Spring is quickly approaching in the beautiful mountain state, and there’s so much to do and look forward to! As the colors and warm air return, it’s the perfect time to get inspired to reconnect with nature and your community. Since we are based in southern West Virginia, focusing on ours is only right!
Some towns and spots you don’t want to miss are Hinton, Lewisburg, and Fayetteville, and of course, the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve!
We’ll start with my personal favorite, the National Park obviously. If you enjoy the outdoors in any way, put this spot on your spring bucket list! The upcoming spring season will bring in luscious greens, a rainbow of wildflowers and enhance the already spectacular views! Our team’s favorite viewing spots include Grandview Overlook, Sandstone Falls, and the New River Gorge Bridge Overlook. And while you’re there, enjoy all the recreation each area has to offer! Hiking trails are available all throughout the park, with rock climbing at Grandview and river access at Sandstone Falls. Plenty of campgrounds are found throughout the park and near these spots, with most of them being totally free and first come- first serve! The National Park hosts many guided activities and hikes throughout the year with the Spring Nature Fling from April through May.
Looking to spend a day playing in the river and then spend the night under the stars? Hinton, WV is just the place you’ve been looking for! Heading to Sandstone Falls? Hang around for awhile in the quiet small town located only 7 miles away! If you're an outdoor or historical buff, or both, then this would be your paradise! The historic and revitalized downtown offers locally owned shops, restaurants, and lodging. Enjoy fishing, swimming, rafting, and kayaking on the three rivers that run through the town, then stop and grab some good eats at the locals' favorite places! The Market on Courthouse Square serves classic, and delicious American fare and Lucky Rivers Cafe and Catering offers a unique culinary experience based on Appalachian favorites. Either way, you'll leave full and satisfied! Upcoming spring events include the flea market beginning in April, and Second Saturdays starting back on May 13.
The New River running through Hinton
The next stop on our spring tour is Lewisburg, WV! A historic and quaint town outside of the Greenbrier Resort, with a revitalized downtown district that offers all kinds of different shops, restaurants, and lodging. Located between the National Park and Snowshoe Mountain, it’s no wonder Lewisburg has been a tourist destination for years! Explore the one-of-a-kind shops downtown, visit the State Professional Theatre of West Virginia, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, and then grab a bite at one of our favorite restaurants! For breakfast, lunch and dessert, Amy’s Market can’t be beaten. Serving up fresh, simple meals with local ingredients, you'd be surprised at how much better the sweets are! Enjoy local brews and German fare at Briergarten, and get together with the crew for an up-scale dinner at Food & Friends. Upcoming spring events include the First Fridays After Five starting back on Friday, April, 7, and the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival on Saturday, April 8.
And of course, last but certainly not least on this spring dream vacation is Fayetteville, WV. This small town is as unique as it is fun! With the famous New River Gorge Bridge hugging the outside of town and Summersville Lake on the other side, there’s so much more to discover in the middle! Explore their historic downtown and discover unique shops and good eats. Their most famous restaurant, Pies and Pints, absolutely lives up to the hype and is a must-stop if you like pizza and beer (who doesn’t?)! Another great place to grab a locally-made brew and sample international cuisines on an ever-changing menu is Freefolk Brewery. If you’re looking for breakfast and lunch with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the Cathedral Cafe is just the perfect cozy spot. Upcoming spring events include Run the Summit on Saturday, April 8 and Vintage in the Ville on Saturday, April 22.
There is never a dull moment or a lack of events or things to do in Almost Heaven, and the itinerary seems to get better and better every year! This is your reminder to appreciate what’s around you. We are lucky here in the southern part of the state with access to such beautiful scenery, lively towns and fun things to do! I’m looking forward to mainly the warm weather, but the fun just starts there! I’ll be out camping and hiking in my free time when it finally does come and stay, so I'll see y’all out there!
All pictures are my own or intellectual property of Go Duck Media.