Top Reasons to Visit West Virginia This Summer

If your clients have ever visited the Lake District National Park in the UK, then they’ll have an idea of what West Virginia has to offer. Add some warm Appalachian hospitality, and you’ll start to get an idea of what the Mountain State is all about, especially in the warmer seasons. West Virginia comes alive in summer, and it’s not just hiking, rafting and mountain biking, though those are big draws to the state. There are a host of music and art festivals, state fairs, historical points of interest and charming mountain towns that are more than just jumping off points for outdoor adventure.

Learn more about group travel in West Virginia

Upcoming Summer Events & Festivals

West Virginia Strawberry Festival

When: May 10–18, 2025
Where: Buckhannon

What started as a small community gathering in 1936 to honor West Virginia’s hard-working strawberry growers has turned into an 8-day celebration featuring carnival games, live entertainment, parades and all manner of family fun.

Mountain Music Festival

When: June 6–7, 2025

Where: Ace Adventure Resort, Oak Hill

It doesn’t get any more down-home Americana than this festival that celebrates the region’s rich Appalachian musical heritage. Set against the stunning backdrop of the New River Gorge, this 3-day event abounds with live performances by renowned bluegrass, folk and rock bands. In between foot-tapping performances, groups can take full advantage of all the area’s natural wonders with world-class whitewater rafting, ziplining and ATV trail riding.

Sternwheel Regatta

When: July 3-6, 2025

Where: Multiple Locations, Charleston

Celebrate the Fourth of July at one of the state’s most anticipated summer events. Charleston’s Sternwheel Regatta features five days of star-spangled fun, including performances by regional and national artists as well as a vibrant fireworks display, family-friendly 5K, barbecue competition and classic car show.

State Fair of West Virginia

When: August 7–16, 2025

Where: Lewisburg

State fairs are as American as apple pie — or in this case, funnel cakes. And no place does state fairs quite like West Virginia. The State Fair of West Virginia is a 10-day event that includes livestock shows, horse races, carnival rides and musical acts. And, of course, no state fair is complete without its share of inventive fried delicacies like kettle corn, cheese curds and the venerable corn dog.

Mountaineer Brewfest

When: August 16, 2025

Where: Heritage Port, Wheeling

If your clients enjoy sampling the latest in fine crafted microbrews, then Mountaineer Brewfest is a must. Held in the lovely hamlet of Wheeling, West Virginia, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Brewfest brings together the best brewmasters in the state to share their creations. Nothing epitomizes summer in West Virginia quite like enjoying award-winning beers, local gourmet food and lively entertainment on the waterfront overlooking the scenic Ohio River.

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Outdoor Adventures & Beyond

West Virginia is one of America’s premier summer playgrounds for outdoor enthusiasts. And when we say enthusiasts, we mean anyone from a yoga-hike practitioner to a white-knuckled bungee jumper. Enjoy a photo-safari in the UNESCO-designated New River Gorges National Park and Preserve, where your nature-loving clientele can also tackle Class V rapids on the New River.

More Reasons to Choose West Virginia

Along with incredible events and world-class outdoor adventures, West Virginia  offers a multitude of historic attractions, compelling cuisine and many other authentic experiences for international travelers to enjoy. Get a glimpse into Mountain State luxury at The Greenbier in White Sulphur Springs, an 11,000-acre resort and National Historic Landmark set in the state’s wondrous Alleghany Mountains. Learn more about the country’s industrial heritage at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in Pocahontas County. The park features logging locomotive rides that take visitors to Bald Knob for panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness as well as one of America’s only authentic lumber railroading museums. West Virginia’s rich Appalachian culture comes alive in small towns like Thomas and Davis, where visitors can experience authentic mountain music, local craft beer and farm-to-table cuisine.

Convenient Flights to West Virginia

For all its rural charms and abundance of unspoiled wilderness, reaching West Virginia is a rather painless affair. The state’s proximity to gateways like Dulles and Cincinnati international airports make it a logistical breeze to get to, and now there are even flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to West Virginia International Yeager Airport via Breeze Airways.

We’ve given you a mere snapshot of all the beauty and adventure West Virginia has to offer the intrepid traveler. To discover all that West Virginia has to offer groups, both big and small, visit WVTourism.com.

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