West Virginia Travel Guide
West Virginia possesses great natural beauty and is noted for its tourist attractions involving outdoor activities. Visitors to the ‘Border State’, located in the Appalachia region of the United States, can enjoy its mountains, rivers and scenic countryside as well as a range of outdoor activities including white-water rafting, fishing and hunting here.
Also known as the ‘Mountain State’, West Virginia’s position affords it a variety of geographical characteristics in several different regions: the Upland South, Southeastern, South, Midwestern, Northeastern and Appalachian United States. Regardless of what region you find yourself in, the friendliness and hospitality of the people will shine through.
The climate in West Virginia is as varied as its geology. Valley areas are temperate enough that subtropical plants like magnolias and needle palm are able to grow. Summers are hot and humid while winters are mild. At higher elevations, in the Appalachian mountains, temperatures can be severe and snowfall can reach as much as 180 inches in a year. The capital and largest city of the state, Charleston, received an average of 86cms of snow annually.
The charming, small town of Point Pleasant realizes a certain amount of fame for its reputation of safety. Day or night, the cozy community on the Ohio River in Mason County can be explored without worry and welcomes many families every year who enjoy the parks, museums and riverside theatre. Tu-Endie-Wei State Park features Native American artifacts and a monument to those who fought and died during the first battle of the American Revolution.
With excellent lodging and camping, the 1400 acre rafting resort of ACE Adventure Center, located in Oak Hill alongside the New River Gorge National River, offers some of the best whitewater rafting tours in the state. Guided adventures are also available for rock climbing, caving, kayaking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Accommodations are private, complete with Jacuzzi, in secluded wilderness settings with most modern amenities close at hand.
For experienced hang gliders and para-gliders, the Mountaineer Hang Gliding Association flies year round from several sites in Cumberland, Maryland with visiting pilots more than welcome to join in. Two semi-organized fly-ins occur each year at the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends when members gather near Seneca Rocks in what is affectionately known as West-By-God-Virginia.