Be Sure to Check Out West Virginia’s Top 5 Family Fun Activities This Summer
As the Mountain State, West Virginia is famous for its outdoor adventure activities as well as its rich and varied history. This means that there are many unique sights to see and fun things to do to suit all family members.
Whether enjoying a vacation away from home or searching locally for a little holiday fun, you can find some of the best things to do this summer in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.
Adventures on the Gorge in Lansing
Ever fancied racing down some white water rapids or trying your hand at climbing and ziplining? If so, then this is the adventure resort for you. Set deep in the heart of the state, the center offers a comprehensive list of memorable year-round activities for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
Alongside white water rafting, you might like to have a go at kayaking and stand up paddleboarding, or perhaps you’re more of a land adventurer and would love to explore challenge courses and aerial canopy tours. Do all this and more with Adventures on the Gorge for an experience unlike any other.
Seneca Caverns in Riverton
For a fascinating insight into the deep, deep past, you don’t want to miss a trip out to the ancient Seneca Caverns. Located on one of the great Indian trading routes through the Appalachian Mountains, these ancient, mysterious caves were inhabited by the Seneca Indians right back in the 1400s.
Take a special tour to observe spectacular rock and mineral formations shaped by millions of years of water flow, and have a go at gemstone mining for your chance to discover your very own take-home treasures.
The Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences in Charleston
A must-see place on any family trip to West Virginia, the Clay Center is a truly unique destination. It includes a multitude of exciting things to do and places to explore, including the thrilling Avampato Discovery Museum, which features three entire floors of interactive science exhibits.
Alongside the Avampato Discovery Museum are a world-class art museum and a state-of-the-art Electric Sky™ Theater, which displays large-format films and planetarium shows on a 61-foot dome. Overall the center combines art, science, and performance for an overall, one-of-a-kind experience that the whole family is sure to love.
The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in Pocahontas County
Take a ride into yesterday and relive the Golden Age of Steam at the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park on one of the old-time Shay locomotives for an adventure like no other. Various routes are available with unparalleled panoramic views of the lofty Appalachians all around.
Frozen in time, the town of Cass looks exactly as it did when it was founded in 1901. The park’s 11-mile long heritage railroad was built for the purpose of hauling lumber from the forest to the mill, and this authentic place is filled with unique and interesting sights and sounds just waiting to be discovered.
Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum in Beckley
For a different kind of authentic and educational experience, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum. Here you can explore the history, culture, and character of this uncommon coal-mining region.
In addition to having the opportunity to take a look around an old-style coal camp and see what life was like for the miners and their families, you can also go on an exciting trip through the dark passages of what was once a fully-functioning coal mine.
The Youth Museum contains lots of fun and interactive educational exhibits for young people to learn even more about the incredible history of the area and listen to veteran miner guides tell stirring and fascinating stories of West Virginian’s hearty pioneer settlers.