A roadside stop in this state has had a Volkswagen Beetle crashed into its wall since the 1970s. Inside, the claim is that the laws of gravity simply quit working.
That was a normal summer outing if you grew up in West Virginia back then. The same years gave us a brand new bridge that set a world record.
They also gave us mountain resorts, glowing holiday light shows, and pepperoni rolls wrapped in wax paper.
I love how many of those childhood favorites are still standing. Some are a century old.
Others opened right as bell-bottoms and feathered hair took over. Each one can still be visited today, which feels like a small miracle.
So grab your memories and maybe a road map. How many of these did your family pile into the station wagon to see?
1. The Mystery Hole
Few buildings greet you with a car stuck in the side of them. Along Route 60 near Ansted, a Volkswagen Beetle appears to have crashed right into the wall.
That bold welcome belongs to the Mystery Hole, which opened in 1973. The attraction claims the normal rules of gravity stop working once you head inside.
Balls may seem to roll uphill. People reportedly lean at angles that look impossible in photos.
If you rode past as a kid, you probably begged your parents to pull over. Plenty of families gave in, and the snapshots still sit in old albums across West Virginia.
The outside is half the fun. Bright, hand-painted signs and odd decorations make the building hard to miss on the curvy mountain road.
It sits close to the New River Gorge, so it pairs nicely with a scenic drive. That makes it an easy detour for grown-ups chasing a bit of childhood silliness.
The attraction usually runs on a seasonal schedule. Check hours before you go, since mountain roads and weather can shift plans quickly.
Is it science, a trick, or pure roadside showmanship? You’ll have to step in and decide for yourself.
Address: 16724 Midland Trail, Ansted, WV 25812
2. Camden Park
Not many amusement parks can say they have a prehistoric burial mound in the middle of the midway. Camden Park in Huntington can, and the Adena mound has stood there long before the first ride arrived.
The park dates back to 1903. It began as a trolley stop picnic area and grew into a full amusement park over the decades.
For kids of the ’70s and ’80s, the Big Dipper was the main event. The wooden coaster opened in 1958 and still rattles riders today.
You probably remember that clattering climb and the sudden drop that followed. The coaster remains one of the classic wooden rides still running in the region.
Camden Park keeps its old-school feel with kiddie rides, games, and fair-style snacks. Many families who visited as children now return with their own kids or grandkids.
The park generally opens seasonally, roughly spring through fall. Schedules can vary, so a quick look at the calendar saves you a wasted trip.
Few places in West Virginia carry this many generations of summer memories. One loop on the Big Dipper may bring the whole decade rushing back.
Address: 5000 Waverly Rd, Huntington, WV 25704
3. Country Club Bakery
Lunch for coal miners had to survive a long shift underground without a refrigerator. In 1927, a Fairmont baker named Giuseppe Argiro came up with a clever answer.
He baked sticks of pepperoni right inside soft bread. Country Club Bakery is widely credited as the birthplace of the pepperoni roll.
That simple idea went on to become a West Virginia icon. If you grew up here, you likely had one in your lunchbox more than once.
Back in the ’70s and ’80s, pepperoni rolls were everyday food, not trendy snacks. Gas stations, school cafeterias, and church bake sales all seemed to have them.
The bakery still makes its rolls in Fairmont today. The classic version keeps things simple with pepperoni sticks baked into the dough.
Fans often buy them by the bag to share or freeze. The rolls travel well, which honors the original purpose for those miners.
Showing up early is a smart move, since popular items can sell out. The shop is small, so it’s more grab-and-go than sit-down.
One bite connects you to almost a century of mining history. Not bad for a humble bread roll.
Address: 1211 Country Club Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554
4. Tomaro’s Bakery
Clarksburg has its own claim to bread fame, and it stretches back to 1914. That’s when Tomaro’s Bakery opened its doors and began serving the city’s Italian families.
Italian immigrants shaped much of north-central West Virginia. Bakeries like this one fed mining towns and kept old-country recipes going.
Tomaro’s is known for crusty Italian bread and, of course, pepperoni rolls. Many folks remember stopping in with a parent for a warm loaf on the way home.
The bakery has stayed in the same family for generations, according to its own history. That kind of staying power is rare for any small business.
Clarksburg also hosts the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival each Labor Day weekend. Pair a festival visit with a bakery stop and you’ve got a very tasty day.
If you moved away years ago, a bag of rolls makes a fine souvenir. Some people even pack them in coolers for relatives out of state.
Heading in before lunch usually gives you the best selection. Bread this fresh tends to move fast.
A century of ovens running in one spot deserves a little respect. It also deserves a second roll.
Address: 411 N 4th St, Clarksburg, WV 26301
5. Jim’s Steak and Spaghetti House
Strawberry pie has its own week in Huntington. For decades, Jim’s Steak and Spaghetti House has turned the season into a local event.
The restaurant opened in 1938 on Fifth Avenue. Its spaghetti sauce became the dish that put the name on the map.
If your family celebrated report cards or birthdays here, you’re in good company. Generations of Huntington diners have slid into those booths over the years.
The menu keeps classic comfort food front and center. Spaghetti, fish sandwiches, and homemade pies are long-standing favorites.
Strawberry Pie Week usually lands in spring. People often order whole pies to take home, so plan ahead if you want one.
Jim’s sits close to Marshall University, which makes it a natural stop on campus visits. Alumni coming back for games often treat it as part of the tradition.
The place feels like it hasn’t bothered chasing trends, and that’s the appeal. You come for the same plate you loved decades ago.
Not many restaurants make it past 80 years. A big bowl of spaghetti here shows you exactly why this one did.
Address: 920 5th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701
6. New River Gorge Bridge
In 1977, a steel arch opened over the New River Gorge and suddenly the trip across took about a minute. Before that, drivers faced a winding route down and back up that could take far longer.
The bridge stretches 3,030 feet. When it opened, it held the record as the world’s longest single-span arch bridge.
Kids of the late ’70s remember the buzz around it. Families drove out just to stare at the thing.
Then came Bridge Day in 1980. Each October, the bridge closes to traffic and BASE jumpers leap toward the river far below.
The event draws huge crowds and vendors every year. Watching parachutes pop open over the gorge is a sight you don’t forget.
The gorge became a national park in 2020. The Canyon Rim Visitor Center offers boardwalk views of the arch any day the center is open.
Fall foliage season makes the scenery especially striking. It’s a great reason to plan a long weekend nearby.
Few structures say West Virginia quite like this one. It even showed up on the state’s quarter in 2005.
Address: 162 Visitor Center Rd, Lansing, WV 25862
7. Coleman’s Fish Market
A fish sandwich in the middle of the mountains sounds odd until you try one from Wheeling. Coleman’s Fish Market has been frying them in the city since 1914.
The shop sits in Centre Market, a historic market district. Its signature sandwich stacks fried fish on simple white bread.
Families from the Northern Panhandle often made a stop here part of a Wheeling day. Many kids learned what tartar sauce was right at this counter.
The no-frills setup is part of the charm. You order, grab your sandwich, and find a spot to enjoy it.
Coleman’s also sells fresh seafood at the market counter. That makes it useful if you’re cooking at home tonight.
Centre Market itself is worth a wander. The surrounding street has shops and eateries that make a full afternoon easy.
Lunch hours can get busy, so arriving a bit early helps. Fridays tend to be popular, especially during Lent.
More than 100 years of frying fish is quite a streak. Grab extra napkins, because these sandwiches don’t hold back.
Address: 2226 Market St, Wheeling, WV 26003
8. Berdine’s Five and Dime
Remember when a quarter bought a whole sack of candy? Berdine’s Five and Dime in Harrisville keeps that memory alive with a big oak case full of sweets.
The store has been operating since 1908. It’s often called the oldest five-and-dime in the country.
Wooden shelves hold toys, gadgets, and old-fashioned odds and ends. Browsing feels like opening a time capsule from your grandparents’ childhood.
For ’70s and ’80s kids, dime stores were the treasure chests of Main Street. Jacks, wax lips, and candy cigarettes all had a home there.
Harrisville sits in Ritchie County, a quiet corner of the state. The drive itself winds through classic rolling hills.
Berdine’s makes a fun stop for anyone who loves small shops. It’s also a cheap thrill, since a few dollars still goes a long way here.
The courthouse square nearby adds to the old-town feel. Plan time to stroll before or after your candy haul.
Small towns don’t always hold on to their landmarks. This one did, and your sweet tooth will be grateful.
Address: 106 N Court St, Harrisville, WV 26362
9. Oglebay Park
Holiday lights in Wheeling went big in 1985. That year, Oglebay Park launched its Winter Festival of Lights, and late-’80s kids got a brand new tradition.
The drive-through display spans miles of park roads. Families still bundle up in the car each winter to see it.
Oglebay itself is a sprawling resort with a long history. The land was once the summer estate of industrialist Earl Oglebay.
Many visitors remember school field trips to the Good Zoo. The zoo sits right on the park grounds and remains a popular stop.
Golf, a lodge, and gardens round out the property. Adults can easily make a weekend of it without the kids leading the plans.
The lights usually run from November into early January. Weekend nights can get crowded, so weeknights may be easier.
Bring hot cocoa and a good playlist for the drive. Your old cassette of holiday songs would fit right in.
Nearly four decades later, the festival still glows across the hills. That’s a lot of happy honking from the back seat.
Address: 465 Lodge Dr, Wheeling, WV 26003
10. Hawks Nest State Park
Riding a little tram cabin down a cliff felt like a space mission for many West Virginia kids. Hawks Nest State Park has carried visitors from its lodge to the river below for decades.
The aerial tram drops into the New River Gorge. At the bottom, a marina area gives you a closer look at the water.
The overlook sits high above the river. On clear days, the view up the gorge is the kind you remember for years.
Stone structures at the park date to the Civilian Conservation Corps era. Those rugged walls give the overlook its classic look.
The lodge offers rooms and a restaurant with gorge views. It’s a relaxing base for exploring the area without roughing it.
Hiking trails link the overlook with other scenic spots. Fall color season makes them especially popular.
The tram typically runs seasonally, so check before you plan around it. Weather can affect operations too.
The Mystery Hole sits just down the road. Pair the two and you’ve rebuilt a classic family day trip.
Address: 49 Hawks Nest Park Rd, Ansted, WV 25812
11. Cass Scenic Railroad
Those steam whistles echoing off the mountains aren’t a sound effect. At Cass, real Shay locomotives still haul passengers up steep grades.
The town began as a lumber company town in the early 1900s. Trains once dragged logs off the mountain to the mill.
Cass became a state park in 1961. By the ’70s and ’80s, school trips and family vacations made it a familiar name.
The Shay engines are geared locomotives built for tough climbs. Watching one chug and smoke uphill is pure old-time power.
Some excursions head to Whittaker Station, while longer trips climb to Bald Knob. The longer ride rewards you with sweeping mountain views.
Restored company houses can be rented as lodging. Staying overnight lets you soak in the quiet once the day crowds leave.
Trains run on a seasonal schedule. Fall foliage runs tend to fill up quickly, so book early.
The company store still anchors the little town. Grab a souvenir and maybe a bit of soot on your sleeve.
Address: 242 Main St, Cass, WV 24927
12. Snowshoe Mountain
Most ski resorts put the lodge at the bottom of the hill. Snowshoe flipped the script and built its village right on top.
The resort opened in 1974 in Pocahontas County. Its base area sits near the summit of Cheat Mountain, at nearly 4,848 feet.
For teens of the ’70s and ’80s, Snowshoe was the place to show off on skis. Neon jackets and big hair were basically required gear.
The mountain gets plenty of snow by southern standards. Snowmaking helps fill in the gaps when nature runs short.
Summer brings mountain biking and hiking. That turns the resort into a year-round getaway rather than just a winter stop.
Watch for midweek lodging and lift deals. They can stretch a family budget much further than peak weekends.
The drive in winds through remote mountain country. Plan for winter road conditions and leave extra time.
Grown-ups returning now may ski a little slower. The view from the top is still worth every chilly minute.
Address: 10 Snowshoe Dr, Snowshoe, WV 26209
13. Blackwater Falls State Park
The water here looks like sweet tea, and that’s no accident. Tannins from hemlock and red spruce needles tint the Blackwater River a deep amber.
The falls drop roughly 57 feet into a rocky canyon. A boardwalk and stairs lead down to a classic viewing platform.
Plenty of family photo albums include a shot right there. Big glasses and windbreakers optional, but very common back then.
The park near Davis offers more than one waterfall. Elakala Falls and Lindy Point overlook are other scenic favorites.
Winter brings a sled run that many locals loved as kids. Cross-country skiing trails add to the snowy fun.
Blackwater Falls Lodge sits on the canyon rim. Cabins and a campground give you options for different budgets.
The town of Davis is close by for supplies and meals. It’s one of the highest towns in the state, so pack a jacket.
Few views in West Virginia get photographed as often. Your new picture can sit right next to the faded old one.
Address: 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260
14. Pipestem Resort State Park
A lodge you can only reach by tram sounds like a movie set. Pipestem Resort State Park has one tucked at the bottom of the Bluestone River gorge.
Pipestem opened in 1970. That timing made it a fresh, exciting vacation spot for families through the following decades.
The aerial tram carries guests down to Mountain Creek Lodge. The ride itself is a highlight, gliding over thick forest.
Up top, McKeever Lodge offers rooms and dining. Golf, hiking, and horseback riding have long been part of the draw.
The park sits in southern West Virginia between Hinton and Princeton. It’s handy for anyone exploring nearby Bluestone Lake.
State park lodging often costs less than private resorts. That makes Pipestem a smart pick for budget-minded getaways.
Mountain Creek Lodge and the tram usually operate seasonally. Check schedules if that riverside stay is your goal.
Memories of mini golf and tram rides still pop up for many former kids. Making new ones here feels pretty easy.
Address: 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV 25979
15. State Fair of West Virginia
Cotton candy, livestock barns, and a glowing Ferris wheel defined August for countless kids. The State Fair of West Virginia in Lewisburg delivered all three.
Fairs in the Greenbrier Valley trace back to the 1850s. The event took on its official state fair name in 1941.
Many ’70s and ’80s kids showed animals through 4-H or FFA. Others just remember the grandstand concerts and corn dogs.
The fairgrounds still host the big event each August. Rides, ag exhibits, and live entertainment fill the schedule.
Grown-ups can enjoy the craft and agriculture displays at their own pace. Lewisburg’s historic downtown is just a short drive away.
Discount ticket days may be offered during the run. Watching for those can save a nice chunk of money.
Summer heat can be strong, so pace yourself. Evenings tend to feel cooler and the midway lights look best then.
The barns still smell the same, by most accounts. One whiff and you may be twelve again.
Address: 891 Maplewood Ave, Lewisburg, WV 24901
