Downtown South Charleston, West Virginia is a hopping place, filled with restaurants, stores, businesses, boutiques, and more... including one very old, very prominent Criel Mound, an Ancient Indian burial site dating all the way back to 500 B.C.
There's plenty to see and do in South Charleston, West Virginia. Located in the Kanahwa River Valley just across the river from West Virginia's capital city, South Charleston boasts a variety of industry, business, dining and shopping options, riverfront views, and historic sites.
And perhaps the best known of the historic sites in the city of South Charleston is the Criel (Creel) Mound. In fact, it's not an exaggeration to say that the Criel Mound is the focal point of the whole downtown area.
And well it should be, as this towering mound pays tribute to those who lived here long before we did - the Kanawha Valley Mound Builders, members of the Adena people group.
They built this mound millenia ago, by hand. Archaeologists estimate that the South Charleston Mound was constructed with more than one million basketfuls of earth. Can you imagine? And this is just one mound of more than four dozen in the nearby Kanawha Valley area!
The Criel Mound was constructed as an ancient cemetery; when it was excavated in the 1800s, more than a dozen skeletons were found inside, in very specific arrangement.
Now, the skeletons are gone, but the mound still stands silent witness to their lives and legacy. Climb these steps. Take in the view from the top. Ponder the stories this pile of dirt could tell.
Have you ever visited the Criel Mound, located at 301 7th Avenue? Do you know much of the history of the people who lived in this area of West Virginia over 2,000 years ago? Thanks to a variety of signage at the base of the mound, this is an excellent place to start learning, as is the Delf Norona Museum in Moundsville.
Harpers Ferry, the One Christmas Town in West Virginia That’s Simply a Must Visit This Season
Spread holiday cheer at the Harpers Ferry Olde Tyme Christmas event this year. Enjoy the dazzling lights and meet Santa at this festive holiday celebration.
Once the holidays officially arrive here in the Mountain State, you'll find that all of our small towns and big cities come to life. If we had to choose the best Christmas town in West Virginia it would be Harpers Ferry. If you're looking to take one adventure this season that you'll never forget, then you'll surely want to mark your calendars and start planning your trip to Harpers Ferry's Olde Tyme Christmas event. Don’t miss your chance to see Santa, take a carriage ride, and marvel at the twinkling lights in Harpers Ferry at Christmas this year.
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Throughout the year, people from all over West Virginia and beyond make their way out to Harpers Ferry to experience all that this notable town has to offer.
Once we near the month of December, people begin to gear up for the adventure to Harpers Ferry for the annual Olde Tyme Christmas event. Transforming the town into something out of your favorite holiday storybook, the Olde Tyme Christmas event takes over Harpers Ferry for the first two weekends of December.
To begin, you will find the streets of Harpers Ferry charmingly decked out in twinkling lights and garlands galore. It makes it really look like a proper Christmas town in West Virginia. At the historic St. Peter's Catholic Church, you'll be able to catch a live performance of the Nativity play and track down Santa and Mrs. Claus in town!
Between the two weekends, you'll be able to experience local shops extending their hours and hosting special events, live performances from local musicians as well as historians, horse-drawn wagon rides, and even a historic candy-making demonstration and class.
Kicking off the event in the most marvelous way, those who make it out to Harpers Ferry for the opening ceremony will also have the pleasure of attending special events that only happen that day. Past years have included the Yule Log and Christmas Tree Lighting. If you're ready to discover the magic, you can find updated schedules for Olde Tyme Christmas and get it on your calendar. Enjoy the season in this classic West Virginia Christmas town!
Have you gotten the opportunity to enjoy Harpers Ferry Olde Tyme Christmas? We guarantee that this old-fashioned holiday celebration will bring Christmas cheer to you and your family. Who knows, this might even become a new holiday tradition for you.
Wondering how else you can dive into the holiday season here in the Mountain State? Then don't miss out on your chance to stay at this West Virginia Christmas-themed hotel! It will definitely put you in the holiday spirit! And while you're planning out the most wonderful time of the year, take a look at the Only In Your State Holiday Gift Guides and find the perfect gifts for your loved ones.
It's our small towns that make West Virginia such a unique place. Charlestown and Huntington certainly have their charms, but the Mountain State's small towns are where you'll find that strong sense of community and rich history that makes our state so special. If you feel the same way, we think you'll love the amazing small-town road trip featured today. It's a lengthy one, and you'll want at least three or four days to explore all the stops, but these little towns are so amazing, and each is worthy of a visit.
Of course, you can always opt for a shorter trip if you don't have the time or budget to explore all five towns. You can get the itinerary from Google Maps, and it's fully customizable, so feel free to add or remove stops as you please. The entire trip requires 525 miles of driving and takes you through much of the Mountain State: it's quite the adventure!
Aerial drone shot of the ancient historic native American burial mound in Moundsville, WV
We'll start our trip in the town of Moundsville, population 7,800. It's easy to see where the town's name came from. One of the main attractions here is the Grave Creek Mound Historical Site, one of many Native American mounds in West Virginia. Fans of the spooky and scary won't want to miss a visit to the West Virginia Penitentiary, thought to be one of the state's most haunted locales. It's no longer used to house prisoners, but paranormal tours are offered throughout the year.
We'll head southeast, and our next stop will be Capon Bridge, which is home to under 500 residents. Like many small towns, Capon Bridge is home to some incredibly delicious restaurants. The Farmer's Daughter Market & Butcher is a meat market that sources locally procured beef to make some of the best hamburgers you've ever tried. Another of our favorite spots is El Puente Mexican Restaurant. This is definitely a great place to stop for a bite to eat, but you'll find plenty more to enjoy here. The charming little town has a thriving art community and is home to the Cacapon River, allowing for fun outdoor recreation.
Love history? You'll adore our next stop: Harpers Ferry. It lies at the crossroads of several major transportation routes and plays an important role in the area's economic development as a trade hub. John Brown's famous 1859 raid took place here - this attempted slave rebellion was one of the matches that was to start the Civil War. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park features several 19th-century buildings, including John Brown's fort. This is also one of the state's best areas for outdoor recreation, and there are some wonderful hiking trails in Harpers Ferry. Honestly, you'll probably want to spend at least two days here because there's so much to do in this town of 270.
This historic covered bridge (c. 1884) provided access to the S.S. Herns mill and is one of only two covered bridges remaining in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. The bridge is 54 feet long and spans Milligans Creek about four miles from downtown Lewisburg.
The next leg of the journey is quite lengthy, but it's through a scenic area of the state, and you'll end in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. Lewisburg is the county seat of Greenbrier County and has a population of around 3,800. Despite its low population, this is quite the happening place! Concerts and festivals occur regularly, and you'll also find natural wonders to visit, like the Lost World Caverns. Lewisburg's Herns Mill Covered Bridge, pictured above, is one of just two remaining covered bridges in Greenbrier County.
For our final stop, we'll head to the outdoor wonderland of Fayetteville, West Virginia. It lies just beside the stunning New River Gorge National Park. This 70,000-acre park is one of the most beautiful areas of the state, and Fayetteville is the perfect entrance point. It's really no wonder that it's been recognized as one of the top small towns in America. With Appalachian charm, delicious restaurants, and adorable boutique shops, there's a lot to enjoy here, and it's a great final destination for this small-town road trip.
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Which of these small towns in West Virginia have you been to? Do you think anything should be on the list? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Before hitting the road for your travels, make sure to check out the great gear available through the Only In Your State Amazon storefront. We've got all kinds of wonderful road trip equipment featured!
