If you get excited about the feel of a shiver down your spine, you'll. Whether you prefer a luxury retreat at a world-class resort or a rustic campsite stay under starry night skies, West Virginia has accommodations for every type of traveler. As most of us know, Robert Fulton is credited as the inventor of the steamboat. West Virginia has its share of quirky attractions as well, including the "World's Largest Teapot" and the Mothman Museum, which tells the story of the local legend that inspired "The Mothman Prophecies," both a book and a film starring Richard Gere. But that's not all. Berkeley Springs State Park 549 State Parks By Bboston8 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. During the time of its operation, the Penitentiary had witnessed a total of 92 executions 83 by hanging and 9 by electrocution. 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. Here are some of West Virginias most underrated places that deserve more attention. 22, 2023, Up to 60% Off + Exclusive 5% Guaranteed Priceline Coupon, Up to 50% Off Travel Plans with Top Expedia Promo Code, Discount Travel Plans with 50% Off on Hotels.com bookings, 50% Discount on Getaways with Barcel Resort & Hotels, Booking.com Promo Code Up to 50% Off + Extra 10% Off. An interesting learning experience about telescopes of all kinds and their uses and users. The prison compound was divided into four sections the Alamo for the most ruthless inmates, the mainline for everyday assortments of prisoners, the Rat Row for the heightened protection of the snitches, and the Honor Hall for the well-behaved trustees.. Thank you! 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. 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. 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. Inside the rooms things and water seem to roll uphill, humans stand at a slant too. Thurmond Ghost Town is an abandoned town for several years. Today, the castle is available to rent as an event space. Visit a replica of the estate where Aaron Burr allegedly plotted a treasonous scheme against the United States. The story was so bizarre it captured the attention of Hollywood (resulting in "The Mothman Prophecies" movie, based on a book of the same name) and inspired the Mothman Museum in the town of Point Pleasant, where the Mothman is said to reside. Defined by its rivers and lush forests, this region in southern West Virginia has some of the most spectacular outdoor recreation. West Virginia State Museum 408 History Museums By 291genej Videos and audio explanations supplement the excellent visual display of artifacts, making this a 1st class museum an. Unfortunately, the poor doctor got caught up in drug trafficking and was sent out to prison before his project could ever be completed. 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. The staff are very helpful and nice, the baths are easily big enough for 2 adults and 1 child, could comfortably fit 2 adults and 2 children. It's no secret that West Virginia is one of the best places to go white water rafting. However, the room is not the only attraction in the area. However, in 1980, the teapot was shut down for business and after a decade later, it was moved to its current location. Tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains, New Vrindaban is a religious community and an unincorporated village owned and managed by the Hare Krishna group. The process, as opposed to what people expected, worked. These are just a few of the marvels you can find while exploring the hidden corners of the Mountain State. With no other choice left, Brown took nine hostages from the federal complex heist and held them at a smaller engine house within the building. Four more died in various accidents at the park, after which the site was finally left abandoned. Hiking the Kaymoor Mine and Stairs These steps are the locals' favorite cardio workout. The Today Show crew chatted with Greenbrier Ambassador Frank Mosley, who has been with at the resort for about 60 years, to see how the place has evolved over time. More recent, human-made wonders are scattered throughout the rugged landscape, from the smallest church in the contiguous United States to a telescope that is a massive feat of engineering. Just down the road from the castle is this stunning garden and natural area. So I think that these facts would be helpful for you to sneak a peek at the secret places in west Virginia. Read More Unique Stays in Almost Heaven, West Virginia January 9th, 2023 Construction on the bunker began in 1958, which was built 720 feet into the hillside under The Greenbrier. Researchers claim that the formation of the 69-foot-tall hill must have taken around 60,000 tons of earth! Some of the graves date as far back as to the 1700s. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Watch the Today Shows visit to the Greenbrier to learn more. 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! Located in the far west of West Virginia, Kenova is a town of 3,000 residents, but come Halloween each year, the town also becomes home to 3,000 pumpkins, all used to decorate the former mayors historic home into a grand Halloween extravaganza. Located in the Allegheny mountains, of Tucker County, Blackwater Falls is one of the most photographed attractions in West Virginia and among the best hidden vacation spots in the USA. Less than three hours outside Roanoke, this stretch of West Virginia is unlike anything youve ever seen before. Cherry trees Van Gogh Bridge Reston Virginia. 82 miles of shoreline give you plenty of recreation opportunities, and you'll never want to leave this beautiful spot. This red-eyed chrome beast pays homage to the popular modern myth of West Virginia's insectoid monster. The residents of the town are not only bothered but physically pained due to all the electromagnetic activities that are found otherwise outside of the town. 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. Learn more about this architectural marvel on a guided tour. Today they believe that there are the wandering souls of them. Previous visitors highly recommend Lost World Caverns, cautioning that the caves can be slippery and difficult to traverse in some areas, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and a light jacket. We will certainly be back. Griffith also owns the towns pharmacy, Griffith & Fell Drug Store. Stephano's, Morgantown We drove here on a rainy/foggy day from New River Gorge and the, The long drive up the forest roads is well worth it when arriving at, happy that just a very short walkway took us over a wooden bridge over a cleft in the. No purchase necessary. The destination resort offers a dizzying array of outdoor activities, the most popular of which is whitewater rafting. Bonus: As a state-operated attraction, the museum is free to enter. Explore wide open spaces with plenty of room to roam. [Read: The Best Tourist Attraction in Every U.S. From family-friendly paths to long, scenic overnight camp-and-hike trails, come see why West Virginia is called the Mountain State. Once it was completed in 1961, the facility was constantly maintained by a small group of government employees working undercover as audio and video technicians. Becky did a great job giving the tour, was very informative and And if you are a hiker, then you will also experience lots of RRR&R which is, The houses, church, and schoolhouse and really fun and informative. It's a slower-paced adventure - which gives people ample time to enjoy the beautiful scenery. As the second-largest coal-producing U.S. state, West Virginia is also home to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, where curious travelers can ride through the passages of a former coal mine. While most researchers visit the town to observe signals from the cosmos, most come here to take refuge at the town which falls under the National Radio Quiet Zone. The area is full of history, festivals and fun activities to enjoy. One of the best parts of visiting a new area is finding all the surprisingly little spots that dont always make it into the guidebooks. On October 16th, 1859, John Brown gathered 22 men, including his three sons and five black men, and declared war on the Harpers Ferry federal complex as a way of retaliating against the practice of slavery. Near-constant high winds deform the trees on Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. Travel the open country roads and discover more of West Virginias most unique hidden gems, here. 8. A particularly creepy abandoned hospital that sparks interest for lovers of the supernatural. I am so glad that stumbled across this museum, they also have toys for sale in their. Club 33, California. But, did you know that the occasion was first observed in West Virginia on May 10th, 1908? Well worth the time to stop. Once a top secret U.S. government relocation facility for Congress, The Greenbrier Bunker is now open to visitors interested in learning about the history of this bunker! America's post-nuclear-attack chambers of Congress. This former fire tower found new life as a communications hub complete with a scenic overlook. WV Museum of History rivals the best in our nation. The building later came to be known as John Browns Fort. Around hundred house constructions and a large ore refinery were added to the town. Dendrochronology doesn't just work on forests. Tours start at $12 for adults and $6 for children. Every year, mid-March there is a celebration marking the day the first president of the United States of America first visited in 1748. This fine dining restaurant is surprisingly hidden under a bowling alley. The most famous waters are in the Gauley River, between Summersville and Fayetteville, in the Gauley River National Recreation Area. Other highlights in Harper's Ferry include The Point, where you can see the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers; crossing the Potomac on a pedestrian bridge to access the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park towpath; and, better still, getting out on the waters in a river tube, cold drink in hand. You'll find picnic areas, hiking trails, a pretty lake and cozy cabins to stay the night. 2023 Atlas Obscura. One day a year it is legal to jump off of this astoundingly tall bridge that spans an Appalachian gorge. Even though the stone structure isnt the same one from George Washingtons time, today, the bathtub attracts tourists, hikers, and locals alike. Real buffalo roam the campground, and you can get a taste of the meat in the restaurant. Spend a day at the waterpark, and don't forget to enjoy the Nature Zone, miniature golf and go-karts. E #435, Charleston, WV 25305, (Courtesy of Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine). 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. Whats America without its many thousands roadside attractions and oddities that have kept the families amused for decades? Speaking of secrets, let us explore some of the hidden gems in West Virginia. 1. When George Washington was only 16, he worked as a surveyors assistant and paid frequent visits to the spa town of Berkeley Springs in West Virginia. Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity. The teapot went out of business around 1980, was restored by the Chester City Council in 1990, and has sat at the junction of U.S. Route 30 and State Route 2 ever since. (Courtesy of West Virginia Department of Tourism), Almost heaven, West Virginia. A behind the scenes look at the bunker beneath the Greenbrier Resort with The Today Show on NBC. The development of the mine started in 1905 and it was first put to use in 1906 for shipping coal. In Ansted, West Virginia a man named Donald Wilson opened the Mystery Hole to the public in 1973 he claims that the underground area works mostly against the rules of gravity. Several centuries later, in the 1920s, Conley T. Snidow, a businessman, purchased Clays land and built an amusement park. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. 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. 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. Above ground, Wilson built a gift shop that is painted in the most bright colors and is covered in strange yet intriguing artwork, for instance, a Big Gorilla hovering over the store and an old Beetle crashing into the store. During its Eisenhower-Era use, the bunker provided the following: Over the 30 years that it was an active facility, technology was constantly updated so that the bunker was always ready in case of emergency. See more ideas about secret places, west virginia, virginia. Elk Springs Resort, Monterville Elk Springs Resort This 22 acre resort along the Elk River has some of the best fishing in West Virginia.