Hinton

The remarkable Victorian-era railroad town of Hinton is enveloped by the rolling hills of southern West Virginia. Natural beauty abounds in this charming community, as it is the gateway to the New River Gorge National River, and in close proximity with both Bluestone State Park and Pipestem Resort State Park. Visit the Hinton Historic District for dining, shopping, stunning architecture, historical tours and much more.

Dining

If you’re craving a hearty meal, you can’t go wrong with a flame-grilled burger or brick oven pizza at The Market on Courthouse Square. If you have health-conscious dining on your mind, be sure to check out the wholesome and unique Lucky Rivers Cafe. For dinner with a view head to Kirk’s — their outdoor covered patio overlooks the New River.

Entertainment

The Ritz Theatre, located on the West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail, provides a venue for movies, plays and live music. For two weekends in October, the streets of Hinton are filled with a variety of vendors, great food, live entertainment and carriage rides through the historic district during the Hinton Railroad Days Festival.

Shopping

In 1929, the C&O railroad hub boasted 75 retail shops and 21 miles of “first-class” sidewalks. Most of the town’s original buildings still stand and have been restored to their former glory. Otter & Oak has taken up residence in one of these buildings in the historic district. Here you can find everything from upscale clothing, outdoor gear, unique gifts and creations from West Virginia artisans. Stop into Grandma’s House for one-of-a-kind antiques, primitives, collectibles, furniture and more. You never know what kind of treasures you might find.

Recreation

This area is rich in outdoor recreation options. Bluestone State Park is a serene lakeside retreat full of outdoor activities, including boating and fishing. At Bluestone State Park enjoy camping by the water or take in stunning views of the lake from your cabin’s porch. Sitting on the east rim of the Bluestone River Gorge, Pipestem Resort State Park is a year-round facility with so much to offer. Soar through the trees on a zipline, play a round of golf on the championship 18-hole golf course, kayak on the river and more. Before you hit the trail, be sure to stop by one of three local outdoor outfitters, each offering a wide variety of adventures: WaterDawg Outdoors, Cantrell’s and New River Trophy Outfitters.

History

Step back into time at the Hinton Railroad Museum. View artifacts from the early days of the C&O Railway, the model trail exhibit and even traditional uniforms. The Veterans Memorial Museum displays collections and memorabilia from the Revolutionary, Civil, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf Wars. Also in Hinton’s historical district, the Campbell-Flannagan-Murrell House claims the city’s title of the longest-standing residential structure. The staff has arranged for both in-person and virtual tours of this historic home.

Stay

The private suites at The Guest House Inn on Courthouse Square are truly Almost Heaven after a long day of outdoor adventure. The historic home was built in 1897 and fully restored in 2007 to offer the upscale accommodations of a boutique hotel, while keeping the warmth of a quaint bed and breakfast. Bluestone State Park has 26 cabins located in a wooded area that are available to be rented year-round. Pipestem features 26 cabins and two lodges, one of which can only be accessed by riding the park’s aerial tramway to the bottom of the Bluestone River Gorge.

Explore More Cities

Trip Inspiration

6 unique historic districts in West Virginia

The story of West Virginia’s very birth is one for the (history) books! But since our inception in 1863, we’ve built a bunch more storie…

Read More

Small Towns, Big History

Deep within the Appalachian Mountains lives a rich history that echoes into the present. Luckily, West Virginia natives have long-preserve…

Read More

7 Small but Vibrant WV Towns You’ll Need Several Days to Fully Explore

Our state is full of small towns. But our small towns, like our people, have more to them than meets the eye. West Virginia small towns …

Read More

Inside the WV communities that get “live local” right

Living local is nothing new to West Virginia. Since colonial and frontier times, West Virginia has been marked by self-sufficiency and lo…

Read More
More Inspiration