Growing up in West Virginia, you might think I would have explored and enjoyed all the Mountain State had to offer before leaving the state at twenty-one. However, there are some parts of my home state I could not have appreciated until I was older and certainly not until I was able to experience its natural beauty through Daniel’s eyes.
Fayetteville, WV is one such place that I visited as a child and a young adult, but until I was able to visit in my late twenties I never appreciated it in its entirety. However, subsequent to the redesignation of The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve as the country’s newest national park, I may be the town’s biggest fan. As the town’s entrance sign indicates this “Coolest Small Town in America” and “Best River Town”, this small town, tucked away in the mountains, is one place I tell everyone to visit, even if they are just passing through.
Based on our most recent trip to the town for my cousin’s wedding to the man of her dreams, held at the historic Gaines Estate, our recommendations for a weekend in Fayetteville are outlined below.
Breakfast at Church
Start your day off right with a good cup of joe at Cathedral Cafe. This former church turned coffee shop is the hub of the town, always buzzing with hikers, river rats, or elusive natives of the town. Make sure to admire the original stained glass windows, high ceilings, the multitude of books that line the walls, and the small merchandise store in the upstairs loft. This is the best way to take pictures of the stained glass windows and to capture the hustle and bustle of this small cafe. The cafe offers equal exchange, fair trade coffee for purchase, which is also used in all their coffee beverages. The food is also sourced from local and seasonal ingredients as much as possible, and you can even pick up some farm fresh eggs if you prefer to make breakfast at your place. This place is always hopping, so if you want a seat inside, be sure to arrive extra early (or roll in after the morning crowd starts to dissipate). There’s also some cute outdoor seating; just remember to bundle up as the mountain mornings can be quite chilly.
Hiking
Now onto the main event! Daniel and I are the kind of couple that enjoys a good hike with an even better view. Daniel backpacked a portion of the Appalachian Trail in 2021, and I grew up hiking all over West Virginia and the surrounding states with my parents. For this trip, though, we kept the degree of difficulty relatively mild so that my parents could accompany us, as well as to ensure we would have plenty of time to prepare for my cousin’s nuptials later that evening.
This leisurely three-mile out-and-back trail is relatively flat, but it does sport some limited tree and rhododendron roots at the end that could present a tripping hazard. I’ve been known to fall up stairs on a regular basis, so if I can safely navigate Long Point Trail, you can, too! The reward of this trail is the amazing view of the New River Gorge Bridge. Opened in 1977, the bridge is the largest steel arch in North America, spanning over 3,000 feet long. Views of this awe-inspiring man-made structure, the old New River, and the gorge that it spans make the short hike well worth every step taken. This trail does not disappoint and does get crowded, so arrive right after coffee. This was my third time hiking this trail and the spectacular view gets me every time. See for yourself!
We did not have time to hike this one for the wedding weekend, but if you have the time and energy (and perhaps don’t have a four-hour drive back to Raleigh awaiting you), I would definitely recommend this trail. This three-mile loop (you’ll have to walk a short section of a dirt road) is less technical than Long Point, but the views are just as good. I did this trail with my parents in June for my father’s birthday. He loved the great view of the river and the vantage points via the trail’s numerous rock outcroppings, from which we were able to hear the screams of newbie rafters from the gorge below. After witnessing the rafters coming ‘round the bend over one section of the New River’s abundant rapids, Daniel has been hounding me to give it a try next spring. Stay tuned!
Dining Options
While my new home of North Carolina may be known for its BBQ, West Virginia has no shortage of its own amazing BBQ joints and other dining options, including my favorite – pizza. These are some of my and my father’s favorite haunts. My only regret is that we did not get to introduce Daniel to the greatness that is Pies and Pints on this trip.
This restaurant franchise got its start right here in Fayetteville and now boasts fourteen locations, a testament to their incredible pizza and adult beverages. This original location offers a great beer selection on tap that always includes local drafts from Bridge Brew Works, Freefolk, and many other West Virginia breweries (more on this later). You can also find a respectable selection of cider and wine if beer is not your thing. For pies, I recommend the Chicken Gouda, which combines applewood smoked bacon with a hint of spice in a chipotle crema.
Smokey’s and Chetty’s Pub
This restaurant, located on the expansive property of Adventures on the Gorge, a resort offering white water rafting and ziplining adventures. Smokey’s is one of those joints that are open until the food runs out and have hours restricted on how much product they can get ready–as any aficionado will attest, BBQ is really an art form that can’t be rushed or mass produced. Unfortunately, our visit did not happen to coincide with Smokey’s restaurant hours, so we instead chose to dine at Chetty’s Pub, which supplied us with a mean black bean burger and some plump chicken wings–clearly, the most appropriate pre-wedding food one can imagine. No matter which food option you have available on your trip, the views of the gorge and bridge alone are worth stopping by on your way back into town.
Did Someone Say Beer?
Speaking of local breweries, check out Bridge Brew Works and Freefolk. Bridge Brew Works specializes in Belgian-style brews with many of the names paying homage to West Virginia, like my two favorites: Long Point Lager and White Water Wit. Both beers, while different in style, are great after a hike at the New River Gorge or spending time on the river, making them a delightful summer treat.
Freefolk Brewery is worth a stop just to enjoy the art and atmosphere of the building. The owners of Freefolk are former artists who have turned a once rundown building into a place for hikers, rafters, visitors, and locals to gather. The drawings on the walls showcase banjo players in seas of hops, barley, and wheat, tying the owners’ passions together in a way that speaks to all souls that pass through the brewery. This brewery will be a hit for any IPA lover, as the menu regularly features three or more. During the fall season though, their Folktober Fest Marzen is certainly one to try!
Other Places Worth Checking Out:
Just twenty miles from the New River Gorge National Park is one of West Virginia’s best State Parks, known for its picturesque Glade Creek Grist Mill. The fully operational mill entices visitors to revisit the not-so-distant past when water was the main source of energy for gain processing. The mill also features a small museum and a gift store located across the bridge from the mill, which features locally made art. I picked up an ornament the last time I visited and it always has a place on my Christmas tree.
This more adventure-themed state park features a nature museum, aerial tramway, jetboat rides, hiking trails, and one of the most challenging whitewater sections in the nation. The park also features a 31-room lodge just ten miles from the New River Gorge National Park, which makes for a convenient stay on your weekend getaway. The tramway is the most unique feature of this park, which allows you to get a bird’s-eye view of the New River. If you’re lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of the park’s namesake–the hawk.
The Grandview section of the New River Gorge is definitely worth the drive to Beaver, a short 20 miles from the National Park’s visitor center. Grandview has five hiking trails; the main event, however, is the WV Theatre. Since the 1960s, this seasonal venue has been showcasing Honey in the Rock, a story detailing the discovery of oil in the Mountain State, and the well-known story of the Hatfields and McCoys. If you visit in the summer, be sure to check out a show!
