The 2012 West Virginia Official State Travel Guide has arrived and is available free by request or at Welcome Centers statewide, courtesy of the West Virginia Division of Tourism.
Travelers will find all the information they need at their fingertips. Shopping, dining, lodging, outdoor recreation and entertainment is conveniently arranged by travel region. The guide also contains a 2012 calendar of events occurring statewide.
The guide’s compact size makes it easy to carry in a backpack, glove box or saddlebags. In addition, smart phone users can gain immediate access to online information …

Charleston has been included in a list of the the region’s friendliest towns by Blue Ridge Country magazine. The sixteen friendliest towns were selected from the total votes sent via email to Blue Ridge County magazine. Many of the voters cast their ballots after reading about the campaign in social media sites and local bulletin boards.

Listen up, baseball fans! Check out the remaining games of the West Virginia Power from June to August. Batter up!

The West Virginia Flower Pilgrimage is back for it’s 50th annual run.
This popular attraction that features carpets of beautiful wildflowers at Blackwater Falls State Park extends all the way to surrounding areas such as Dolly Sods, Canaan Valley, the Fernow Experimental Forest and Seneca Rocks.
This year’s events include a program of 24 hikes and tours led by state and regional experts in botany, birding, wildlife and geology. The event is co-sponsored by the West Virginia Garden Club, Brooks Bird Club and West Virginia University.

Ski season has started in West Virginia. Due to the recent snowfall and dropping temperatures, the Snowshoe Mountain Resort was able to open last Wednesday. Winterplace in Ghent also opened last Saturday, offering early season discount, valid until Friday, December 17. Regular season schedule and rate begins on Saturday.
Both resorts offer 14 slopes & trails and four lifts. Special ski and lodging packages are available. For more information and details, visit the Snowshoe resort website at www.snowshoemtn.com and the Winterplace website at www.winterplace.com.

Newly renovated, the West Virginia State Museum is now open to the public once more. House in the Culture Center, the museum features relics and memorabilia of West Virginia’s rich history.
There’s something for everybody in the state museum. Children can have a fun time learning and discovering the different artifacts within the museum via an educational scavenger hunt that would take them around various spots in the museum. Civil War buff on the other hand, would surely enjoy the multitude of information and exhibit on battles, heroes, legends and …

Charleston is located strategically at the the heart of the Midland Trail. If you’re plying the US Route 60 in West Virginia, chances are, you’ll pass through the city. But whether you’re staying in Charleston or just passing through, you’re sure to enjoy the magnificent sites in one of the country’s scenic drives.
Midland Trail Scenic Highway Association has come up with a few driving routes on the I-60, passing through West Virginia’s lush landscape. The route takes you through both natural and man-made attractions, appealing to both nature lovers and …

Located at the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, the Roane Vineyards is a pleasant 50 minute drive from Charleston, WV. Wine lovers will surely enjoy the trip out to the vineyard that used to be just an ordinary farm.
Wild grapes were discovered in the property of Paul and Anna-Neale Taylor in 1995. This inspired the couple to try growing grapes in 1996. The following year, they started growing grapes in the main vineyard. Today, there are now eight varieties of French-American hybrid grapes, including some Cabernet Franc grapes. These grapes …

On April 9th, baseball season opens with a game between West Virginia Power and the Lexington Legends at the Appalachian Power Park. Home of the minor league baseball team in the South Athlantic League, the stadium is located at the East End of Charleston, WV.
Opened in April 2005, the Appalachian Power Park can seat 6,200 spectators. The field’s dimension spans 330 feet in its left fieled, 400 feet in center field and 320 feet in the right field. The stadium boasts of an authentic locomotive horn, which was given by …

If you’re in the mood for good food, great conversation and awesome music, head on over to the Empty Glass, one of the pillars of Charleston’s music scene. It has been said that legend have played and legend have been made in this cafe that books only the best and most interesting acts.
You are guaranteed live music every day of the week at The Emply Glass. On Mondays are open mic performances (acoustic on the first three Mondays of the month, electric on the fourth/last Monday). Tuesdays feature original rock-n-roll …