SUMMER FAMILY FUN

A Day at the Zoo

Nothing says summer, though, like a trip to the zoo. Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo, in Kingwood, is one of West Virginia’s largest collections of exotic and native animals with over 30 different species. Here, you’ll find a menagerie of chimpanzees, ring tailed lemurs, grizzly bears and white tigers. 

The Good Zoo at Oglebay Resort also has an array of friendly animals for your family to visit, with over 50 species, 20 of which are endangered or rare. Kangaroos, meerkats, rainbow lorikeets, reindeer and red pandas all call The Good Zoo home. You’re even allowed to get up close and personal with a few of the animals if you’d like.

All Aboard For Adventure

Take a Trough Trip with the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad and enjoy mountainside views. It’s common to see a few bald eagles on this 3-hour trip through the Trough of the South Branch Potomac River, from Romney to Sycamore Creek and back.

All aboard a trip through the mountains on an old-fashioned, steam-powered locomotive. This timeless excursion can become a summer family tradition. Take a trip to one of the highest points in the state on the Cass Scenic Railroad. At 4,842 feet, Bald Knob offers some of the most stunning views in the United States, according to Conde Nast Traveler.

Geocaching

What about a scavenger hunt? Did you know that Berkeley County is the #1 most favored county for geocaching in the world? Geocaching is a technology-driven treasure hunt that combines the use of smart devices and the outdoors, engaging GPS tracking to find cache boxes. Log your find and move onto the next cache. Explore the region then rest up at a cozy cottage or cabin.

Adventure Parks & More

For a real adventure, try visiting an aerial park or challenge course. Fly through the tree-tops at Pipestem Adventures where you can enjoy unbeatable views of the Bluestone River Gorge on a zip line tour. This state park is a family-fun destination with a splash pad, adventure lake, axe-throwing and more.

Cool off for the summer at ACE Adventure Resort, where the Wonderland Waterpark sets the stage for fun. This five-acre floating waterpark stretches across the lake and is the perfect place to let the kid’s run wild.

Adventures on the Gorge is a must-visit stop for any family vacation in West Virginia. The TimberTrek Adventure Park is an exhilarating challenge to take on with your group of explorers. Take things to the next level and opt for a nighttime trip under the glowing moonlight! 

There’s never a shortage of family fun in Almost Heaven. With so many adventures, your family might have a hard time choosing just one!