Welcome to the mountain state
Life In West Virginia
Whether you’re here for medical training or hoping to call West Virginia your forever home, we have countless resources to help you find anything from your favorite farmer’s market to a school for your child. West Virginia is considered the land of opportunity. Top-ranked universities, fulfilling careers, award-winning health institutions, thriving arts communities and ample outdoor recreation activities are just a few elements that draw people to the Mountain State. Cost of living in West Virginia is 12% below the national average. West Virginia residents enjoy a variety of affordable and safe housing options to meet every individual or family’s needs.
West Virginia also provides quality, affordable education. In fact, there are over forty colleges here in the Mountain State. Striving to support and supply students with a professional learning network to achieve success. West Virginia University holds the title as the number one college in the state. There is a lot of pride for the Mountaineers. Sports are a great way to come together, and it’s been a traditional part of life in West Virginia to celebrate with gold and blue for quite some time.
Columbus, Ohio – 2 hours away from Parkersburg
There’s an energy and excitement in Columbus that’s going to hit you as soon as you arrive. This city is booming, and not just in population. The state capital has an incredible culinary scene. Featuring top-ranked chefs, a rich farm-to-table movement, one-of-a-kind restaurants and creative artisan desserts, beers, wines and spirits. Columbus has an energetic nightlife, with the most popular bars and dance clubs scattered downtown, along High Street and in the Brewery District. There’s plenty of outdoor recreation available in the central Ohio area. Columbus is also home to the largest zoo in the United States, The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Looking for sports and leisure, check out the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, The Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Columbus Crew major league soccer team. Popular museums include the Columbus Museum of Art, the Center of Science and Industry and the home of satirist/cartoonist James Thurber, all located downtown. This city and the entire state of Ohio has so many unique destinations to explore. Find it here.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – 2 hours, 50 minutes away from Parkersburg
Known by the nickname Steel City, Pittsburgh is on the verge of greater heights. Emerging from a dying steel industry, Pittsburgh is earning another name: reinvention city. Despite setbacks to the steel industry and a population decline over the last few decades, Pittsburgh remains the state’s second-largest city and an important industrial center. While almost 2,000 acres of land just in the city and county parks provide a wide array of outdoor recreation. There are a great variety of nightlife attractions, the Strip District is loaded with shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. For a quieter scene, Pittsburgh’s South Side has the city’s best restaurants, historic Victorian architecture, and shopping and entertainment options. Sports are a passion in Pittsburgh, with 3 major league teams; Pittsburg Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburg Penguins and the Pitt Panthers. Thanks in part to the generosity of the Heinz and Carnegie families, Pittsburgh has many quality cultural attractions. This city and the entire state has much to offer. Visit PA today.
Morgantown (2 hours away from Parkersburg) is home to West Virginia University. This college town is growing rapidly and expanding its diverse multicultural heritage. This city is constantly on the go and offers something for everyone. Vibrant nightlife, highly rated restaurants, unique arts, sporting events, plentiful shopping and outdoor adventure make up this city situated on the Monongahela River. Click here for more information.
Another popular attraction in the heart of the Mountain state is the capital city of Charleston (1 hour, 15 minutes away from Parkersburg). Charleston boasts the history expected of a capital city. It is growing with an arts scene and its riverside position makes it a hub for recreation and culture, too. Take a break from those day-to-day stresses and recharge here. From museums to casinos to water trails, from kid-centric to kid-free escapes, enjoy this historic metropolis with offerings of something for everyone. Click here for travel guide.
The Greater Huntington area (2 hours away from Parkersburg) is the largest metropolitan area in West Virginia. Nicknamed ‘River City’ Huntington is known as a touristic, scenic location due to its proximity to the Appalachian Mountains and many green spaces. As home of Marshall University, this West Virginia city has an abundance of dining experiences, a bustling nightlife scene and many award-winning public parks. Here you can discover one-of-a-kind destination area with a little bit of everything. Click here for more information.
Wheeling (1 hour, 45 minutes away from Parkersburg) is known as “The Friendly City”, perfectly positioned in the northern panhandle of West Virginia and just an hour outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Featured for the Wheeling Suspension Bridge that spans the Ohio River, this city is a foodie paradise with many locally owned diverse restaurants. Wheeling has what you are looking for, filled with family-friendly outdoor adventure and urban escapes. Follow Visit Wheeling on Facebook.
Adventure Awaits
Wild and Wonderful West Virginia is a four-season vacation destination. Each season brings with it new life, natural wonders and unique activities to experience each season in its fullest form. Disconnect from worry and reconnect with what matters most. Find tranquil, one-of-a-kind, picturesque landscapes with vibrant colors. There are endless adventures waiting for you in Almost Heaven. Tourism is one of the state’s largest industries.
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
- Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
- Lewisburg Historic District
- West Virginia Penitentiary
- Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
- The Point
- West Virginia State Museum
- West Virginia Mine Wars Museum
- Mothman Museum
- Museum of Radio and Technology
- West Virginia Sunflower Festival
- WV Italian Heritage Festival
- Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival
- State Fair of West Virginia
- Cabin Fever Craft Beer Festival
- Feast of the Ramson
- FestivALL
- Bridge Day
- Mountain Music Festival
- Festival of Lights
- New River Gorge
- Blackwater Falls State Park
- Summersville Lake
- Jefferson Rock
- Lost World Caverns
- Seneca Rocks State Park
- Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
- Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park
- Hatfield-McCoy Trail Systems
- Hawk’s Nest State Park
- Snowshoe Mountain Resort
- Canaan Valley Resort
- The Greenbrier Resort
- Resort at Glade Springs
- ACE Adventure Resort
- Oglebay Resort
- Timberline Mountain
- Stonewall Resort
- Alpine Lake Resort
- Pipestem Resort
Art & Entertainment
- Gandy Dance Theatre and Conference Center
- Clay Center
- Capitol Theatre
- Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center
- Mountain Stage
- Mountaineer Field
- Hillbilly Hot Dogs
- Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum
- Mardi Gras Casino and Resort
- Tamarack’s David L. Dickirson Fine Arts Gallery
Close to Home
West Virginia is located within a day’s drive of the East Coast’s major cities and still remains an uncrowded and hidden gem. West Virginia is centrally located between the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and within a day’s drive of more than 75% of the U.S. population.
West Virginia also has seven commercial airports with many offering direct flights to major hubs. When you’re ready for big-city sites, interstate and highways provide easy travel to nearby metropolitan areas. A few popular nearby cities consist of: Washington D.C.; Harrisonburg, VA; Columbus, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Pittsburgh, PA; Lexington, KY; Charlotte, NC; Greensboro, NC.