kids Grow Up, 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California, 15 Best Things to Do in Middleborough (MA), Congressional Fallout Shelter at the Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, New Vrindaban Palace of Gold, Moundsville, Berkeley Springs Castle, Berkeley Springs, George Washington's Bathtub, Berkeley Springs, Green Bank: A Town for 'Wi-Fi Refugees', Green Bank, Birthplace of the Steamboat, Shepherdstown. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 15 Secret Places And Hidden Gems In Virginia Natural Chimneys Park The Natural Chimneys Park is located in Augusta County Virginia. I recommend the self guided walking tour to see the massive Green Bank Telescope. The New River Gorge Bridge is regarded as one of the finest mega-bridges in the world and is often considered a huge challenge for fellow motorists. Learn how top attractions and experiences are selected. The 22-acre fishing resort will reconnect you to nature and leave you refreshed and relaxed. It's the season where Almost Heaven comes alive. The sheer scale of this 9,300 acre recreation area means that to truly appreciate it you need to set apart the better part of a week to explore it. Several centuries later, in the 1920s, Conley T. Snidow, a businessman, purchased Clays land and built an amusement park. Shortly after the incident, local residents began to make similar claims, with many blaming the massive creature, nicknamed the Mothman, for the 1967 Silver Bridge collapse and subsequent death of 46 people. Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, also known as Phillips-Sprague Mine in Beckley, West Virginia is a historic coal mine established around 1889 and was intended to be used as a drift mine. was by far our favorite thing to do while staying at the Greenbrier. Can you help further? Tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains, New Vrindaban is a religious community and an unincorporated village owned and managed by the Hare Krishna group. Recent guests have left positive reviews of the resort, commenting that it's both beautiful and clean. In 1942, the mill and the town were sold to Mower Lumber Company, however, in 1960, both were shut down for business as a result of a rapid decline in the timber industry in the area. After that, it changed hands a few times before being acquired by a local couple in 2006. Surprisingly, the shelter was only meant to house the Congressmen and their aids while their family was supposed to find shelter elsewhere. wants to go to Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. To seek revenge, Clay killed several Native Americans. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The Raven Room, Charlottesville Source: JoshBerglund19 / Wikimedia The Raven Room Graham Hamrick spent several years practicing his embalming techniques on fruits and vegetables before he was certain that he could try it on real corpses. Kerry Sanders and Today Show crews were granted access to portions of the bunker where no other cameras have gone! Once connected to the outside world by a single train track, this ghost town is looked after by the National Park Service. Tours provide a unique and in-depth look behind the hidden doors including dormitories, meeting areas and more. Did you know that May 10th is celebrated as Mothers Day in the whole world? The train ride, which affords panoramic views of the Appalachians, lasts about 4.5 hours round trip and includes lunch. The most famous waters are in the Gauley River, between Summersville and Fayetteville, in the Gauley River National Recreation Area. West Virginia has its share of famous spots that everyone visits, and for good reason these places are truly remarkable. One of the best parts of visiting a new area is finding all the surprisingly little spots that dont always make it into the guidebooks. Rushing waterfalls. You can find it in western VA near Shenandoah National Park. America's post-nuclear-attack chambers of Congress. Loved and maintained by the residents of Chester, West Virginia the structure has gained the respected title of the largest teapot in the world since 2015. See national parks, caves, museums and even the "World's Largest Teapot" on your next West Virginia vacation. These cabins allow you to bask in the beauty of West Virginia's nature, while still enjoying all the modern amenities. This attraction, which was first discovered in 1942, also includes a museum and gift shop. Burton Ervin was the first man to discover the possibility and make the first BASE jump. Admission $22 for adults and $12.50 for those younger than 18 includes the tour and access to the camp and museum. You can take a two-hour round trip to Whittaker station, a five-hour round trip to Bald Knob, or a five-hour round trip to Spruce Ghost Town. At 876 feet above the rapids and 3,030 feet-long, the staggering Gorge Bridge became a hotspot for BASE jumpers within just two years after it was opened to the public. The area which spans more than 70,000 acres has long been a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. If you're road-tripping through West Virginia, consider making a stop at this quirky attraction, which measures 12 feet high and 44 feet wide. Previous visitors highly recommend Lost World Caverns, cautioning that the caves can be slippery and difficult to traverse in some areas, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and a light jacket. Nature works her magic every autumn in West Virginia. Visitors praise the park and surrounding town, noting that you can see the historic Berkeley Springs Castle (reserved for private events only) from here. Address: 57 County Route 85/9, Lansing, WV 25862. If you want to see the whole version of blog related to this topic then click here https://freakingtravel.com/top-rated-secret-places-in-west . Its a wonderful place that one should visit and its one of the best secret places in west Virginia. From ATV excursions in small towns to scenic drives across the state, West Virginia is made for everyone. An an "Invitation Only private club" you need someone inside the club to get you an inviteoh and then I forgot to mention you have to pay $100,000! Visit a replica of the estate where Aaron Burr allegedly plotted a treasonous scheme against the United States. During its 100-plus years in operation, the West Virginia Penitentiary saw riots, homicides and executions including public hangings. Visitors can stop by The Greenbrier, a luxury resort whose guests have ranged from presidents to injured soldiers. Founded in 1968 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, creator of International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the inhabitants of the community aim at practicing and preserving the teachings of Hindu Lord, Sri Krishna. It is situated within the Appalachian region. For a brief period in late 1966 and early 1967, the West Virginia Ordnance Works, better known to locals as the TNT Area, was home to one of the United States' most famous mythical creatures:. It seems perfect for a family day - lots of rocks to play on and a shallow area for wading and splashing and tables for an outdoor picnic. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. From the pretty to the paranormal, these are the top things to do in West Virginia. In 1883, he married Rosa Pelham and decided to build his beloved wife a castle. Today, the castle is available to rent as an event space. The 14-feet-high and 14-feet in diameter teapot was installed sometime in the 1900s as an advertisement for Hires Root Beer in Pennsylvania and housed a small souvenir shop that also sold refreshments to visitors. Watch the Today Shows visit to the Greenbrier to learn more. Researchers claim that the formation of the 69-foot-tall hill must have taken around 60,000 tons of earth! Hidden in West Virginia's Greenbrier Resort was a massive bomb shelter stocked with supplies for members of Congress in . As you plan your mountain road trip, explore one-of-a-kind stays and traditional comforts along the way. From family-friendly paths to long, scenic overnight camp-and-hike trails, come see why West Virginia is called the Mountain State. Top 17 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in West Virginia A huge 100-foot radio tower installed approximately four miles away was connected to the bunker so that the congressmen could broadcast emergency messages. 10 Hidden Gems of West Virginia - Atlas Obscura Lists OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Kanawha State Forest. If you get excited about the feel of a shiver down your spine, you'll. Constructed to protect the entire U.S Congress in case of a nuclear event, the shelter is located underneath the Greenbrier Resort. 7 Secret Places in West Virginia-Can Get Your Heart's Desire Several years later, George Washington discovered the healing powers of the springs and began visiting them regularly. Griffith also owns the towns pharmacy, Griffith & Fell Drug Store. The couples aim was to change it to its original purpose and use it for the purpose of education. Sponsored by West Virginia Department of. This lookout tower built in the 1930s is now an in-demand cabin with what might be the best view of the Seneca State Forest. The NBC show traveled south, camera crew in tow, to get exclusive access to the bunker and the people who had have been instrumental in the success of the bunker. Explore the story of the New River Gorge region from ancient waters to national . OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. This is a fascinating tour IF you're interest in history, especially mid-20th C and the Cold War. Inside the rooms things and water seem to roll uphill, humans stand at a slant too. Offer subject to change without notice. Parkgoers say the four-season destination is both pretty and enjoyable no matter when you visit. Perhaps the most well-known destination in West Virginia, Harpers Ferry is more than a quaint 19th-century town. Shenandoah National Park is an extremely popular National Park in VA that makes up part of the Appalachian Mountain Range. This wonderful construction is open to the public since 1973 and the owner boasts that inside this Mystery hole works against gravity. Calvary Chapel Morgantown owns this beautiful, 3,400-square-foot castle on Tyrone Road in Morgantown, and they're restoring it to its former glory. Secret places in West Virginia-The wonderful Mountain State or West Virginia is a state where there are lots of hidden gems throughout the state. An interesting learning experience about telescopes of all kinds and their uses and users. A remote destination in Pocahontas County, Cass was once a company town for loggers, who transported lumber via what's now known as the Cass Scenic Railroad. Born out of a COVID-19 relief bill, New River Gorge became the nation's 63rd . Self-guided tours typically take about 45 minutes and are appropriate for all ages, while the Wild Cave Tour for ages 10 and up takes visitors to undeveloped parts of the caverns over the course of several hours. Travel the open country roads and discover more of West Virginia's most unique hidden gems, here. 15 Secret Places And Hidden Gems In Virginia - Southern Trippers And this museum is dedicated to that Mothman. Dubbed as the National Museum of the Paranormal, Archive of the Afterlife is filled with artifacts related to history, and in certain cases, paranormal or the afterlife (of course!). 16 Top Things to Do in West Virginia - US News & World Report So I think that these facts would be helpful for you to sneak a peek at the secret places in west Virginia. The wonder of winter in West Virginia is filled with untouched fallen snow, scrapes of skates along fresh ice and snow-capped mountain views you have to see to believe. Some parts are wide open but other way over grown. The Palace of Gold was constructed between the 1970s and 1980s by a group of untrained devotee volunteers and cost approximately $600,000 in building material including onyx, teak, marble, and several 22-carat gold leaves. In a period where education was limited to a privileged few, the school was a huge success but only for a short period of time since free public schools soon began to emerge. For those visiting Cass Scenic Railroad State Park with kids, previous visitors recommend the two-hour round trip to Whittaker Station, a former logging camp. Blooming rhododendrons. Escape the churn and burn of the daily routine and hit the road this summer. We drove here on a rainy/foggy day from New River Gorge and the, The long drive up the forest roads is well worth it when arriving at, happy that just a very short walkway took us over a wooden bridge over a cleft in the. The Today Show crew chatted with Greenbrier Ambassador Frank Mosley, who has been with at the resort for about 60 years, to see how the place has evolved over time. All rights reserved. Eventually, Griffith moved to the house with his family and the number of pumpkins grew to 500, then 1,000, and by the year 2,000, the number had grown to 2,000. Participants must be at least 8 years old, and tours start at $72. Formed over a century, the Grave Creek Mound dates back to between 250 to 150 BCE and holds the remnants of prehistoric residents of the state of West Virginia. And were going to uncover some of the secret places in West Virginia through this. Nestled in among the many attractions for the New River Gorge national park, this state park was actually my favorite part of our trip.