Special churches
Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
The Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston is a Catholic cathedral built from 1892 to 1897. The cathedral is built of limestone in the neo-Romanesque style. Bronze statues can also be found on the church forecourt.
| Contact | Leon Sullivan Way / Virginia Street East Charleston, West Virginia 25301 www.shccwv.us |
Cathedral of Saint Joseph of Wheeling
The Cathedral of Saint Joseph in the city of Wheeling, often simply called Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, is a cathedral from 1926 and also the seat of the bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. This cathedral is built on the base of a “predecessor church” from 1847. The Neo-Romanesque cathedral was built of limestone and since 1999 the cathedral has been on the list of National Historic Places.
| Contact | 1300 Eoff Street Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 www.saintjosephcathedral.com |
Charleston Baptist Temple in Charleston
The Charleston Baptist Temple is a Baptist church from 1924. A special feature of the church is that it has two floors. The Charleston Baptist Temple has been on the list of Historic Places since 2000.
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| Contact | 209 Morris Street Charleston, West Virginia 25301 www.chasbt.org/ |
Tygarts Valley Presbyterian Church in Huttonsville
The Tygarts Valley Presbyterian Church in the city of Huttonsville, often referred to simply as the Tygarts Valley Church, is a Presbyterian church. The historic church was built in 1883 in the Gothic Revival style. When the sun shines, the white wooden structures shine particularly well. The church tower of Tygarts Valley Presbyterian Church is 32 m high. Tygarts Valley Presbyterian Church has been on the list of Historic Places since 1986.
Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg
The Old Stone Presbyterian Church in the city of Lewisburg is a Presbyterian church that was built in 1796. During the American Civil War, the church served as a hospital. Tygarts Valley Presbyterian Church has been on the list of Historic Places since 1976.
| Contact | 209 Morris Street Charleston, West Virginia 25301 www.oldstone.org |
Big celebrations and events
State Fair of West Virginia
The State Fair of West Virginia is an annual fair held in mid-August in Fairlea near Lewisburg. The State Fair of West Virginia has been held since 1881. The festival lasts 9 days and is attended by approximately 170,000 visitors. There are exhibitions that range from the state’s agricultural exhibits to bingo to the display of industrial companies. Horse racing continues and a beauty queen is chosen.
| Contact | www.statefairofwv.com |
Contemporary American Theater Festival
The Contemporary American Theater Festival is an annual theater festival held in Shepherdstown. The first Contemporary American Theater Festival was held in 1991. The festival takes place on the campus of Shepherd University and is intended to support the development of American theater. So not only pieces are performed here, but also written together. For example, 90 new plays were created in 2011.
| Contact | www.catf.org |
Zoos, parks and amusement parks
Good Zoo in Wheeling
The Good Zoo in the city of Wheeling is located at Oglebay Park and covers an area of 120,000 m². The zoo was opened in 1977. In addition to its function as a zoo, the Good Zoo is also an animal clinic. There are over 80 species of which the most interesting are probably spectacled bears, gray kangaroos, Komodo dragons, red pandas, ostriches and zebras.
| Contact | 465 Lodge Drive Wheeling, West Virginia 2600 www.oglebay-resort.com/goodzoo |
West Virginia Zoo in Kingwood
The West Virginia Zoo in the city of Kingwood is a zoo founded in 1993 with animals from over 30 species. The highlights of the zoo are chimpanzees, grizzly bears, lions, tigers, rattlesnakes and camels.
| Contact | 291 Wagner Lane Kingwood, West Virginia 26537 www.westvirginiazoo.com |
Camden Park at Huntington
Camden Park near the city of Huntington is an amusement park from 1903. However, at that time it was little more than a picnic area. On an area of 110,000 m² there are over 30 rides and other attractions, including 3 roller coasters. The wooden roller coaster “Big Dipper” from 1958 is particularly interesting.
| Contact | 5000 Waverly Road Huntington, West Virginia 25704 www.camdenpark.com |
West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek
The West Virginia State Wildlife Center in the French Creek community is a zoological park dating back to 1923, but it has only been named since 1986. The park tries to depict animals that were once native to West Virginia, such as wapitis, wolves and bison. Of course, the park shows several species and is also dedicated to the display of the native flora. 30 species live here as close as possible to their natural environment on an area of 1.37 km².
| Contact | County Route 20/10 Third, West Virginia 26218 www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeCenter.shtm |
Nature reserves
New River Gorge National River
The New River Gorge National River is a conservation area managed by the United States National Park Service to protect the famous 300 m deep gorge of the New River.
The protected area covers an area of approximately 295 km² and the course of the river is protected over a length of approximately 85 km. The protected area has existed since 1978.
Here visitors will find numerous views that make the wonderful landscape appear even more powerful.
The area is crossed by many hiking trails with a total length of 80 km and is considered one of the best places for rafting and climbers in West Virginia.
The New River Gorge National River Conservation Area has over 1 million visitors annually. Babcock State Park, Hawks Nest State Park and Sandstone Falls are also located in the New River Gorge National River area.
| Contact | www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm |
Bluestone National Scenic River
The Bluestone National Scenic River is a conservation area managed by the United States National Park Service and has been designed to protect a 17 km stretch of the Bluestone River since 1988. The area is crossed by the Bluestone Turnpike Trail, which runs along the river and thus also leads to the bottom of the gorge. The Bluestone National Scenic River Sanctuary is a popular place for rafting and fishing. Bluestone State Park is also in the area of the Bluestone National Scenic River.
| Contact | www.nps.gov/blue/index.htm |
Monongahela National Forest
The Monongahela National Forest is located in the eastern part of West Virginia in the Allegheny Mountains and covers an area of 3,727 km². This forest area is an excellent opportunity for visitors to pursue the activities of hiking, horse riding, mountaineering, fishing and much more. In total there are over 1,300 km of hiking trails, 25 campsites, canyons, rock formations, lakes and much more. The Monongahela National Forest is home to Blackwater Falls State Park, Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob, the highest point in the state of West Virginia. The Potomac River originates in this area.
Other natural beauties
Kanawha State Forest near Charleston
The Kanawha State Forest is a popular local recreation area, which is only 7 miles from downtown Charleston. Officially it is a state forest, yet the area is managed like a state park. The Kanawha State Forest covers an area of approximately 38 km². Camping, picnic areas and much more are available to the visitor.
