Summer is the time to explore West Virginia, and there are plenty of places to see! Hop in the car with your loved ones and take these 11 best West Virginia day trips to make some great memories.

1. North Bend Rail Trail
North Bend Rail-Trail, Salem, WV, USA
Mike/flickr
Spend the day hiking, biking or riding horses along the North Bend Rail Trail. The 72-mile-long trail includes some gorgeous scenery, and you can go as far as your day allows.
2. Lake Sherwood
Lake Sherwood, West Virginia 24986, USA
Sonja/Flickr
Spend a day at the gorgeous Lake Sherwood, tucked away in the Monongahela National Forest. Hang out on the beach, take a dip in the lake, and cross the bridge to explore the island.
3. JayDee's
JayDee's Family Fun Center, 2332 Henshaw Rd, Inwood, WV 25428, USA
JayDees/Facebook
On a hot summer day the waterpark at JayDee's in Inwood, West Virginia is the perfect place to take the kids and cool off. The waterslides, pools, and water features will keep you entertained all day.
4. Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, 137 Juliana St, Parkersburg, WV 26101, USA
Susan S./Flickr
Beautiful Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park includes a mansion, horse-drawn wagon tour and a trip on a sternwheeler. If you're searching for great "getaway spots near me," Blennerhasett Island should definitely be on your list!
5. Cacapon Resort State Park
Cacapon Resort State Park, 818 Cacapon Lodge Dr, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411, USA
management/Tripadvisor
For a wonderful day trip, or weekend getaway, head to the 115-acre Cacapon Resort State Park in Morgan County. You can lounge on the beach, take a hike or horseback ride, and go fishing or boating.

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6. Summersville Lake
Summersville Lake, West Virginia, USA
missmert/Tripadvisor
With its 60 miles of shoreline, incredible rock formations and sheer cliffs, great fishing opportunities and clean, clear waters, Summersville Lake is the perfect place to spend a summer day. It is also one of the best day trips in West Virginia.
7. West Virginia's Lazy Rivers
River Riders Family Adventure Resort, 408 Alstadts Hill Rd, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USA
River Riders
River Riders in Harper's Ferry offers tubing on the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Take a relaxing ride on the Shenandoah, or a more adventurous one on the Potomac - either way, it's a great day of adventure!
8. West Virginia Farm Museum
West Virginia State Farm Museum, 1458 Fairground Rd, Point Pleasant, WV 25550, USA
FishingJunkie/Tripadvisor
You can easily spend the day exploring the quaint little West Virginia Farm Museum in Point Pleasant. Check out the preserved buildings, see live demonstrations of early farm life, and learn all about the history of farming in our state.
9. Audra State Park
Audra State Park, Audra, Buckhannon, WV 26201, USA
Eric S./Flickr
Audra State Park is a pretty state park on the Middle Fork River, The site was once a grist mill. Now it's an excellent spot for swimming, hiking, and sunbathing.
10. Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad's Murder Mystery Wine Train
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, 315 Railroad Ave, Elkins, WV 26241, USA
Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad Website
Who can resist a good mystery? The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad's Murder Mystery Wine Train is a four-hour wine train that departs from Elkins and takes you on a magical journey with appetizers, wine, and a murder mystery that will have you puzzled.
11. Valley Falls State Park
Valley Falls State Park, 720 Valley Falls Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554, USA
WVAngler/Tripadvisor
Nestled on the banks of the Tygart River, Valley Falls State Park was once the site of a grist mill. Now, it's the perfect place for a day trip. Hike, view wildlife, enjoy a picnic, and take in the river.

What’s your favorite West Virginia day trip?

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Summer day trips in West Virginia

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | June 13, 2022

I’m looking for romantic getaway spots near me. Do you have any suggestions?

Oooh, yes! And if you like wine as well, you’re in for a real treat at Lambert's Vintage Wines in Weston. In addition to producing some of the best wines in the state, they offer wine tours and sell wine-related accoutrement and crafts. If you want to camp, they offer full hook-up campsites but for a romantic getaway I’d suggest making a reservation for their one-bedroom cabin! Thoughtfully situated to overlook to grounds it features a fully stocked kitchenette, central air conditioning and heating, an electric fireplace, an outdoor grill, and back deck.

What are some kid-friendly museums to visit this summer?

Actually there are quite a few dotted all over the state. In Wheeling you’ll find the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum, which is loaded with hands-on interactive exhibits. The Heritage Farm Museum & Village in Huntington encompasses almost a dozen historic structures, each providing a different perspective on West Virginia life from 1850 to 1950. And the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia in Beckley focuses on the history of the coal mining industry in that part of the state and further afield.

There are so many unique things to do around Charleston. Do you have a favorite?

It would be hard to choose just one favorite, but I am partial to the J. Q. Dickinson Salt Works in Malden, which is just a short 11 minute drive from downtown. The tour here is great and the history of the seven generations of family members behind it is fascinating. After touring the grounds, be sure to spend some time in the gift shop which offers a wide array of salt-inspired products.

What activities are there in the Monongahela National Forest?

The Monongahela National Forest is one of the most magical places in West Virginia, if not in the entire United States. Established in 1920, the forest—which at its highest is approximately 4,863 feet above sea level, is brimming with a profusion of plant life, and diverse wildlife. It is also recognized as one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the country. While here you can enjoy swimming, hiking, scenic vistas, and picnicking, just to name a few activities.

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