Your Next Romantic Getaway is in Almost Heaven

With its pristine natural beauty, picturesque mountainous terrain and unique small towns, West Virginia has plenty of amazing locations for your next romantic escape. Explore the best West Virginia has to offer with your special someone on these charming retreats.

Relax and Unwind in Lewisburg

Dubbed “America’s Coolest Small Town,” Lewisburg is overflowing with opportunities for romance with its lively art and entertainment scene, plethora of dining options and quirky shops and boutiques. The town’s quaint main street is one of the prettiest in a state full of them.

Pick from several options to grab breakfast before exploring the historic town. The Wild Bean offers a menu full of specialty coffee and tea beverages or enjoy freshly baked goods and daily specials from Corn + Flour. From here, you can choose to spend the day strolling the shops, boutiques and art galleries in the historic downtown area, enjoying a show at one of the theatres nearby or fully unwind with a day at the spa. The nearby Greenbrier Resort and the Salt Cave and Spa both offer guests a day of luxury and relaxation.

For dinner, enjoy an upscale meal at The French Goat or The Livery Tavern, or for a more casual date night, The Humble Tomato has your Italian favorites and Del Sol Cantina and Grille offers authentic Latin cuisine. End your day by taking in the charm of the Historic General Lewis Inn, the boutique Schoolhouse Hotel where the historic property has been restored to be full of modern luxury and amenities. Or for a memorable experience in nature, sleep under the stars in an elevated camping experience at WV Glamping Domes.

Explore the City of Huntington

Huntington is home to a unique bustling urban environment with historical and cultural sites and beautiful public parks scattered about. Enjoy a vibrant shopping scene that includes Pullman Square, a hub for specialty local shops, eats and entertainment and a downtown district peppered with unique boutiques. If you’re wanting some fresh air, experience pioneer life at Heritage Farm Museum & Village, the only Smithsonian affiliate in West Virginia or stroll through Ritter Park, an award-winning public park; while you’re there, stop by the rose garden.

The Huntington area and its surrounding towns offer a variety of unique dining options for a romantic meal. Step back in time at Griffith and Feil Soda Fountain for an old-fashioned diner experience. For international fare, hit up Nawab Fine Indian Cuisine or Bahnhof WVrsthaus and Biergarten, a German gastropub. Le Bistro combines quality ingredients and innovative techniques to provide patrons with an exclusive fine dining option. While in Huntington, Austin’s Homemade Ice Cream is a must-visit. A beloved local ice cream shop offers a flavor for every palate and has die-hard fans from all over.

Huntington might be best for known its nightlife and entertainment scene. See the remarkable Keith-Albee Theatre, built in 1928, enjoy signature cocktails at LaFontaine’s Rooftop Lounge or get competitive at the Old North Arcade.

End the day in the city with a relaxing nature retreat in the nearby Beech Fork State Park. Six fully equipped vacation cabins sit on a ridge overlooking Beech Fork Lake.

Cozy up in Berkeley Springs

Nestled in the Eastern Panhandle, the small town of Berkeley Springs is rich in history, culture and beautiful scenery. Begin your romantic endeavor in Berkeley Springs by visiting a homey café. Grab a coffee and share fresh pastries or sample the homemade truffles at Lighthouse Latte. Get breakfast classics or creative dishes like Fruity Pebble French Toast at Charlotte’s Cafe.

Head to the heart of town and see George Washington’s bathtub and the natural hot springs of Berkeley Springs State Park. You can also enjoy your own hot spring experience at one of the area’s several spas. Walk the streets of the historic town and stop in each one-of-a-kind shop, including the Berkeley Springs Antique Mall which contains antiques and collectibles from over 20 local vendors.

A 20-minute drive from Berkeley Springs is Cacapon Resort State Park. A 6,000-acre area full of outdoor recreation opportunities. Take advantage of any one of the many activities available here, including hiking, swimming, golfing and horseback riding or enjoy a picnic on the banks of the lake within the park.

Berkeley Springs is also home to one of West Virginia’s best fine-dining restaurants. Lot 12 Public House offers guests a three-course dinner of upscale comfort cuisine served in a beautifully restored house from 1913.

Get Your Adventure on in Seneca Rocks

Seneca Rocks is the perfect destination for those seeking a romantic getaway in nature or one filled with adventure. Located in the expansive Monongahela National Forest, this small town is a great place to stay while exploring the natural beauty and recreation opportunities in the surrounding area.

Set up a basecamp at Yokum’s Vacationland and enjoy a unique stay in a teepee with a view of Seneca Rocks, or have a more traditional romantic stay at Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins that come fully equipped with a hot tub, a jacuzzi and a rock fireplace to feel maximum comfort while immersed in some of West Virginia’s most wild and wonderful scenery.

While here, two of West Virginia’s most iconic landmarks: Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob are must-sees, but this area has much more to offer. Seneca Creek Falls, a location on the West Virginia Waterfall Trail, is a secluded spot that requires a 5-mile trek to reach a breathtaking view of the cascades. Visit Smoke Hole Caverns to have an awe-inspiring experience underground. For a unique and more relaxed experience at Seneca Rocks Yokum’s Seneca Rocks Stables gives guests the option to enjoy a guided horseback ride all the way up the scenic route to the summit.

Get a Taste of it all in Morgantown

Morgantown has something for every couple planning their next getaway in Almost Heaven. Start your day of romance in one of the many enticing coffee shops located here. Annie’s Coffee and Creamery serves handcrafted coffees made from locally-roasted beans in a cozy space. Sugar Bar Sweets and Coffee offers both unique coffee and pastry creations, like their strawberry shortcake latte and cinnamon roll macarons. Quantum Bean Coffee is a newer café, opening in 2018, but it is already consistently ranking as one of the best places to grab a coffee in Morgantown.

After breakfast, tour the historic West Virginia University campus, walk one of the many riverside trails in the city that follow the Monongahela River, spend some time in each of the specialty shops within the Seneca Center or explore the outdoor recreation opportunities just outside town. Hike the miles of trails at Coopers Rock State Forest and enjoy one of the most beautiful and recognizable overlooks in West Virginia. See each of the eight unique gardens that span 85 acres in the West Virginia Botanic Garden.

Morgantown has a very diverse food scene, with the only issue being that it may create difficulty when deciding where to dine. Several breweries call this college town home, including Morgantown Brewing Company, a microbrewery that offers high-quality craft beers made on-premise and a menu full of classic bar bites. Mountain State Brewing Company is one of West Virginia’s oldest breweries and serves wood-fired artisan flatbread pizzas along with their hand-crafted ales.

Morgantown is also home to several fine dining options for a more elegant date night. Stefano’s specializes in elevated Italian-American cuisine. Sargasso is sure to provide a unique experience using local ingredients to recreate dishes from around the world. There are also plenty of great casual, easier-on-the-budget restaurants that will still provide a memorable meal. Black Bear Burritos is a Morgantown classic serving up exotic twists on Mexican cuisine. Apple Annie’s offers homestyle meals in an inviting atmosphere; be sure to check out their showcase of irresistible fresh baked goods before leaving.

Complete your Morgantown experience and stay in the historic but sophisticated Hotel Morgan located downtown.

Want to continue exploring Almost Heaven? Start planning your next getaway with a free Vacation Guide!

This post was last updated on July 13, 2023