DESTINATION AMERICA
WEST VIRGINIA - THE MOUNTAIN STATE

WEST VIRGINIA STATE GUIDE

West Virginia offers the visitor unmatched outdoor recreation, breathtaking scenery and a variety of cultural and historic attractions. It is a largely mountainous state, cut by river valleys, the Ohio river is its western boundary and it was once part of neighbouring Virginia.  In the northeast corner, the delightful little town of Harpers Ferry has been protected with National Park status.  This is where John Brown, a militant abolitionist, captured the federal arsenal in October 1859 with the aim of arming slaves for insurrection. His raid ultimately led to the Civil War.

You will find many charming country inns in this region, plus spa towns and Washington family homes set in acres of rich farmland.  The New River and Greenbrier Valley region, in the southeast, is dominated by fast-running rivers, their rapids challenging to fans of white-water rafting. Other popular activities include Horseracing and watersports.

The two largest cities, Charleston and Huntingdon, are in the southwest.  Here you can enjoy museums, art galleries, music and theatre, and much more.