There's no better state for a scenic drive than the Mountain State. That's especially true along Route 50, a cross-country highway that runs right through the entire state of West Virginia. From Capon Bridge on the Virginia border to Parkersburg near Ohio, this beautiful drive through West Virginia is filled with scenic mountain views and historic small towns. Here's just a smattering of the many gems you'll find along this route.
If you're traveling from Virginia west along Highway 50, the first town you'll come to in West Virginia is Capon Bridge, a beautiful, historic little community tucked in the mountains.
Not far beyond Capon Bridge lies Romney, West Virginia, a town worth visiting in any season, but especially gorgeous in fall. Perched in the Potomac Highlands, Romney is one of the two oldest towns in all of West Virginia and features delicious restaurants, quaint shops, and beautiful views.
On to Grafton. Don't miss the chance to stop at the International Mothers Day Shrine and learn all about the origins of this special holiday that started right here in West Virginia.
West Union, West Virginia is another small town with a nationally recognized historic district for a downtown area! Magnificent old buildings line the streets, like the Doddridge County Courthouse pictured here.
And these are just a smattering of the scenic small towns you'll pass through on a beautiful drive along Route 50 through West Virginia. What are you waiting for?
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!
If you love road trips, you’re in the perfect state. West Virginia has plenty to see and do all within a few hundred miles. Here are some of the best West Virginia road trips to keep you busy all year long. What are you waiting for? Gas up the tank and check out our list of West Virginia road trip ideas! You’re about to have an epic adventure.
Route: Thomas > Sutton > Helvetia > Green Bank > Davis
Distance: 287 miles
Trip Time: 6 hours driving time
When you picture a road trip through West Virginia do you see rugged Appalachian Mountain views, boardwalk hikes to waterfalls, or even peaceful views of Summersville Lake as the Gauley River spirals off into the distance? Then again, anything can make a fun road trip - haunted castles, ice cream shops, and fall colors. We hope you've discovered a few West Virginia road trip ideas to capture your attention and inspire your imagination. All you have to do now is load up the car, set the GPS, and hit the road on one of the best road trips in West Virginia.
