Fun Friday

Good Morning we have made it through another week and now it's time to go on our weekly Friday adventure.

Can you guess where we are going this week? We are going to the beautiful state of West Virginia

1.) Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum located in Weston  More European castle than American hospital, this former insane asylum offers historic and paranormal tours six days a week from April through October. Full Museum & Patient Art Gallery entry is included with your tour purchase. This Gothic National Historic Landmark holds 130 years of American history's dark side.

2.) Harpers Ferry National Historical Park hours of operation are 9-6pm  A visit to this quaint, historic community, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is like stepping into the past. Stroll the picturesque streets, visit exhibits and museums, or hike our trails and battlefields. Spend a day or a weekend. We have something for everyone, so come and discover Harpers Ferry! Hours: Park Open Daily from Sunrise to Sunset. Museums, Exhibits, and Visitor Center: Open 9:00am - 5:00pm Park Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

3.) West Virginia Penitentiary located in Moundsville Built in 1866 and in operation until 1995, this prison offers 90-minute guided tours of the facility from April 1, through November 30. Day tours, Paranormal events, October's haunted house, Elizabethtown Festival, are just a few of the events that take place at the facility on an annual basis.

4.) Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum hours of operation are 10-5pm  As focal points of Beckley’s lovely New River Park, the Exhibition Coal Mine, the Rahall Company Store, Mine Museum and the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia draw thousands of people to the area annually. The unique underground mine, the recreated coal camp, the Youth Museum and the Mountain Homestead are surrounded by inviting lawns, colorful flowers, picnic areas, an imposing coal miner statue and a whimsical 20 ft. “Peace Totem. At the Exhibition Coal Mine, one can ride through the dark passages of a vintage coal mine. The guides are veteran miners and provide firsthand accounts of the daily responsibilities and tasks of past and present day miners. In addition to the Mine, one can tour the Mine Museum and the period coal camp situated throughout the grounds.

5.) Blackwater Falls State Park located in Davis hours of operation are 6am-10pm Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the amber waters of Blackwater Falls, a 57-foot cascade tinted by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. The falls, along with a few of the park’s other features like Elakala Falls, Lindy Point and Pendleton Point Overlook, are some of the state’s most photographed spots. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views year-round by taking the steps to the falls or using viewing platforms. The park has 20 miles of hiking trails, the longest sledding magic carpet on the East Coast, a comfortable lodge and more.

6.)Lost World Caverns located in Lewisburg  hours of operation are 9-4:15pm One of the most beautiful commercial caves in the eastern U.S. Self-guided walking tours take approximately 45 minutes to an hour. All day Wild Cave Tours are available, for the more adventurous, by reservation only. Largest Rock, Fossil, & Gift Shop in the area. The Natural History Museum features local ice age mammals as well as dinosaur exhibits. Picnic Area. Free Parking. Open Daily.

7.) West Virginia State Museum located in Charleston Located in the Cultural Center, this interesting museum traces the history of West Virginia through a series of exhibits containing everything from an extensive collection of antique hats donated by a local school teacher to the telescope George Washington used to survey lands within the state.

8.) Clay Center located in Charlestonhours of operation are 10-5pm Opened in the summer of 2003, the Clay Center strives to present a variety of arts and sciences all under one roof. The Avampato Discovery Museum has two floors of fascinating interactive science exhibits, while the ElectricSky™ Theater features planetarium shows. In addition there are a large performance hall and a small black-box theater, an art museum, a fun museum shop, and a cafe. There's something interesting scheduled virtually every night here!

9.) Heritage Farm Museum and Village located in Huntington Learn from the Past, Appreciate the Present and Dream for the Future at this beautiful Appalachian treasure. Experience the major inventions that changed the world in the award-winning Museums of Progress, Transportation, Farm and Industry. This location is closed for the winter months opens back up to the public May 2024

10.) Green Bank Observatory hours of operation are 9:30-6pm The Green Bank Observatory is home to one of the largest fully steerable telescopes in the world! Visit our Science Center to take a bus tour, explore our exhibits, gift shop, and cafe. Learn about astronomy and the mysteries of the Universe. You can also take a self-guided walking tour of our site (or ride your bike!) Learn more at our website.

11.) Mothman Museum located in Point Pleasant  hours of operation are 10-5pm The Mothman Museum is devoted to the Mothman legend, featuring the hand written eye witness accounts from the night of November 15th 1966 and original press clippings on the Mothman sightings here in Point Pleasant and Mason County area in general. Authentic props from the Mothman Prophecies movie starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Debra Messing and Will Patton. Silver Bridge collapse Newspaper articles, documents, & other memorabilia. The Mothman and The Mothman Museum are also featured in Bethesda's online game Fallout 76. We have a gift shop with unique items covering the Mothman legend and other cryptids. OPEN DAILY (Closed Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and New Years Days) ADMISSION $4.50 Ages 11 to Adult $1.50 Ages 10 and Under

12.) Wonderment Puppet Theater located in Martinsburg Wonderment Puppet Theater is a year round magical little theater for children as well as grownups producing 6 original shows a year. We are open Saturday and Sunday with show time at 1 pm. Doors open at 12:40 pm. Lots of interactive activities before and after the show. Open weekdays by special appointment only. We are the only full time theater in WV.

13.) Cacapon Resort State Park located in Berkeley Springs  Sitting in the shadows of the highest peak in the eastern portion of West Virginia, Cacapon Resort State Park offers 6,000 acres of exciting outdoor getaways all year-round. The park provides lake activities and hiking opportunities, vacation cabins, golfing, and restaurants in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. The word Cacapon is a derivative of a Shawnee Indian word meaning "medicine waters," a reference to the area's mineral waters that have been renowned throughout history for their healing powers. Note: Cacapon's Lodge is undergoing a transformation and expansion. Upon arrival, visitors will find and observe construction in progress that adds more rooms and amenities. Contractors are active between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The park staff appreciates visitors' understanding and patience.

14.) The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum located in Wheeling Housed in a restored Victorian school, The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum boasts an impressive collection of tens of thousands of toys and trains.

While in Town check out the Oglebay Institute Glass Museum The museum displays glass items and has a demonstration area for glass blowers, cutters, and decorators.

15.) Oglebay Good Zoo Home to 50 species of animals, 20 of which are rare or endangered, the Good Zoo is the only institution in the state of West Virginia accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

16.) Museum of American Glass hours of operation are 9:30-5pm Visit the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia to see a huge collection of brilliant colored and sparkling crystal glass by dozens of American manufacturers from 1860 to the present. We currently have around 20,000 items on display, including the 2nd largest collection of Steuben art glass in the world, the National Marble Museum, and our Lady Jane stained glass dollhouse. We have a self guided tour available, and a research library with over 1,500 books. Please call in advance to schedule a guided tour for large groups.

17.) The moving, compelling, "Echoes of Slavery in Greenbrier County" exhibit makes this a "must see" stop in Lewisburg. We've visited numerous county, town, and historical society museums throughout Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia, but this exhibit makes the Greenbrier Historical Society's museum stand out among all of them. This very compact yet sensitively curated display includes some must-be-remembered-not-be-forgotten artifacts, includes newspaper advertisements from slave traders and owners, including owners offering bounties for escaped slaves. It then records highlights and lowlights of reconstruction, the Jim Crow era, and the Civil Rights era. If time doesn't permit your paying an in-person visit, you can view the exhibit on-line at the website of the Greenbrier Historical Society.Greenbrier Historical Society and North House Museum

18.) Thurmond Ghost Town Amazing to see a town that was thriving 100 years ago totally gone - the jobs are gone and the people who once lived here moved away. There were two hotels here back then that each had 400 rooms! The train tracks are still here - still an active line for CSX and Amtrak. Very cool bridge to get across the New River to get into town - an original railroad bridge with a one lane road added to the existing bridge. Very cool place to see now within New River Gorge National Park.

19.) Blennerhassett Museum located in Parkersburg Museum that houses three floors of interesting archeological and historical exhibits.

20.) Seneca Rocks Discovery Center Tourist center for Seneca Rocks that offers gift shop, classrooms, art displays, and a small, indoor rock climbing wall for beginners.

21.) Elkins Depot Welcome Center CVB, Inc.hours of operation are 9-5pm The Elkins Depot Welcome Center is located in the heart of downtown Elkins in the 1908 Western Maryland Train Depot. A friendly staff of volunteers are available to answer questions about the area and there is a wide variety of brochures that describe local attractions. The Welcome Center's schedule is as follows: January-March, Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm; April-October 7 days a week 9am-5pm; November-December, Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm. For additional information on lodging, dining, outdoor recreation, attractions and unwinding in Elkins-Randolph County go to: ElkinsRandolphWV.com

22.) Arthurdale Heritage Inc. Museum hours of operation are 11-3pm Revisit the 1930s in Arthurdale, West Virginia. Established in 1933, by the United States government, Arthurdale is the nation’s first New Deal Homestead Community. Created through President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation, the community provided a new chance at life for residents of West Virginia who were suffering from the Great Depression. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt served as the empathetic force behind the community, which became known as “Eleanor’s Little Village” because of her interest. Today, Arthurdale is a National Historic District that features 160 of the 165 original homesteads. The New Deal Homestead Museum is a multi-building museum consisting of a forge filled with original tools, an Esso service station reminiscent of a bygone era, the historic Center Hall, the original federal government administration building, and a fully restored Arthurdale homestead. The museum Craft Shop specializes in Appalachian crafts and quality gifts. The CoOp Store at the old Esso station sells fresh produce, local foods, and gifts.

23.) Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park located in Summersville Set on the rim of the Gauley River Canyon, the 156-acre Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is an important Civil War battle site. It is part of the Civil War Discovery Trail, which links more than 300 historical sites in 16 states, and commemorates the 1861 Battle of Carnifex Ferry, a major Union victory that led to the eventual Confederate withdrawal from western Virginia. Carnifex Ferry is one of the oldest state parks in the United States and is a popular site for Civil War reenactments.

24.) Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park located in Hillsboro Located in the Greenbrier River Valley north of Lewisburg, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is part of the Civil War Discovery Trail, which links more than 300 historical sites in 16 states. Dedicated in 1928 as West Virginia’s first state park, Droop Mountain is known for its reenactments of the Battle of Droop Mountain, the last major American Civil War conflict in West Virginia. Reenactments occur in October of even-numbered years. The park also provides hiking trails, picnic shelters and play areas for use any time of the year.

25.) Snowshoe Mountain Tubing Park The Coca-cola Tube Park is guaranteed fun for the whole family. Experience the thrills and excitement of our 6-story, 8 lane snow tubing hill at Silver Creek for yourself. And if you're looking for extra excitement, head to the snow tubing hill at nighttime to check out our Galactic Snow Tubing sessions.   Pricing is 3 and under free weekdays $15 a person or a family pack(4) $50 weekends and holidays ages 4-12 $19 13+ $22 and a family pack(4) $75

- Galactic Snow Tubing sessions are from 5pm-7pm and 7pm-9pm.
- A party deck with comfortable seating is available for guests wanting to view others on the snow tubing hill or guests taking a break from tubing.
- Children must be 4 years old and at least 36" tall to be permitted on the main snow tubing hill.
- For those under 4 years old and shorter than 36", there is a separate tubing area that they can enjoy, which does not have a tow rope.
- Riding double on snow tubes is strictly prohibited.
- Making trains out of snow tubes is strictly prohibited.

26.) G. W. Henderson Plantation - Henderson Hall located in Williamston Built in 1859 as the centerpiece of the 2,600-acre Henderson plantation, this impressive 17-room pre-Civil War mansion with all of its original furnishings, has survived as a legacy of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

27.) Museum of Radio and Technology located in Huntington This museum is well organized and takes you through the Victrola era, the golden age of radio, television and radio broadcasting, amateur radio, computers and the role electronics plays in the military. There are a number of novelty items that I had never seen before as well. I have never seen a collection like this anywhere. Two hours was just scratching the surface of what was there.

28.) Summersville Lake Lighthouse located in Mt Nebo hours of operation are 9-6pm  57 acre Retreat overlooking Summersville Lake with RV, camper, and primitive camping options along with cabin rentals, boat and watercraft rentals, and WV's only working lighthouse. Just 15 minutes from the New River Gorge National Park and many other great WV outdoor experiences.

29.) Beverly Heritage Center hours of operation are 10-5pm Beverly Heritage Center combines four historic buildings in the center of Beverly, WV, to tell the story of the Battle of Rich Mountain and the First Campaign of the American Civil War, the pivotal role of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, and daily life in a small rural county seat through the 19th century.

30.) The Stirrup Gallery of Davis & Elkins College hours of operation are 9-5pm The Stirrup Gallery is home to 12 of Davis & Elkins College private collections- all on display. We have Ice Age Mammal fossils that include the remains of Woolly Mammoth, Mastodon Woolly Rhinoceros skeleton; as well as several other species of megafauna. Other collections contain over 70 firearms dating from the 1600’s through the Civil War. The museum also houses a large collection of powder horns dating to the 1600’s. Also, stop by and see a collection of Roman Coins from Emperor Trajan's reign 1,900 years ago . The museum has over 6,000 Native American artifacts dating back to the Paleo Indians. The collection contains materials from the Americas, which include pottery, basketry, stone tools, a gun from Custer’s Last Stand and much more! Also on display are Colonial American items ranging from medical instruments, weaving tools, irons, swords, and bayonets.

With so many different bodies of water, parks, waterfalls and many specialty gift shops and things there is something for everyone in this state. I highly encourage you to search where you are traveling. There's something to do around every corner.  

I hope that you have enjoyed this week's tour and come back next week for another amazing adventure. Remember to always be kind as it costs nothing and if you see someone without a smile stop and give them yours a smile is contagious.

Written by: BeautifulChaos318