West Virginia: Blue-ridge mountains
Immortalized in the folksy lyrics penned by the late ’70s pop icon, John Denver, the Mountain State does lay claim to an amazing array of Country Roads, it’s true. (After all, the state boasts four National Scenic Byways and an All-American Road.) But located throughout the rugged mountains and raging rivers within her borders are a myriad of touring temptations designed to entice the most avid history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, collectors, food fanatics, shopping aficionados, train lovers and spa disciples; in short, her irresistible options appeal to even the most seasoned tour group!
Initially part of Virginia, West Virginia becme our 35th state in 1863 when Virginia seceded from the Union and joined forces with the Confederacy. Because West Virginia opted not to go along, it was able to gain its independence from Virginia and become a state in its own right.
Today, she is considered the northernmost southern state and the southernmost
northern state. Throughout her history, West Virginia has laid claim to a number of “firsts.” Included among them was “hosting” the first battles of both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, implementing the first state sales tax in 1921, and
being home to the first electric railroad in the world (built between Huntingdon and Guyandotte) and one of the world’s first suspension bridges (built in Wheeling in 1849).
West Virginia gave us the first rural free mail delivery system, the first open-to-the-public spa (1756) as well as the first brick street ever laid in the world (in Charleston in 1870).
By Melinda Hughey
Courtesy of leisuregrouptravel.com
For full story please click here
Chitra Mogul
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025