West Virginia is one of the most beautiful states in the entire United States, and hosts some fantastic attractions that are open to visitors. However, as is often the case with popular sites, they can often be a little too busy to enjoy thoroughly. That’s why it’s always a relief to find an attraction that is still a lot of fun but doesn’t get quite as hectic during peak times. Let’s have a quick look at three little-known attractions in West Virginia that you can enjoy without being battered about by huge crowds.
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort
It might seem counterproductive to mention a resort when talking about hidden gems. However, the Mountaineer is definitely one of the lesser-known resorts located in West Virginia. What makes it so impressive is that it has such a wide variety of attractions available to visitors. The casino floor and the online casino operated from this property are among the top recommendations for WV, so if you enjoy gambling, it is definitely the place to be.
It’s not just the casino that makes this venue impressive, though. The resort itself has a great selection of pools, a spa and some amazing hotel rooms to enjoy. It makes it a nice place to stay while enjoying the amenities that are laid on for guests and visitors. There is also a racetrack in place, which adds a little bit of extra variety for visitors.
If you want to keep yourself fit, there’s a fitness centre available at the resort, and a golf course for those who always travel with their clubs. These facilities allow you to keep yourself feeling good over the course of your vacation. Finally, there is a lot of evening entertainment available at the Mountaineer. This includes theatres, ballrooms, bars, restaurants and nightclubs; no matter what you enjoy doing, it’s available right here.
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park
This is an amusement park that has a little bit of history behind it. The story of Lake Shawnee sounds like something that could have come right out of Friday the 13th. Back in the 1700s, Mitchell Clay was hunting in the woods near Lake Shawnee. Native Americans who were on the land murdered his children. This caused Clay to fly into a rage and he carried out a number of revenge killings.
By the 1920s, the land went up for sale and it was bought and an amusement park was established. Then more deaths took place on the land and the amusement park was closed down. The park has remained desolate ever since. It means that when visiting here you won’t be able to ride roller coasters or any other normal amusement park rides. No, when you come here, it’s to take in the beauty of Lake Shawnee and soak up the history of the place.
It’s a regular visiting spot for ghost hunters, with many people believing that the land is haunted. While you won’t see too many people packing out this area when you visit, if you’re lucky, you might find a few restless spirits to join you on your trip. If you enjoy sites that are a little bit different and provide a glimpse of history, then Lake Shawnee is the place for you.
Mothman Museum
The Mothman might not be famous to anyone outside of West Virginia. And, it is certainly not well known outside of the US. However, it’s one of the more well-reported legends in the world. Part of the reason behind this is that the Mothman legend has had movies and TV shows made about it. The Mothman Prophecies is a horror movie that was based around the Mothman legend and starred Richard Gere. It’s probably the most well-known of the Mothman media that has been created.
The Mothman Museum is all about the appearance of a strange creature during 1966 and 1967 in Point Pleasant. The museum, certainly one of the quirkiest attractions in West Virginia, features a range of different newspaper clippings about sightings of the creature. For fans of legends and other local myths, there is a lot to see.
It’s not just the museum itself that’s an attraction, though. Every year, the owner of the museum puts on a Mothman festival. This gives visitors the ability to really get into the spirit of the Mothman and learn more about the legend. Is the Mothman real? The festival is the best way to find out. Who knows, maybe one year he will make another appearance and prove once and for all whether he is real or not.
