Everyone’s going to the beach this weekend. Memorial Day travel here is up by 12,000 people this year, according to the AAA. So, where can we go? I found some cheap hotel rates in West Virginia. Should I take them? What is there to do?
We don’t go in for outdoorsy things very much, although we do like exploring pretty little towns and maybe some very light hiking. We like art galleries and artists’ communities, historical sites, streetside food and farmers markets, films, theatre, etc. Pretty waterfronts are big with us.
So, whaddya say?
You could marry that cousin you’ve always had your eye on
I don’t know a huge amount about the area, but your mention of art galleries reminded me of Tamarack. I went once, and it was really a neat place! It’s located in Beckley, which puts you not too far from the New River Gorge Bridge and museum, and some other cool stuff. Linky to a clearninghouse of stuff to do in that area.
Can we hold the gratuitous regional slams, please? Particularly on the very first reply to a new thread?
No warning issued.
You want a place to stay free? I’ve got a vacation house that’s between Cumberland and Romney in a place called Springfield. I’m not using it this weekend.
West Virginia’s a big state. Where are you thinking of?
Eh, looks like the trip’s been nixed. Thanks for all the suggestions. Maybe I can make use of them soon.
Awww! I was going to suggest the Palace of Gold. Bunch of Hare Krishnas, awful website, but beautiful grounds.
ETA: Check out the virtual tour!
Strangely enough, we went there as kids. I don’t think I’m going to go back there, especially after finding out about all the sex slavery and abuse that went on with those folks.
:eek:
Link? I too went there as a child.
I can’t find a link to it, but in 1987, Rolling Stone published an investigative piece called “Dial Om for Murder.” It was pretty shocking.
I know, it’s hard to find a link. With your article name, though, I am finding some stuff. ISKCON is the organization, and they have a lot of dirty laundry to their name.
What is it with so many organizations that end up with child abuse? I wanted to say more, but I just don’t have the words.
WV is a big state. I don’t know exactly where you’re going, but I’d suggest Beartown, Dolly Sodds, and Green Bank. Not sure if Green Bank will be open this weekend.
The parks are very nice, I’ve been to Watoga and Big Bend but both will probably be full of campers this weekend. Check out some caves too.
Or just get lost down some rural back roads. Watch out for private property though, it’s not impossible to come across a moonshine still with surly owners (seriously, from what I’ve heard.)
Oh, I forgot a really neat one: Cass Railroad. It also has a neat little town.
I have a vague recollection that someone told me that there’s a halfway decent film festival somewhere in West Virginia. Is it true?
Harper’s Ferry is quite nice. It’s a little town on a mountainside next to the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. Beautiful. It’s accessible on Amtrak and also commuter rail from DC.
West Virginia is actually a pretty big state, so really, what to do is region-dependent. It’s like asking what there is to do in Pennsylvania over one weekend (Are you going to Pittsburgh? Philly? Coal country? Amish country?)
Bummer that you had to cancel your trip. The Vandalia Gathering is this weekend.