Did you know that there are plenty of hidden gems in West Virginia? As we West Virginia lovers already know, it’s beautiful. It’s also rugged and full of history. The people here are resourceful, courageous, and have deep roots. And as the nation begins to discover what we’ve known all along, they’ll start with all the best-known places such as Harpers Ferry, the New River Gorge Bridge, Glade Springs Gristmill, and Charleston’s Capitol Complex. Want to know more? Read on if you’re curious to explore some of the many hidden gems in West Virginia.
While there are numerous West Virginia bucket list-worthy places to visit, they’re not spots to go if what you really want to do is explore a little-known hidden gem or two (or nine!) in West Virginia. Here are some options to try that will keep you within about an hour of West Virginia’s famed New River Gorge.
Google Maps
- Dunlop Falls
Luke Martin / Google Maps The beautiful Dunlop Falls waterfall is on the way to the more well-known destination of Thurmond, West Virginia. Most people drive right on past it, never knowing what they’ve missed. Dunloup Creek Falls, 3508 Co Rte 25, Oak Hill, WV 25901, USA
- Skyline Drive-In
Cristy / OIYS After enjoying the waterfall, grab a bite to eat at the nearby Skyline Drive-In. This hidden gem in West Virginia’s claim to fame is “Hank’s [as in, Hank Williams] Last Stop.” It was in the parking lot outside this restaurant (then a gas station) that Hank was found dead in the back of his car by his driver. Skyline Drive In, 6329 Legends Hwy, Oak Hill, WV 25901, USA
- Royal
Cristy / OIYS Just across the river from Prince, West Virginia (home of the Prince Amtrak Station, a hidden gem of its own) is the ghost town of Royal, West Virginia. When you check it out, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most unique places in West Virginia. Royal, WV 25813, USA
- Grandview Sandbar
Robert Campbell Iii / Google Maps if you need a free place to camp once you’re done exploring, head to Grandview Sandbar Campground right along the New River. The scenic views from this vantage point should definitely be added to your West Virginia bucket list! Grandview Sandbar Campground, Glade Creek Rd, Beaver, WV 25813, USA
- Glade Creek Bridge
HighestBridges / Wikipedia Time for a hike! A stroll on the Glade Creek trail takes you underneath the Phil G McDonald Memorial Bridge (Glade Creek Bridge), the highest interstate bridge in the entire system. Glade Creek Bridge, Co Rte 60/16, Danese, WV 25831, USA
- Glade Creek Swimming Hole
Nora Sweeney / Google Maps Plus, if you keep walking on the Glade Creek Trail, you’ll find a plethora of beautiful waterfalls and serene swimming holes. If you are out exploring in the warmer months, bring swimming clothes and hop in Glade Creek Swimming Hole! Be prepared to have your jaw drop when you set your eyes on this hidden gem in West Virginia too. Glade Creek Trail, West Virginia, USA
- Grandview Country Store
Grandview Country Store & Market / Facebook Refresh yourself after your hike with a bit of shopping at this Amish furniture market. Perhaps an unusual thing to see in West Virginia, Grandview Country Store and Market has bulk food, farmhouse-style decor, and much more. Grandview Country Store & Market, 162 Hereford Ln, Beaver, WV 25813, USA
- Corner Gas and Grill
Cristy / OIYS Fuel up with a big meal from Corner Gas and Grill, the unsuspecting gas station in Pax, West Virginia that serves some of the best food in the area! Try the daily special or the G-Burger. Corner Gas and Grill, 2179 Paint Creek Rd, Mt Hope, WV 25880, USA
- Paint Creek Falls via the Paint Creek Scenic Byway
Cristy / OIYS Don’t hop back on the interstate - take the Paint Creek Scenic Byway from the Corner Gas and Grill up to the Paint Creek Waterfall. Here, you can spend a few minutes by the falls or walk across one of the old bridges just up the road from the falls soaking in these hidden gems in West Virginia. Paint Creek Falls, Powellton, WV 25161, USA
Have you ever visited any of these hidden gems in West Virginia that made this list? If so, feel free to share your thoughts in the following comment section. And, after exploring these unique places in West Virginia, how about going on another road trip? For ideas of where to plan your next adventure, take a look at these West Virginia road trips. You’ll also find some ideas for fun day trips to unique places in West Virginia in this article.
Google Maps
Luke Martin / Google Maps
The beautiful Dunlop Falls waterfall is on the way to the more well-known destination of Thurmond, West Virginia. Most people drive right on past it, never knowing what they’ve missed.
Dunloup Creek Falls, 3508 Co Rte 25, Oak Hill, WV 25901, USA
Cristy / OIYS
After enjoying the waterfall, grab a bite to eat at the nearby Skyline Drive-In. This hidden gem in West Virginia’s claim to fame is “Hank’s [as in, Hank Williams] Last Stop.” It was in the parking lot outside this restaurant (then a gas station) that Hank was found dead in the back of his car by his driver.
Skyline Drive In, 6329 Legends Hwy, Oak Hill, WV 25901, USA
Just across the river from Prince, West Virginia (home of the Prince Amtrak Station, a hidden gem of its own) is the ghost town of Royal, West Virginia. When you check it out, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most unique places in West Virginia.
Royal, WV 25813, USA
Robert Campbell Iii / Google Maps
if you need a free place to camp once you’re done exploring, head to Grandview Sandbar Campground right along the New River. The scenic views from this vantage point should definitely be added to your West Virginia bucket list!
Grandview Sandbar Campground, Glade Creek Rd, Beaver, WV 25813, USA
HighestBridges / Wikipedia
Time for a hike! A stroll on the Glade Creek trail takes you underneath the Phil G McDonald Memorial Bridge (Glade Creek Bridge), the highest interstate bridge in the entire system.
Glade Creek Bridge, Co Rte 60/16, Danese, WV 25831, USA
Nora Sweeney / Google Maps
Plus, if you keep walking on the Glade Creek Trail, you’ll find a plethora of beautiful waterfalls and serene swimming holes. If you are out exploring in the warmer months, bring swimming clothes and hop in Glade Creek Swimming Hole! Be prepared to have your jaw drop when you set your eyes on this hidden gem in West Virginia too.
Glade Creek Trail, West Virginia, USA
Grandview Country Store & Market / Facebook
Refresh yourself after your hike with a bit of shopping at this Amish furniture market. Perhaps an unusual thing to see in West Virginia, Grandview Country Store and Market has bulk food, farmhouse-style decor, and much more.
Grandview Country Store & Market, 162 Hereford Ln, Beaver, WV 25813, USA
Fuel up with a big meal from Corner Gas and Grill, the unsuspecting gas station in Pax, West Virginia that serves some of the best food in the area! Try the daily special or the G-Burger.
Corner Gas and Grill, 2179 Paint Creek Rd, Mt Hope, WV 25880, USA
Don’t hop back on the interstate - take the Paint Creek Scenic Byway from the Corner Gas and Grill up to the Paint Creek Waterfall. Here, you can spend a few minutes by the falls or walk across one of the old bridges just up the road from the falls soaking in these hidden gems in West Virginia.
Paint Creek Falls, Powellton, WV 25161, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Gems In West Virginia November 16, 2022 Marla S. What are some unusual things to see in West Virginia? Some unusual things to see in West Virginia include:
The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope The Chester Teapot The Mystery Hole Hillbilly Hot Dogs
Take a look at this list of unique places in West Virginia for more ideas of unusual spots to visit when you’re traveling around the state. What are some places to put on your West Virginia bucket list? Aside from the above road trip, some places to put on your West Virginia bucket list include the following:
The Palace of Gold in Moundsville The John Henry Statue in Talcott Seneca Rocks in Pendleton County The Keith Albee Theatre in Huntington
Take a look at this 2022 West Virginia travel guide as well for ideas of where to plan your next adventure.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Gems In West Virginia
November 16, 2022
Marla S.
What are some unusual things to see in West Virginia? Some unusual things to see in West Virginia include:
The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope The Chester Teapot The Mystery Hole Hillbilly Hot Dogs
Take a look at this list of unique places in West Virginia for more ideas of unusual spots to visit when you’re traveling around the state. What are some places to put on your West Virginia bucket list? Aside from the above road trip, some places to put on your West Virginia bucket list include the following:
The Palace of Gold in Moundsville The John Henry Statue in Talcott Seneca Rocks in Pendleton County The Keith Albee Theatre in Huntington
Take a look at this 2022 West Virginia travel guide as well for ideas of where to plan your next adventure.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some unusual things to see in West Virginia include:
- The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope
- The Chester Teapot
- The Mystery Hole
- Hillbilly Hot Dogs
Take a look at this list of unique places in West Virginia for more ideas of unusual spots to visit when you’re traveling around the state.
What are some places to put on your West Virginia bucket list?
Aside from the above road trip, some places to put on your West Virginia bucket list include the following:
- The Palace of Gold in Moundsville
- The John Henry Statue in Talcott
- Seneca Rocks in Pendleton County
- The Keith Albee Theatre in Huntington
Take a look at this 2022 West Virginia travel guide as well for ideas of where to plan your next adventure.
