Sometimes you need to get away and find a change of scenery, but don’t have time or energy for an elaborate vacation. If you search for “day trips near me in West Virginia,” you’ll discover plenty of great places that are full of things to do for a day. This list will keep you busy with ideas for when you want a short trip.

  1. Fayetteville

New River Gorge National River/Facebook To kick off our list of the best towns to visit in West Virginia is Fayetteville. This little community has been called one of America’s coolest small towns. Take a trip in October for the Bridge Day festival and watch people BASE jump off the New River Gorge Bridge.

More information and directions. Fayetteville, WV 25840, USA

  1. Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

USFWS This is a great trip for exploring nature with the whole family. You can borrow a backpack from the visitor’s center stuffed with wildlife discovery tools such as binoculars, insect guides, magnifying glasses, and more, free of charge.

More information and directions. Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 3982 Waverly-Williamstown Rd, Williamstown, WV 26187, USA

  1. Williamson

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM This underrated little town in Mingo county has history, nature, and great dining, and is most definitely worth a visit. Check out the coal house and the Hatfield-McCoy Inn, some of the most historic places in West Virginia.

More information and directions. Williamson, WV 25661, USA

  1. Lambert’s Winery in Weston

TripAdvisor/mmmatthews See where wines are made and try some samples before you buy. Beautiful gardens surround the winery, making it feel like a place out of a fairy tale.

More information and directions. 190 Vineyard Dr, Weston, WV 26452, USA

  1. Shepherdstown

Opera House Live/Facebook Shepherdstown is one of the state’s oldest towns filled with some of the most historic places in Wisconsin. Eat at the fine restaurants, adventure on the Potomac, and catch a show at the old opera house.

More information and directions. Shepherdstown, WV, USA

  1. Lewisburg

Taste of Our Towns - TOOT/Facebook This tiny town is full of life. There are plenty of restaurants that are worth a visit, and the beautiful Lost World Caverns just outside of town. Visit for one of the festivals, like the Chocolate Festival, the State Fair, or Taste of our Towns.

More information and directions. Lewisburg, WV 24901, USA

  1. Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad/Facebook There’s a good chance you’ll spot a bald eagle on this relaxing journey. The train departs from Romney. You can take the shorter three hour trip through The Trough and back, or you can take a longer eight hour excursion to the city of Petersburg.

More information and directions. 149 Eagle Dr, Romney, WV 26757, USA

  1. Harpers Ferry

WikiMedia Commons/MamaGeek Harpers Ferry is one of the best towns to visit in West Virginia and it’s packed with history. Enjoy walking through the National Historical Park or hike the Appalachian Trail.

More information and directions. Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA

  1. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum/Facebook This impressive asylum in Weston has a lot of creepy history and is said to be haunted. There are several tour options available, with both historical tours and ghost-hunting tours.

More information and directions. Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, 50 S River Ave, Weston, WV 26452, USA

  1. The West Virginia State Farm Museum

TripAdvisor/FishingJunkie Learn all about West Virginia’s farm history here. There are historic buildings and you’ll see plenty of artifacts from West Virginia’s earliest days.

More information and directions. West Virginia State Farm Museum, 1458 Fairground Rd, Point Pleasant, WV 25550, USA

If you’re looking for day trips near me in West Virginia, we hope this list helps. And if you’d rather sit back and let someone else take care of the driving, try one of the six best day trips in West Virginia that you can take by train.

New River Gorge National River/Facebook

To kick off our list of the best towns to visit in West Virginia is Fayetteville. This little community has been called one of America’s coolest small towns. Take a trip in October for the Bridge Day festival and watch people BASE jump off the New River Gorge Bridge.

More information and directions.

Fayetteville, WV 25840, USA

USFWS

This is a great trip for exploring nature with the whole family. You can borrow a backpack from the visitor’s center stuffed with wildlife discovery tools such as binoculars, insect guides, magnifying glasses, and more, free of charge.

More information and directions.

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 3982 Waverly-Williamstown Rd, Williamstown, WV 26187, USA

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM

This underrated little town in Mingo county has history, nature, and great dining, and is most definitely worth a visit. Check out the coal house and the Hatfield-McCoy Inn, some of the most historic places in West Virginia.

More information and directions.

Williamson, WV 25661, USA

TripAdvisor/mmmatthews

See where wines are made and try some samples before you buy. Beautiful gardens surround the winery, making it feel like a place out of a fairy tale.

More information and directions.

190 Vineyard Dr, Weston, WV 26452, USA

Opera House Live/Facebook

Shepherdstown is one of the state’s oldest towns filled with some of the most historic places in Wisconsin. Eat at the fine restaurants, adventure on the Potomac, and catch a show at the old opera house.

More information and directions.

Shepherdstown, WV, USA

Taste of Our Towns - TOOT/Facebook

This tiny town is full of life. There are plenty of restaurants that are worth a visit, and the beautiful Lost World Caverns just outside of town. Visit for one of the festivals, like the Chocolate Festival, the State Fair, or Taste of our Towns.

More information and directions.

Lewisburg, WV 24901, USA

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad/Facebook

There’s a good chance you’ll spot a bald eagle on this relaxing journey. The train departs from Romney. You can take the shorter three hour trip through The Trough and back, or you can take a longer eight hour excursion to the city of Petersburg.

More information and directions.

149 Eagle Dr, Romney, WV 26757, USA

WikiMedia Commons/MamaGeek

Harpers Ferry is one of the best towns to visit in West Virginia and it’s packed with history. Enjoy walking through the National Historical Park or hike the Appalachian Trail.

More information and directions.

Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum/Facebook

This impressive asylum in Weston has a lot of creepy history and is said to be haunted. There are several tour options available, with both historical tours and ghost-hunting tours.

More information and directions.

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, 50 S River Ave, Weston, WV 26452, USA

TripAdvisor/FishingJunkie

Learn all about West Virginia’s farm history here. There are historic buildings and you’ll see plenty of artifacts from West Virginia’s earliest days.

More information and directions.

West Virginia State Farm Museum, 1458 Fairground Rd, Point Pleasant, WV 25550, USA

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Day Trips Near Me In West Virginia August 20, 2021 Melissa M. What are some of the most historic places in West Virginia? The Mountain State has quite a long, rich history, much of which stems from the Civil War. Throughout the state are numerous historic sites you can visit. Among Civil War sites are Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park in Nicholas County, and the Grafton National Cemetery which is said to have the grave of the first union war casualty. You can also visit, and stay overnight at, Wells Inn which was built in 1894 and is considered one of the oldest and most haunted inns in West Virginia. What are some must-visit places in West Virginia? West Virginia has plenty of places to add to your bucket list. Among those places is The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, a historic and luxurious resort in the Appalachians. Seneca Rocks in Pendleton County is an impressive, towering peak that you can take a hiking trail to the top. Dolly Sods, which spans three different counties, is a breathtaking area with plenty of trails to hike and explore. You can read about several other must-visit places in our previous article.  What are the best small towns in West Virginia? Small towns in the Mountain State are full of charm and perfect for an escape! If you’re looking for some to visit on a day or weekend trip, head to our article on seven small towns in West Virginia which should help you make plans for your next getaway.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Day Trips Near Me In West Virginia

August 20, 2021

Melissa M.

What are some of the most historic places in West Virginia? The Mountain State has quite a long, rich history, much of which stems from the Civil War. Throughout the state are numerous historic sites you can visit. Among Civil War sites are Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park in Nicholas County, and the Grafton National Cemetery which is said to have the grave of the first union war casualty. You can also visit, and stay overnight at, Wells Inn which was built in 1894 and is considered one of the oldest and most haunted inns in West Virginia. What are some must-visit places in West Virginia? West Virginia has plenty of places to add to your bucket list. Among those places is The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, a historic and luxurious resort in the Appalachians. Seneca Rocks in Pendleton County is an impressive, towering peak that you can take a hiking trail to the top. Dolly Sods, which spans three different counties, is a breathtaking area with plenty of trails to hike and explore. You can read about several other must-visit places in our previous article.  What are the best small towns in West Virginia? Small towns in the Mountain State are full of charm and perfect for an escape! If you’re looking for some to visit on a day or weekend trip, head to our article on seven small towns in West Virginia which should help you make plans for your next getaway.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The Mountain State has quite a long, rich history, much of which stems from the Civil War. Throughout the state are numerous historic sites you can visit. Among Civil War sites are Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park in Nicholas County, and the Grafton National Cemetery which is said to have the grave of the first union war casualty. You can also visit, and stay overnight at, Wells Inn which was built in 1894 and is considered one of the oldest and most haunted inns in West Virginia.

What are some must-visit places in West Virginia?

West Virginia has plenty of places to add to your bucket list. Among those places is The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, a historic and luxurious resort in the Appalachians. Seneca Rocks in Pendleton County is an impressive, towering peak that you can take a hiking trail to the top. Dolly Sods, which spans three different counties, is a breathtaking area with plenty of trails to hike and explore. You can read about several other must-visit places in our previous article. 

What are the best small towns in West Virginia?

Small towns in the Mountain State are full of charm and perfect for an escape! If you’re looking for some to visit on a day or weekend trip, head to our article on seven small towns in West Virginia which should help you make plans for your next getaway.