Virginia
9 Towns in West Virginia With the Best Downtown Areas in 2024
Unlike its bigger and more popular neighbor states like Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio, West Virginia often does not get highlighted much in travel recommendations or blogs. In a way, its low-key reputation is a beam for travelers who want an off-the-beaten-path experience on their trip. With its rich history, restoration projects, and natural beauty, this state is a great pick for your next Mid-Atlantic vacation!
Want to know the best way to get to know the towns in West Virginia? Simple: explore its Main Streets. From historical architecture to vibrant shops and beautiful landscapes, the downtowns in West Virginia’s small towns are picturesque and exciting in every sense of the word. Let this list transport you to the best downtown areas in the beloved Mountain State of the United States!
Harpers Ferry
Not only is Harpers Ferry a beautiful town surrounded by stunning river views and lush trees, but it also has a historical significance to the United States’ Civil War past. Luckily for American history buffs, many of its historical sites are gathered downtown, from John Brown’s Fort—West Virginia’s most visited tourist site—to the John Brown Wax Museum and the Harpers Ferry Ghost Tour.
Other notable tourist spots downtown are the Restoration Museum, filled with restored and preserved items from the town’s past; the Black Voices Museum for African American history, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visitor Center. The Stonehouse Bed and Breakfast is a strategic accommodation choice if you want to be close to Harpers Ferry’s downtown at all times, given how the entire place is essentially a big museum!
Berkeley Springs
Popular as a resort destination in West Virginia, Berkeley Springs is known as America’s First Spa thanks to its surrounding mineral springs. Thankfully, you do not have to go too far from the town center to experience its spa amenities, as the Berkeley Springs State Park is on the popular Washington Street. Soak in the Old Roman and Main Bathhouse to enjoy the water’s purported healing properties and take a peek at George Washington’s Bathtub, who was said to be fond of Berkeley Springs’ water.
Then, tour the Museum of Berkeley Springs to learn more about the town’s spring history, and go shopping for antique souvenirs at the Berkeley Springs Antique Mall. End your Berkeley Springs tour on a high note with some hearty food from The Country Inn. There is nothing like a warm meal after a soak in the springs!
Elkins
With a historic railroad attraction and an active downtown committee, Elkins has revitalized its tourism, starting with its Elkins Depot Welcome Center, which gives pamphlets and maps to visitors to easily explore its downtown. Start with the West Virginia Railroad Museum to educate yourself about Elkins’ railroad history, then go on a vintage train tour with the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad.
Once back, stretch your legs with the Elkins Main Street Downtown Quilt Trail.This trail lets you explore downtown while learning about quilt patterns and the significance of quilts in America’s history. Recharge some of your lost calories with CJ Maggie’s good ol’ American eats, before heading to Big Timber Brewing Company for some drinks while overlooking the Tygart Valley River.
Charles Town
Proud to name itself historically hip, Charles Town’s downtown combines interesting historical sites and fun little restaurants and shops. Pass by the Jefferson County Courthouse, a historical building where John Brown had his trial after his Harpers Ferry raid. Then, head to Jefferson County Museum, which houses artifacts and info on events that helped shape the county and the country’s history. August 31, 2024 also brings to you the 15th edition of the town’s annual car show where you can see proud owners parading their cars in the downtowns for awards.
After your history trip, drop by Ortega’s Taco Shop for some fire tacos and grab uniquely flavored beers, like blackberry ales and one with lavender and peaches, at the Abolitionist Ale Works. Catch a play at the Old Opera House Theatre before retiring to a 19th-century bed and breakfast at The Carriage Inn.
Buckhannon
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, Buckhannon’s downtown is a sight to behold for its array of 19th-century buildings in different architectural styles. Start your Buckhannon stroll with Main Street Antiques-Collectibles for trinkets, vintage collectibles, and even an extensive wine and beer selection. Next door is Stone Tower Brews, which prides itself on its West Virginia craft beer and brewed coffee.
A little down Main Street is Artistry on Main, a wonderful art shop that showcases art and handcrafted items from local artists and crafters. If you are feeling peckish, Mama Roma is the go-to Italian place on Main Street, while Fish Hawk Acres is a great brunch spot for lazy mornings. Stay at the Bicentennial Inn to be close to Buckhannon’s downtown and the Buckhannon River.
Shepherdstown
As one of the oldest towns in West Virginia, Shepherdstown’s downtown is full of old buildings now turned into delightful shops and cafes. Begin your Shepherdstown downtown tour along German Street by visiting the Historic Shepherdstown Commission & Museum, a hub for all things historical in Shepherdstown.
The Entler Hotel next door is one of the oldest buildings in town and is currently undergoing restoration. Down the road is The War Memorial building, which houses the Shepherdstown Community Club that does book sales and garden tours for the community. Book a room at the Thomas Shepherd Inn to experience Shepherdstown’s hospitality while staying at an 1868 building!
Thomas
Make your way to the tiny mountain town of Thomas, where nature and a quaint downtown atmosphere merge into a delightful scenic experience. Take in the sights as you meander through Ash Alley and stumble into charming shops like the trinket-filled Riverfront Antique & Thrift, the Santangelo Gallery with its curated ceramics, and the delectable Happy & More Bakery & Cafe.
Up the road, you will find the cozy music venue of the Purple Fiddle, which also doubles as a family-friendly cafe. Check out their website for a list of local artists playing unique music genres (Odessa gangsta folk, anyone?). Next to this adored venue is the Cooper House Bed and Cocktail, which is a unique spin on bed and breakfasts! For a brunch place that uses locally grown ingredients, cross the road to visit Tie One on Taphouse and Fly Shop.
Moundsville
Merging the past and the present, Moundsville is a great place to visit for its ancient burial mounds, historical sites, and modern shops, all with the backdrop of the majestic Ohio River. The town got its name from the many burial mounds in the area, which you can conveniently visit while exploring the downtown. The Grave Creek Mound is one of the most notable and easiest to reach out of all the sites.
Next to the mound is the Moundsville Center and West Virginia Penitentiary, which offers historical and even paranormal tours for spooky fans. Walk or drive to Lafayette Avenue to enjoy spots and attractions like the Acapulco Mexican, The Avenue Bar and Grill, and the skating rink of The Roller Derby. A little ways off from downtown is the Fostoria Glass Museum, which is a great spot for glass souvenirs!
Morgantown
Hailed as one of the best downtowns by CNN Money, Morgantown is a great example of a thriving and bustling downtown for its plethora of avenues for shopping, dining, and relaxing. Scholar Morgantown and Hotel Morgan are two excellent accommodations to choose from when in the city. Surrounding them are shops like the gastropub of Iron Horse Tavern, Old Stone House gift shop, and the burger place Von Blaze, to name a few.
Theater and music are alive and well in Morgantown, with the Metropolitan Theatre and 123 Pleasant Street as the hot spots for live performances. A bit further from central downtown is Morgantown Farmers Market which happens every Saturday, while on the other side of downtown is Hazel Ruby McQuain Park, a park doubling as an open-air venue for concerts. For all lovers of food and craft beer, do not forget to mark your calendars for the 7th Annual Hops on The Mon celebration in downtown Morgantown.
Final Thoughts On West Virginia’s Downtown Areas
For a time, Main Streets became a thing of the past for many cities in the United States. Thankfully, there has been a movement across the country to restore and revitalize these areas. Not only is it a wonderful one-stop location to get your essential tourist needs, but it also brings out the town’s character and unique charm.
The towns in West Virginia have very varied, active, and vibrant downtowns, which continue to be underrated and hidden from the spotlight. On your next trip, consider exploring somewhere new and give West Virginia a visit. From mineral spring spas and ancient mounds to a museum-like downtown, these Main Streets will surprise you with what they have!
Arlington, Virginia, resident Anjali Sharma — stuck in the Middle Eastern since Saturday — documents her story on social media from a hotel in Doha, Qatar.
“I think it really hit me when I saw black smoke coming from afar on one of the buildings, and it ended up being a missile that got defused, and the debris fell on the ground and caused an explosion,” Sharma said.
She was on her way to a wedding in India and had a layover in Qatar when Iran’s retaliatory strikes began. The airspace in Qatar and several other nearby countries is closed.
Sharma is alone. She says the rest of her family she was supposed to meet with had their flights canceled.
She says it’s incredibly unsettling.
“I hear explosions every day,” Sharma said. “I hear planes going outside. I mean, I still hear military jets, right now. I don’t really know what that means.”
She is one of several thousands of Americans stranded in the Middle East. The State Department said it’s assisted almost 6,500 Americans since the conflict began.
Sharma says she hasn’t been able to get any clear guidance.
“I would just really appreciate it if the U.S. government could get clear guidelines of what they’re going to do to get us out and when that even may be,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., has been critical of the Trump administration’s evacuation efforts. He says his office has heard from about 100 families whose loved ones are stranded abroad.
“The primary reason the State Department exists is to serve Americans living abroad, and they’re desperately failing at that, right now,” he said.
The White House said the secretary of state issued Level 4 travel advisories dating to January. But Qatar was not one of the countries given a do-not-travel advisory.
The State Department Wednesday created a new form for stranded citizens to fill out. They say it will provide departure information about available aviation and ground transportation options.
Sharma hopes it’s her ticket out.
“I just want to get out of here safely at this point.”
The New York Giants will be forced to hold their 2026 training camp, the first with John Harbaugh as head coach, out of state.
Per a report from the New York Post, the Giants will hold what will likely be the first two weeks of training camp in West Virginia at the Greenbrier Resort, located in White Sulpher Springs.
Part of the reason for the move is the fact that World Cup games will be held at MetLife Stadium this summer. There is also ongoing construction at the Giants’ facility at 1925 Giants Drive. The Giants are expanding their locker room, weight room, dining facility and office space at their headquarters, constructed in 2009. That work began before Harbaugh was named head coach.
NFL teams have used the Greenbier extensively since 2014, when it was first established to host training camp for the New Orleans Saints. The Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns have held training camps there, and other have practiced there during extended road trips.
The facility has two grass fields and a FieldTurf field, as well as all of the other accommodations an NFL needs.
The Giants have trained at their own Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J. since 2013.
Exact dates for NFL training camps have not yet been set, but the starting date is generally some time in late July. Per the Post, most practices at the Greenbrier are expected to be open to the public.
RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) — As the legislative session in Richmond comes closer to an end, lawmakers are still hard at work hammering out the budget for the year ahead. This year, the Senate has approved a pay raise for lawmakers after tabling bills that would have provided larger pay increases for teachers.
With the cost of living rising, teachers across Virginia have been watching the proposed budget closely and hoping for higher pay.
In February, a bill that would have raised teacher salaries by 4.5% each year until reaching the national average of $77,000 was tabled until next year. The decision left some educators disappointed.
“It’s definitely disappointing. We’re at a time where we are struggling to keep highly qualified staff in the buildings and in the profession, to be quite honest, because we have to compete with other industries,” Karl Loos, president of the Lynchburg Education Association, said.
SEE ALSO: ‘Strangest election cycle:’ Registrars prepare for referendum vote despite legal limbo
There is still a 3% increase for teachers included in the proposed Senate budget, and a 2% increase in the House of Delegates’ proposed budget. But Loos said a 3% raise only matches the rate of inflation, and will likely not be appealing enough to fill vacant positions.
“I think certainly teacher pay is a deterrent for a lot of people, especially as they see the amount of work that goes into it and the compensation for that work,” Loos said.
The Virginia Education Association also advocated for the 4.5% pay increase. Chad Stewart, the interim director of Government Relations and Research, said they believe budget uncertainty may have made lawmakers hesitant to commit to long-term increases they might not be able to sustain.
According to the State Fiscal Impact Statement, seen below, it would have required an additional $159.0 million in 2027, and increasing amounts for the next couple of years to meet the goal of reaching the national average.
“We’ve seen commitments going back decades from previous governors who have all stated they want to get the national teacher pay average, but no governor has ever delivered on it,” Stewart said.
Stewart said the average national pay for teachers they are hoping to meet is $77,000, and that the current average salary for teachers in the Commonwealth is around $70,000. He said ultimately it comes down to the budget, and he hopes in the following years teachers will receive that larger pay increase. Stewart said the organization hopes Gov. Spanberger will be the first to follow through on that promise.
Meanwhile, legislation that would increase pay for state lawmakers was passed in the Senate on Thursday. Republican Del. Tim Griffin of the 53rd District said he voted against the measure.
“I was outraged last week when they raised their own pay. I voted against it,” Griffin said. “When you run on affordability, I think people expected it to be more affordable for the people that live and work in Virginia, not for ourselves. It kind of defeats the purpose.”
When asked about the proposed pay increases in the House and the Senate, Campbell County Superintendent Clay Stanley said in a statement, “I am praying for 3%. Our teachers, at minimum, deserve a raise that matches the cost of living increase.”
ABC13 reached out to local Democratic lawmakers for comment on the teacher pay raise legislation, but did not receive a response.
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