In West Virginia, there remains something that does not exist in most of the rest of the country, especially in the East: under-traveled beauty.
The heart of Appalachia has picturesque towns, jaw-dropping natural views and plenty of thrills, whether you want them in the form of an abandoned prison tour or world-class whitewater rafting.
And the best part is that all of those attractions come with minimal crowds, warm smiles and sincere greetings instead of decorative walls primed for Instagram posts and hoards of people with selfie sticks.
In West Virginia, the cell service may be bad, but the living is good. Whether you want to start with a weekend indoors or outdoors, these five towns in West Virginia make for a fun getaway for Baltimore families.
1) Shepherdstown
Shepherdstown is a small college town just over the state line, positioned along the Potomac River. It might be close to Maryland geographically, but the city definitely feels Appalachian and authentically West Virginian.
Plus, a visit to Shepherdstown gives you a handful of other great options nearby, meaning this trip can easily be longer than a weekend if you have the time for it. Just 12 miles down the river is historic Harpers Ferry, while right across the Potomac River back in Maryland is Antietam Battlefield.
Both sites are essential to telling the tale of the Civil War and offer a host of tours and attractions.
In busy Harpers Ferry, visit the John Brown Wax Museum, Joy Line Railroad and Toy Train Museum, or do some whitewater rafting with a number of local companies like River and Trail Outfitters or River Riders Family Adventure Resort.
Ten miles to the west is Martinsburg, a slightly larger city than Shepherdstown that has a similarly quaint charm.
2) Sutton
Sutton is a town of about 800 people located four and a half hours west of Baltimore. It’s nestled deep in the West Virginia mountains but has an unexpected appeal: It’s a great place for those who love the arts, particularly theater.
Sutton’s Main Street is home to the legendary Elk Theater, which was built in the 1930s. Just down the block is the Landmark Studio for the Arts, a nonprofit that shows live theater. Not to mention, Sutton is home to the annual West Virginia Film Festival.
Though there aren’t any children’s theaters, there are regularly shows and films at both that are kid-friendly.
This winter, the Elk Theater was the place to be for kids who wanted to see the premier of “Sonic The Hedgehog 3.”
After you’ve had your fill of inside time, check out the Flatwoods Monster Chairs. Basically, a local legend called “the Flatwoods Monster” wasn’t being given enough love, so locals began a fun project to place decorative chairs around the region—five in total—to celebrate the monster.
The chairs provide a novel way for families to explore the region, and Sutton has a couple of chairs within city limits, making it a great place to start!
3) Moundsville
In Moundsville, you’ll find history you won’t find anywhere else. The city is named for the Grave Creek Mound, a massive burial mound created by people of the Adena culture sometime between 250 B.C and 150 B.C.
For reference, that’s more than 1,900 years before English colonists arrived in the area and founded the settlement that became Moundsville.
In addition to the Grave Creek Mound, braver families can venture to the West Virginia State Penitentiary, which served the state from 1866 to 1995.
While the tours can be a bit eerie, plenty of kids’ eyes would bug out of their heads at the chance to tour a prison. If that sounds like yours, maybe venture down to Moundsville!
4) Matewan
If you’ve ever lived in a community with two families that seem to be at odds with each other, there is a good chance that the legendary beef of the Hatfields and McCoys was brought up by someone at some point.
What has become a common term to denote any sparring parties is based on a real dispute that occurred in the 19th century along the West Virginia and Kentucky border.
In Matewan, that dispute is brought to life in the area that it happened. Located seven hours from Baltimore, Matewan is far, but worth the drive.
Charleston—West Virginia’s largest city—is an hour closer than Matewan on the same highway, so combine the two for a more palatable journey.
In Matewan, you’ll find a ton of fun activities to do centered around the Hatfields and McCoys dispute, including everything from museums to airboat tours.
5) Elkins
In Elkins, there is a ton to do, and great places to rest after the doing is done. Graceland Inn is a restored Victorian mansion on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The Forks Inn, located atop Kelly Mountain, also offers wonderful accommodations and has unbeatable views of the surrounding mountains.
But don’t get too excited to relax—in Elkins, you’ll find plenty to do surrounding the region’s railroad history, including the West Virginia Railroad Museum, which tells the story of Elkins’ ties to the West Virginia Central Railroad, Pittsburgh Railway, Western Maryland Railway and more.
Also in town is the Augusta Heritage Center at Davis and Elkins College, which focuses on preserving traditional Appalachian music, dance, craft and folklore.
Make sure to come for the August Heritage Festival, held each summer for five weeks at Davis and Elkins College.
With food, music, dancing and vendors, it’s great for all ages! Just over four hours from Baltimore, Elkins is an absolute gem.
Looking for more outdoorsy things to do? Check out our recommendations for parks to explore in West Virginia online and in our digital magazine.
