Travel Guide to Fayetteville, WV, and Its 5 Best Attractions

Small-town hospitality, gorgeous historic buildings and all the excitement of the New River Gorge are what makes Fayetteville, West Virginia, one of America’s coolest small towns. It’s pretty cool – tourists flood the town in droves during peak rafting season along the indomitable New River Gorge, and if white water doesn’t suit your fancy, there are tons of fun ways to explore nature in the area, like canopy tours, hiking, horseback riding and more. The town is bustling with adventure outfitter companies, local eateries, boutique bed and breakfasts and unique art galleries and impeccably restored Victorian, Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne-style buildings. Their historical district was designated in the National Register in 1990.

Located in the heart of West Virginia, less than four hours from Lexington, Pittsburgh, Columbus and Charlotte, Fayetteville is a great stop on a road trip through the States, or as a destination in its own right for its unique nature exploration.

Immerse yourself in the adventure at ACE Adventure Resort

Photo via their official site.

Very often, when people visit Fayetteville and take an adrenaline hit on the gushing white waters of the New River Gorge or zipping past forest conifers on a suspension cord, understandably, they find it hard to leave. ACE Adventure Resort has anticipated that. In fact, they’ve managed to pack in more fun and adventure in their neck of the Gorge because they know that for their guests, a break is an opportunity for excitement and a resort is an escape from real life. Offering log cabins, lodges, and campgrounds for a pleasant night, while captivating visitors with activities like ATV tours, zipline tours, a mud obstacle course, whitewater rafting, paintball and more during the day, ACE Adventure Resort is the ideal destination for a total wilderness escape from the humdrum.

Bridge walk over the New River Gorge Bridge

Photo by Mike Waterhouse via Flickr.

Travelers on the New River Gorge Bridge Walk might not want to look down when they pass. Suspended 876 feet above the New River and 3,030 feet in length, the views from this bridge are terrifying before they’re astonishing. Sweeping green-covered valleys and the river below, with hill tops and stretches of trees for as far as the eye can see. Somewhere below and not too far away is another bridge carrying cars across, only it looks about the size of a fingernail. For $70, visitors get buckled into a cable that makes sure nobody makes a slippery step and plunges the nearly 900 feet. The whole thing takes about two to three hours in all.

They're not joking about the adventure at Adventures on the Gorge

Photo via their official FB site.

Sometimes people throw around the word "adventure" semi-hyperbolically, like, "Tim had quite the adventurous time at the Mall of America." However, when visitors to West Virginia say, "I went to Adventures On The Gorge", it’s not hyperbole, as this resort offers adventure to the max. Besides whitewater rafting, Adventures on the Gorge is best known for its zip lining. There are seven uniquely designed courses so everyone at every level can be challenged. And when visitors aren’t out being adventurous, they can relax in the pool on the edge of the New River Gorge.

Get set for a whitewater rafting adventure with Cantrell Ultimate Rafting

Photo via their official FB site.

Even inexperienced rafters will feel at ease in the hands of the team at Cantrell Ultimate Rafting. Guests arrive at their campsite for a full breakfast before setting out on the water – the trips are organized, coached and supervised by Cantrell. West Virginia’s New River offers thunderous white water for every level of skill and experience, from the easier and scenic Upper New River to the strong, coursing rapids of the Lower New River. Back in their headquarters, adventurers can take a breath and enjoy a beer in their bar and chill out to some good old local honky tonk and bluegrass music.

Pies & Pints perfects the already heavenly match of pizza and beer

Photo by Pies and Pints Pizzeria via Flickr.

Pies and Pints’ features a two-page long beer menu and 18 different pies. Elevated comfort. Other magical combinations: red grapes, gorgonzola and fresh rosemary pizza with a Rochefort 6 Belgian ale. To get in on the action, find the red brick building just off of Court Street, park your bike at their bike rack and get ordering! Don’t forget to leave room for dessert.

Sleep easy in the heart of the Historical District in the Historic Morris Harvey House

Photo via their official site.

Built in 1902, this gorgeous grey Queen Anne-style house with a wraparound porch has serviced travelers and wayfarers to Fayetteville since 1994. Each of its five elegant rooms are appointed with tastefully-chosen antiques and most have gas fireplaces. Their breakfasts are expertly crafted and enjoyed by the dining room’s oak table. Located on West Maple Avenue, minutes from the diverse restaurants and boutiques on Court Street and the Treetop Canopy Tours as well as all of the nature-adventure attractions of Fayetteville, peace and quiet and a good night’s rest is literally just around the corner from total excitement.