The mountain state, located in the Appalachian mountains, West Virginia attracts with its caves, slopes and mountain rivers. The state is famous for its numerous karst caves, which cause considerable interest of speleologists. Mountainous terrain provides an opportunity for skiing, climbing, mountain biking. The abundance of forests and clean mountain rivers attracts hunters and trout fishermen here.

The capital of West Virginia and the most populous city of the state - Charleston is one of the quietest cities in the USA where life flows leisurely, and the townspeople are friendly and friendly. Other large cities of the state are Huntington, Parkersburg, Morgantown, Wheeling.

How to get here

The cost of the Moscow-Charleston ticket is 36 thousand rubles, and the flight time - from 20 hours. During the trip, you are waiting for two transfers, and far from all routes the airport of arrival and departure coincide, so in this case it is necessary to take care of the transfer between the airports in advance.

Upon arrival in the state, you can rent a car. However, it should be noted that the roads here, though good, but mostly mountain, and if you do not have experience in driving in the mountains, it will be more pleasant and comfortable for you to use local buses.

Climate

For the most part of West Virginia, the humid continental climate with hot summers and cool winters. In the south-west of the state (in the Ohio valley) and in the east (behind the Alleghen mountains), the climate is more hot, subtropical, and in the mountainous regions - on the contrary, colder. The average January temperature is 0 ° C. The average July temperature is +23 ° C. Such a climate increases the attractiveness of the state for travelers, especially since, despite the mountainous terrain, snowfalls in West Virginia are not frequent, fogs only gather here and there in the valleys, and the tornadoes bypass the local places.

Entertainments, excursions, attractions

This state is very interesting not only for tourists, but for the residents of the country. On the way to West Virginia, you can drive through the amazing Willing - a city with a rich history, and then move high in the mountains to the Golden Palace and the temple of the Hare Krishnas. After a long rise before your eyes, the golden domes of the palace will suddenly shine in the sky. The amazing stained-glass windows, the richness and splendor of the Palace-temple and its striking history will not leave anyone indifferent

One of the most famous sights of West Virginia, the famous New River Bridge is considered a masterpiece of engineering art. The arched bridge, 518 m long, seems to soar above the gorge at an altitude of 267 m. To understand the grandeur and beauty of the once-largest arch bridge in the world, one must see it with your own eyes. And from the landscape, stretching around, the mountain air and a terrific sense of flight, the spirit captures everyone!

Historical Attractions

There is no doubt that West Virginia every year causes increasing interest in its townships, allowing tourists to pass not only on the Appalachian mountain trail, but also on the pages of the history of the country . Here you should see the historic town of Harpers Ferry with its many festivals and museums dedicated to the history of slavery and the American Civil War ( John Brown's insurrection began in 1859 .), visit Charleston - the US symphony orchestra base and the state cultural center - with its Capitol building or the oldest city in the state - Lewisburg with its many historic buildings .

In Charleston about fifty attractions listed in the National Register of Historic Places of the United States, which is very much for such a small city. Many buildings for a hundred years and more. But there are very few high-rise buildings here, about two dozen, and they do not impress the skyscrapers: the highest is the 30-story Capitol - 89 m.

In the Harpers Ferry National Park, many urban buildings have been restored in the same way as they were in the 1950s, when the entire population of the city was 3,600 people. Park rangers will provide you with maps of the area, tell you about the most important and interesting and invite you to a free hour or an hour and a half excursion. If you are on a car, you can park near the guest center. Until the restored old city (and back) you will take a bus.

If you believe the latest polls, Lewisburg is the prettiest of the small cities in America . This fabulous town is striking with unique shops and a variety of festivals that are amazing are inscribed in a historical setting . Be sure to stroll around the historic center of the city, stop at one of the historic hotels, discover the amazing art galleries, restaurants, street cafes, antique shops and m. one clothes boutiques . And do not forget the camera - it's a pity not to capture one of the best according to the National Fund for the Protection of Historical Monuments in the USA .

Natural attractions

Holidays on the nature in West Virginia are inevitably connected with sports rest: mountaineering, speleology, rafting, kayaking and hiking, fishing, mountain skiing, snowboarding and other kinds sport. Here you can go rafting down the New River Gorge ravine, visit the Monongahil forest reserve in the eastern part of the state or any of four other national parks scattered throughout the state.

Of course, the center of sports and tourist activity of the state - the Blue Ridge, or the Blue Ridge Mountains, - the highest part of the Appalachians . There are special tracks and roads with observation platforms, picturesque turns, winding from the tops of the mountains in neozh the data of the lowlands flying over the gorges and rapids, bifurcating, to get closer to the waterfalls and other mountain charms . You will necessarily find yourself in the place where the Potomac River passes through the Blue Ridge, representing probably one of the most amazing pictures of nature . You are standing at a very high place . The Shenandoah River is on your right, running a hundred miles along the foot of the mountain in search of an outcome . On the left, also in search of a passage, the Potomac approaches . They merge, they fight against the rocks and , breaking about them to smithereens, are carried away to the m орю . Being here at the top of the mountain, you understand that for the sake of such a sight it is worth crossing the Atlantic .

All prices are indicated for June 2013