Fayetteville was voted one of America’s coolest small towns and was named “Best Adventure Town” by WV Living. We are the gateway to the New River Gorge National Park, experience sweeping mountainous views, amazing restaurants, and rich history.
So what do you do if you want to experience all the breathtaking beauty? We have some ideas to help you get started planning your next adventure.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL & EXPLORATION
Acquaint yourself with Fayetteville and stop by the Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Gather information to start your adventures, from trail maps, shopping, outdoor recreation, scenic & historic tours, we can get you started in the right direction.
Take a three-minute drive from the town of Fayetteville across the New River Gorge Bridge to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center on Fayette Station Road. Watch a film to learn about the history and construction of the New River Gorge Bridge and on how forces of nature have shaped the gorge. This will help you get better acquainted with the history and splendor of the New River Gorge, get your bearings with the center’s three- dimensional park map, and take in the unbeatable views from the overlooks.
Pick up an audio tour CD from the center before embarking on a drive deep down into the gorge on Fayette Station Road. The Canyon Rim Visitor Center is open year round from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Leaving the Canyon Rim Visitor Center turn right and take another sharp right past the Canyon Rim Gift shop following the sings to Fayette Station via Route 82, Fayette Station Road. Keep an eye out peregrine falcon siting’s and stop for some magnificent viewpoints along the way. You will drive directly under the arch of the Bridge along the Nutall sandstone rock cliffs that make Fayetteville the capital of east coast climbing. Take a break at Bridge Buttress to take in the views along the rock cliffs. Fayette Station is a windy one-way road that will take you down to the bottom of the Gorge and back up the other side along breathtaking waterfalls. When you reach the bottom, by the river Fayette Station is a great place to stop and watch kayakers and rafters hit the rapids. It is also a great place to cool off and to dip your toes in the water below the rapids on a hot summer day.
As you work your way back up out of the gorge you will pop out on Rt. 19. Take a right to come into town for lunch. Fayetteville topped “The Best of WV Restaurants List for 2018” across the board. Stop at one of our great restaurants for lunch and enjoy a stroll around historic Fayetteville. Fayetteville offers a wide array of shopping opportunities. If you’re an adventurer stop by Ace Gear Shop or Waterstone Outdoors to get outfitted for your next adventure. Fayetteville is a pickers paradise with four antique stores within walking distance including The New River Antique Mall. You will find several clothing shops and boutiques including Twisted Gypsy’s and Wisteria Gifts, along with The Fox and the Hound for unique statement pieces for your home, craft stores, along with a local art gallery at Studio B.
Stay a While
There are so many incredible places to stay in Fayetteville. Enjoy a relaxing retreat at a cabin under the stars, or pamper yourself at a historic bed and breakfast. Spend the evening relaxing an enjoying the accommodations at your selected retreat.
DAY 2: GET ON THE WATER
Get an early start and fuel up at one of Fayetteville’s best breakfast nooks before heading into the New River Gorge.
West Virginia is known as the birthplace of rivers and it does not get better than the world-famous New River and Gauley River for whitewater rafting adventures. Whether you are an experienced rafter or first-time adventurer, you won’t want to miss this exciting ride! There are trips for everyone from a float trip in duckies on the Upper New River to moderate rapids on the Lower New River, or up the action with an action-packed adventure on the Upper Gauley River.
Looking for something more laid-back? Try sightseeing from the water! Book a trip on the Hawks nest Jet Boat. Or rent kayaks for a leisurely day out on the water at Summersville Lake. Try a new skill like Stand Up Paddle Boarding, you can take guided lessons with Mountain Surf Paddle Sports in Fayetteville. Fayetteville offers amazing opportunities for fishing and we have expert guides like WV PRO Fish to take you to all the secret spots.
Dry off. Head to town for a quick bite to eat. There are so many delicious places to dine in Fayetteville and nearby.
Take a hike. Stop by the Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Center and we can hook you up with a trail map and point you in the right direction for a sunset hike. Enjoy the breathtaking views from Long Point Trail, or let the stream guide you along the edge of the gorge along Endless Wall Trail. While you are at the Fayetteville CVB check out all of the events going on in town on our onsite calendar. Enjoy live music, festivals, art workshops, and ranger programs. There’s sure to be an event or activity the whole family can enjoy.
Go out on the town. Get a bite to eat in Fayetteville, tap into Fayetteville’s beer scene with two local breweries. Grab a drink at the Southside Junction Tap House, The Free Folk, or Bridge Brew Works, catch a show at The Grove or enjoy a bonfire with friends at the Arrowhead Bike Farm. Check our event page for event updates from live music to festivals.
DAY 3: GET OUT AND EXPLORE
Fayetteville makes a great central location to explore nearby attractions. We are just 20 minutes from Babcock State Park. Explore the iconic Gristmill, one of West Virginias most photographed landmarks. Check out the incredible views of the Island In The Sky Trail and enjoy the tranquility of Boley Lake. When you leave Babcock it is just a short drive to Hawks Nest State Park.
Hawks Nest State Park is home to some amazing overlooks like Lover’s Leap. You can experience the gorge up close by taking a seasonal tram ride down to the river. The tram will put you on the Hawks Nest Rail Trail with multiple waterfalls to view along Mill Creek. Take a peek in their seasonal nature center and say high to their resident box turtle. Check the schedule to catch a nature program with John the naturalist. We highly recommend the New River Jet boat tour with Captain Rick. After exploring the park you can continue on Route 60 to the Mystery Hole. From the Mystery Hole, it is just a short drive to the town of Gauley Bridge, home of Cathedral Falls and Kanawha Falls. Take the scenic route by traveling back to Fayetteville down Route 16.
DAY 4: EXPERIENCE ADVENTURE
We have multiple adventure outfitters in town to help you experience all the adventures the gorge has to offer no matter your skill level. The gorge is a great place to dip your feet into outdoor activities. We have climbing outfitters to help you challenge yourself to new heights. Have you ever wanted to zip tree to tree in the forest or fly down the side of a mountain? We have multiple zip lines! We are a short drive from ACE Adventure Resort where you can play on a lakeside waterpark with slides, inflatables, and a zip line over the water. Enjoy a sunset horseback ride into the gorge, or enjoy spectacular views from 876 ft above the New River on the New River Bridge Walk. Have you ever wanted to try mountain biking? Fayetteville is home to West Virginia’s only bike farm. The Bike farm has a rolling loop system of trails with beginner gradients and onsite instruction to help get you started no matter your skill level.
One of the most popular activities in the gorge is hiking. We have hundreds of trails that range from 1/4 mile to 7 miles from flat and easy to challenging and mountainous. Many of the trails can be linked for longer excursions.
DAY 5: RELAX & REJUVENATE
Sleep in, then savor the morning with a leisurely breakfast at a local cafe. After breakfast, stroll along the town’s main street or enjoy a hike around the Fayetteville Town Park.
After a full week of go, go, go, it’s important to wind down to get the most out of your Fayetteville getaway. You can wind down with a relaxing massage form Canyon Rim Massage in town. Follow this up by dropping in on a yoga class at New River Yoga.
