WEST VIRGINIA
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What's New in West Virginia?

For More Information, Contact:
Caryn Gresham, Communications
West Virginia Division of Tourism
cgresham@wvcommerce.org, (304) 558-2200, ext. 347

West Virginia is a state of contrasts and comparisons. It’s a state where the Appalachian culture often shows clear links to the European heritage of the people who came to live here. The Welsh, German and Italian immigrants who came here to work in the natural resource industries of coal, oil and natural gas found a mountainous countryside that today offers superb outdoor recreation in all four seasons. The Swiss who came to farm found challenging landscapes yet, the farming traditions carries on in West Virginia where many cottage industries have developed to sell specialty foods and products. The forested lands in West Virginia offer wonderful opportunities for hiking, cycling and camping while metropolitan cities and towns offer cultural events, fine dining, shopping and nightlife activities. Throughout the state, artisans and artists have found a home where they can pursue their crafts and fine arts in a restful atmosphere and breathtaking environment.

History

The only state born of the American Civil War, West Virginia became the 35th state in 1863, formerly having been part of western Virginia. Wheeling, located in the state’s northern panhandle, was the first capital, but Charleston, located in the southwestern metropolitan region, became the Capital in 1885. A great overview of West Virginia’s culture and heritage, from coal miners to Appalachian craftsmen, can be found at http://www.wvtraditions.com

Significant attractions

• History buffs will enjoy visiting Berkeley Springs, where George Washington “took the waters” or The Greenbrier, where the once top-secret bunker is now a top tourist attraction.
  
• Visit the special towns of Lewisburg and Shepherdstown to enjoy their culture, shopping and fine dining.
  
• Take an excursion train in any one of several towns around the state to get a taste of the state’s scenic beauty and learn some of the industrial history as well.
  
• Small town gems abound throughout the state, listings of events and activities occurring there can be found at http://www.wvescapes.com.
  
• Arts and music are integral parts of the state’s cultural heritage and contemporary scene. From bluegrass and folk music to classic and popular sounds, West Virginia has festivals, programs and seasonal events that cover them all.
  
• Artisans as well-known as the glassblowers of Fenton Art Glass and Blenko to the jewelry designers and potters who work around the state have made West Virginia a hub for exceptional handcrafted works of art for every day and special display.
  
• The state is 80 percent forested, providing lush forests for camping, hiking and outdoor recreation enthusiasts who enjoy cycling, fishing, hunting and bird watching.
  
• West Virginia’s Division of Natural Resources manages 40 state parks and forests which offer a variety of lodging accommodations, outdoor recreation. Year-round events from bird counts to mystery theaters and naturalist hikes offer entertainment variety for guests.
  
• West Virginia’s scenic highways and byways provide visitors with a taste of history and off-the-beaten-path scenic drives.
  

Climate

West Virginia has four distinct seasons with a range of temperature and rainfall that affect its varied terrain in many ways. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts can enjoy every season in West Virginia from spring fishing to summer whitewater rafting (http://www.wvriversports.com) to fall hikes and winter snow sports. Spring bursts onto the scene with the pastel hues of redbud and dogwood and the down home taste of ramps at festivals in the mountains. Summer is lush and green with cool mountain streams for fishing and warm sunny days for boating on the lakes and rivers. Fall is brilliant; cool, crisp mornings and sunny afternoons filled with the vivid reds, golds and greens of deciduous trees. Winter brings snow for skiing, sledding and cross-country hikes (http://www.wvwintersports.com).

How to Get There

West Virginia has a modern highway system with more than 1,000 miles of divided highways and scenic byways for leisurely travel. Visitors arriving at Washington Dulles, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Charlotte airports are only an hour away. The state’s airports are located in Charleston, Greenbrier Valley (Lewisburg), Beckley, Bluefield/Princeton, Clarksburg/Fairmont, Keyser, Huntington, Morgantown and Parkersburg. AMTRAK makes several stops throughout the state.

Distances and Times

• West Virginia is in the country’s Eastern Time Zone
  
• West Virginia observes Daylight Savings Time from late April through October.
  
• From Washington DC, to the state capital, Charleston is 365 miles (584 kilometer), six hours to car.
  
• From Charleston to White Sulphur Springs is 124 miles (200 kilometers), about two hours by car.
  
• From Charleston to Atlanta GA is 500 miles (800 kilometers), about a nine-hour car drive.
  

For additional travel information, call 800- 225-5982 or 304-558-2200. Internet site: http://www.wvtourism.com