The state of West Virginia, located in the Appalachian Mountain Range, is filled with scenic rivers and mountains. It’s the 10th smallest state in America by size and the
14th smallest when it comes to population as it’s home to close to two million people. It became the 35th state to join the Union when it was admitted back in 1863. The state capital
and largest city is Charleston, and other popular centers include Parkersburg, Huntington, Wheeling, Morgantown, Fairmont, Martinsburg, and Weirton. The state generally receives hot,
humid summers and cool winters.
There’s a rich, lush beauty to the landscape and if you love outdoor activities West Virginia’s a great place for skiing, rock climbing, hiking, biking, boating, canoeing,
kayaking and various other types of river sports. The Monongahela National Forest, in the Allegheny Mountains, is a paradise for outdoor lovers and adventurers.
Some of the other popular outdoor locations include the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Bluestone National Scenic River, Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal National Historical Park, George Washington National Forest, and the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
If you’re more into history, Charleston is the home to the Capitol State Building and over by the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers you’ll find the historic town Harpers
Ferry and the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The North Bend Rail Trail features miles of scenic trails that are dotted with a variety of interesting tunnels and bridges and in
Morgantown you can find the John Henry Museum.
The highway system in West Virginia’s very good and it’s a great way to see the beauty of the state. If you’re flying in, the main airport’s located in Charleston, and
there are regional airports in quite a few other cities. Some of the larger cities have pretty good bus service and you can also get around downtown Charleston by trolleys. However,
there’s not much rail service in the state.
West Virginia’s culture is quite musical and you’ll be able to find traditional styles of ballad singing, and fiddling. Camp Washington-Carver puts on an Appalachian
String Band Festival every year and Charleston’s Capitol Complex plays host to the Vandalia Gathering, which features traditional Appalachian music and concerts. The Augusta Heritage
Festival also draws in the crowds.
Classical music is also popular and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra have been around for decades. The West Virginia Cultural
Center is also a great place to learn the area’s history and culture.
There are no professional major league sports franchises in West Virginia, but there are quite a few minor-league pro teams in baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer,
indoor football, and football.
Finding a place to stay shouldn’t pose a problem at all as there are lots of excellent choices to fit all price ranges. The restaurants are also plentiful and feature
good regional dishes as well as international food.
West Virginia offers some wonderful scenery as well as a rich history and culture. It’s a superb place for visitors of all ages and interests as there’s more than
enough to see and do.
About West Virginia