Sometimes, you just want to get away from everything. Put the phones away, turn off wi-fi and truly take in your surroundings. In West Virginia, you can unplug and recharge your soul.
1. Green Bank Observatory
The quietest town in America may be right here in West Virginia. The community of Green Bank is located in the National Radio Quiet Zone because it’s home to the largest fully steerable telescope: The Green Bank Telescope.
The zone – which lacks cell phone service and wi-fi – allows for little interference so that the telescope can study natural radio emissions coming from space. The Green Bank Observatory is home to a science center which features a film, science demonstrations and even a cafe with fresh salads and burgers.
2. Watoga State Park
West Virginia’s largest state park, Watoga State Park, is home to more than 10,000 acres of land. Nestled in the beautiful Pocahontas County, Watoga State Park offers an opportunity to disconnect from cell phones and reconnect with nature.
The park has hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, vacation cabins and more. And there are many nearby attractions to extend your stay: Beartown State Park, Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, Monongahela National Forest, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Greenbrier River Trail and Seneca State Forest.
3. Castaway Caboose
If you’re looking for complete solitude, you can find it aboard a caboose castaway in a remote location. Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad has restored two original Wabash railroad cabooses into comfortable suites on rails that depart on a stream train ride before being “cast away” at a remote setting.
The secluded wilderness provides a peaceful setting to relax. Just you, the rushing waters of the nearby river and all the amenities inside the caboose to keep you company. After an overnight stay, you’ll be pulled back to civilization.
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