Town for Arts
THOMAS
Unique galleries, regular live music, and charming shops come together to make Thomas one vibrant town. Even if you can’t make it to one of the art walks, a short jaunt down the main street anytime is almost as good. The White Room Art Gallery features a wide array of creative masterpieces from resident artists, Creature showcases the imaginative fine art of Seth Pitt, and Bloom boasts changing exhibitions of artists spanning from painters to printmakers. Artists and art lovers alike can fuel their creativity with coffee at TipTop and get inspired listening to the Purple Fiddle’s live music. canaanvalley.org
RUNNERS-UP
LEWISBURG
greenbrierwv.com
CHARLESTON
charlestonwv.com
Mayor
AMY GOODWIN
Even before Amy Goodwin was elected Charleston’s first female mayor in November 2018, she was no stranger to the Capitol. She visited when she was younger with her grandmother, who represented Ohio County in the House of Delegates. Goodwin then worked in communications for several politicians before running for a seat herself. Shortly after coming into office, she addressed a $3 million budget deficit, launched a campaign to tackle the city’s dilapidated properties, and established the Charleston Youth Council to engage tomorrow’s young leaders.
RUNNERS-UP
STEVE WILLIAMS, HUNTINGTON
CAROLYN RADER, RIPLEY
Adventure Town
FAYETTEVILLE
Five-Time Winner
This tiny county seat holds big-time charm. Whitewater rafters know Fayetteville as a hub for their intrepid trips down the New River or its wilder sister, the Gauley River. Rock climbers appreciate it as a personal playground for scaling the faces of the New River Gorge. Hikers, mountain bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts see it as a wilderness paradise that’s almost heavenly. Outfitters and local businesses also offer fishing trips, sightseeing flights, stand-up paddleboarding, and zipline tours. visitfayettevillewv.com
RUNNERS-UP
DAVIS
canaanvalley.org
GILBERT
visitgilbertwv.com
Town for History
HARPERS FERRY
Seven-Time Winner
Harpers Ferry has seen it all. Ferries shuttled early settlers across the Potomac River before the American Revolutionary War, shots cracked through the air during John Brown’s 1859 raid on a federal armory, and soldiers’ boots clicked on the streets during the Civil War. Harpers Ferry is also home to one of the earliest integrated schools in the nation. Visitors today can still step back in time with sites like the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, John Brown Wax Museum, and Appalachian Trail. discoveritallwv.com
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LEWISBURG
greenbrierwv.com
MATEWAN
historicmatewan.com
Town for Foodies
LEWISBURG
Food lovers can travel the culinary world, all in one day. They just have to go to Lewisburg. There’s spicy south-of-the-border dishes, flavorful French-style fare, rich Italian pastas and wood-fired pizzas, and, of course, homestyle country cooking to bring it home. No matter the main course, toast to a good meal with an espresso from a hip coffee shop or a glass of handcrafted hard cider. Need more proof? Many of the local joints are listed in this year’s Best of West Virginia food and drink roundup. greenbrierwv.com
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MORGANTOWN
tourmorgantown.com
HUNTINGTON
visithuntingtonwv.org
Town To Experience Fall
FAYETTEVILLE
Two-Time Winner
Fall means the New River Gorge is full of color and offers even more reasons to love this small town. The New River and Gauley River teem with whitewater rafters and the mountain’s fiery foliage beckons hikers from far and wide. They can all rest their heads in one of Fayetteville’s cozy inns and bed and breakfasts or grab a warm bite to eat at local cafes. Bridge Day, the third Saturday of October, is an especially vibrant shindig where daredevils parachute and rappel from the New River Gorge Bridge. visitfayettevillewv.com
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DAVIS
canaanvalley.org
ELKINS
randolphcountywv.com
Town To Experience Winter
DAVIS
This picturesque town provides countless reasons for getting off the couch and out into the snow. Whiz down the slopes at one of the nearby ski resorts, zip through the East Coast’s longest sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park, and snowshoe across a winter wonderland at Canaan Valley Resort State Park. Warm up after a long day at Hellbender Burritos or Sirianni’s Pizza Cafe, and hit the hay at the Bright Morning Inn, which was once a boarding house for lumberjacks. canaanvalley.org
RUNNERS-UP
THOMAS
canaanvalley.org
ELKINS
randolphcountycommissionwv.org
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