Cultural Attractions

World-renowned museums, historical attractions, amazing architecture and more! With West Virginia's Choice Hotels^® you'll be a stone's throw away from it all. Take a peek at the cultural attractions the state of West Virginia offers.

In the Northern Panhandle

Palace of Gold
Route 1
Moundsville, WV  
304-843-1812

Pay your fare and you'll be transported to a world of, well, gold. In that sense, the Palace of Gold makes good on its promise - you'll find that this fascinating attraction is certainly true to its title. With 10 elaborately decorated rooms inlayed with over 40 varieties of precious metals and stones, it's no wonder this West Virginia attraction was dubbed "America's Taj Mahal" by the New York Times.

Eckhart House Tours
810 Main Street
Wheeling, WV  
304-232-5439

The town of Wheeling is one of the most prominent collections of historic homes in the entire country. Now you can experience first-hand the wonderful allure behind these old-time residences with Eckhart House Tours, which provides informative tours through some of Wheeling's most important Victorian structures.

In the Mid-Ohio Valley

Floe Pottery
Route 2
Chloe, WV  
304-286-2635

A fascinating find in the town of Chloe is Floe Pottery, a complete, one-stop pottery shop. Whether you're interested in the already-made works of pottery artists or you've garnered an interest in creating your own earthen works, there's an answer at Floe Pottery.

In the Metro Valley

Craik-Patton House
2809 Kanawha Boulevard East
Kanawha County
Charleston, WV  
304-925-5341

Constructed in 1834 by the renowned Reverend James E. Craik, this historic homestead allows visitors to travel back in time to an era in which petticoats were in fashion and carriages were the major mode of transportation. Transport yourself to the golden days when quilting bees and quilt pens were the modus operandi for communities in the south, and you'll have experienced the Craik-Patton House.

West Virginia Hot Air Balloons
Charleston, WV  
800-791-5867

They may be full of hot air, but we're willing to reckon that's a good thing, considering that it'll keep you afloat as you traverse the skies over some of West Virginia's most enthralling landscapes. Hot Air Ballooning is a rich tradition steeped in the culture of West Virginia, and there's no better place than the city of Charleston to experience this fascinating pastime.

In the Mountain Lakes Region

Kirkwood Winery
1350 Phillips Run Road
Summersville, WV  
304-872-7332

Are you fascinated by the wine-making process? Have you always had a penchant for picking out the tones of various wines? Or do you just love this fine incarnation of alcohol? Stop by the Kirkwood Winery, where some of West Virginia's finest grapes make the transformation from vine to bottle.

Webster Springs Garden Club
13 Gauley River Road
Webster Springs, WV   26288
304-847-5286

The Webster Springs Garden Club sponsors two tours each year, including the Autumnal "Fall Foliage Tour" and the springtime "Webster County Nature Tour", both of which are guided by some of the top experts in the gardening and wildlife field. You will experience breathtaking mountain scenery and more.

In the New River/Greenbrier Valley

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
513 Ewart Ave
Beckley, WV   25801
304-256-1747

The livelihoods of thousands of men in the state of West Virginia were once dependent on the sustenance of the coal industry, which provided them regular employment. Now you can see the remains of what was once a giant statewide industry, only at Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.

The Washington Street Gallery
123 W. Washington Street
Lewisburg, WV  
304-647-4561

Experience a unique gallery which promises to represent one-of-a-kind works of art. Specializing in handmade prints and ceramic genres, the gallery showcases permanent and rotating exhibitions which include regional, national, and international artists, many of high acclaim. Visit this Lewisburg destination, which is tidily named for the street on which it stands.

In the Potomac Highlands

National Radio Astronomy Observation
Route 28
Green Bank, WV  
304-456-2011

Interested in seeing the stars through a new set of eyes? Visit the National Radio Astronomy Observation, a center which has been set up to provide hours of endless fun to the amateur astronomer inside each one of us. Take to the impressive lens at the observatory and view a night sky where the only pollution is the occasional cloud.

In the Eastern Panhandle

Tour Haunted Martinsburg
Hedgesville, WV  
304-754-6983

Are you interested in ghost activity? Well, you've come to the right place - West Virginia is a smorgasbord of psychic energy. At least that's what the folks at Tour Haunted Martinsburg are inclined to believe. And why should they be wrong? As you'll see on your tour of haunted Martinsburg, West Virginia's history, dating back to the revolutionary war is an enclave of psychic energy.

John Brown Wax Museum
168 High St.
Harpers Ferry, WV   25425
304-535-6342

Experience the life of John Brown through stunning wax recreations of his personage. The story of the life of John Brown is the main focus of the museum, which recants his interesting history through 86 life-sized wax figures. Call ahead for a verification of hours during times of uncertain weather when the museum may be closed.

In Mountaineer County

Gillum House
35 Walnut Street
Shinnston, WV   26431
304-592-0177

Enjoy a lovely historic home situated in the Mountaineer County region of West Virginia. When the Civil War broke loose, many homes were destroyed in the state of West Virginia in the ensuing conflict. However, the Gillum House was lucky enough to survive through that infamous war, and remains as a testament to times past.

Anna Jarvis Birthplace Museum
4 miles south of Grafton on U.S. Route 119/250
Grafton, WV  
304-265-5549

History galore! The Anna Jarvis Birthplace Museum was the birthplace of a very important figure in American history, a woman whose influence still lingers on today. Who exactly was Anna Jarvis, and what is her legacy? You'll be excited to learn that Jarvis, a firm believer in the magnitude of maternal importance, was the founder of the now nationally recognized holiday known as Mother's Day.

In the Hatfield-McCoy Mountains

Passion Trail
777 Paradise Island
Verner, WV  
304-583-2825

Those interested in biblical history will adore this West Virginia cultural attraction, marking the zenith of Christmastime devotion. The Passion Trail consists of 40 stories, laden with 132 beautifully appointed scenes of the life of Jesus. This half-mile walk is, best of all, free to the public.

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