Rural Housing Local Recommendations

Community Highlights

Community-based experiences offer more than clinical learning—they’re a chance to experience life in West Virginia. Whether you’re looking for a great meal, a scenic hike, or a quiet place to unwind, these recommendations can help you connect with your surroundings and feel at home during your stay.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed below belong solely to the author and not the author’s employer, West Virginia University.  They are not intended as an endorsement or recommendation on behalf of West Virginia University of any person, organization, activity, product, or service.

Keyser

Food

  • Queen's Point Coffee

  • Marla’s Main St Bakery

  • Duckie’s Bar and Grill

  • Hoovers Bar and Grill

  • Castiglia’s Italian Eatery

  • El Jinete Mexican Restaurant

  • Long Spring Chinese Restaurant

  • Indian Water Maple Company

Entertainment

  • The Indie on Main

    • Located downtown, The Indie on Main is know for a steady line-up of music, comedy, and art. Visit theindieonmain.com for more information

  • Mineral County Driving Tour

  • Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

Outdoors

  • Keyser North Branch Stream Access

  • Savage River State Forest

    • Drive up to Savage River State Forest for a world full of trails and overlooks. On the way, you can stock up on fishing supplies from Savage River Outfitters. Fly fishing is available within a 15-minute drive of Keyser and will often yield Rainbow and Brown trout.

  • Kayaking

    • You can kayak from Westernpoint, MD to Keyser anytime of the year

    • Contact Savage River Outfitters for kayak or canoe rentals

  • The North Branch of the Potomac

  • Keyser Historical Walking Trail

    • Sponsored by the Mineral County Genealogical Society, this trail includes the stories of historic buildings

  • For more info on hiking or biking trails near Keyser, check these sites out:

Wheeling

Food

  • Later Alligator

  • Coleman's Fish Market

  • Vagabond Kitchen

  • El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant

  • DiCarlo's Pizza

  • Figaretti's Restaurant

    • Offering traditional Italian food and signature spaghetti sauce for sale

Entertainment

  • Brew Keepers

  • Wheeling Artisan Center

  • Wesbanco Arena

    • Sports arena that is home to the Wheeling Nailers (hockey) and the Wheeling Miners (arena football)

  • Wheeling Symphony Orchestra

  • Nail City Record

  • Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum

Outdoors

  • Oglebay Park Resort

    • A 2,000 acre estate with golf courses, hiking trails, horseback riding, spas, tennis, restaurants, pools and more

  • Wheeling Heritage Trail

    • Over 18 miles of paved trails

  • Wheeling Creek

  • Wheeling Island Marina Disc Golf Course

Martinsburg

Food

  • Cider Press Deli and Grill

  • Mother Shuckers Crab Shack

  • Brix 27

  • Good Natured Collective Market and Cafe

  • Habanero Mexican Grill

  • King's NY Pizza

  • DeFluri's Fine Chocolates

Entertainment

  • Climbing New Heights

    • Indoor rock climbing, bouldering, yoga

  • Berkeley Art Works

    • Art exhibits and classes

  • West Virginia Glass Outlet

  • Black Draft Distillery

  • Cushwa Brewing Company

    • 20 minutes north in Williamsport, MD

Outdoors

  • Shepherdstown, WV

    • Located 17 miles from Martinsburg, you can visit the Antietem National Battlefield, the Shepherdstown Historic District, and James Rumsey Monument

  • Harpers Ferry, WV

    • Located 14 miles northwest of Martinsburg, you can visit the Harpers Ferry National Park, John Brown's Fort, and Jefferson Rock

  • River Riders Family Adventure Parks

  • Poor House Farm Park

Grantsville

Food

  • Tudor's Biscuit World

  • Gino's Pizza and Spaghetti House

Entertainment

  • Grantsville Farmer's Market

    • Open seasonally from June-October

  • Misty Mountain Farm

  • Molasses Festival

    • Held in September in Arnoldsburg, WV

  • WV State Folk Festival

    • Held on the third Thursday every year in June

Outdoors

  • Little Kanawha River

    • Can explore via kayak or canoe and offers many fishing opportunities

  • Calhoun County Park

  • Cedar Creek State Park

Buckhannon

Food

  • CJ Maggie's

  • The Donut Spot

  • Mama Roma

  • Dough Re Mi Bakery

  • Don Patron Mexican Grill

  • Las Trancas

Entertainment

  • Upshur Farmer's Market

  • Festival Fridays in Jawbone Park

  • Thomas, West Virginia and Davis, West Virginia

    • One hour drive from Buckhannon featuring art galleries, breweries, and Blackwater Falls State Park

Outdoors

  • Audra State Park

  • Go floating along the Buckhannon River to the Middle Fork River

  • Dolly Sods Wilderness

  • Seneca Rocks

  • Spruce Knob

Elkins

Food

  • Beander's Restaurant and Tavern

  • C.J. Maggie's

  • El Gran Sabor

  • Smoke on the Water BBQ

  • The Forks

  • Tip Top Coffee

Entertainment

  • Brewstel Brew Shop and Hostel

  • Big Timber Brewing

  • Augusta Heritage Center

  • Mountain Rail West Virginia

Outdoors

  • Allegheny Highlands Trail

  • Canaan Valley Resort State Park

  • Otter Creek Wilderness

  • Monongahela National Forest

  • Seneca Rocks

  • Davis & Elkins College Disc Golf Course

Petersburg

Food

  • Alfredo's Pizza & Italian Restaurant

  • Cheetah B's Restaurant

  • Family Traditions

  • 3rd Base Sports Bar & Grill

Entertainment

  • Golden Lanes Bowling Alley

  • Landes Art Center

  • Viking Memorial Stadium

Outdoors

  • North Fork Mountain Trail

  • Dolly Sods Wilderness

  • Roaring Plains West Wilderness

  • White Grass Ski Touring Center

Berkeley Springs

Food

  • Fairfax Coffee House

  • Lot 12 Public House

  • The Vine Trattoria

  • The Country Inn Restaurant & Morgan Tavern

  • The Naked Olive Lounge

Entertainment

  • Himalayan Handicrafts

  • Mountain Laurel Artisans

  • Atasia Spa

  • Historic Star Theater

Outdoors

  • Berkeley Springs State Park

  • Cacapon Resort State Park