Visiting West Virginia

West Virginia, from Morgantown and Berkeley Springs in the north, south on Interstate 79 through Bridgeport to Charleston, the Mountain State’s beauty and heritage comes alive. Enjoy the nation's smallest state park – Berkeley Springs State Park, and the country’s oldest spa in Berkeley Springs. Travel West on Interstate 68 towards Monongalia County and Preston County, for excellent mountain biking trails in Coopers Rock State Forest, the rapids of the Cheat River or fishing at Cheat Lake. Head south to Bridgeport to take in some West Virginia history at Watters Smith Memorial State Park, just outside of town in Lost Creek. You’re now 2 hours northeast of Charleston and the delights of the city.

Nestled at the confluence of the Elk River and Kanawha Rivers, Charleston offers visitors small town charm with the excitement of Virginia’s largest city and state capital. Take advantage of warm fall days to enjoy Virginia Power baseball at Appalachia Power Park, or concerts and events at Haddad Riverfront Park. Remember, the trails on Magic Island Park are open year-round; enjoy them now without the crowds of summer.

Charleston’s Yeager Airport is serviced by several major airlines and is a quick drive from downtown, making it convenient for business travelers, or inbound trips to West Virginia. With the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau sportsFEST completed, visitors have a line-up of great fall events. Labor day brings the West Virginia Games along with family fun and athletic events though out the city. The games include the Charleston Distance Run featuring events from the 15-mile run to a 5K walk – something for every age and ability.

Car enthusiasts visit Charleston for October’s Charleston Boulevard Rod Run and Doo Wop. The 6th annual festival is October 6th through the 9th. Register your car or come admire the show - enjoy live entertainment nightly, Paddle Boat cruises and even a flame-throwing contest. Sports fans check out the full fall schedule for the University of Charleston Golden Eagle Athletics. Football games run through November 12th with an away game. The last home game is November 5th at University of Charleston Stadium against Virginia Wesleyan College.

For fun outside the city, head north to Morgantown for the 2011 West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival. Hosted at Camp Muffly in Morgantown, September 17th and 18th, visitors enjoy wine tasting, for those 21 and over, live jazz and arts and crafts. Enjoy the likes of The Mon River Big Band, Bill Heid Quartet and Roger Humphries on stage, while Wolf Creek, Forks of Cheat Winery and Lamberts Vintage Wines fill your glass – a great way to celebrate the beginning of fall.

Fall in Morgantown brings the excitement of West Virginia University and their Mountaineer athletics to the field. Catch men’s and women’s soccer at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, Mountaineer Football at Milan Puskar Stadium – and make sure you stick around when they win for the marching band accompanying a victorious team in singing Country Roads.

West Virginia Hotel Map