Let someone else cook this holiday
If the thought of cooking and carving a 10+ pound bird is terrifying to you— not to mention all of that
Tuck the family away in these mountain towns this holiday
If you want to add a little charm to your season, escape with your loved ones to the secluded hills
Shepherdstown Street Fest
Come join us for a celebration in Shepherdstown, WV -- the oldest town in West Virginia -- and enjoy our local musicians, artists, restaurants and retail shops! The festival includes live music on two stages throughout the day, vendor booths lining our main street, kid-friendly activities and a beer garden located close to all of our local restaurants and retail shops. Come celebrate with us!
Shepherdstown Christmas Celebration
The historic town of Shepherdstown WV will kick off its annual "Christmas in Shepherdstown" celebration on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving. The November 27 schedule will include 4:00-8:00 p.m. evening events that are traditional for the town: a bonfire, a chili and cornbread supper, the lighting of the town tree, the arrival of Santa, and children's visits with Santa. Other highlights of that weekend will be carriage rides, a special children's program at the Community Club, a live Nativity, and a Christmas sing-along at the Methodist Church. After that, there will be many different events every weekend and some weekdays until Christmas. Most events will be free. The town will hold its annual Christmas parade at 11:00 am Saturday, December 5. Each weekend will feature unique events related to various aspects of Shepherdstown's history. In particular, the December 5-6 weekend will recreate a "Civil War Christmas in Shepherdstown," with Union and Confederate encampments, lectures and panel discussions, children's activities, period music and street entertainment. Highlights of the remaining weekends before Christmas will include three performances of the Shepherdstown School of Dance's annual Nutcracker Ballet during the December 12-13 weekend and Community Caroling, a TubaChristmas Concert, and a Winter Solstice Concert the weekend of December 19 and 20. Every weekend will include children's activities; holiday marketplaces selling handmade crafts, baked goods, and greens; and special musical performances. Many shops will be open late on Fridays and Saturdays. There will be free parking in all the town's metered spaces on Friday, November 27 and every weekday from the 14th of December through January 3. There is always free parking at Shepherdstown's metered spaces on weekends. Free weekend parking is also available in the Shepherd University parking lot at High and Princess streets, one block from downtown. Events and activities will continue to be added. For an up-to-date listing of all events keep checking www.christmasinshepherdstown.com. Or contact the Shepherdstown Visitors Center at 304-876-2786 or svc@shepherdstown.info.
The #1 holiday getaway? You won’t expect this…
What’s the most world-renowned place to escape for the holidays? To the casino. Casinos in the Mountain State are famed for
4 places to pamper yourself on a WV getaway
Want to spend your vacation laying back in a sauna, soaking in a hot tub or getting a massage? Well,
Wind the day away on these 5 porches with gorgeous mountain views
We don’t know what it is about West Virginia porches, but they almost demand that you stop and sit. Whether
Old spot, new feel: enjoy the fresh revivals of these 7 historic WV buildings
Old buildings in the Mountain State tell interesting stories. Not only do they reflect different types of architecture, they also
Over The Mountain Studio Tour
Get ready to spend an amazing autumn weekend visiting 9 studios chock-full of handmade wares by 24 artisans.
5 exciting ways to explore WV history on an outdoor adventure
As John Denver said, “Life is old there, older than the trees.” But the wild, adventurous spirit is as youthful
Primitive Touch: How to give your home an Appalachian, country-cute ambiance
Primitive décor brings a homey, old-time feeling to every space. West Virginia’s traditional primitives are simple decorations, treasured for their
Eat Wild! 6 WV places to try unique game dishes
Our state has no shortage of local, wild food– foragers know all about our ramps, berries, and mushrooms. But what
Cultural crawls of WV’s Certified Arts Towns
West Virginia’s official certified arts towns go above and beyond. They are THE places to visit for a dose of
Puzzles in the sky: aerial obstacle courses in WV
If you’re looking for a fun, unique challenge for the whole family (or group)— look up! Aerial challenge courses give
13 spooky places that’ll make your spine tingle
The Mountain State harbors its share of ghostly entities, from Civil War soldiers to extraterrestrial beings to murder victims seeking
Adrena-love: Aerial dates that might literally make you fall in love (maybe!)
West Virginia is the place for adventure— which is great for a budding romance! After all, it is said that doing
Cheers to a new chapter in WV craft drinks
The art of crafting Mountain State wine, spirits and beer has changed a lot in recent years. Only a decade
Up close— really close — with WV wildlife
Want to meet West Virginia’s wild and wonderful critters? The state is home to more than 57 species of amphibians
Halloween “BooFest”
The historic town of Shepherdstown WV will celebrate Halloween this year with its third annual "BooFest." The BooFest will begin the evening of October 23, and conclude with trick-or-treating and other events Halloween night, Saturday, October 31. It will include a wide variety of activities that everybody can enjoy, with a special emphasis on activities for children and families. Most activities will be free and everyone will be welcome. Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, in particular, will include many things to see and do, including the following: • Friday evening: a "Halloween Hogs" motorcycle gathering; a "Creepy Cocktail Crawl" at local restaurants; ghost tours; and a "Haunted Walk." • Saturday daytime: history walks and carriage rides; children's arts, crafts and games; street musicians; and a Costume Parade for children and adults. • Saturday evening: a Gory Make-up Clinic; a Thriller dance and street party; ghost tours; and a "Vampire's Ball" at the Community Club There will also be several events weeknights before Halloween: a family-friendly Halloween double feature at the Opera House Monday night, the 26th; more Halloween films and a performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Opera House Wednesday night the 28th; and a Christian Lopez Halloween Concert at the Opera House Thursday night, the 29th, along with readings of classic horror stories at the Bistro 112 restaurant. On Halloween night, in addition to trick-or-treating, there will also be a "Haunted Hallway" for young children and a Halloween concert for adults featuring the Holy Ghost Tent Revival; the concert will include a costume competition. Go to the Shepherdstown Visitors Center website at www.shepherdstown.info for a full schedule of activities. For more information, contact Jan Hafer or Marianne Davis at 304-876-2786 or svc@shepherdstown.info. The BooFest is being sponsored by the Shepherdstown Visitors Center, the Station at Shepherdstown, and the Jefferson County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Spooky (but not too spooky!) Halloween fun for the kiddos
Halloween is a popular holiday for adults and kids alike, but some events can get a little spooky for the
West Virginia’s Oktoberfest Oktober-Bests
What better time of year to get out and discover real mountain flavor in West Virginia? Round up your friends
10 MASSIVE WV treats you’ll want to split!
West Virginia is known for its breathtaking views – and we aren’t just talking about the scenic ones! Pack your
8 quiet mountain pastimes that will remind you of your WV home
As summer winds down, it’s time to relax and recharge before the holiday frenzy hits. Enjoy simple pleasures by revisiting
I-81 Northbound Welcome Center
5 most carefree WV resort escapes
Resorts in West Virginia provide the perfect getaway destination when you want to stay in one place and simply relax.
Harvest in the hills: Celebrating WV’s fall foods
The rains and heat of summer have done their work, and the fruits and vegetables are at their peak of
5 off-the-beaten path, kitschy mountain stops in WV
Here in West Virginia— a state that certainly has its share of quirky festivals, stores and characters— we’ve got plenty
Apple Butter Festival-Berkeley Springs
Annually since 1974, the Apple Butter Festival fills the park and streets of downtown Berkeley Springs on Saturday and Sunday of Columbus Day weekend in October. The traditional harvest festival is kicked off by a nostalgic hometown parade on Saturday morning followed by two days worth of family-friendly games and contests, music, country food, fine arts and local crafts. Undisputed star of the festival is the spicy apple butter stirred in giant copper kettles in the middle of the square. With no admission fee and activities for all ages, this is the perfect day or weekend experience for everyone from grandma to the kids.
9 of the oldest buildings in WV have amazing stories
A state that’s known for literally creating itself during the Civil War is bound to have a storied history. West
6 most endearing, old-fashioned dates in WV
While the technology of our day and age is sometimes helpful, who doesn’t love the dating tactics from an old-school
7 things you didn’t know you could uncover in Harpers Ferry
The historic town of Harpers Ferry is perhaps best known as the site of John Brown’s famous raid on the
Art In The Park
5 horseback riding trails where 4 legs are better than 2
Horseback riding is a great way to travel in nature. Not only do you get to interact with nature, you
Berkeley Springs Fall Birding Festival
The Seventh Annual Berkeley Springs Fall Birding Festival will be held in and around Berkeley Springs the weekend of September 19-20. Most of the festival's events will be free and everyone is invited to attend any or all of them. No pre-registration is required. The festival is timed to coincide with the annual fall bird migration. It will include Saturday and Sunday morning bird walks, a Saturday evening program at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs, and a "Beginning Birding" workshop Saturday afternoon. The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is the lead festival sponsor. This year's featured Saturday evening speakers will be Smithsonian Institution forensic ornithologist Marcy Heacker, and Steve Huy, a noted owl and raptor expert. For full details see the Potomac Valley Audubon website at www.potomacaudubon.org or contact the Nature Niche store at 168 North Washington Street in Berkeley Springs (304-258-0992 or natureniche@naturenichewv.com). The first event will be a Saturday morning bird walk that will start at 8:00 a.m. at the scenic Panorama Overlook on Route 9 west of Berkeley Springs and move on to favorite riparian sites near the junction of the Cacapon and Potomac rivers. The walk will be led by local birding experts Jon Boone and Janet Ardam. At 10:00 a.m., participants will gather at the Ice House for coffee and pastries and an on-site demonstration of backyard birding strategies and gear. Saturday's "Beginning Birding" workshop will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Cacapon State Park Nature Center. It will be intended for beginners of all ages. Marci Heacker will show what features all birds share, and Park Naturalist Renee Fincham will lead a short trail walk to demonstrate how birds are viewed, identified and enjoyed. Saturday evening's program will feature two presentations. At 7:00 p.m., Marcy Heacker will give a talk entitled "Feathers 101; The Basic Anatomy and Function of Feathers." At 8:00 p.m., Steve Huy will present "Birding With A Purpose," which will include an overview of Huy's early interest in bird migrations and raptors and a discussion of his current involvement with Project SNOWstorm, which tracks the movements of Snowy Owls. The festival will wrap up the morning of Sunday, September 22, with an 8:30 a.m. bird walk at Sleepy Creek Retreat, a mountainside property off Route 522 south of Berkeley Springs. The property offers sweeping views and a rich variety of habitats. It will provide good opportunities to see migrating raptors, blue jays and warblers. Jon Boone and Janet Ardam will lead this walk as well. To help cover festival expenses, a $10 ticket will be sold for the Saturday evening program. Advance tickets will be available at the Nature Niche store and the Saturday daytime events. Tickets will also be available at the door.
7 WV adventures you’ll have to face solo… and be glad you did
Adventures are tucked into every nook and cranny of the Mountain State. Some you can enjoy together, but for others,
9 most amazing places to sleep in WV
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in West Virginia’s nature than falling asleep among the trees and under the
Shepherdstown Sweet Shop
6 reasons a cabin is the most romantic getaway
There isn’t any doubt that a cabin getaway is the most romantic place for couples. A cozy retreat nestled in
8 towns that will make you want to move to West Virginia
You know you have had a great vacation when you start thinking about moving to the place you’ve visited. West
Stamp your passport on these WV Trails! How many have you completed?
Passports, stamps, coins, geocaches– many West Virginia land management agencies, trails, and attractions have programs that will reward you with