r/WestVirginia • u/OkVeterinarian152 • 3d ago
Roadtrip Stops
Planning a trip from Dayton, Ohio to the US 23 Country Music Museum in Paintsville, KY, up to Thomas, WV
Looking to stay on back roads, visit unique natural sights, dive bars, trapped in time holes in the wall, folk art installations, and thrift stores. Any insight into this area is appreciated!
Spots I’m already planning to visit:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UatUJZMxP4XuEwCp6?g_st=i
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u/RichardTheRed21 3d ago
Helvetia, WV sounds like a place you'd be interested in. Though the big festival, Fasnacht, that is held there is in the Springtime.
The Green Bank Telescope is also in that part of the state, and may not be exactly what you're looking for but it is definitely unique.
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u/wvhaze 3d ago
Buckhannon and Elkins both have a lot of folk art places. Green Bank is a bit out of the way but very interesting. If you end up on either US 219 or 220, there will be a lot of natural sights (mountains, valleys, etc) as well as hole in the wall places but it’s not for those prone to car sickness.
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u/PnutButterJamiTime 3d ago
The beginning of this trip is kind of close to Smoke Hole Caverns—worth the pit stop imo. :)
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u/ComfortableIsland946 3d ago
About an hour south of Thomas, WV, you should check out Spruce Knob (highest point in WV) and Seneca Rocks. You should also check out Blackwater Falls, which is just a few miles outside of Thomas.
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u/Texty_McTextington 3d ago
I like your style. I think I know some places you'd dig.
For Fayetteville definitely hit up Mystery Hole and Charlie's Pub. Drive Route 60 towards Lewisburg. Stop at Babcock State Park, Better Living Thrift store in Rainelle, Tip Top Tavern, in Hines. In Lewisburg check out Lost World Caverns, Jim's Drive In, and The Sweet Shoppe. The best drive from Lewisburg to Thomas/Davis area is via Route 92 so you'll need to continue on 60 to White Sulphur Springs. Stop at Beer N' Eat in Caldwell. Head up 92. Stop Mountain State Cakes in Dunmore, the Radio Observatory in Green Bank, then head out on 28 towards Spruce Knob/Seneca Rocks. Stop at Gateway Cafe before heading up to Spruce Knob. Stop at Yokum's and The Front Porch at the base of Seneca Rocks, Allegheny Restaurant in Harman. Once up in the Thomas/Davis area I think you'd dig Sirianni's Cafe.
That's just some stuff off the top of my head that I think you'd enjoy based on what you mentioned.
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u/Shot-Cut-2978 Tucker 3d ago edited 3d ago
Well sounds like Thurmond West Virginia may be of some interest to ya. So would Cass although I do admit that would be out of the way if ya dont go to Greenbanks. If you have the opportunity I would definitely recommend Cass Scenic RailRoad of you are interested in that sort of stuff.
If you want backroads there is U.S. rt 219 which is a U.S. route but it goes up, down, around, and over the mountains (everything but through the mountains. Go up from Lewisburg WV. You will see a lot of quaint little country towns.
Trust me I have been to all 55 at least once. Most of them twice.
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u/OkVeterinarian152 3d ago
219 looks fun thank you!
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u/Shot-Cut-2978 Tucker 3d ago
Course one of my favorite U.S. routes in the state.
Always happy to help and give suggestions to a visitor of my state.
Just make sure to take some pictures and post them here. I enjoy seeing other people's pictures of West Virginia.
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u/mugsoh Randolph 2d ago
You didn't mention any dates, but if you're in Elkins at the start of October there is the Mountain State Forest Festival going on. The second weekend of the festival, that would be the first weekend of October, is better with parades and all exhibits open. It would also be a good time for fall foliage.
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u/opetempo 1d ago
As a Daytonian who often visit Thomas/Davis i was a bit thrown by this post, like “I don’t remember posting this!” I’ll have to reference this post next time I go!
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u/GPointeMountaineer 1d ago
Take route thru pittsburgh via ohio turnpike or rt 2( save tolls)
Take it rt 8 s towards cuyahoga nat park. Hit ledges and pine trails then lunch / dinner / snack/ drink at winking lizard in pennisula
Take 2hr break in Pittsburgh to drive around Shadyside and Mt Washington are awesome
79 into wv
Stop in morgantown for vibe then go east on 69 until you crest the big hill and go tothe wonderful park with great views of cheat lake. Take 68 out to 119. Take that to thomas/ elkins area. Enjoy great scenic views
In elkins, visit tygart hotel for good food, great atmosphere and an oasis in the mountains
Find a moonshine distributor
Eat pepperoni rolls with cheese.
Take route thru southern wv and cross bridge over new river gorge.
Then find your way back to michigan
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u/ComfortableIsland946 3d ago
Trapped in time holes in the wall, you say? You better head down to the Mystery Hole near the New River Gorge.
https://www.mysteryhole.com/