Want to step back in time to a golden age of steam-driven trains, Victorian inns, variety shows and Appalachian string music? Elkins is just the place for all that and more.
West Virginia has no shortage of unique towns tucked away in the mountains, with trails, rivers, great restaurants, and many other fun things to do. But the town of Elkins, situated on the edge of Monongahela National Forest, has more. With several standout attractions like the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad, the Gandy Dancer Theatre, and the Graceland Inn, Elkins is not just beautiful– it’s historical. Take a trip here, walk through the historic district of its small college, and you’ll swear that you stepped back into a turn-of-the-century town.
The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad
The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad specializes in historic trains that take
The Gandy Dancer Theatre
This relatively new theater and conference center is also West Virginia’s only Branson-style dinner theater, with space for 400 guests to sit back, enjoy fine food, and experience a variety show that is truly unforgettable. Hearkening back to both vaudeville times and even some gospel-style revivals, the Gandy Dancer Theatre has stomping renditions of icons like Elvis and Dolly Parton, interspersed with quick-witted comedy acts and impersonations. It’s a great combination of traditional and modern music, with hearty food thrown in as well.
The Graceland Inn and Conference Center
Despite all our talk about music, this inn is not named for
The Forest Festival
Lumberjack competitions, arts and crafts, parades, and rides are highlights at West Virginia’s oldest event. It’s not a little community gathering, either. Roughly 125,000 folks visit the Forest Festival each year. That number shoots up if a president visits, which isn’t impossible. The celebration has expanded since its creation in 1930, too. More than 100 activities— including the Coronation of Queen Silvia— now fill the schedule.