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9 Compelling Reasons To Spend Your Next Vacation In Beautiful Summersville, West Virginia

Summersville, West Virginia offers a variety of outdoor activities, scenic views, and unique attractions making it an ideal vacation spot.

Published Jan 20, 2022

Written by 

Cristy

Your next vacation should be to Summersville, West Virginia, and we can't wait to talk you into it! There are dozens of compelling reasons to visit Summersville, and here are just nine of them.

1. The Lake

A scenic view of a river with a boat, surrounded by lush green hills and a rocky cliff under a dramatic sky.
Summersville Convention & Visitors Bureau / Facebook

The Little Bahamas of the East, Summersville Lake is West Virginia's largest lake and a stunning oasis tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains. It provides an almost endless amount of activity options. Swim, boat, paddleboard, scuba dive, water ski, sunbathe, play in the sand, and more.

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2. A Lighthouse

A tall white lighthouse stands against a blue sky, surrounded by green trees and a grassy area.
Summersville Lake Lighthouse/Facebook

West Virginia's only lighthouse, the Summersville Lake Lighthouse is a must see for sure.

3. Local Hikes

A serene lake surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers, with mountains in the background under a clear sky.
Kami Jones / Alltrails

Try Long Point Trail for a beautiful view of the water.

4. Scenic Drives

Aerial view of a winding river surrounded by colorful autumn foliage and rolling hills.
Cavan Images / Cavan Collection via Getty Images

The area around Summersville Lake is gorgeous as well. Explore it by car for some of the most scenic drives in the Mountain State. Try a trip across Summersville Lake on Route 19 if you want something really short; head to the New River Gorge for a slightly longer trip.

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5. Waterfalls

Two people paddleboarding under a rocky overhang, with water splashing down from above.
Summersville Convention & Visitors Bureau / Facebook

Have you seen the small cascade pouring down over the cliffs in Pirate's Cove? Look for it as you drive across the lake or find it by boat or paddle board!

6. Accommodations

A charming lodge with a green roof, surrounded by trees and colorful chairs on the porch, set against a blue sky.
Summersville Convention & Visitors Bureau / Facebook

Try Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins for a resort experience right on the water.

7. Shops

A hardware store at night, decorated with holiday lights and a small Christmas tree outside.
Summersville Convention & Visitors Bureau / Facebook

From historic icons like Hardmans Hardware...

A charming blue house with festive decorations and glowing lights, set against a twilight sky. Snow is on the ground.
Summersville Convention & Visitors Bureau / Facebook

... to relative newcomers like Brownstone Mill, there are so many choices when it comes to shopping in the Summersville area.

8. Food

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A welcoming sign and flower pots in front of a restaurant named "Fat Eddie's," with parked cars and a rainy atmosphere.
Summersville Convention & Visitors Bureau / Facebook

You can't go wrong with ice cream from Fat Eddie's. Brownstone Mill that we mentioned earlier also serves up some good lunches. And you can even take a one-of-a-kind dinner cruise to finish the day with a good meal and a great view.

9. Wine

A rustic wooden building with a sign for "Kenwood Vineyards" and colorful directional signs outside.
Summersville Convention & Visitors Bureau / Facebook

Kirkwood Winery is worth a stop, especially in September for their annual grape stomp.

Think we've listed all the reasons to visit Summersville on your next vacation? Think again! We haven't mentioned nearby Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park yet. To learn more about all these Summersville attractions and then some, visit the Summersville Convention Bureau website.

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Trip Ideas|Unique Trips

This Scenic 55-Mile Drive Just May Be The Most Underrated Adventure In West Virginia

Updated Jun 25, 2024

Written by 

Cristy

Webster County, West Virginia is home to the scenic Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway. This underrated West Virginia scenic drive takes travelers through the mountains, valleys, and small towns of Webster County, offering stunning views of the landscape and a fascinating glimpse into mountain life, both past and present. The byway is also home to a number of different attractions, including Holly River State Park. If you love scenic drives in West Virginia, the Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway should definitely be on your list!

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What is the Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway? The Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway is an underrated, 45-mile scenic loop through Northern Webster County, West Virginia, with several additional "spurs" that either shorten or lengthen the adventure along this scenic route.

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Brian Powell/Flickr

The byway starts and ends in either Webster Springs, which is the county seat, (traveling north), or at the Randolph County line (traveling south). It winds its way through the scenic mountains and valleys of the region.

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Webster County Tourism

The byway (the easier drive) mostly follows WV Route 20, while the backway (a more difficult route) forms the drive's loop along County Road 3.

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Doug Kerr/Flickr

As you cruise this scenic route, you'll see along the way many hidden historical sites and attractions, including but definitely not limited to Hacker Valley, McCray Rocks, Mount Zion Church, and Mollohan Mill.

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jamiev_03/Flickr

The Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway is a great way to explore the beauty of Webster County and get a taste of West Virginia's history.

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Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

This WV byway offers drivers stunning views of the rolling green hills of West Virginia, as well as connecting several area attractions, including overlooks, historical sites, parks, and trails that offer drivers the chance to explore the area.

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Apartment Showcase/Flickr

For the best experience on the Mountain Parkway, plan ahead, take your time, and expect to make multiple stops to explore the attractions found along the way.

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With its beautiful views and historic attractions, this underrated scenic drive through Webster County, West Virginia is not one to miss!

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J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

And you might discover an unexpected surprise or two along the way.

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J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

Along the Mountain Parkway route, you will encounter many scenic and historic attractions, including the enchanting Holly River State Park and the uniquely historic Mollohan Mill. What are your other favorite pretty drives? Please let us know in the comments section! We would love to hear your recommendations. While preparing for your road trip, be sure to take a look at The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List by OnlyInYourState so you will have everything you need! Get ready for a fun and one-of-a-kind vacation.

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Trip Ideas|Unique Trips

The Scenic Train Ride In West Virginia That Runs Year-Round

Amtrak's Cardinal train offers a scenic year-round journey through West Virginia, showcasing the state's beauty across all seasons.

Updated Apr 29, 2024

Written by 

Cristy

Our state is a train lover's paradise. We've got scenic train rides in West Virginia galore, from the Greenbrier and Durbin trains to the Potomac Eagle to the Ridge Runner and more. And while several of these trains operate almost all year round, they seem to shut down for at least a few months in late winter. All, that is, except for the Amtrak Cardinal Amtrak, the only truly year-round Amtrak train in West Virginia.

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Amtrak's Cardinal train runs all the way from Chicago to New York City three days per week.

Map showing train stations along a route from Delaware to Virginia, with marked locations and a sidebar menu.
Amtrak

The West Virginia portion of the route is considered one of the most scenic areas along the entire 26.5-hour trip.

A view of a railway track curving through greenery, with signal lights and a building in the background under a cloudy sky.
Steve5863 / Tripadvisor

You will definitely need to fit in some sleep, so we recommend packing this tiny, portable white noise machine to make getting some z's much easier.

The train's first stop in West Virginia from the east is White Sulphur Springs, with additional stops at historic depots in Alderson, Hinton, Prince, Thurmond, Montgomery, Charleston, and Huntington before exiting West Virginia bound toward Chicago.

A train approaches the White Sulphur Springs station, surrounded by greenery and a quaint building in the background.
Amtrak / Facebook

If you're at all familiar with West Virginia's geography, you've already realized that this train ride passes right through the New River Gorge National Park. It goes through West Virginia's capital city. It follows the curves of the Ohio River over the Big Sandy into Kentucky.

Amtrak train traveling along a scenic route with lush greenery and a bridge in the background.
Amtrak / Facebook

What a way to explore the Mountain State!

An Amtrak train approaches the Orange station, with a blue sky and clouds in the background.
Wikipedia/Coyote Reyne

It's a trip worth taking more than once, as each season brings its own take on the beauty and grandeur of the age-old Appalachian Mountains.

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A scenic view of a river surrounded by lush green hills, with a large bridge arching over the landscape under a blue sky.
Amtrak / Facebook

A winter trip highlights the rugged spine of these mountains, quiet and slumbering. A spring or summer trip sees them awake and full of life and vigor. A fall trip finds them robed in a splendor of vibrant hues.

A panoramic view of a snowy landscape featuring a bridge over a river, surrounded by steep, snow-covered hills.
AdamIsovitsch / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus

To learn more about this scenic train ride in West Virginia, check prices, and scheduling, and book a trip, visit the Amtrak Cardinal Train website. Have you ever ridden the Amtrak train in West Virginia? What time of year did you make the trip?

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