West Virginia & Virginia

November 8, 2020 tam

Years ago we did a Whitewater Rafting trip through ACE Adventure so we receive emails from them. We took notice to one that came in about Buy One, Get One. They are running a special where if you buy one night, you get one night FREE. We wanted to take a Fall trip so we figured – lets do it. We typically tent camp but this time of year is a little late in the season (for the unknown chilly factor). And thank God we rented a small cabin because it was C.O.L.D. I’m talking like 29 degrees the one night with a few flurries. Yeah, and anyone who knows me – I was INSIDE in a sweatshirt and pants (while under multiple blankets to sleep).

While we did not whitewater raft this trip, we would definitely recommend ACE Adventure for rafting. When we went, everyone had a fantastic time! Everything was well planned out, safe and our guide was very knowledgeable.

This trip, we experienced great customer service with our cabin rental reservations (in which was dog friendly…what we needed traveling with our pooch hounds). As well as a fun ziplining tour. My husband and girls enjoyed that while I took the doggies for a hike out Long Point Trail – an overlook listed below. The surrounding area has so many great places to explore – absolutely majestic!

Places we visited:

Blackwater Falls State Park, WV – This was a stop on the way down to ACE adventure. We took a route in order to see it and figured it’d be a nice way to break up the drive. It’s a powerful waterfall: maybe a 1/4 mile walk down a boarded path & steps to see the waterfall.
Cathedral Falls, WV – Beautiful waterfall: parking area is right by the waterfall so no hiking is required to see it. We combined Cathedral Falls and Hawk’s Nest State Park in one day due to how close they are to each other (and the Chimney Corner gift shop was in between these two). (NOTE: for anyone who does not like windy, mountain roads – you wouldn’t like this trek. Stunning views but not if you don’t like that kind of thing or get car sick)
Hawk’s Nest State Park, WV – Gorgeous overlook: parking area is right by the overlook – as well as a small gift shop & restrooms .
Long Point Trailhead, WV (County Rte 9-8, Fayetteville, WV 25840) – This is a 3 mile hike (more of a walk…basically all flat out & back). It brings you to an overlook of the New River Gorge Bridge – as well as – railroad tracks & river below. A waterfall was able to be seen on the other mountain (probably because the leaves were off the trees).
The Grandview Overlook, WV – We took a drive before it got dark one evening just to take a look see. It was a pretty sight. Definitely would have been prettier with Fall leaves painting the view but unfortunately, most leaves were already gone. It was still very pretty and it kind of reminded us of the Horseshoe Bend (located over the Utah-Arizona border).
New River Gorge Bridge Overlook / Visitor Center – The Bridge Overlook is a short walk from the parking area at the visitor’s center. It is a wooded pathway / steps.
Endless Wall Trail, WV – We went to the Diamond Point overlook and came back the same way to the parking lot (so roughly a 2 mile hike). I think this was my favorite – so breathtaking!
Natural Bridge, VA – We took a different route home to see the Natural Bridge in Virginia.

* NOTE: All parks / walks were dog friendly. 🙂

Other Adventures:

ACE Adventure Ziplining Tour – WV…a New River Gorge Ziplining Tour. The guide said it was actually one of the best times of year for this due to the leaves being off the trees and getting to see more of the remarkable view.
New River Gorge Bridge Walk – WV…a 3,030 foot long bridge – 876 feet high off the ground (a neat height comparison photo below) – (*this is not dog friendly).

Two Restaurants we tried (“when in Rome, do as the Romans do” (lol) – we of course wanted to try some West Virginia eats):

Firecreek BBQ & Steaks, Fayetteville, WV – ordered steak and ribs to go. It was pretty good and they did a nice job with to-go items, which made it convenient.
Secret Sandwich Society, Fayetteville, WV – we kept passing a sign for this and thought…that’s a neat name. A guide from the Bridge Walk recommended it so we had to give it a try. LET-ME-TELL-YOU….their sandwiches were YUUUUMY – not keeping it a secret!!! We highly recommend eating here if you get in the area. They also did a very nice job with the to-go order and supplying us with what was needed for our convenience. (NOTE: in looking up the website, there’s also one in Richmond, VA)

Chimney Corner USA, LLC Gift Shop – I think this was the cutest gift shop we have ever seen and stopped at. So quant and rustic! Absolutely perfect for the area.