Some of the best memories from a West Virginia drive come from the places you almost passed by. A strange shape catches your eye, you tap the brakes, and suddenly the whole trip has a story worth telling for years.
Our state is packed with oddball stops that mix local legend, hometown pride, and a whole lot of fun. Buckle up, because these seven spots are worth turning the car around for.
1. Mothman Statue, Point Pleasant, WV
Red eyes glinting in the sunlight, wings spread wide, and a shiny metal body that looks ready to lift off. Point Pleasant has turned its most famous local legend into a downtown photo stop, and folks drive a long way just to stand beside it.
The 12-foot metallic statue was made by an area artist and depicts the winged creature reportedly spotted around town in the late 1960s. It stands in the alley beside the Mothman Museum, which bills itself as the only one of its kind in the world.
Plenty of visitors pose for pictures, and some even give the big fellow a hug.
Getting there is simple. Free street parking and nearby lots make it easy to find a spot, and a coffee shop sits close by if you want something warm before you wander.
The statue is open around the clock, so a late-evening stop works just as well as a noon visit.
Here is a local tip for the calendar. The town hosts its lively Mothman Festival each September, when the statue becomes the center of a big, friendly crowd.
Stop in during a quieter weekday morning if you want the photo all to yourself. There are no restrooms right at the statue, so plan ahead.
2. Mystery Hole, Ansted, WV
Balls rolling uphill. Chairs perched at angles that make no sense.
Your stomach doing a little flip as the floor seems to tilt under your shoes.
Welcome to the Mystery Hole, a gloriously kitschy stop on the Midland Trail that has been scrambling brains for over fifty years with hardly any changes. The outside looks like a carnival exploded in the best way, with loud colors, a Volkswagen Beetle that appears to be crashing into the building, and a gorilla keeping watch.
Inside, a goofy tour guide leads small groups down into the hole, where optical illusions play tricks on your senses.
Watch your balance on the way down. Some people get a bit dizzy, which is part of the charm, but take it slow if you are sensitive to that sort of thing.
Kids tend to love every silly second.
Before you leave, browse the gift shop and soak in the river views that surround this stretch of US-60. A free parking lot sits right on site, and restrooms are available.
Hours lean toward weekends, with doors typically open Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, so check before you make the drive through the gorge country.
3. The Coal House, Williamson, WV
Sixty-five tons of shiny black coal, stacked into walls two feet thick. Few buildings anywhere say more about where they stand than this one.
Back in 1933, a Norfolk and Western Railways fuel manager named O.W. Evans dreamed up the Coal House as a publicity stunt to celebrate the mining heritage of the Tug Valley.
It worked better than anyone might have guessed. Williamson was once the heart of a coal field reportedly worth a billion dollars, and this sturdy little landmark still carries that pride on its gleaming face.
Toughness is part of its legend. The Coal House has survived four major floods, in 1937, 1957, 1977, and 1984, plus an interior fire in 2010.
It earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Today the building serves as a welcome stop with plenty of good local information and a sampling of products made in the area. Best of all, there is no charge to step inside, so your wallet only comes out if you want a souvenir.
Hours vary through the week and it closes Sundays and Mondays, so plan accordingly. Grandparents, bring the grandkids.
It is a history lesson they will actually remember.
4. The Farnham Colossi, Unger, WV
Picture a quiet country road in the Eastern Panhandle, then imagine a crowd of giants watching you drive by. That is the Farnham Colossi, and it may be the most delightful surprise in the whole state.
Spread across a rural property in Unger, this collection gathers huge fiberglass advertising figures that once stood outside shops and gas stations across the country. Towering Muffler Men share space with oversized characters that feel pulled straight from a 1960s highway.
Count roughly a dozen statues and a dozen vintage signs, plus an old roller coaster that adds a wonderfully offbeat touch.
Remember those big figures you spotted from the back seat as a kid? Many of them seem to have found a retirement home right here.
No admission fee is charged, and the site is open around the clock, with free on-site parking. Some folks simply drive past slowly to admire the sculptures, while others hop out for photos.
Keep in mind this sits on private property, so be respectful and stay where visitors are welcomed.
With no restrooms or food on site, it makes a great quick stop between bigger plans. Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons draw the most company.
5. Flatwoods Monster Museum, Sutton, WV
September 1952. A group in Braxton County reported a towering figure with a spade-shaped head and a glowing face, and West Virginia gained one of its most beloved legends.
The Flatwoods Monster Museum on Main Street in downtown Sutton keeps that story alive with warmth and a sense of humor. Displays include one-of-a-kind collections, historic items, books, memorabilia, and some imposing recreations of the creature itself.
Much of the space feels like a creative love letter to the legend, with local crafts and artwork inspired by the famous visitor.
Admission is free, which makes the stop an easy yes. The museum even appears in programs like Nerdist’s Bizarre States and a documentary called The Flatwoods Monster: A Legacy of Fear.
Travelers will appreciate the location, just two miles from Exit 62 on I-79. The building doubles as the Braxton County Visitors Center, so grab brochures and trip ideas while you are there.
Free street parking and free Wi-Fi help too.
Fun tip for families: look for the oversized Flatwoods Monster chairs around the area as part of a scavenger hunt, then bring your proof back for a special surprise. The gift shop carries enamel pins, postcards, shirts, and vinyl figures.
6. Hillbilly Hot Dogs, Lesage, WV
Old school buses turned dining rooms. Signs and odds and ends covering nearly every surface.
Somewhere in the middle of it all, some of the best hot dogs in the Mountain State.
Hillbilly Hot Dogs sits right on Ohio River Road, Route 2, in Lesage, and it is impossible to miss. The whole place feels like a nostalgic trip through a junkyard of old memories, and that is exactly what makes it fun.
Seating spreads through repurposed buses, outdoor spots, and even rooftop perches.
The menu keeps things simple and satisfying. A classic West Virginia hot dog with slaw leads the way, alongside chicken sandwiches, onion rings, Boss Hog nachos, and the loaded Junkyard Dog.
Expect to spend around $10 to $20 per person, with a kids’ menu and high chairs for little ones.
Service comes at the counter, and it moves fast even when a line forms. Saturday afternoons get especially busy, so an earlier weekday arrival often means a shorter wait.
Dogs of the four-legged kind are welcome too.
Hours run 11 AM to 5 PM Thursday through Monday, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays closed. Pull in hungry.
Leave with a full belly and a camera roll full of oddball photos.
7. Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, Moundsville, WV
Nobody expects to find a golden palace at the top of a winding Northern Panhandle ridge. Yet there it sits, glowing above the trees like something out of a storybook.
Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, sometimes called America’s Taj Mahal, began as a planned residence for the founder of a Hindu spiritual movement and later became a memorial shrine. Much of it was reportedly built by volunteers during the 1970s, often without formal blueprints.
The result is dazzling, with gold leaf, marble, onyx, crystal chandeliers, and colorful stained-glass windows.
Step outside and the grounds keep the wonder going. Formal rose gardens, a peaceful pond, and wide hilltop views make it easy to linger longer than planned, and on a clear day the scenery reportedly stretches across three states.
Plan for the drive, since rural mountain roads lead the way up McCreary’s Ridge. Accessible parking and restrooms are available once you arrive.
Doors are open daily from 10 AM to 4:30 PM, with weekend afternoons drawing the biggest crowds and Wednesday mornings staying calmest.
You will find this remarkable sight at 3759 McCreary’s Ridge Rd, Moundsville, WV 26041. It is a fitting final stop, proof that West Virginia still holds plenty of surprises.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
