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West Virginia Tourism

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In wonderful Randolph County, there’s always a good reason to go exploring.  Plan your visit to the heart of the Potomac Highlands with great things to do, unique places to stay, wonderful food and drink, plus lots of fantastic music and art.  Along the way, you may even find a few surprises.  While visiting our beautiful mountains a stay in the quaint historic town of Elkins is a must.  There is so much to see and do in Elkins.  Explore the many wonderful shops in town, enjoy old-time musicians playing in the city park, take a ride a scenic train, walk the streets and explore historic Elkins (founded in 1890) or dine in a unique restaurant with great cuisine, outdoor dining and live music.  There are also many fairs and festivals throughout the year.  Elkins has something for everyone.

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Randolph County is filled with adventure. You might pass bear cubs playing by the side of the road, drive alongside a scenic river, hike a local trail or see a locomotive from yesteryear careening along the mountainside — all in the same day.   Many popular attractions in the area include: the historic town of Beverly, the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, State Parks, the Monongahela National Forest, shopping in downtown Elkins, Davis & Elkins College (D&E), Halliehurst and Graceland Mansions, Civil War sites, museums, and much more.  After hours, spend an evening dining out and then settle in with a tranquility only West Virginia can provide.  So, what are you waiting for?  Visit Elkins and Randolph County and we’ll give you something they’ll never forget.

 

Based and operating in Randolph County, All About Destinations (AAD) can help you plan the perfect mountain experience!  AAD is a local destination management company (DMC) and can take care of all of your local travel needs.  AAD sponsors group trips to American destinations throughout the year.  These trips always depart from Randolph County!  We also specialize in group travel to destinations around the world.  If that wasn’t enough, we are registered travel agents and can plan your private getaway as well.  All About Destinations has been providing group travel management for over 15 years.  Our staff has a combined 60+ years traveling with student groups, adults, families and couples.  Whether you are coming to Randolph County, traveling domestically or are interested in a world trip, contact us today.  All About Destinations guarantees that you will have a GREAT travel experience!

Sample Packages
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Destination Management and Services

 

We provide a variety of services in the Elkins and Randolph County area.  Please contact us for more information.

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Discounted Area Venue Bookings

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Area Dining Options

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Area Destination Information

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Much More!

Step-on Guide Service

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Elkins Walking Tours

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Hotel Accommodations

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Transportation

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Popular Randolph County Destinations/Attractions

 

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Elkins, WV

 

Elkins is a mountain oasis rich with  history, outdoor fun and beautiful art.  Located  right  on  the  edge  of  the  Monongahela  National  Forest, this quaint city  makes it easy to play in the  mountains while staying in luxury. With a history steeped in logging and rail, Elkins embodies the spirit of the rugged eastern frontier.  This  mountain  town is a mecca for sportsmen and other outdoor  enthusiasts  who  come  to  the  area to fish, hunt, bike and hike. Elkins also is a cultural hub, serving as home  to several theaters, art galleries, and  even a school  devoted to the  preservation of traditional music and dance.

 

Elkins may be smaller than the town you're escaping from, but you never have to be bored. Between charming and unique shops, historic stops, and community events, you can always find fun around town.

 

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Beverly, WV

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Beverly was founded as the county seat of Randolph County, Virginia in 1790. Today this historic significance is recognized through the designation of much of the town as a National Register Historic District. A quiet small town, Beverly is a hidden treasure of history in the Tygarts Valley of Central West Virginia. One of the first settlements west of the Alleghenies, Beverly dates back to the era of the American Revolutionary War. By the time crucial Civil War battles were fought nearby in 1861, Beverly was  an established crossroads of the area. The rise of nearby Elkins at the end of the 19th Century left Beverly to be largely unaffected by later development. As a result, Beverly today preserves a unique look into an earlier time.

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Scenic Railroad Excursions

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The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad (DGVR) operates all trains in Randolph (and adjacent Pocahontas County), each with their own unique history and vintage locomotives. DGVR’s Mountain Rail Adventures showcases West Virginia’s high mountain country while tracing remnants of old timber communities on its preserved railroad tracks. 

Area trains operate from three historic depots, including the historic downtown Elkins depot in Randolph County, the quaint town of Durbin, and the world famous Cass Scenic Railroad in Pocahontas County.  Experience an elegant ride in the dining cars at Elkins or explore one of West Virginia’s highest mountain peaks as you ride behind more than a 100-year-old Shay steam locomotive.

From April to December, Mountain Rail Adventures offers an assortment of special events and excursions. At the Cass Scenic Railroad, special events include train rides to Whittaker, trackside campfires, traditional bluegrass music, Appalachia-themed on-train meals, and even trips that attract photographers and historians! In Durbin, enjoy specialty-themed weekends that focus on culture, history, entertainment and more. 

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Davis and Elkins College

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Davis & Elkins College was established through the influence and efforts of Henry Gassaway Davis and Stephen Benton Elkins, two United States Senators who were responsible for building the first railroad into the area.

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In 1901, the Senators donated land and money to establish a college and academy associated with the Presbyterian Church. Their gift was matched by donations from the citizens of Randolph County and the Presbyteries of Lexington and Winchester, Virginia. In 1902, the College's Board of Trustees met for the first time. The first classes were held on September 21, 1904.

 

The original campus was located in south Elkins on a plot donated by Senator Elkins. Later, a gift of property from Mrs. Hallie Davis Elkins, who was the daughter of Senator Davis and the widow of Senator Elkins, prompted the move of the college to its present location in 1926. This property included her home, Halliehurst, and the surrounding estate. In 1941, Senator Davis's original estate, which included Graceland and the lands adjacent to Halliehurst, was acquired for the College.

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Since its move to the old "Halliehurst Farm," the physical plant of Davis & Elkins has expanded to include 23 major buildings on a 180-acre campus. From the beginning, Davis & Elkins College has sought to be of service to its students, and through them to the state, the nation, and the world – meeting the needs of each generation to the best of its ability.  Major attractions on the campus include the Halliehurst and Graceland mansions.  These were the summer homes of the senators.

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Hiking, Hunting, Fishing, Climbing and Biking

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West Virginia has one of the best trout-stocking programs in the nation. Each year, between 700,000 and 800,000 pounds of trout are stocked in West Virginia streams and lakes. Additionally, over 300,000 fingerling trout are stocked in our state’s streams and rivers. The Potomac Highlands has miles of West Virginia trout fishing rivers, streams, creeks, and lakes. Situated in the beautiful region of the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, Randolph County is a natural paradise that has long been a destination for anglers of all sorts.  Whether you prefer to keep your feet dry and cast your reel from a boat or along the shore or you’d rather wade in the deep refreshing mountain water, you’ll find your paradise where the fish are biting.

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The Allegheny Highlands Trail provides a nice flat riding experience for anyone with a mountain or cross bike. The first three miles out of Elkins are paved, the the remainder has a fine crushed stone finish. The trail is 22 miles between Elkins and Parsons, and now extends to Hendricks, where it connects wth the Blackwater Canyon Trail.. Paved parts of the trail are used for both of the routes listed below.

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Seneca Rocks is one of the best-known landmarks in West Virginia.  These rocks have long been noted as a scenic attraction and are popular with rock climbers.  The rocks are a magnificent formation rising nearly 900 feet above the North Fork River.  Seneca Rocks is just a short drive away in neighboring Pendleton County.

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Civil War Sites

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West Virginia Civil War Trails connects visitors with the great campaigns and lesser-known sites of the Civil War. Their signature signs and distinctive red bugle guide visitors as they follow in the footsteps of the generals, soldiers, citizens, and the enslaved who found themselves in the midst of this great struggle.

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Sites can be explored at your own pace, and many offer other historical and recreational opportunities. Enjoy one of the numerous walking tours available in many communities. Shop at one of hundreds of antique and specialty shops, dine at a historically-themed tavern, or simply walk amid the serenity of a preserved battlefield. Near every West Virginia Civil War Trails site, you’ll find other activities that make visiting West Virginia so popular: whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and curvy, country roads where the stories you’ve discovered will ignite your imagination.

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The West Virginia Civil War Trails program is part of a five-state trails network that invites you to explore both well-known and less familiar sites associated with America’s greatest drama. Together, more than 1,000 places tell the epic and heartfelt stories of civilians and soldiers who experienced triumph and tragedy during the war.

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National Forests and State Parks

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The Monongahela National Forest is a national forest located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia, USA. It protects over 921,000 acres (1,439 sq mi) of federally owned land within a 1,700,000 acres (2,656 sq mi) proclamation boundary that includes much of the Potomac Highlands Region and portions of 10 counties.

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Elkins is a gateway to the Monongahela National Forest.  The offices for the forest service are located at 200 Sycamore Street in Elkins. Stuart Recreation Area is very close to Elkins, about seven miles outside of town. One of the most popular areas of the forest is Seneca Rocks, which is a great place to go hiking or rock climbing. Seneca Rocks is about a forty-five minute drive from Elkins and its Discovery Center is open seasonally.

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There are five state parks that are within about an hour to an hour-and-a-half drive from Elkins. Canaan Valley Resort State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park are both located in Tucker County to the northeast. Audra State Park is to the west, between Elkins and Buckhannon. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and Kumbrabow State Forest are located to the south of Elkins.

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Fairs and Festivals

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Randolph County host numerous fairs and festivals throughout the year.  The crown jewel of local festivals is the Mountain State Forest Festival held each year the first week in October.  This is West Virginia's oldest and largest festival. 

 

Other events throughout the year include:

Augusta Heritage Festival, Battle of Rich Mountain Reenactment, Beverly Heritage Days, Bowden Fishing Derby, Coalton Days, Fasnacht, Helvetia Fair, Helvetia Ramp Dinner, Maple Syrup Festival, Mill Creek Celebration,

Mountain State Street Machines Show, Old Fashioned Beverly Christmas, Randolph County Fair, Ramps and Rails Festival and many more.

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