Visit West Virginia

Visit West Virginia
Name	Visit West Virginia
Type	Tourism promotion
Founded	1990s
Headquarters	Charleston, West Virginia
Website	VisitWestVirginia.org

Visit West Virginia is the official tourism promotion program for the U.S. state of West Virginia administered through the West Virginia Department of Commerce and coordinated with regional organizations such as Tourism Cares and the National Park Service. The program markets destinations ranging from New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Harper's Ferry National Historical Park to cultural institutions like the West Virginia State Museum and events such as the Bridge Day (West Virginia) festival. Visit West Virginia partners with destinations including Charleston, West Virginia, Morgantown, West Virginia, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, Shepherdstown, West Virginia and national attractions such as the Appalachian Trail and Monongahela National Forest.

Overview

Visit West Virginia operates within the context of state agencies like the West Virginia Tourism Office and collaborates with authorities including the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the West Virginia Development Office. Marketing initiatives reference destinations such as Canaan Valley, Snowshoe Mountain, Dolly Sods Wilderness, Seneca Rocks, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and partner organizations like the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. Strategic plans cite federal programs such as the Economic Development Administration and regional entities like the Appalachian Regional Commission to coordinate recovery, promotion, and infrastructure for highways like Interstate 64 in West Virginia, Interstate 77 in West Virginia and U.S. Route 50 in West Virginia.

Attractions and Natural Features

Key natural draws promoted include New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the New River Gorge Bridge, the Monongahela National Forest, Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Seneca Rocks, Dolly Sods Wilderness and the Greenbrier River Trail. Cultural and historic sites highlighted include Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, The Greenbrier, Mansion at the Greenbrier, Pricketts Fort State Park, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park and the West Virginia State Capitol. Visit West Virginia also references attractions on the Ohio River such as Huntington, West Virginia, Parkersburg, West Virginia and Point Pleasant, West Virginia along with heritage railroads like the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and museums including the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum and the Culture Center (Charleston, West Virginia).

Outdoor Recreation and Parks

The program emphasizes outdoor recreation at venues such as Snowshoe Mountain, Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Blackwater Falls State Park, Monongahela National Forest, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and the Appalachian Trail. Activities marketed include whitewater rafting on the Gauley River and New River, rock climbing at Seneca Rocks, mountain biking on trails maintained by the West Virginia State Parks System, backcountry hiking in Dolly Sods Wilderness, fly fishing on the Bluestone River and hunting in public lands administered by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Events such as Bridge Day (West Virginia), endurance races in Morgantown, West Virginia, and skiing tournaments at Snowshoe Mountain are promoted in partnership with organizations like USA Cycling and the American Whitewater.

Arts, Culture, and Events

Visit West Virginia spotlights cultural venues including the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia, the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the Assembly of God (West Virginia)—as host congregations for events—historic towns such as Shepherdstown, West Virginia, festivals like the Mountain State Forest Festival and competitions at the WVU Coliseum. The promotion program features performing arts centers such as the Capitol Theatre (Charleston, West Virginia), literary associations referencing authors like Pearl S. Buck and Rebecca Harding Davis, and crafts traditions preserved by the West Virginia State Folk Festival and the Appalachian String Band Festival. Heritage tourism draws connect to the Coal Heritage Trail, the Hatfield–McCoy Trails, the Goldenseal Festival and historic preservation efforts at sites like Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park and Point Pleasant's Mothman Museum.

Travel Logistics and Accommodation

Travel information provided covers access via airports including Yeager Airport, North Central West Virginia Airport, Tri-State Airport (West Virginia) and rail access via Amtrak stations on routes near Hinton, West Virginia and connections to Union Station (Charleston, West Virginia). Accommodation partners include resorts such as The Greenbrier, lodges at Canaan Valley, bed and breakfasts in Shepherdstown, West Virginia and chain hotels located in Charleston, West Virginia, Morgantown, West Virginia and Huntington, West Virginia. Visit West Virginia provides resources about driving corridors including Interstate 79 in West Virginia, Interstate 64 in West Virginia, U.S. Route 119 in West Virginia and visitor centers operated by the West Virginia Division of Tourism.

Economy and Tourism Industry

The promotion program connects to economic development initiatives involving the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Economic Development Administration, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, regional tourism bureaus such as the Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau and industry groups like the National Tour Association. Reports emphasize sectors including outdoor recreation businesses around New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, hospitality at resorts like The Greenbrier, heritage tourism on the Coal Heritage Trail, and conference tourism in Charleston, West Virginia and Wheeling, West Virginia. Partnerships extend to federal agencies such as the National Park Service and state agencies like the West Virginia Department of Transportation to support events including Bridge Day (West Virginia), workforce development programs with WVU and marketing cooperatives with regional chambers of commerce.

Category:Tourism in West Virginia