Driving into Fayetteville, West Virginia, I noticed a sign proclaiming it the “Coolest Small Town.” Of course, I had to wonder: did they just decide that themselves? Did someone else bestow that honor? What did it mean, and why was it on their road sign? It turns out Fayetteville was…
On our trip to Weston, West Virginia, we decided to squeeze in one more stop after touring the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, and I’m so glad we did. While Josh hopped on a work call and his dad wandered through a few antique shops, I headed off on my own to…
If you’ve spent any time scrolling through “most haunted places in America” lists, chances are the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum has popped up more than once. This massive stone building in Weston, West Virginia, has been standing for more than 160 years, and its history is every bit as layered as…
Atlas Obscura is still one of my favorite tools for planning our travels. If you’re new to it, imagine a global guidebook filled with the strange, fascinating, and wonderfully odd, written by both everyday explorers and curious editors. You can track places you’ve visited, save future must-sees, and build your…
If you’re looking for a convenient place to stay near the New River Gorge, Bear Mountain Cabins & Campground is a great option. Located just one mile from the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve Visitor Center and only 3–4 minutes from downtown Fayetteville, it’s perfectly situated for exploring…
We spent two weeks based in Fayetteville, West Virginia, one of the “coolest small towns in America,” and packed in just about every kind of adventure the area has to offer. This wasn’t our first time here- we originally visited New River Gorge back in 2018 with a group of…