WV Family Magazine’s
Park & Museum Guide
Enrich your summer with West Virginia Family Magazine's Park & Museum Guide.
Your Guide to Family-friendly Recreation and West Virginia History Close to Home.
Museums
Anna Jarvis Birthplace Museum, Philippi, WV
www.annajarvishouse.com
304-265-5549
Anna Jarvis was the founder of Mother’s Day. Her birthplace home was built in 1854 by her father. It became a focal point of the Civil War when General B. McClellan used it as his headquarters. Anna Jarvis established Mother’s Day in honor of her mother who was instrumental in saving thousands of lives during the war by teaching women basic nursing and sanitation skills. Admission $$
Bellaire Toy and Plastic Brick Museum/ Unofficial Lego Museum, Bellaire, OH
740-671-8890
Visit the largest private collection of Lego® toys and the imaginative world they can create, covering 3 floors. This collection of more than 4 million bricks(Legos®) create three-dimensional mosaics that have turned a simple child’s toy into works of art. Animatronics, robotics, and mosaics. Admission fee. ($)
Heritage Farm Museum and
Village, Huntington, WV
www.heritagefarmmuseum.com
304-522-1244
Take a step back in time as you enjoy a guided tour of a beautiful village of the past including log homes, shops, one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith, country store, church, museums, and more - 16 different buildings experiencing life as it was. Also enjoy a petting zoo ($), a nature walk, and outdoor pool ($). Recreates and preserves Appalachian heritage. Lodging includes log home rental. Admission fee applies. ($)
Mountaineer Military Museum, Weston, WV
http://mountaineermilitarymuseum.com / 304-472-3943
Open to public, private, organizational, and educational tours. Ron McVaney made a promise to never let anyone forget his childhood friends who serviced the country and died. He collected hundreds of pieces of memorabilia over the last 30 years and now is able to share it with others as the Mountaineer Military Museum became a reality.
Museum of Radio & Technology, Huntington, WV
http://www.ohio.edu/people/postr/MRT/
304-525-8890
One of the largest museums of its kind. This museum has collections of gadgets from early radio history 1920’s to 1980’s , broadcasting memorabilia, receivers, a transmitter. Free admission, donations appreciated.
National Radio Astronomy
Observatory, Greenbank, WV
www.gb.nrao.edu / 304-456-2150
The Greenbank Telescope is the world’s most advanced single-dish radio telescope - collecting radio waves from deep space as astronomers analyze them. Tours of the science and visitor center, educational activities, exhibits, games, experiments for all ages, cafe, gifts, open year round. Free guided tours.
Rich Mountain Battlefield/Visitor Center, Beverly, WV
www.richmountain.org
304-637-RICH
The Battle of Rich Mountain and the Union victory taking place west of Beverly gave the Federal forces control of Applachian northwestern Virginia - later resulting in these counties creating the state of West Virginia.
The Greatest Generation World War II Museum, Rowlesburg, WV 304-454-9232
Free to WWII Vets, Adults: $5, Seniors/Teens: $4, Children: $3. Saturday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday 1 - 5 p.m. For appt: 304-329-1240 Szilagyi Center, Rowlesburg, WV www.rowelsburg.org
Parks
Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Davis WV www.canaanresort.com 304-866-4121
Canaan Valley Resort State Park offers many summer activities for the whole family. Stay for a day or stay overnight - campsites, cabins, and quality hotel. Enjoy fine dining, pizza, or a picnic. Gift shop, hiking trails, playground areas, game courts, and outdoor covered pavilion. Canaan also offers the following activities with a fee ($): Champion golf course, indoor pool, outdoor pool, paintball arena, climbing wall, eurobungy, and hayrides. Canaan Valley Resort State Park has something for everyone!
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Cass, WV www.cassrailroad.com
304-456-4300
Go back in time to when steam-driven locomotives were an essential part of everyday life. This small town of Cass remains very much the same today. Original houses from the turn-of-the-century can be rented overnight, shop at the company store, step into the museum and learn about early railroad history. Enjoy an exciting ride up the mountain and back on one of the antique Shay steam-driven locomotives.
Cedar Lake State Park, Glenville, WV www.cedarcreeksp.com
304-462-8517
This 2,483 acre park offers camping, pool ($), game courts, paddle boat rentals ($), fishing, hiking and family strolls. Bring a lunch - there are picnic sites and shelters available. Campsites available.
Holly River State Park, Hacker
Valley, WV www.hollyriver.com
304-493-6353
Holly River is the second largest park in WV. It has 8,101 acres of lush forested park. Peaceful solitude as well as recreational opportunities await vistors. Game courts, swimming pool ($), hiking trails, restaurant, picnic sites, cabins, campsites, fishing, and more. A great family get-away close to home.
New River Gorge National River, Glen Jean, WV www.nps.gov/neri org or www.newrivergorgecvb.com
304-574-2115
The rugged white water river called New River is actually one of the oldest rivers on the continent. The bridge spanning the river gorge, New River Gorge Bridge, is the Western Hemisphere’s longest steel-arch bridge and second longest in the world. This park is rich in culture and natural history. It offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities. In October the area celebrates Bridge Day - known worldwide as the largest extreme sports event when hundreds of jumpers parachute off the bridge. www.officialbridgeday.com.
Prickett’s Fort State Park, Fairmont, WV www.prickettsfortstatepark.com 304-363-3030
A living history site where interpreters re-
create late 18th century lifestyle through period attire and demonstrations. Educational, entertaining, and family fun. Prickett’s Fort of 1774 originally served as a refuge for up to 80 families from Native American war parties. Museum, special events, gift shop, picnicking, and more.
Admission applies. ($)
Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton, WV www.tygartlake.com
304-265-6144
This quiet family getaway is a 2,134 acre park offering lodging, cottages, campsites, boating/marina, boat rentals ($), fishing, game courts, picnic shelters, playground, lake swimming, hiking trails, a gift shop, and game courts.
Valley Falls State Park, Fairmont, WV www.valleyfallsstatepark.com 304-367-2719
This park offers 12 miles of hiking and biking trails suitable for all skill levels, sightseeing (once a lumber and grist mill community), fishing, picnic tables and shelters, grills, game courts, and playground.
More Family Fun
Blenko Glass Company, Milton, WV www.blenko.com
An American institution that has been in business since 1893. Still carrying on the tradition of handmade glass - unique and inspiring designs, functional glassware, art glass, mouth blown sheet glass, and more.
Camden Park, Huntington, WV www.camdenpark.com / 304-924-6211
Family fun is found at Camden Park. Rides include: Paratropper, Dodgem’ Cars, Big Dipper Rollercoaster, Carousel, Log Flume. Midway Games and Arcade packed with redemption games to test your skill and win prizes. Food includes traditional amusement park food and WV Grille offers sit down meal options. Admission $$
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, Elkins, WV www.mountainrailwv.com / 877-MTN-RAIL
Unique rail adventures take you through deep canyons featuring narrow passages, cascading rivers, and unspoiled mountains. Heritage and fun on five mountain rail excursions - choose your adventure and have the time of your life. $$
Mark Twain Riverboat, Huntington, WV www.schoonerswv.com
304-781-BOAT
Situated on the Ohio River, the Mark Twain Riverboat docks at the Schooner’s Waterfront Grille at Adams Landing Marina in Huntington. Sightseeing and sunset cruises are offered ($10 per person), as well as dinner cruises ($35 per person).
Mountain Trail Rides
Canaan Valley, WV
www.mountaintrailrides.com
304-866-4652
Offering many unique experiences: horseback riding through open fields and wooded acres on the area’s best horses (ages 6 and up), visit our Barnyard Babies Petting Zoo, hand-led pony rides (under 6 years), wagon rides (must have advance notice). Groups are welcome. (Groups of 15 or more receive special discount.) Bring the whole family, church group, scouting group, daycare, or classroom field trip. Admission $$
New River Train
Excursion
Huntington, WV
www.newrivertrain.com
866-639-7487
Make your reservations now to ride the New River Passenger Excursion. This is a rolling museum of Amtrak and restored classic passenger cars. This October you can enjoy a front-row seat to some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Four 300 mile round trip operations will occur this October. Availability includes coach, lounge, parlor car, dome lounge, and sleeper lounge. Destination is Hinton, WV where you will enjoy the annual Fall Festival in this scenic mountain town - arts, crafts, entertainment, museums, and food. Make reservations immediately, space is limited.
Old Brick Playhouse, Elkins, WV www.theoldbrick.org / 304-637-9090
The Old Brick Playhouse is a non-profit educational theatre arts organization offering family entertainment, shows, performances, student apprenticeships, summer camps, and more. $$
The WOW! Factory, Morgantown, WV www.TheWowFactoryOnline.com / 304-599-2969 (2WOW)
A locally-owned craft based fun center for everyone! Select your piece of pottery and create your masterpiece. The Wow Factory staff will glaze and fire your piece and it will be ready for pick up in about one week. Also glass fusing - make jewelry, bowls, vases, sushi plates, and more. Create a picture frame, table top, or room decor with colorful mosaic tiles. Friendly staff to assist you throughout every step of the process. No admission fee, pay for your projects only. Also available Tween Workshops $20-$40 (ages 8-12) on Wednesdays 1-3 p.m. Art Classes $15-$25 (ages 3-5) Thursdays 1-2 p.m. and (ages 6-8) Wednesdays 1-2 p.m. Story painting $10 (ages 2-4) Tuesdays 11-12 a.m. Day camps $125 (ages 6-12) Mon.-Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (check website for weekly themes).
West Virginia Wildlife Center, French Creek, WV www.wvdnr.gov/wildlife/wildlifecenter.shtm / 304-924-6211
A zoological facility where visitors can see, enjoy, and learn more about West Virginia’s wildlife. A paved 1.25 mile trail leads you through the animal exhibits. Interpretive signs help visitors learn more about each animal’s life history, biology, and its relationship with humans. The facility also offers a picnic area with grills and shelter, a pond, and a gift shop for souvenirs and refreshments. Admission fee. $$
This listing has been compiled by West Virginia Family Magazine to assist you. It is for information only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of facilities, accommodations, or services. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this listing, it is recommended to call ahead. WV
Family Magazine is not liable for damages arising out of errors or omission.
Be sure to tell them that you saw them in WV’s #1 Family Magazine- West Virginia’s Family Magazine!
For more West Virginia Parks, visit:
http://www.wvtourism.com/
This is the WV Division of Tourism website which contains a complete online version of their 2009 Official State Travel Guide, plus a calendar of events, a list of outdoor recreation, history, facts, trivia, and more.
http://www.wvstateparks.com/map.html
The official website of WV State Parks and Forests, this site has a clickable map and drop down menu of parks.
http://www.wvexplorer.com/
A user friendly site to find recreational activities in the state.
This listing has been compiled by West Virginia Family Magazine to assist you. It is for information only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of facilities, accommodations, or services. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this listing, it is recommended to call ahead. WV Family Magazine is not liable for damages arising out of errors or omission.