Area Attractions

Cranberry Glades Botanical Area

Cranberry Glades is the home of the largest bog and acidic wetlands garden in West Virginia. Here unique and exotic plants thrive on 750 acres that is protected by the United States Forest Service. Many of the over 60 varieties of plant species are especially rare, some even coming from seeds that took root in this area over 10,000 years ago. Visitors can walk through the Cranberry Glades bog trail and see flowers such as the fuchsia colored Wild Orchid, Bishop’s Cap, Jewelweed, False Hellebore, Indian Pipe, Turtlehead, Wild Raisin, and Sundew. Special bog lands devoted to sphagnum varieties exists as well as a carnivorous and insect eating plant garden at Cranberry Glades. In addition to the unique flowers and rare plants visitors also delight in seeing numerous wild animals including Black Bears, Flying Squirrels, Red trailed Hawk, American Bald Eagles, Red Fox, and White Tailed Deer. The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible. Visit this Attraction in West Virginia in season April through November.

Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad

The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad meanders through the center of the Monongahela National Forest and takes riders through east central West Virginia and some of the most remote locations that remain east of the Mississippi River. Train trips vary in length from a 2 hour, 11 mile round trip ride, to an all day 128 mile ride that takes riders on an exploration over and through Cheat Mountain. Pick from four unique trains and enjoy rolling by the beautiful mountain peaks which range from 4,000 feet in elevation. One trip even takes visitors through the two sharpest railroad curves in the U.S. Call 1-877-MTN-RAIL to check for ticket availability.

Green Bank Telescope

The Green Bank Radio Telescope is one of the most popular West Virginia Tourist Attractions and a destination that thousands visit each year. The Green Bank Telescope is managed by the Green Bank Observatory, which is funded by the National Science Foundation. Radio astronomy has profoundly changed the way we look at our Universe. Producing images of outer space by recording different radio emissions coming from the skies, the Green Bank Telescope is one of only a few telescopes like it in the world, and the largest fully maneuverable telescope on Earth. Weighing 17 million pounds, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia is the largest moving structure on land and is over 484 feet tall. When you take a tour of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in West Virginia be sure to check out first hand the 11 telescopes on exhibit, some of which have been used to measure temperatures on not only the Moon, but also the planet Venus. Learn about our solar system as well as the other galaxies and distant objects in space by visiting the Green Bank Observatory; open daily from Memorial day weekend through Labor Day weekend. During the off season, the fall, winter and spring, you can visit the Green Bank Telescope from Wednesday to Sunday. Call 304-456-2150 for more information.

Snowshoe Mountain

Located high atop Cheat Mountain is a resort destination that you simply must visit while on your Vacation in West Virginia. Snowshoe Mountain Resort encompasses over 11,000 acres of mountain wilderness which provides vacationers with endless amounts of outdoor activities and other fun things to enjoy. During the winter, Snowshoe becomes a magical winter wonderland. Snowshoe Ski Resort has over 100 miles of marked trails providing thrills and heart pounding nonstop action for snowboarders and skiers alike. Offering ice skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and a variety of other winter sports, Snowshoe Ski Resort is a must visit in the winter time on your West Virginia Ski Vacation. Spring, summer, and fall are popular times at Snowshoe Mountain Resort as well as the area is home to numerous hiking, Snowshoe mountain biking, WV Tout fishing, golf, and horseback riding spots offering a truly unique West Virginia Vacation in the mountains. Enjoy the festivals and exciting events that happen on the mountain yearly and discover all the fun that can be had at Snowshoe Mountain WV. At First Tracts, we offer rentals and real estate near Snowshoe Mountain West Virginia. Check out our West Virginia Cabin Rentals, the best Snowshoe Rentals available, or browse our Monongahela National Forest Real Estate as well.

Cass Scenic Railroad

Nestled in the mountains of West Virginia, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers excursions that transport you back in time to relive an era when steam-driven locomotives were an essential part of everyday life. Trips to Cass are filled with rich histories of the past, unparalleled views of a vast wilderness area, and close-up encounters with the sights and sounds of original steam-driven locomotives.

Once you board the train, the real excitement begins! The great pistons of the carefully restored Shay locomotive will start pulsing, driven by hundreds of pounds of steam pressure. The shaft begins turning, the wheels find traction, and the locomotive begins to move. With thick, black smoke belching from its stack, the train pulls away from the station, passing the water tower from which the locomotive tanks are filled. As the train rounds the curve up Leatherbark Creek, you'll pass the Cass Shop, where the locomotives are serviced and repaired, and a graveyard of antiquated but fascinating equipment on sidetracks.

Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Museum

Housed in the Appalachian Mountains, the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Museum features the early home of the Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Pearl S. Buck. Although Buck spent a great deal of her life in China, the museum celebrates the influence that the home and the West Virginia lifestyle had on Pearl and how it shaped some of her major works throughout her life. The modest two-story, hand-built home, located in the town of Hillsboro, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on June 15, 1970 and comes to life with stories and treasures from Pearl’s life!

Motorcycle Touring

Ask any rider who has been here.  Winding roads, mountain peaks, hairpin curves and twisting switchbacks make this the ultimate riding experience of any place in the USA! Whether you enjoy large crowds and thousands of motorcycles at huge, week-long mega-events or one-day, laid back, tire-kickin’ sessions with a small group of friends, the mountains of Pocahontas County are the place to ride!

Motorcycle touring in Pocahontas County is fast becoming one of our most popular tourist adventures.  Bikers from all over the United States come to Pocahontas County to ascend our spectacular country roads, view miles of panoramic mountain vistas, and bask in our home-spun hospitality.

Pocahontas County Artisan Cooperative

Located in Green Bank WV, the Pocahontas County Artisan Cooperative began in May 2007 and is a great place to check out originally artwork of area artists and craftspeople from Pocahontas County WV. Open each day from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. the cooperative is located on WV Route 28/92 mid way between Henry's Quick Stop and the popular West Virginia Attraction in Green Bank, the Green Bank Telescope. Call 304-456-9900 for more information.

White Water Rafting

If you've been whitewater rafting and kayaking outside this state you might find the rivers here a bit more forgiving, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that rivers in this state are not as hard as elsewhere. The natural beauty of West Virginia and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream have people coming here. The put-in location is a short drive from Roanoke. The Laurel Run to Marlinton section is one of many paddling sections in this river system. Not too many hotels nearby, you'll have to drive a bit to get to one, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. If you're a camper you can camp at one of the great campgrounds nearby. Some people prefer whitewater rafting and some kayaking, either way around here you'll find many good places. The Laurel Run to Marlinton section of Greenbrier River in Pocahontas County is 9.9 miles long and it is classified as a class I-II section by American Whitewater. Getting your paddling muscles activated and spending some quality time in nature will have you coming back for more.