Vibrant communities and passionate people make the culture of the state something truly special.
photographed by Carla Witt Ford & Nikki Bowman Mills
No one knows the Mountain State better than the people who call it home. Each year, we ask our readers—our boots-on-the-ground taste-testers, personal shoppers, and connoisseurs of fun—which people and places are the best at doing what they do. Here are your favorite restaurants, shops, destinations, and more, the ones that bring us back time and time again—the 2025 Best of West Virginia.
CHARITY / NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
GOLD
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
The Ronald McDonald House in Charleston is a place where compassion meets everyday life. Families with seriously ill children find a home just steps from the hospital, complete with meals, support, and a community that truly cares. Volunteers make each day brighter with thoughtful gestures and smiles, helping ease the stress. Here, love and comfort take center stage, allowing families to concentrate on what matters most—their children. 910 Pennsylvania Avenue, Charleston, @rmhcofsouthernwv on FB
SILVER
FARMS WORK WONDERS
Wardensville, farmsworkwonders.org, @farmsworkwonders on FB
BRONZE
WVU MEDICINE GOLISANO CHILDREN’S
1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, childrens.wvumedicine.org, @wvumedicinechildrens on FB
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION
GOLD
FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT
Friends of the Cheat brings people together to protect one of West Virginia’s most beloved waterways. From river cleanups to educational programs, this Kingwood-based nonprofit keeps the Cheat River healthy for recreation, wildlife, and future generations. Volunteers roll up their sleeves, paddling, planting, and advocating, turning passion for nature into action. It’s a hands-on reminder that caring for the environment is both fun and essential. 1343 North Preston Highway, Kingwood, cheat.org, @friendsofthecheat on FB
SILVER
POTOMAC VALLEY AUDUBON SOCIETY
Shepherdstown, potomacaudubon.org, @potomacvalleyaudubon on FB
BRONZE
FRIENDS OF NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE
Glen Jean, friendsofnewriver.org, @friendsnewrivergorge on FB
CORPORATE CITIZEN
GOLD
CITIZENS BANK OF WEST VIRGINIA
Citizens Bank isn’t just about numbers—it’s about neighborhoods, schools, and families. From sponsoring local events to volunteering for community projects, employees invest in the people they serve. The bank blends financial expertise with heart as it funds education, health initiatives, small businesses, and more. In West Virginia, it’s a name you can trust, not just in banking, but in building strong and thriving communities. Six locations across the state, citizenswv.com, @citizensbankofwestvirginia on FB
SILVER
SOLAR HOLLER
2835 Park Avenue, Huntington, solarholler.com, @solarholler on FB
BRONZE
PENDLETON COMMUNITY BANK
128 North Main Street, Franklin, yourbank.bank, @yourbank on FB
FAIR / FESTIVAL / EVENT
GOLD
PRESTON COUNTY BUCKWHEAT FESTIVAL
Every fall, the Preston County Buckwheat Festival turns Kingwood into a celebration of tradition, community, and, of course, pancakes. Locals and visitors flock to sample buckwheat treats, enjoy live music, compete in contests, and browse crafts from regional artisans. Generations gather to share in community and local flavor, making this festival more than an event—it’s a cherished Appalachian ritual that keeps attendees coming back year after year. Kingwood, buckwheatfestival.com, @buckwheatfestival on FB
SILVER
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY FARM CRAWL
Various locations across the county, cometohampshire.com/wvfarmcrawl, @hampshirefarmcrawl on FB
BRONZE
BACK HOME FESTIVAL
New Martinsville, backhomefestival.com, @backhomefestival on FB
HISTORIC TOWN
GOLD
HARPERS FERRY
This town is history you can touch, see, and wander through. Nestled where the Potomac meets the Shenandoah, the town’s cobblestone streets—dotted with 19th-century buildings and interpretive museums—bring the past alive. Civil War stories mingle with Appalachian charm, while local shops and scenic trails invite exploration. Every visit feels like stepping into a living history lesson, with a perfect side of small-town hospitality and riverfront views. harpersferrywv.us
SILVER
SHEPHERDSTOWN
BRONZE
LEWISBURG
PLACE TO WORK
GOLD
OGLEBAY PARK RESORT
At Oglebay Park Resort, staff find a workplace that inspires as much as it supports. Nestled in Wheeling, the resort blends recreation, hospitality, and year-round events with a culture that values every team member. Here, professional growth goes hand-in-hand with genuine friendship and daily enjoyment. Surrounded by the park’s natural beauty, employees experience Oglebay as more than a job—it’s a community built to nurture both career and spirit. 465 Lodge Drive, Wheeling, oglebay.com, @oglebay on FB
SILVER
WVU MEDICINE
1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, wvumedicine.org, @wvumedicine on FB
BRONZE
HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES
750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com, @hollywoodcctr on FB
SMALL LOCAL NEWSPAPER
GOLD
THE WV INDEPENDENT OBSERVER
This small-town newspaper shows that size doesn’t determine influence. With every story, the paper brings local communities closer, delivering reporting that’s both precise and compelling. Its staff blends careful investigation with storytelling that captures local life, earning the trust of its readers along the way. For anyone craving meaningful, locally focused journalism, the Observer stands as a testament to the power of small but mighty reporting. Shepherdstown, observerwv.com, @observerwv on FB
SILVER
TUCKER COUNTY OBSERVER
Davis
BRONZE
THE INTER-MOUNTAIN
Elkins, theintermountain.com, @theintermountain on FB
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