When it comes to iconic landmarks, West Virginia boasts quite a few. There’s the New River Gorge Bridge, of course, which is so associated with the Mountain State that it made an appearance on the West Virginia quarter. But there are others, as well, including these seven that you can visit in a single day on an epic iconic landmark road trip around West Virginia.
This road trip to some of West Virginia’s most famous places takes about seven hours, without stops, so you may even want to break it into two days. Ready to hit the road?
Google Maps
- Green Bank Observatory
ablokhin / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus The first stop on this particular trip is the iconic Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. Located in a National Radio Quiet Zone, this state landmark communicates and monitors space activity to the far reaches of our solar system and beyond. Observatory Road, Observatory Rd, Green Bank, WV, USA
- The Greenbrier
Greenbrier The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, is the state’s most famous hotel. Over half the U.S. Presidents have stayed here at this iconic resort famous since the 1700s for its healing mineral spa! The Greenbrier, 101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986, USA
- Glade Creek Grist Mill
Mary Ann Kulla Owaki / The Image Bank via Getty Images Over in West Virginia’s New River Gorge region is Babcock State Park, site of the famous Glade Creek Grist Mill. Featured on calendars and desktop backgrounds around the world, this iconic scene is almost as famous as… Glade Creek Grist Mill, Park Forest 802, Danese, WV 25831, USA
- The New River Gorge Bridge
BackyardProduction / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus The New River Gorge Bridge is the highest single span arched bridge in the nation. It carries U.S. Route 19 across the New River in the New River Gorge National Park and is easily viewable from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia, USA
- Summersville Lake
Ronnie Hicks / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus Further north on U.S. Route 19 from the New River Gorge Bridge is Summersville Lake, the largest, most famous lake in the Mountain State. It’s the perfect combination of beach and mountains and has even been called “The Little Bahamas of the East.” Summersville Lake, West Virginia, USA
- Blackwater Falls
(c) Sean Board / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus West Virginia is known for her waterfalls. Hundreds of beautiful cascades adorn the state, but the most famous of all is Blackwater Falls. The crown jewel of Blackwater Falls State Park, this Mountain State icon is not one to miss. Blackwater Falls, West Virginia 26260, USA
- Dolly Sods
Bill Swindaman / Moment Collection via Getty Images An alpine plateau and wilderness area in West Virginia, Dolly Sods is the picture of rugged beauty. You could spend all day here, but even if you only have a few minutes, the short hike to Bear Rocks is still worth it! Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia 26260, USA
To check directions and tackle this road trip to some of the most iconic landmarks in West Virginia for yourself, head over to Google Maps here. To add an icon that didn’t make the list into the mix, try visiting Seneca Rocks after your stop at Dolly Sods.
Google Maps
ablokhin / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus
The first stop on this particular trip is the iconic Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. Located in a National Radio Quiet Zone, this state landmark communicates and monitors space activity to the far reaches of our solar system and beyond.
Observatory Road, Observatory Rd, Green Bank, WV, USA
Greenbrier
The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, is the state’s most famous hotel. Over half the U.S. Presidents have stayed here at this iconic resort famous since the 1700s for its healing mineral spa!
The Greenbrier, 101 W Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986, USA
Mary Ann Kulla Owaki / The Image Bank via Getty Images
Over in West Virginia’s New River Gorge region is Babcock State Park, site of the famous Glade Creek Grist Mill. Featured on calendars and desktop backgrounds around the world, this iconic scene is almost as famous as…
Glade Creek Grist Mill, Park Forest 802, Danese, WV 25831, USA
BackyardProduction / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus
The New River Gorge Bridge is the highest single span arched bridge in the nation. It carries U.S. Route 19 across the New River in the New River Gorge National Park and is easily viewable from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center.
New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia, USA
Ronnie Hicks / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus
Further north on U.S. Route 19 from the New River Gorge Bridge is Summersville Lake, the largest, most famous lake in the Mountain State. It’s the perfect combination of beach and mountains and has even been called “The Little Bahamas of the East.”
Summersville Lake, West Virginia, USA
(c) Sean Board / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus
West Virginia is known for her waterfalls. Hundreds of beautiful cascades adorn the state, but the most famous of all is Blackwater Falls. The crown jewel of Blackwater Falls State Park, this Mountain State icon is not one to miss.
Blackwater Falls, West Virginia 26260, USA
Bill Swindaman / Moment Collection via Getty Images
An alpine plateau and wilderness area in West Virginia, Dolly Sods is the picture of rugged beauty. You could spend all day here, but even if you only have a few minutes, the short hike to Bear Rocks is still worth it!
Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia 26260, USA
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