Best things to do in West Virginia

The third-highest bridge in the United States and the fourth-longest single-arch span in the world, New River Gorge Bridge offers views of the New River below and the gorge it has carved in the Appalachian Mountains. Before crossing the 924 m (3,030 ft) long, 267 m (876 ft) high bridge, stop by the visitor’s center for a scenic overlook from the deck. Take the path to the wooden staircase to reach the viewing platform. Beneath the bridge, guided tours with a safety harness are available on a 0.4 km (0.25 mi), handicap-accessible steel catwalk. Be on the lookout for the brown sign on your way to the bridge--it can be easy to miss.

Explore a historical psychiatric hospital at Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, which was open from 1864 to 1994. Now a National Historic Landmark, the imposing main building is one of the largest hand-cut stone masonry buildings in the world. The hospital was designed to accommodate just 250 patients but became crowded with about 2,400 patients, living in poor conditions, during the 1950s. Choose from a variety of guided tours based around subjects such as the American Civil War, asylum treatments and history, and the paranormal. The hospital is reportedly haunted and has been featured on a number of paranormal television programs.

At Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, you'll see the center of 19th century industry. The park features many small museums and exhibits, battlefields, uninhabited hillside houses, and picturesque streets. Take a guided tour with a ranger and hear about the town's history, which began 8,000 years ago. See galleries such as the wax museum, the blacksmith shop, and the clocks and jewelry exhibit, or visit the bookshop, tavern, and the dry goods store. Plan your visit in advance in order to get the most out of this attraction.

A large arts and crafts facility noted for displaying handmade works by some of the region's best-known artists, Tamarack Marketplace draws over half a million visitors each year. Featuring an easily recognizable red roof, the venue sells wood, glass, textile, and metal artworks, many of them one-of-a-kind pieces made by hand. You can visit any one of the facility's five studios to watch local artisans make pottery, jewelry, and blown-glass items, or drop by the food court to taste regional specialties prepared by some of West Virginia's finest master chefs. Check the online schedule of events for a list of upcoming artisan demonstrations, live performances, and food tastings.

Ski, visit a planetarium, play golf, stop at a petting zoo, and take part in numerous other activities at Oglebay Park. Play a round of golf at one of the four golf courses (two championship courses and two standard), or enjoy one of the 11 tennis courses in the park. Explore the numerous walking trails, take a dip in the outdoor pool, or watch animals at the zoo. Stop by the Mansion Museum for some history, or learn about the solar system at the planetarium. Depending on the season, you can ski down the slopes or use the lake for fishing or pedal-boating. The park also includes gardens, a greenhouse, and several fountain shows. If you want to spend the night, choose from several options, including the Wilson Lodge and more than 50 cottages within the park.