Almost Heaven. West Virginia. A road trip getaway with safety, beauty, and relaxation in mind. I was so excited to plan a road trip down to Southern West Virginia with my boyfriend at the end of summer. We really wanted to get away, but were worried about safety with the pandemic. Lewisburg, West Virginia was the perfect hub, with all the rules, restrictions, and just how it was nestled in a safe little mountain town. With art, food, and nature, we couldn’t have been happy.
On The Way
We started on 81 south on the Maryland border, then made our way down. These may not be places convenient for you, but I wanted to mention them if they might be. We took some back ways and made a few detours, including…
- Yoder’s Country Market– Such a fun place with yummy, farm foods…and goats!
- Trader Joes in Charlottesville, VA- We wanted to pick up some wine and beer, and we weren’t disappointed! I never am at Trader Joes.
- Star Hill Brewing– Located in a warehouse area, this was a beautiful and delicious stop. Loved the abundance of IPAs, as well as the chill environment. The flights are a must do.
- Devil’s Back Bone Brewing– We needed some dinner, and this was right on the way. I had a delicious kielbasa and some more beer. A solid place for food and drink with pretty fews and lots of fun things to buy at the end.
Where to Stay
While it looked like there were an abundance of inns in the town, we went for the coolest Air BnB I’ve ever stayed in…a mosaic covered house. Cute, charming, and spacious, we loved this place. We had everything we needed, the best outdoor space for fires, and cozy bedding. There was also a sauna. I loved waking up and eating breakfast in the sun room.
What made this place so cool was the decor. The whole house was covered in custom made mosaics. The bathroom, the kitchen, everything! Everywhere you looked, there were beautiful details to be seen. The exterior was also hot pink, such an added plus.
Where to Eat
We had limited meals while we were away, but I wanted to suggest the two delicious places we did eat, as they were awesome!
- Del Sol– Our first meal, we were skeptical about Mexican in the middle of nowhere, but it was out of this world! We sat outside, enjoy margaritas, chips and guac, chalupas, and tacos. Fantastic food at a fair price!
- Hill and Holler– We also ate at this beautiful pizza restaurant. With cheap beers and delicious, unique pizzas, we were happy. I had a locally foraged mushroom and herb pizza, which was awesome.
Where to Drink
One thing they know how to do in West Virginia is make a drink! We went to several places that we loved, and I’d suggest you check out too.
- Greenbriar Valley Brewing Company– So unfortunately, their tasting room was closed…BUT, I love their beer in general. I’ve had it on draft and in cans before, and if you can’t a chance to go
- Hawk Knob Cidery-This cider joint is nestled in the mountains, with a beautiful view of the rolling hills. It is probably one of the most peaceful places I’ve been. When there, enjoy a bottle of dry cider, which is hands down the best cider I’ve had. Try the Classic Appalachian Cider, it’s funky, tart, and memorable.
- Smooth Ambler-If you’re looking for hand crafted Appalachian whiskey, look no further. We went for a tasting and did some shopping, leaving with many goodies. The whiskey is so smooth and flavorful, and it’s definitely a high quality craft.
What to Do
- Lost World Caverns– This is probably one of the coolest caves I have ever been to! It is so well done with the self-guided tour, and the beauty is like no other. It was raining our first full morning there, and there’s nothing else I’d rather do.
- Babcock State Park– This park has bene on my bucket list for a lot longer than I knew I was going here! It has this gorgeous mill on the water, excellent hiking and natural views, and a lake. We spent hours here, and it was truly beautiful. Pick up some of the corn meal, milled there!
- New River Gorge– A feat of modern engineering, the New River Gorge and Bridge is breathtaking. It’s even more fantastic in person than in photos. I really was wowed by this single arch bridge connecting two mountains, and the National Park is a great way to visit and see its glory from the lookout.
- Shop Around Town– The town of Lewisburg is so cute and definitely worth shopping around. The little boutiques feature a lot of art as well as fun fashion finds!
- The Greenbriar– Known as America’s resort, this luxury establishment is just nearby and worth a peek if you’re into things like that.
Have you been to Southern West Virginia? West Virginia is one of those states that really provides a pure way of living and true relaxation. I’d definitely consider taking a road trip to make memories like no other, all while being safe!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.