1. West Virginia Does Autumn Better Than Anywhere Else On The Planet
As a West Virginian, the mountains become part of your blood. And when the mountains ignite into what seems like 1,000 vibrant colors in the Fall, you’ll be swept away by WV’s autumnal beauty.
2. Be Still Your Heart At Lindy Point Overlook At Blackwater Falls State Park
Like we said, the mountains are part of our blood. As are all of the incredible views we have when standing atop them! Lindy Point Overlook is definitely one of the most beautiful. Regardless of which season you find yourself there, you’ll be thankful you saw it.
3. Soak In The Scenery At The New River Gorge Bridge
Standing atop the New River Gorge bridge sometimes feels like you’re on top of the world—while the height of the bridge can be a bit overwhelming for some, if you can overcome your jitters long enough to stand up there and breathe the fresh West Virginian air, you’ll get to see this beautiful state in a whole new way.
4. Love The Mountaineers Or G.T.F.O.
If you’re moving to WV, get ready to bleed blue and gold. There is so much love for WVU, and not just because the sports are fun to follow but because rooting for the Mountaineers is part of the WV experience. It’s part of home, and you’ll feel this WVU love the moment you arrive in West Virginia.
5. Mountain Biking Is An Extreme Sport Here
West Virginia Mountain biking isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’ve got an adventurous spirit, these biking trails are certain to blow you away. Go for Spruce Knob, West Fork, or Blackwater Canyon and you’ll know what I’m talking about!
6. Two Words: Pepperoni Rolls
Oh. Em Gee.Pepperoni rolls. It’s one of the first things a true West Virginian will miss when they’ve been gone from home too long.
Not to be confused with stromboli, this region-specific treat is a loaf of soft, white bread with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese folded in between (all snug, baked to perfection so that the oil from the pepperoni soaks through the roll and makes the entire thing oily and spicy) is extremely crave-able. It will change your life the minute you try it, trust me.
7. It May Sound Corny But The Local Mill Is Far From A Grind
To many West Virginians, the Glade Creek Grist Mill symbolizes home. This fully-functional mill produces freshly ground cornmeal like you won’t believe. It’s incredibly delicious and will make some delectable cornbread, I assure you!
8. Get Your Caboose To Red Spruce Peak
West Virginia has a long history of railroads—follow the train tracks in WV and you’re sure to see some beautiful sights. But sometimes, just the sight of the train itself is enough to make your heart skip a beat for West Virginia. Head to Red Spruce Peak for a relaxing day of transporting.
9. You Won’t Believe The Elakala Falls Can Possibly Exist
These waterfalls look too impossibly beautiful to be real, and yet… they are! This is, by far, one of the most peaceful spots in the entire state.
10. Life Is A Highway
There’s nothing better than the sight of the open road on the Highland Scenic Highway. When you drive this highway and look out at the mountains, you’ll be forever-thankful for whoever came up with the idea of “the road trip.” And even more thankful you hail from the state with the best highway for road tripping!
11. Soak In The Sunrise At Dolly Sods
There’s hardly a better spot to be at daybreak than right here in West Virginia—and everyone knows that the best place to be at daybreak in the state is Dolly Sods. Watching the sunrise here is practically a West Virginian rite of passage.
12. West Virginia Does Bluegrass Better Than You
West Virginia is where bluegrass really started, what with all the banjos and fiddles and dulcimers. They are all… wait for it… instrumental parts of this Appalachian state. This is why bluegrass encompasses the sweet, sweet sound of West Virginia like no other musical genre can.
Get your bluegrass fix at one of the state’s summer music festivals. Music in the Mountains in Summersville is held every June in Summersville. Picken in the Parsons happens the following month at the Five River Campground.
13. Become A Brony-aire By Betting On The Ponies At Charles Town
There’s nothing quite like experiencing the horse races in Charles Town: horses, gambling, and a buffet that will knock your socks off! You just can’t go wrong: it’s the definition of good old fashioned fun!
14. Get Into The Swing Of Things At Your Local Swimming Hole
One of the best parts about living in WV is finding hidden swimming holes with that perfect rope swing…There’s nothing quite like getting up the courage to let go of that rope, all the while bracing yourself for the crisp, cool water.
15. No Trout About It, Elk River Is The Best Fly-Fishing East Of The Mississippi
Elk River truly is one of the best places to go fly fishing—it boasts some of the best big browns, rainbows, and native brookies and the catch is always great year-round. And if fly-fishing isn’t really your thing, you still don’t want to miss the trip—the river boasts some of the most beautiful sights in West Virginia.
16. Flex Your History Buff Muscles At Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry, nestled in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet, is a small, quaint village filled with rich United States history, especially Civil War history. So if you want to get your history buff grind on, you can’t miss Harpers Ferry.
17. Get A Double Scoop Of Ice Cream So Delicious You’d Swear It Was Made Of Unicorn Tears
You may not think West Virginia would be known for its ice cream, but Austin’s Homemade Ice cream in Ceredo is some of the best the region, let alone the state, let alone the world has to offer! One delicious bite of the homemade ice cream and crunchy waffle cone will make you rethink all you know about “America’s best ice cream.”
18. Get Your Heart Beating Rapidly Down At The River…
West Virginia is home to some of the fiercest, most exciting rapids anywhere, and draws thrill-seekers from all over the world. If you’re really looking for a heart-racing rafting trip, try the New and Gauley Rivers in the southern part of the state comes to Springtime. In the Spring, this water ride will be sure to thrill you.
19. Or Kick Your Feet Up At Big Bear Lake
Living in the Appalachian Mountains, right near the Appalachian Trail, is by far one of the best parts about being a West Virginian. And there’s simply nothing more calming than camping in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains at Big Bear Lake. This breath-taking spot will be sure to bring you back to zen in a way nothing else can.
20. West Virginia Is A Beautiful Time Machine
The old Victorian architecture in West Virginia will draw you into the past immediately. There are also so many grand buildings, like the neglected Bank of West Virginia building, the well-known Capitol Theater, and the massive old B&O Railroad terminus, which is now home to a community college. And this is just a very small number of the beautiful architecture you’ll witness while in the state.
21. West Virginians Are The Friendliest People On The Planet
You could say that the mountains act as a protective wall between the outside world and West Virginia’s small-town communities. And, because of this, the people in West Virginia have a strong sense of community. This makes us some of the most neighborly, friendly people you’ll meet in the U.S.
There’s definitely a simplicity of life here—no one is competing, no one is in a hurry. West Virginians don’t look down on people and are basically, they’re the nicest people around. So if you do decide to become our neighbors: welcome!
