Don’t let cold weather turn you blue. Here are 10+ suggestions on ways to transform snow days into special memory-making moments.
This story was originally published in the Winter 2015 issue of West Virginia Living. It was updated in December of 2021. To subscribe, visit wvliving.com
Children’s Museums
The Clay Center’s Avampato Discovery Museum in Charleston houses three floors of hands-on science exhibits featuring more than 12,000 square feet of nonstop fun. Spark! Imagination and Science Center, located inside the Mountaineer Mall at 5000 Greenbag Road, has hands-on, interactive exhibits that are fun and educational. theclaycenter.org; sparkwv.org
Paint the Day
From the WOW Factory in Morgantown to The Pottery Place in Huntington, spend the day exploring your creative side at paint-your-own businesses. It is as much fun for adults as it is for children. wowfactoryonline.com; thepotteryplace.biz
Get SMART
What do dinosaurs, space, and ice cream have in common? The SMART Centre Market, located in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District at 30 22nd Street—a fun store with interactive science demonstrations and activities, starwatches, and science presentations. smartcentremarket.com
Bowling Alleys
Don’t forget about this old-fashioned way to have family fun. Bowling is back. Support your local bowling alleys around the state.
Skating Rinks
From ice skates to roller skates, this is a great way to trick kids into exercising and leaving the television behind.
Head to the Caves
You don’t have to worry about the weather at Smoke Hole Caverns, located near Seneca Rocks. Open year-round with guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the unique formations of stalactites and stalagmites will transform your day into an otherworldly experience. smokehole.com
Sledding Parks
Bundle up with a thermos of hot chocolate and head to the hills. Sledding parks like Chestnut Ridge Park near Coopers Rock State Forest outside of Morgantown and Blackwater Falls State Park in Tucker County are perennial favorites. chestnutridgepark.com; blackwaterfalls.com
A Star Party
Explore the universe like never before! The National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Greenbank treats guests to views of the night sky through optical telescopes in a multitude of programs and events throughout the year. If Greenbank is too far away, you can see planetarium shows using state-of-the-art technology in the Clay Center’s Digital Dome. Watch the cosmos come to life with live looks at the night sky combined with new shows that will open your eyes to the science of the stars. pocahontascountywv.com; theclaycenter.org
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