Add These 3 Charming Experiences to Your Mountain Lakes Excursion

A destination that combines timeless adventures with historic charm, The Mountain Lakes region in West Virginia has a lot to offer. Quaint towns like Sutton, Weston and several others accomplish that with their breadth of local restaurants, history-rich locations, large lakes and much more.

This season, add these unique, charming mountain experiences to your next getaway in Almost Heaven.

Take a Trip Through Time

Weston makes a great starting point for exploring this region. This Lewis County town is rich in glass production history as there were more than 30 different glass plants around the area. While there are far fewer glass companies in operation today, you can still explore the famous Museum of American Glass. There are over 20,000 unique pieces on display – including pieces from present day all the way back to 1860.

If you’re feeling more adventurous and spooky, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum will easily satisfy that. Previously known as the Weston State Hospital, this facility dates back to the 1800s and holds fascinating stories of the Civil War Raids. Book a daytime historic tour of the museum rooms as well as a paranormal tours, overnight ghost hunts, photo tours, a haunted house and flashlight tours.

Spend a Day on the Water

Located just three miles off I-79 at the Flatwoods exit in Sutton, Sutton Lake is perfect for days out on the water. The lake covers 1,440 acres and continues for 14 miles on the Elk River. Travel + Leisure praised Sutton Lake for being an incredible destinations for houseboat rentals. You can also rent a pontoon boat, jet ski, kayak or paddle board from the Sutton Lake Marina to add more speed to your water adventure. The Elk River Water Trail begins at the tailwaters of the Sutton Dam and passes through three counties, which has a large variety of fish for superb fishing. Summersville Lake at Summersville Lake State Park has more than 2,800 acres of water and 60 miles of shoreline, which makes it West Virginia’s largest lake.

The 2,600-acre Stonewall Jackson Lake at Stonewall Resort State Park is another perfect spot water activities. The Marina at Stonewall Resort offers boat and slip rentals for adventurers who want to spend some time out on the water. Nestled near Weston, Stonecoal Lake is a 550-acre lake that is surrounded by the Stonecoal Lake Wildlife Management Area. You can also bring your boat, canoe or kayak to the 968-acre Burnsville Lake in Braxton County.

Eat Like a Local

There are plenty of local restaurants in the Mountain Lakes Region that pack big flavors. C.J. Maggie’s in Buckhannon is known for its comfort food including homemade soups, sandwiches, pasta and pizza. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a trip to Campfire Grill in Summersville for an array of camping classics and new-found favorite desserts that won’t disappoint.

Unwind with hand-crafted sips from a generous selection of wines at Lambert’s Winery, which is a staple winery in Lewis County. You can even take a tour of the beautiful property grounds and get the inside scoop on how the wine is made. If you’re craving cuisine that’s a little more spicy, Maria’s Mexican in Sutton is popular for its authentic Mexican food. To put the cherry on top, head to The Custard Stand – Flatwoods for a frozen dessert.

The Mountain Lakes are Calling You to #AlmostHeaven

Still have some energy to spare? Request our free West Virginia Vacation Guide to learn more about the memories that await you in the Mountain Lakes region.

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This post was last updated on April 26, 2024