As the only state contained entirely within
the Appalachian Mountain range, West Virginia is as beautiful as it
is secluded. Its solitary steep wooded mountains, hidden valleys
and solitary rivers transform a scenic drive into a balm for the
soul. In the past, this rugged terrain tended to isolate West
Virginians, who were forced to rely on small subsistence farms and
cottage industries. Aspects of this lifestyle have been exaggerated
in pop culture and is often the subject of jokes involving
moonshine and backwoodsmen.
But the West Virginian way of life has
produced countless cultural gems, including a mastery of
Appalachian folk music, particularly bluegrass; unparalleled
craftsmanship in furniture making, quilting, and glass-blowing; and
inventive culinary treats like the famous West Virginia sausage
roll. These features, combined with its slower pace of life and
small-town hospitality, make the Mountain State an inviting and
restorative getaway.
West Virginia's Hatfield-McCoy (two feuding
clans intrinsic to American folklore) stereotype has not deterred
wealthy urban professionals from buying up property in resort areas
like Canaan Valley. But this ski destination, along with others
like Snowshoe Mountain and Timberline, has not undergone a glitzy
transformation with increased tourism. On the contrary, visitors to
West Virginia tend to be those in search of escape and simplicity,
who are content with evenings in front of fireplaces, enjoying the
arts in restored country playhouses and shopping at local farmers
markets.
It's a haven for outdoorsmen, who often
head straight for the Potomac Highlands in the east, which are
covered by the Monongahela National Forest and popular with skiers,
hikers, hunters and mountain bikers. In the south, the New and
Gauley Rivers offer unmatched white-water rafting and the area's
extensive cave system attracts the most intrepid spelunkers.
Geocaching, an adventure sport in which GPS users hunt down hidden
caches, is increasingly popular.
In this region, the profound impact of the
state's controversial coal mining industry, on both West Virginia's
heritage and its environment, is evident. Visitors may tour coal
mines with former miners, and witness the effects of mountaintop
removal, a method of mining in which hundreds of vertical feet are
literally blasted away. Fortunately, West Virginia's natural beauty
seems incapable of being quashed, as illustrated by the serenity of
the central mountain lakes region and the rolling country of the
eastern panhandle.
For those visitors who might grow weary of
one scenic vista after another, West Virginia does have its busier
spots, including the state capital of Charleston in the south, a
heavily industrialized city which also hosts the West Virginia
Symphony Orchestra. But the best of West Virginia's cosmopolitan
life lies in the many unique towns found throughout its mountains.
There is Berkeley Springs, with its calming mineral baths and rows
of antique shops; Shepherdstown, with its university scene and
creative buzz; Hinton, a quintessential rail town with a collection
of historic buildings; and Harpers Ferry, a must for history buffs.
Situated along the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, Harpers Ferry,
which played a pivotal role during the Civil War, is the most
visited tourist destination in West Virginia.
