The 30 free things everyone in West Virginia should do at least once, according to Tripadvisor

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Highest-rated free things to do in West Virginia, according to Tripadvisor

It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living , according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.

It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations . But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in West Virginia.

Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in West Virginia using data from Tripadvisor . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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Tripadvisor

#30. Charleston Town Center Mall

- Rating: 4/5 (158 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#29. Sandstone Falls

- Rating: 4.5/5 (129 reviews)
- Address: Sandstone, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#28. Summersville Lake State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (31 reviews)
- Address: 62 Farmhouse Lane Summersville, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#27. Cathedral Falls

- Rating: 4.5/5 (102 reviews)
- Address: Midland Trail Gauley Bridge, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#26. Prospect Peak

- Rating: 4.5/5 (83 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#25. Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center

- Rating: 3.5/5 (530 reviews)
- Address: 1 South Stone St. Wheeling, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#24. Watoga State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (97 reviews)
- Address: HC 82 Marlinton, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#23. Beartown State Park

- Rating: 5/5 (119 reviews)
- Address: 4800 Watoga Park Road Marlinton, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#22. Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters

- Rating: 4.5/5 (231 reviews)
- Address: 799 Washington St. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#21. Suspension Bridge

- Rating: 4.5/5 (250 reviews)
- Address: Rt 40 Wheeling, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#20. Endless Wall Trail

- Rating: 5/5 (158 reviews)
- Address: Lansing-Edmond Road Lansing, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#19. Spruce Knob

- Rating: 4.5/5 (157 reviews)
- Address: U.S. Route 33/West Virginia Route 28, Forest Road 104 Riverton, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#18. Thurmond Depot

- Rating: 4.5/5 (106 reviews)
- Address: 254 River Crest Road Thurmond, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#17. Hawks Nest State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (229 reviews)
- Address: 49 Hawks Nest Park Road Ansted, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#16. Appalachian National Scenic Trail

- Rating: 4.5/5 (109 reviews)
- Address: Harpers Ferry Center 799 Washington St. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#15. Capitol Street

- Rating: 4/5 (169 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#14. Pipestem State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (206 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#13. State Capitol

- Rating: 4.5/5 (535 reviews)
- Address: 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East Charleston, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#12. The Point

- Rating: 4.5/5 (139 reviews)
- Address: Near the intersection of Shenandoah and Potomac Streets Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#11. Capitol Market

- Rating: 4.5/5 (217 reviews)
- Address: 800 Smith St. Charleston, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#10. Grandview Unit New River National Park

- Rating: 5/5 (250 reviews)
- Address: Grandview Road Beckley, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#9. Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races

- Rating: 3.5/5 (1,330 reviews)
- Address: 750 Hollywood Drive Charles Town, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#8. Coopers Rock State Forest

- Rating: 4.5/5 (281 reviews)
- Address: 61 County Line Drive Bruceton Mills, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#7. West Virginia State Museum

- Rating: 5/5 (423 reviews)
- Address: 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East Capitol Complex Charleston, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#6. Dolly Sods Wilderness Area

- Rating: 4.5/5 (281 reviews)
- Address: WV 28/55 South Jordan Run Road Turn right and go 1 mile to Forest Road 19 Elkins, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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Tripadvisor

#5. Seneca Rocks State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (345 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#4. Babcock State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (252 reviews)
- Address: 486 Babcock Road Butt Clifftop, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#3. New River Gorge

- Rating: 5/5 (223 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#2. New River Gorge Bridge

- Rating: 5/5 (1,147 reviews)
- Address: U. S. Route 19 Fayetteville, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

#1. Blackwater Falls State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,082 reviews)
- Address: 1584 Blackwater Lodge Road Davis, West Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.

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