One of the best parts about living in West Virginia is the opportunity for adventure. From outdoor attractions to bustling city life, small-town communities, quirky roadside attractions, and historic sites, there’s just no shortage of unique ways to experience the Mountain State. The next time you’re inspired to search “day trips near me in West Virginia,” we hope this list provides some ideas. From beautiful overlooks to iconic landmarks, this list of fun things to do in West Virginia has a little something for every kind of adventurer. Ready to get started? Let’s go!

  1. Hawk’s Nest

Matt Flickr Located in Ansted, West Virginia, Hawk’s Nest is one of West Virginia’s most famous pieces of scenery. No matter the season, this beautiful state park will leave you in awe. In fact, there’s even a sky lift that will take you to one of the most beautiful overlooks in West Virginia. Hawks Nest, WV 25938, USA

  1. Summersville Lake

Random Michelle Flickr Tucked away in Nicholas County, this beautiful lake is positively stunning year-round. It’s especially popular during the summer months, when visitors visit for swimming and sunbathing. And with water so blue, some folks even refer to this as the Little Bahamas of West Virginia. Summersville Lake, West Virginia, USA

  1. The Timberline Four Seasons Resort

William F. Yurasko Flickr This resort is great for skiing, snowboarding, and has beautiful lodging! Learn more about planning a trip to the Timberline Resort in West Virginia. Timberline Mountain, 254 Four Seasons Dr, Davis, WV 26260, USA

  1. Lost World Caverns

Dave Riggs Flickr Lost World Caverns, near Lewisburg, WV, are underground natural caverns. These caverns go 120 feet below the surface! The coolest part of all is that you can embark on your own self-guided tour of these magnificent West Virginia caverns. Lost World Caverns, 907 Lost World Rd, Lewisburg, WV 24901, USA

  1. Cass Scenic Railroad

Ron Cogswell Flickr Cass Scenic Railroad, located in Pocahontas County, is an eleven-mile long railroad. Visit Cass Railroad in the fall to get an amazing view of the West Virginia fall foliage. The colors will leave you in awe! There’s truly so much to explore on the Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia.

  1. Clay Center

Betsy Allen Flickr Tucked away in Charleston is the amazing Clay Center. They have hands on learning activities for children, concerts, and even an electric sky theater. The sky theater will absolutely blow you away! No matter your age, you’ll find something to love about West Virginia’s Clay Center. Center Street, Center St, Clay, WV 25043, USA

  1. Appalachian Power Park

Natalie Litz Flickr Drive down to the capitol city, Charleston, to enjoy a baseball game at our very own Appalachian Power Park. Appalachian Power Park, 601 Morris St, Charleston, WV 25301, USA

  1. West Virginia State Penitentiary

Jon Dawson Flickr Take a tour of the West Virginia State Penitentiary, located in Moundsville. This penitentiary has quite a history. This haunted prison is on the Department of Justice’s Top Ten most violent correctional facilities in America! West Virginia Penitentiary, 818 Jefferson Ave, Moundsville, WV 26041, USA

  1. Pearl S. Buck Birthplace

Phillip Capper Flickr The birthplace of Pearl S. Buck, a famous American writer, is located in Hillsboro. This historic house is also a museum and it still has some of the original furniture that belonged to Pearl Buck and her family. This attraction may keep temporary hours, so be sure to visit the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace website before planning your visit. Pearl S Buck Birthplace Museum, 8129 Seneca Trail (Route 219), Box 126, Hillsboro, WV 24946, USA

  1. The Mystery Hole

Matt Flickr The Mystery Hole, located in Ansted, is a fun place to visit. You will be blown away by the mind tricks that gravity plays in this West Virginia attraction. Learn more about the baffling Mystery Hole in West Virginia. Mystery Hole, 16724 Midland Trail, Ansted, WV 25812, USA

  1. Exhibition Coal Mine

Emily Hoyer Flickr Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley offers underground coal mining tours by veteran coal miners. Wouldn’t it be amazing to hear first-hand some of the things that these coal miners had to do in that very mine? It would be like a living history book. For an unforgettable adventure, you can sign up for a railroad tour of the Exhibition Coal Mine. Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, 513 Ewart Ave, Beckley, WV 25801, USA

  1. Winterplace Ski Resort

Larry Staton Jr. Flickr Winterplace Ski Resort boasts 9 lifts, 27 trails, and even snow tubing. In fact, many consider Winterplace Ski Resort to have the best snow tubing in the entire state. Winterplace Ski Resort, 100 Old, Flat Top Mountain Road, Ghent, WV 25843, USA

  1. The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

Ron Cogswell Flickr Something that the Potomac is famous for is the rails passing through “The Trough,” which is an area known for bald eagle sightings. Learn more about this scenic West Virginia train ride you’ll love. Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, 149 Eagle Dr, Romney, WV 26757, USA

  1. Bridge Day on the New River Gorge Bridge

Jeremy Markovich Flickr They have BASE jumping, rappelling, and bungee jumping! Not to mention the fact that is bridge is the third highest vehicular bridge in America? Learn more about Bridge Day on the New River Gorge Bridge. New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia, USA

  1. Camden Park

OZinOH Flickr Camden Park is a beloved theme park in West Virginia famous for its carousel, haunted house, and plenty of family-friendly games and attractions. Learn more about this old-school theme park in West Virginia that everyone in your family will love. 5000 Waverly Rd, Huntington, WV 25704, USA

  1. Burning Rock Off-Road Park

Gene Flickr Burning Rock Park is a great place to ride the ATV trails, zip line, camp, and much more. If you’re looking for an adrenaline-fueled day trip in West Virginia, Burning Rock Off-Road Park is a must. Burning Rock Off-Road Park, 171 Burning Rock Drive, Sophia, WV 25921, USA

  1. The Gualey River

Sherry Ezhuthachan Flickr If you are up for an adventure, grab a paddle and a helmet and jump into a white-water raft on the Upper Gauley River. The Gauley River is a 105-mile long river in West Virginia that merges with the New River to form the Kanawha River. Learn more about how you can spend some quality time on the beautiful Gualey River in West Virginia. Gauley River, West Virginia, USA

The next time you’re searching “day trips near me in West Virginia,” we hope this list provides some inspiration! What are some of your favorite West Virginia adventures? Be sure to share them with us in the comments below.

Matt Flickr

Located in Ansted, West Virginia, Hawk’s Nest is one of West Virginia’s most famous pieces of scenery. No matter the season, this beautiful state park will leave you in awe. In fact, there’s even a sky lift that will take you to one of the most beautiful overlooks in West Virginia.

Hawks Nest, WV 25938, USA

Random Michelle Flickr

Tucked away in Nicholas County, this beautiful lake is positively stunning year-round. It’s especially popular during the summer months, when visitors visit for swimming and sunbathing. And with water so blue, some folks even refer to this as the Little Bahamas of West Virginia.

Summersville Lake, West Virginia, USA

William F. Yurasko Flickr

This resort is great for skiing, snowboarding, and has beautiful lodging! Learn more about planning a trip to the Timberline Resort in West Virginia.

Timberline Mountain, 254 Four Seasons Dr, Davis, WV 26260, USA

Dave Riggs Flickr

Lost World Caverns, near Lewisburg, WV, are underground natural caverns. These caverns go 120 feet below the surface! The coolest part of all is that you can embark on your own self-guided tour of these magnificent West Virginia caverns.

Lost World Caverns, 907 Lost World Rd, Lewisburg, WV 24901, USA

Ron Cogswell Flickr

Cass Scenic Railroad, located in Pocahontas County, is an eleven-mile long railroad. Visit Cass Railroad in the fall to get an amazing view of the West Virginia fall foliage. The colors will leave you in awe! There’s truly so much to explore on the Cass Scenic Railroad in West Virginia.

Betsy Allen Flickr

Tucked away in Charleston is the amazing Clay Center. They have hands on learning activities for children, concerts, and even an electric sky theater. The sky theater will absolutely blow you away! No matter your age, you’ll find something to love about West Virginia’s Clay Center.

Center Street, Center St, Clay, WV 25043, USA

Natalie Litz Flickr

Drive down to the capitol city, Charleston, to enjoy a baseball game at our very own Appalachian Power Park.

Appalachian Power Park, 601 Morris St, Charleston, WV 25301, USA

Jon Dawson Flickr

Take a tour of the West Virginia State Penitentiary, located in Moundsville. This penitentiary has quite a history. This haunted prison is on the Department of Justice’s Top Ten most violent correctional facilities in America!

West Virginia Penitentiary, 818 Jefferson Ave, Moundsville, WV 26041, USA

Phillip Capper Flickr

The birthplace of Pearl S. Buck, a famous American writer, is located in Hillsboro. This historic house is also a museum and it still has some of the original furniture that belonged to Pearl Buck and her family. This attraction may keep temporary hours, so be sure to visit the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace website before planning your visit.

Pearl S Buck Birthplace Museum, 8129 Seneca Trail (Route 219), Box 126, Hillsboro, WV 24946, USA

The Mystery Hole, located in Ansted, is a fun place to visit. You will be blown away by the mind tricks that gravity plays in this West Virginia attraction. Learn more about the baffling Mystery Hole in West Virginia.

Mystery Hole, 16724 Midland Trail, Ansted, WV 25812, USA

Emily Hoyer Flickr

Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley offers underground coal mining tours by veteran coal miners. Wouldn’t it be amazing to hear first-hand some of the things that these coal miners had to do in that very mine? It would be like a living history book. For an unforgettable adventure, you can sign up for a railroad tour of the Exhibition Coal Mine.

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, 513 Ewart Ave, Beckley, WV 25801, USA

Larry Staton Jr. Flickr

Winterplace Ski Resort boasts 9 lifts, 27 trails, and even snow tubing. In fact, many consider Winterplace Ski Resort to have the best snow tubing in the entire state.

Winterplace Ski Resort, 100 Old, Flat Top Mountain Road, Ghent, WV 25843, USA

Something that the Potomac is famous for is the rails passing through “The Trough,” which is an area known for bald eagle sightings. Learn more about this scenic West Virginia train ride you’ll love.

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, 149 Eagle Dr, Romney, WV 26757, USA

Jeremy Markovich Flickr

They have BASE jumping, rappelling, and bungee jumping! Not to mention the fact that is bridge is the third highest vehicular bridge in America? Learn more about Bridge Day on the New River Gorge Bridge.

New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia, USA

OZinOH Flickr

Camden Park is a beloved theme park in West Virginia famous for its carousel, haunted house, and plenty of family-friendly games and attractions. Learn more about this old-school theme park in West Virginia that everyone in your family will love.

5000 Waverly Rd, Huntington, WV 25704, USA

Gene Flickr

Burning Rock Park is a great place to ride the ATV trails, zip line, camp, and much more. If you’re looking for an adrenaline-fueled day trip in West Virginia, Burning Rock Off-Road Park is a must.

Burning Rock Off-Road Park, 171 Burning Rock Drive, Sophia, WV 25921, USA

Sherry Ezhuthachan Flickr

If you are up for an adventure, grab a paddle and a helmet and jump into a white-water raft on the Upper Gauley River. The Gauley River is a 105-mile long river in West Virginia that merges with the New River to form the Kanawha River. Learn more about how you can spend some quality time on the beautiful Gualey River in West Virginia.

Gauley River, West Virginia, USA

For more fun things to do in West Virginia, check out our list of unforgettable West Virginia day trips — there’s one for each month of the year!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

day trips near me in West Virginia September 23, 2021 Beth C. What should I put on my West Virginia bucket list? As you’ve learned from the article above highlighting some epic day trips in West Virginia, the Mountain State is one that offers endless adventures. When putting together your West Virginia bucket list, be sure to include a variety of activities and attractions. In fact, we’ve got a few recommendations to help you get started: Snowshoe Village in Pocahontas County, Autumn Breeze Stables at Slaty Fork, ACE Adventure Resort in Oak Hill, a Covered Bridge Tour, tubing on the Shenandoah River, Water Ways in Julian, Audra State Park in Buckhannon, Byrnside Branch Farm in Union, and the Autumn Colors Express Train in Huntington. Learn more about these unforgettable West Virginia adventures!

The OIYS Visitor Center

day trips near me in West Virginia

September 23, 2021

Beth C.

What should I put on my West Virginia bucket list? As you’ve learned from the article above highlighting some epic day trips in West Virginia, the Mountain State is one that offers endless adventures. When putting together your West Virginia bucket list, be sure to include a variety of activities and attractions. In fact, we’ve got a few recommendations to help you get started: Snowshoe Village in Pocahontas County, Autumn Breeze Stables at Slaty Fork, ACE Adventure Resort in Oak Hill, a Covered Bridge Tour, tubing on the Shenandoah River, Water Ways in Julian, Audra State Park in Buckhannon, Byrnside Branch Farm in Union, and the Autumn Colors Express Train in Huntington. Learn more about these unforgettable West Virginia adventures!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

As you’ve learned from the article above highlighting some epic day trips in West Virginia, the Mountain State is one that offers endless adventures. When putting together your West Virginia bucket list, be sure to include a variety of activities and attractions. In fact, we’ve got a few recommendations to help you get started: Snowshoe Village in Pocahontas County, Autumn Breeze Stables at Slaty Fork, ACE Adventure Resort in Oak Hill, a Covered Bridge Tour, tubing on the Shenandoah River, Water Ways in Julian, Audra State Park in Buckhannon, Byrnside Branch Farm in Union, and the Autumn Colors Express Train in Huntington. Learn more about these unforgettable West Virginia adventures!