EXPERIENCE
From outdoor havens to museums and places to eat, Lewis County, West Virginia, has a great mix of offerings. Start with adventure at Stonewall Resort State Park, spanning 19,000 acres just 3 miles from Interstate 79. The spread is home to Stonewall Resort and Stonewall Jackson Lake, the latter touted as one of West Virginia’s most undeveloped and scenic lakes; it has more than 82 miles of shoreline. The park offers lakeside camping and cottages and more than 16 miles of trails. A boat launch and rentals, an 18-hole golf course, health and fitness facilities, and a full-service spa and swimming pool make this a place to relax and soak in some fun.
LEARN
The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, formerly Weston State Hospital, in Weston is a historic building that dates to the mid-1800s. The site offers tours—paranormal, photo, and festival flashlight tours among them—during which visitors can hear stories about the area’s interesting history, including a gold robbery, raids during the Civil War, and the alleged ghosts that haunt the site.
Also in Weston is the The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia. Its mission is to promote the heritage of glass, honor the lives of glass workers and their families, and share information about the machines and tools used in glass houses.
TASTE
Lambert’s Vintage Winery is constructed of hand-cut stones from around West Virginia. The facility, besides offering wine tasting and group tours, sells pottery. If crab-stuffed shrimp, pasta, or bacon-wrapped meatloaf sparks an appetite, Thyme Bistro is a must stop. There is more on the menu, of course, including tasty desserts such as cobblers, pies, and ice creams. Buns is a burger restaurant that also caters to those with a craving for pizza and shakes.
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West Virginia Department of Tourism
Main Image: Stonewall Jackson Lake; Credit: West Virginia Department of Tourism
