Here are the WV Living reader-favorite restaurants, shops, travel destinations, lodging, towns, and people in 2023—the Best of West Virginia.
written by Elizabeth Howard, Pam Kasey, & Devin Lacy
photographed by Carla Witt Ford & Nikki Bowman Mills
Looking for tips on where to eat next time you’re in the Eastern Panhandle—fun places in the southern part of the state for a weekend getaway—best Mountain State shops for books, clothes, gifts, furniture, art? We have recommendations from the experts: West Virginians across the state. Here are the WV Living reader-favorite restaurants, shops, travel destinations, lodging, towns, and people in 2023—the Best of West Virginia.
ART GALLERY
TAMARACK MARKETPLACE
Tamarack Marketplace is a hub for exhibiting and purchasing highest-quality West Virginia handcrafts and visual art. Tamarack’s David L. Dickirson Fine Arts Gallery showcases more than 500 juried artists, a rotating collection from across West Virginia. Combined with its Youth Gallery, highlighting young artists, and its Open Air Gallery, Tamarack offers a rich and varied experience of Mountain State creativity. 1 Tamarack Place, Beckley, tamarackwv.com, @tamarackwv on FB
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THE BLAXXMITH SHOP
38 East Main Street, Buckhannon, infamousartcollective.com, @theblaxxmithshop on FB
CREATURE
232 East Avenue, Thomas, theartofseth.com, @creaturesofseth on FB
FAIR / FESTIVAL / EVENT
It’s a Tie!
STATE FAIR OF WEST VIRGINIA
More than 160,000 people attend the State Fair of West Virginia each year, making it one of the most popular events on our yearly calendar. Over nearly a century of operation, the fair works to “honor our heritage” through fun and education, bringing the best of the fair atmosphere right to Lewisburg with food, rides, concerts, competitions, and so many ways to get involved. Lewisburg, statefairofwv.com, @statefairofwv on FB
BACK HOME FESTIVAL
The Back Home Festival has done it again! For the second year, this New Martinsville festival has rocked its way to a top spot. Dozens of performers, artisans, and vendors come together to welcome thousands of guests to the area each year for three days of fun, music, and community. Book your hotel or plan on camping nearby—you won’t want to miss this when it rolls back around in the summer of 2024. New Martinsville, backhomefestival.com, @backhomefestival on FB
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POTOMAC EAGLE NORTH POLE EXPRESS
149 Eagle Drive, Romney, potomaceagle.com, @potomaceagle on FB
MUSICIAN / BAND
THE DAVISSON BROTHERS BAND
Since its founding in 2006, Davisson Brothers Band has recorded three albums, been named a Highway Find on Sirius XM, and charted on country radio. They’re a family band—Chris Davisson on lead and slide guitar, Donnie Davisson on lead vocals, Gerrod Bee on bass, and lifelong family friend Aaron Regester on drums—with deep roots in the state. Their 2023 album Home Is Where The Heart Is is a love letter to the state of West Virginia and the people who make it home. davissonbrothersband.com, @davissonbros on FB
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CODY CLAYTON EAGLE
codyclaytoneagle.com, @codyclaytoneagle on FB
KEY TO ADAM
keytoadam.com, @keytoadam on FB
MUSEUM
HUNTINGTON MUSEUM OF ART
Opened in 1952, the Huntington Museum of Art serves as a museum and cultural center and as an advocate for the arts, education, and nature. HMoA’s permanent collection of more than 16,000 objects, 10 exhibit spaces, extensive art library, and other visual art resources make it the only nationally accredited visual art museum of its size in the tri-state region. Surprises include its tropical and subtropical plant conservatory—the only one in the state—and a coral reef aquarium. 2033 McCoy Road, Huntington, hmoa.org, @huntingtonmuseumofart on FB
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WEST VIRGINIA STATE MUSEUM
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, wvstatemuseumed.wv.gov, “West Virginia State Museum Education” on FB
MOTHMAN MUSEUM
400 Main Street, Point Pleasant, mothmanmuseum.com, @mothmanmuseum on FB
CHARITY / NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
WEST VIRGINIA SOUND FOUNDRY
West Virginia Sound Foundry is bringing music education and fun to Preston County residents and beyond, helping them to gain confidence and learn something new while providing the community with musical opportunities and performances. Executive Director Josh Salisbury has 17 years of experience teaching music and is sharing his knowledge with students of all ages, experience levels, and skill sets. 416 South Main Street, Masontown, wvsoundfoundry.org, @wvsoundfoundry on FB
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THE 1982 FOUNDATION
Grantsville, the1982foundation.org, “The 1982 Foundation–Stronger Together” on FB
WVU MEDICINE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
1 Medical Center Drive, Morgantown, childrens.wvumedicine.org, @wvumedicinechildrens on FB
AUTHOR
TARA WINE-QUEEN
With more than 116,000 followers on Facebook, writer and author Tara Wine-Queen has cultivated quite the fanbase. Her debut book, Tenderness and Troubling Times: A Collection of Stories, was released in 2019 with her second, The Baby Losers Club: A Novella in Pieces following soon after in 2020. Follow her on Facebook to stay up-to-date with coming plans and share a laugh over witty memes. @tarawinequeenwrites on FB
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HOMER HICKAM
ASHLEY BELOTE
ashleybelote.com, @ashleybeloteillustration on FB
ARTIST
BYRON GAYLORD
Glassblower Byron Gaylord has caught West Virginia’s attention with his stunning artistic creations. Since 2006, Gaylord has grown his glassblowing skills through educational opportunities at Pilchuck Glass School and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and quickly proved himself to be a natural. Now, he serves as the studio manager at Dakota Glass Works in Wardensville and can often be found giving demonstrations, educating students, and sharing his impressive talents with others. @byrontglass on IG
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KELSON THORNE
kelsonthorne.com, @kelson.thorne.1 on FB
TIM HIBBS
infamousartcollective.com/index.php/tim-hibbs
SMALL LOCAL NEWSPAPER
OUR FIRST THREE-WAY TIE!
THE INTER-MOUNTAIN
In 1974, The Inter-Mountain’s building in Elkins was destroyed by a fire. However, that didn’t stop its reporters from churning out the next day’s publication. Years later—serving Barbour, Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker, and Upshur counties—The Inter-Mountain still works diligently to bring the latest news to its readership each day. theintermountain.com, @theintermountain on FB
THE REGISTER-HERALD
The Register-Herald distributes more than 9,500 papers each day across Fayette, Greenbrier, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming counties. Based in Beckley, the publication covers topics from local news to the bigger state scene to keep its dedicated readers informed on the current goings-on. register-herald.com, @registerheraldbeckley on FB
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
West Virginia University’s independent student newspaper has caught the attention of voters with its extensive coverage of happenings in the university sphere and the City of Morgantown. As the “watchdog for the WVU community,” the DA team remains dedicated to keeping readers informed while producing the next generation of journalists. thedaonline.com, @dailyathenaeum on FB
TV STATION
WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING TV
WVPB TV reaches viewers across the state and beyond through its variety of channels and programs that offer something for every member of the household, young or old. Whether TV time is spent laughing with Daniel Tiger or learning more about home with the West Virginia Channel, WVPB informs, educates, and entertains. wvpublic.org, @wvpublic on FB
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WSAZ-TV
Huntington, wsaz.com, @wsaz3 on FB
WBOY-TV
Clarksburg, wboy.com, @wboy12news on FB
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION
FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT
The Cheat Canyon was one of the most popular whitewater destinations in the country before acid mine drainage blowouts in the mid-’90s killed some 15 miles of the river. Through an effective combination of science, public education, coalition-building, fundraising, and celebration, Friends of the Cheat has engineered a remarkable comeback in the health of the watershed—and, along the way, provided a popular water trail and other amenities and secured the Cheat River’s place in the hearts of West Virginians. Kingwood, cheat.org, @friendsofthecheat on FB
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FRIENDS OF NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE
Glen Jean, friendsofnewriver.org, @friendsnewrivergorge on FB
FRIENDS OF THE CACAPON RIVER
Capon Bridge, cacaponriver.org, “Friends of the Cacapon River” on FB
LIVE MUSIC VENUE
THE PURPLE FIDDLE
When the music is right, it’s bound to be a good night. The Purple Fiddle is well-loved for its intimate space and close-knit community. This general store–turned–restaurant / gathering space / music venue offers a full and eclectic schedule of performances to appreciative audiences from as far away as Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. The mostly acoustic schedule offers great tunes and satisfying meals and beverages, all in a family-friendly atmosphere. 96 East Avenue, Thomas, purplefiddle.com, @thepurplefiddle on FB
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RUBY AMPHITHEATER AT HAZEL RUBY McQUAIN PARK
185 Garrett Street, Morgantown, rubyampwv.com, @rubyampwv on FB
HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES
750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com, @hollywoodcctr on FB
PLACE TO WORK
MON HEALTH SYSTEM
With its flagship location in Morgantown, the Mon Health System has locations across the state with work environments that have readers voting it Best Place to Work. While steadfast in its goal to improve the lives of West Virginia residents through high-quality health care, Mon Health System also puts an emphasis on the support and well-being of its dedicated employees to set them—and their patients—up for success. monhealth.com, @monhealthwv on FB
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FARMS WORK WONDERS
Wardensville, farmsworkwonders.org, @farmsworkwonders on FB
HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES
750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com, @hollywoodcctr on FB
PROFESSIONAL SCENIC PHOTOGRAPHER
It’s a Tie!
RICK BURGESS
Rick Burgess’s love of the Mountain State goes back to childhood, before life ever moved him here. Now, Burgess travels the state in search of the next stunning view—though he never has to look too hard—and surprises fans with his perspective through the lens. From rarely traveled mountain paths to the most recognizable natural landmarks, Burgess allows us to see home through brand new eyes. rickburgessphotography.com, @rick.burgess.391 on FB
JESSE THORNTON
Landscape photographer Jesse Thornton brings West Virginia’s rugged natural environment into the fine arts world, crafting captures that truly amaze with their composition and color. By day or by night, his lens brings scenic West Virginia to life, capturing those breathtaking moments we wish we could keep with us forever. His work has even graced the cover of WV Living magazine—the Spring 2023 issue. reflectioninapool.com, @reflectioninapool on FB
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FRANK CERAVALO
vistawv.com, @vista.landscapes on FB
TOWN FOR THE ARTS
SHEPHERDSTOWN
Anywhere you go in Shepherdstown, there is something beautiful to see. That’s thanks in part to the booming arts community that has found a home in Shepherdstown. Creators find no bounds on their chosen medium—art galleries are spread across the area, and live performances of music and theater are numerous. Film festivals offer opportunities to support up-and-coming creators, too. No matter what you create or enjoy, you’ll find it in this Best of West Virginia town. shepherdstown.info
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THOMAS
LEWISBURG
RADIO STATION
WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Radio stations are teeming with great voices and interesting entertainment. But WVPB, the reigning champ for this category, has cultivated a fanbase that thinks they do it best. Classical music, news, and talk shows with — and personalities and NPR icons like Terry Gross — fill WVPB’s airwaves across the state at all hours, entertaining us no matter where our country roads take us. statewide, wvpublic.org, @wvpublic on FB
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WVAQ-FM
Morgantown, wvaq.com, @102wvaq on FB
WELD 101.7
Fisher, saveourstationradio.com, @weldwqwv on FB
COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
Among our very oldest institutions of higher education, Marshall University has operated since before West Virginia was a state. Marshall offers a wide range of undergraduate majors as well as master’s, professional, and doctorate degrees, with a particular concentration of students in medical sciences. It is the state’s second-largest college or university by enrollment, which President Brad Smith has noted is trending up—a concrete recognition of the value of an MU education in the eyes of families and students. Huntington, marshall.edu, @marshallu on FB
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WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
Morgantown, wvu.edu, @wvumountaineers on FB
SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY
Shepherdstown, shepherd.edu, @shepherduniversity on FB
CORPORATE CITIZEN
CITIZENS BANK OF WEST VIRGINIA
A community bank dedicated to the good of the communities it serves, Citizens Bank of West Virginia provides a full-ride Emerging Leaders scholarship to Davis & Elkins college as well as five Citizens Scholar scholarships of $1,000 each to graduating high school seniors in its service territory each year, among other investments in the community. In the past year, for example, the bank partnered with Davis Health System to sponsor a new stadium scoreboard at Elkins High School. Headquartered in Elkins with branches in multiple counties, citizenswv.com, @citizensbankofwestvirginia on FB
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HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT CHARLES TOWN RACES
750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com, @hollywoodcctr on FB
THE HEALTH PLAN
healthplan.org, @thehealthplan on FB
HISTORIC TOWN
HARPERS FERRY
When a town’s past includes an abolitionist raid on a federal arsenal that helped catalyze the Civil War, that town is an automatic top destination for lovers of history. To visit Harpers Ferry, the core of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, is to be immersed in a 19th century landscape. Structural restorations, interpretive signage, and costumed guides bring the town’s social, commercial, industrial, and war-time history to life in vivid detail. harpersferrywv.us
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