25 miles north of Charleston sits a charming getaway for fun and relaxation.

written by CARYN GRESHAM

JUST SHY OF ITS 120TH ANNIVERSARY, the Town of Clendenin celebrates recovery from the devastating 2016 floods and looks forward to a promising future. Located on the banks of the Elk River, this delightful town is teeming with friendly residents and local businesses that will make you feel at home.

PLAY

Elk River Get-A-Way and Yak House Rentals offer excursion packages and kayak, canoe, and bike rentals. Walk, hike, bike, and ride horses on the ADA-accessible Elk River Trail. Two public access points on the river have ramps ideal for small boats, canoes, and kayaks. Enjoy food, fun, and music in October at Chili’N on the Elk, an ICS-sanctioned chili cook-off and street fair. The Clendenin Music Stage comes alive for this and other town events. Wet your whistle and play some games at Clendenin Brewing Co., housed in a remodeled bank building. Shop for clothes, self-care products, home decor, and more at Elk River Boutique. Mountaineer Auctions features certifiably appraised antiques and collectibles in its large gallery.

EAT

There’s a homey vibe at Blanch’s Family Diner, where the eats feature made-like-grandma favorites. Frostbite Dairy Bar offers West Virginia–style hot dogs, burgers, fries, and soft serve ice cream. Giovanni’s, known for its pizzas, pepperoni rolls, and other Italian favorites, was the first restaurant to open after the 2016 floods so residents and clean-up volunteers could get a meal. Repeated requests for lunches led the owner of Elk River Baking Company to add diner fare to freshly baked treats. Elk River Nutrition sells protein shakes, iced coffee, and herbal teas loaded with good things. Paddler’s Bar and Grill is a welcoming small-town bar with big-town flavors.

STAY

Country Road House and Berries is a family-friendly farm compound where guests can choose to stay in an 1880s farmhouse, a cellar house, or a barn loft and pick strawberries, visit farm animals, fish in the pond, and enjoy campfires. Take Me Home Bed & Brew, located on Main Street over Clendenin Brewing Co., rents four rooms in a repurposed former bank building. Also downtown, Cardinal’s Nest is a ground-level apartment with room for six guests. On top of a mountain, ATV Riders Dream is a getaway just right for outdoor adventures.

READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S FALL 2023 ISSUE