If you don't remember this one from history class, John Brown is the abolitionist credited with leading what's now known as the Harpers Ferry Raid, in which he attempted to start an armed revolt of enslaved people in 1859. Welcome to spring in West Virginia. Green Bank, West Virginia is a rustic town perched on the rolling hills of Appalachia which is designed for those who suffer from Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity. In other words, the town provides respite to all those who wish to stay away from the all-consuming social world that surrounds us all day, every day. This tour is a must see! Its a wonderful place that one should visit and its one of the best secret places in west Virginia. The brainchild of Eleanor Roosevelt, her "Little Village" was a collectivist dream. Spruce Knob, the peak of Spruce Mountain, at 4,863 feet is the highest point in West Virginia and is enclosed by a thick, spruce forest, hence the name. If there's only one place you can visit in West Virginia, let it be New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. After an action-packed day, visitors can grab a bite to eat at any of the three on-site restaurants and retreat to their choice of accommodations, which include everything from cozy cabins to glamping tents with views of the New River Gorge Bridge and surrounding forest. Theres a gift shop in this place where you can buy wonderful artworks. Climb aboard a historic steam-driven locomotive (operated by the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad) for a scenic ride to Bald Knob, the third-highest point in West Virginia. You'll find picnic areas, hiking trails, a pretty lake and cozy cabins to stay the night. Address: 513 Ewart Ave., Beckley, WV 25801. Opened in 1901 for the very first time, the Alderson Academy serves as a private school for the young children of the town. Loved and maintained by the residents of Chester, West Virginia the structure has gained the respected title of the largest teapot in the world since 2015. This beautiful winery is surrounded by gardens and places to relax and enjoy the scenery. The Rock and the surrounding area is open to the public, however, the current landowner is still trying to get definitive information on the rocks age and history. If you get excited about the feel of a shiver down your spine, you'll. Parking is a challenge at some of the trail heads, we had to walk a little way down a road to actually start a hike. Explore the story of the New River Gorge region from ancient waters to national . This is a fascinating tour IF you're interest in history, especially mid-20th C and the Cold War. You don't have to be a guest of the luxury resort (or an A-lister) to get a glimpse of it guided hotel tours are offered but overnight guests enjoy upscale accommodations ranging from signature guest rooms to estate homes, a roster of activities for all ages, golf, a spa, restaurants, a casino, retail shops, seasonal events and more. See national parks, caves, museums and even the "World's Largest Teapot" on your next West Virginia vacation. Wonderful learning and outdoor experience together in one place. 9. See more ideas about secret places, west virginia, virginia. Go 120 feet underground to explore stalagmites (some of which measure up to 80 feet tall) and stalactites at Lost World Caverns, one of the top things to do in West Virginia. Grab one and head out for a picnic lunch. This red-eyed chrome beast pays homage to the popular modern myth of West Virginia's insectoid monster. Address: 219 County Route 60/5, Lansing, WV 25862. The park also features a reconstructed pioneer homestead, where guests can learn about frontier life at the attraction's working farm and gardens. This has been a thriving mining city at the outset but by 1920 it had turned out to be a failure and was shut down. We meet our grown children at this park and camped at one of the rugged campsites for 2 nights. You can also go swimming, boating, fishing, horseback riding and, if you'd like to stay a few days, camping in tents, RVs or on-site cabins. No purchase necessary. (In case you're wondering, the other three are "The West Virginia Hills," "This Is My West Virginia" and "West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home."). Today, the worlds largest teapot stands together with a small creamer and attracts visitors from all around. An an "Invitation Only private club" you need someone inside the club to get you an inviteoh and then I forgot to mention you have to pay $100,000! The peace and solitude of Almost Heaven is just an overnight stay away. Just a short drive outside of the Washington and Baltimore metro areas, this loop through West Virginias Eastern Panhandle is both a relaxing and enlightening weekend getaway. For a brief period in late 1966 and early 1967, the West Virginia Ordnance Works, better known to locals as the TNT Area, was home to one of the United States' most famous mythical creatures:. [Read: The Best Tourist Attraction in Every U.S. Best West Virginia Hidden Gem Attractions, Thanks to a combo of a great location, great history, and a. guide, I'll always remember our visit very fon We learned so much about John Brown and the raid on the. Previous visitors confirm the prison tours, which start at $14 per adult and $8 per child aged 6 to 16, are all at once creepy, informative and enjoyable. 1. Today, the only inhabitants of the prison compound are the shadow man (a legendary apparition), a few spirits, and the ghost chasers who like exploring the century-old penitentiary. JayDee's is off the beaten path in Inwood. A National Historic Landmark, The Greenbrier served as a hospital for wounded soldiers during the Civil War and World War II. Another nationally protected region in West Virginia, the Monongahela National Forest spans more than 919,000 acres in 10 counties over elevations that range from 1,000 to nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. The Mothman Statue stands 12 feet tall outside of the museum, and the Mothman Festival is hosted every September. And it is one of the most beautiful romantic places to visit in the area. Some travelers also suggest a visit in the fall to enjoy the colorful foliage. It's been the subject of both true and fictional adventure stories in West Virginia. A small, family-operated coal mine and camp from roughly 1890 to 1910 that later became a commercial endeavor until it closed in 1953, the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is now a highly rated attraction in West Virginia. Calvary Chapel Morgantown owns this beautiful, 3,400-square-foot castle on Tyrone Road in Morgantown, and they're restoring it to its former glory. Once upon a time, the mill was regarded as the largest of its kind in the world. Other objects on exhibit at the Archive of the Afterlife include embalming tables, service display caskets, and a range of signposts and promotional pamphlets of various funeral homes in the area. It was so lovely. Experience a one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes tour of the bunker that walks you through a fascinating period in the resorts history. No fee or donation is required to visit the house which has been a popular attraction in the area for nearly three decades. Employees were friendly. But did you know that there is also an Indian burial mound here? Just down the road from the castle is this stunning garden and natural area. Address: 101 W. Main St., White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986. Here are some of West Virginias most underrated places that deserve more attention. Probably you do. Travelers rave about the half- and multi-day excursions for various skill levels, noting that the guides are friendly, helpful and all-around great. but you'll definitely want to stop for some great views of the bridge, the gorge, You can see the falls easily from the parking lot but if you want a closer look, you can scramble over, This was the original site of a lumber mill and a. community that used the river's current to power their m Did both the Haunted House offered for Halloween as well as flashlight tour, Haunted House was nicely done and scary and the flashlight tour was very informative and even kinda spooky itself. Once connected to the outside world by a single train track, this ghost town is looked after by the National Park Service. Home of a 28-foot tall stalagmite known as the War Club. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Located in the charming state capital of Charleston, the West Virginia State Museum features informative and interactive exhibits that pay homage to the culture and history of the Mountain State. A historic coal mine that doubles as a museum and tourist attraction. An interesting learning experience about telescopes of all kinds and their uses and users. West Virginia's mountainous landscape is an outdoor paradise with adventures for all interests and experience levels. Thurmond Ghost Town is an abandoned town for several years. Machine Shop Coalwood Coalwood bears several tributes to "Rocket Boys" (made into the movie "October Sky") author and West Virginia native Homer Hickam, including a road sign marking Homer Hickam Lane and a rocket on display at a roadside park. Here are a few of our favorites. The building later came to be known as John Browns Fort. These 8 Hidden Places Are Virginia's Best Kept Secrets Virginia is a state full of hidden gems and secret places to discover. Whats your favorite hidden place in West Virginia? Located smack in the middle of the Appalachian mining country, Whipping Company Store is an unusual storehouse, built in 1890 by a coal company as their headquarters for all their social, financial, and logistical activities. The term knob is primarily used to denote the highest point on a ridge in the southern Appalachians. In 1911, the school was given to West Virginia Baptist General and was renamed as the Alderson Baptist Academy. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Around hundred house constructions and a large ore refinery were added to the town. wants to go to Escape to Twin Falls Resort State Park, a destination resort with more than 25 miles of hiking and biking trails (where you can see the park's namesake waterfalls), an indoor swimming pool, an 18-hole golf course, a restaurant, and overnight lodging options that include camping (tents or RVs), cabins and hotel rooms. The development of the mine started in 1905 and it was first put to use in 1906 for shipping coal. Reachable via hike, Blackwater Falls is one of West Virginia's most photographed destinations, as are other park highlights including Elakala Falls, Lindy Point and Pendleton Point Overlook. It's no secret that West Virginia is one of the best places to go white water rafting. Megan Johnson and Sharael KolbergMarch 3, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb. At some point during that time, someone suggested that it be changed to a junior college offering two-year college level programs. Today, the state parks railroad consists of heritage converted log cars that operate on the same trail as that from 1901. The bridge towers 876 feet above the New River, but don't worry guests are securely fastened to a cable, and tours move at a relaxed pace so you can feel comfortable (and stop for scenic views and photo ops along the way). Wonderment Puppet Theatre is a MUST SEE!! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. I took a Developmentally Disabled adult there for a fun experience and they were great with him. Though most of the castle and the cemetery is sitting dilapidated now, it is still a beautiful sight to explore, especially for ghost chasers and urban explorers. Ohio (full day, your group of 1-13), Historic Sites Military Bases & Facilities, Points of Interest & Landmarks Science Museums, Architectural Buildings Religious Sites. After a treacherous fight between the two sides, Brown was finally captured and executed in 1859. Did you know that carved deep into the mountainside of West Virginia isan emergency Cold War fallout shelter? The world's largest fully steerable radio telescope. See national parks, caves, museums and even the "World's Largest Teapot" on your next West Virginia vacation. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy. Nicknamed the Mountain State, West Virginia is the only state situated entirely in the Appalachian Mountain region. And with an estimated cost $333, you can have an affordable 3-day, long weekend escape to West Virginia! Learn more about this architectural marvel on a guided tour. The "mysteries" of this quintessential roadside oddity were almost destroyed by neglect but were saved by fans of kitschy wonder. When you emerge from the tunnels, explore the Coal Camp, with restored original buildings including the Pemberton Coal Camp Church and the Helen Coal Camp School, then stop by the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia, which features a planetarium and a recreated homestead from the late 19th century. of pressure, 18 dormitories, designed to accommodate more than 1,100 people, Power plant with purification equipment and three 25,000-gallon water tanks, Communications area, including television production area and audio recording booths, Clinic with 12 hospital beds, medical and dental operating rooms, Laboratory, pharmacy and intensive care unit, Meeting rooms for the House and Senate, the Governors Hall and Mountaineer room. These cabins allow you to bask in the beauty of West Virginia's nature, while still enjoying all the modern amenities. The West Virginia Penitentiary is so spooky that it's been featured in Netflix's "Mindhunter" (along with the town of Moundsville) and Hulu's "Castle Rock," among other TV shows and movies. It turned out that she hadnt anticipated that money could run out, which it did, and in 1913, the Berkeley Springs Castle was publicly auctioned. 2. The plan was to simply seize all the arms and ammunition from the complex and use it to equip an abolitionist army to fight against slavery. The tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles tints the water of Blackwater Falls, hence the name of this 57-foot cascade and state park in Tucker County. You can find it in western VA near Shenandoah National Park. Its 53-mile stretch of the New River (ironically one of the oldest rivers in the world) is famous for whitewater rafting, with beginner- and family-friendly tours and rapids up to Class V, widely considered some of the most challenging to navigate. Home Travel Guides United States West Virginia (WV) 25 Amazing Hidden Gems in West Virginia. Get more stories delivered right to your email. She has a huge impact on people with her growing fan base on social media. Construction on the bunker began in 1958, which was built 720 feet into the hillside under The Greenbrier. In 1883, he married Rosa Pelham and decided to build his beloved wife a castle. While there isnt any certainty as to when these rocks were formed, there is, at least, a definitive name for this kind of rock formation, a table rock formation, as opposed to Turnip Rock or Jug Rock.. It seems perfect for a family day - lots of rocks to play on and a shallow area for wading and splashing and tables for an outdoor picnic. Hidden in West Virginia's Greenbrier Resort was a massive bomb shelter stocked with supplies for members of Congress in . Can you help further? If you're road-tripping through West Virginia, consider making a stop at this quirky attraction, which measures 12 feet high and 44 feet wide.