Southern West Virginia is where small town charm meets big winter adventure. Here, the winter season brings wide-open views, cozy small towns, and fun activities for all ages. Spend your days carving through the state’s largest snowtubing park, wandering trails in the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, or our many State Parks, browsing local shops, or warming up inside unique indoor attractions. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline, scenic beauty, or a peaceful mountain escape, you’ll find that winter in Southern West Virginia delivers a bit of everything.
Day 1
Morning-Afternoon
Start your weekend at Tamarack Marketplace, the state’s premier hub for West Virginia-made art, crafts, and Appalachian cuisine. It is the perfect place to browse, shop, and savor a hearty breakfast surrounded by the creativity of regional artisans. Before you leave, stop by one of West Virginia’s iconic Almost Heaven Swings located in Tamarack’s sculpture garden for a fun photo-op.
Once you’re fueled up and refreshed, head to The Chocolate Moose, where the smell of fresh-brewed coffee lingers in the air. Sip a specialty hot chocolate, tea, or coffee drink. While you’re there, try the Outside-In Climbing Gym, a unique indoor bouldering experience ideal for beginners, families, or anyone looking to warm up while still getting a little adventure. Pro Tip: Space fills up quickly, so make reservations ahead of time!
If you’ve worked up an appetite scaling the walls, there are several standout dining options just minutes away. The Black Circle Bistro plates up creative burgers in an arcade-inspired space. The Dish Café offers fresh, locally sourced ingredients, comfort-food favorites, and lighter options. Weathered Ground Brewery serves brick oven pizzas, crispy wings, and small-batch craft beer in a relaxed, rural setting that feels quintessentially West Virginia.
Evening
Before going to your final destination, make one more stop at another Almost Heaven Swing, this time at The Resort at Glade Springs. Framed by rolling hills and quiet winter woods, it’s a peaceful place to grab a photo or simply breathe in crisp mountain air before heading to the evening’s main event.
From there, it’s time for a burst of pure winter joy—snowtubing at Winterplace Ski Resort. Home to the largest snowtubing park in West Virginia, Winterplace lights up at night with lanes of twinkling lights and tubes carving the hillside. It’s a family-friendly adventure you don’t want to miss!
Day 2
Morning- Afternoon
Wake up refreshed and ready for another day of exploring! Start your day by taking in the breathtaking scenery at Grandview overlook, one of the most iconic overlooks in the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Grandview is the perfect starting point for a morning hike. The area offers six trails to choose from that vary in difficulty—find the list here.
Afternoon-Evening
Before heading into downtown Hinton, make a quick detour to another Almost Heaven Swing located outside Bluestone State Park. After a morning outdoors, treat yourself to a break indoors at the locally owned Ritz Theatre for a cozy movie experience. Blockbuster movies are offered on the weekends, but you can catch some nostalgic classics there, too!
Don’t miss the chance to browse Otter & Oak. They are known for their curated selection of apparel, accessories, and gifts. When you’re finished shopping, head upstairs to Otter Café for a fresh cup of coffee, a smoothie, or a treat before dinner.
Round out your day with dinner at The Market on Courthouse Square, a favorite gathering spot in Hinton. Their rotating specials, fresh ingredients, and locally inspired sandwiches and salads make it a delicious and comforting way to close out the day. The laid-back café atmosphere is exactly what you need, and often you can catch live music from local artists.
Bonus Adventure
If you need one more adventure before heading home, check out the Canyon Rim Visitors Center at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Rangers will help you choose a nearby trail to explore. For a thrill, sign up for a Bridge Walk tour of the catwalk that runs underneath the New River Gorge Bridge. You’ll only be 851 feet in the air- no biggie! Open all year, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
