Explore Boone County, West Virginia! This southern county makes the perfect day trip or adventure-filled weekend away.
beloved boone county
Anyone with an affinity for weekend day trips to quaint communities ripe for exploration should plan a visit to Boone County, especially if you love the outdoors. And if you’ve visited before, it might look a bit different than you remember.
Boone is in the process of rediscovering itself—finding its path into the future on streets paved by coal. The county was once one of the largest coal producers in the state, and there’s a museum in town—the Coal Heritage Museum—that you should add to your list of potential places to visit. The county and its county seat of Madison became part of the world-famous Hatfield-McCoy Trails system in 2017 and serve as a jumping-off point—or in this case a putting-in point—for the Coal River Walhonde Water Trail System, one of the most celebrated water trails this side of the Mississippi River.
Because of its growth in the outdoor recreation sector, Boone businesses have answered the call with new shops and restaurants popping up to cater to adventure-seeking travelers finding their way south. In fact, Boone County is a great home base for a weekend spent exploring the surrounding region. You’ll find all the conveniences and amenities you could want as well as warm and friendly locals happy to share their stomping grounds with you for a day or two.
explore boone county, West virginia
eat
West Madison Grocery Store in Madison is more like a restaurant than a typical neighborhood food market. Pop in for provisions. And Midtown Grocery and Deli in Whitesville is a locally owned grocery store that includes a deli and hand dipped milkshakes. Try the Company Store Sandwich. Check out K-Bo’s Ice Cream in Danville for an afternoon snack.
shop
You’ll find some adorable boutiques in Boone County for any frequent shoppers along for the ride. Don’t miss The Boone Magnolia or The Funky Flamingo in Danville for fashion, gifts, home goods, jewelry, and more. Head to Madison to browse the shelves at The Southern Pineapple.
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Take your paddles for a water adventure along the Coal River Walhonde Water Trail System or your ATV for an off-road experience on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails. Visit the Coal Heritage Museum in Madison to learn more about one of the state’s most abundant natural resources, and stop by the Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial in Whitesville to pay your respects to the souls lost in a 2010 mine explosion.
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