Have you ever been to Rowlesburg, West Virginia? It’s a small but charming railroad town tucked into a curve of the Cheat River, and it’s the perfect staycation destination. Featuring history, natural beauty, dining, gardens, parks, hikes, festivals, motor routes, and more, the area’s activity choices come in all shapes and sizes. There’s something to fit every preference in this quaint little town, making it the ideal getaway right here in the Mountain State.

Welcome to Rowlesburg, a small river town ringed with mountains in Preston County.
Jon Dawson/Flickr
Start your visit to this fascinating area at the Szilagyi Center, where you'll find plenty of helpful information about what's happening around town.
WV Tourism
You'll also find a variety of attractions housed inside: a B & O Model Bridge Exhibit, a World War II Museum, the Preston County Sports Museum, the Arts Preston Studio, a quilting room, and the Carolann Hooton Library, for starters.
You'll learn that Rowlesburg was originally a railroad town, and you'll see that confirmed with plenty of visible evidence all throughout the town.
Adam Moss/Flickr
Train lovers will enjoy miles of actively used tracks.
John Mueller/Flickr

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There are also still plenty of old train buildings and structures.
John Mueller/Flickr
Finally, don't miss the viaducts scattered through the area! These architecturally impressive structures have their own stories to tell, including several from the Civil War era.
Jon Dawson/Flickr
One of them, the Tray Run Viaduct, is made even more famous by its presence on the West Virginia State Seal.
But railroad history isn't the only thing to do or see in Rowlesburg. There's also the river! Stay overnight at the historic River House Lodge, and rent a kayak from them while you're at it.
River House Lodge/Facebook
The River House will shuttle your boat or theirs anywhere along the beautiful Cheat River Water Trail for put in, and pick you up at the Pringle Run take out.
Cheat River Water Trail
The Cheat River is also good for swimming and fishing. There's hiking in the area, too, including along the nice, easy grade of a converted rail trail.

For more details about all these area attractions and more, visit the City of Rowlesburg’s website here, or stop in and see them at the Szilagyi Center mentioned above. And if you’ve already thoroughly explored Rowlesburg, here are seven more towns around the state that make good weekend getaways.

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Rowlesburg, WV, USA