West Virginia

West Virginia is a state where the Appalachian culture shows clear links to the European heritage of the people who settled here. The Welsh, German and Italian immigrants came to work in the natural resource industries of coal, oil and natural gas and found mountainous countryside that today offers superb outdoor recreation in all four seasons. The Swiss who came to farm found challenging landscapes yet the farming traditions carry on in West Virginia where many cottage industries sell specialty foods and handcrafted products.

The forested lands in West Virginia are wonderful for hiking, cycling and camping while metropolitan cities and towns offer cultural events, fine dining, shopping and nightlife activities. Throughout the state, artisans and artists have found a home where they can pursue their crafts and fine arts in a restful atmosphere and breathtaking environment.

West Virginia has four distinct seasons. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts can enjoy every season in West Virginia with spring fishing, summer whitewater rafting, fall hikes and winter snow sports. Spring bursts onto the scene with the pastel hues of redbud and dogwood and the down home taste of ramps (or wild leeks) at festivals in the mountains. Summer is lush and green with cool mountain streams for swimming and warm sunny days for boating on the lakes and rivers. Fall is brilliant; cool, crisp mornings and sunny afternoons filled with the vivid reds, golds and greens of deciduous trees. Winter brings snow for skiing, sledding and cross-country hikes.

West Virginia has more than 1,000 miles of divided highways and scenic byways for leisurely travel. Visitors arriving at Washington Dulles, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Charlotte airports are only an hour away. The state’s airports are located in Charleston, Greenbrier Valley (Lewisburg), Beckley, Bluefield/Princeton, Clarksburg/Fairmont, Keyser, Huntington, Morgantown and Parkersburg. AMTRAK also makes several stops throughout the state.