EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION TO MAIN STREET & ON TRAC COMMUNITIES

North, South, East, or West there is a Main Street or On TRAC community near you! Each of these locations offers a unique small town experience. Never has the phrase ‘So much to do and so much to see’ been more aptly applied. I can only cover a handful of the highlights of these quintessential West Virginia towns, but there’s plenty more of them to explore!

Main Street Communities
Charleston East End
Fairmont
Mannington
Charleston West End
Kingwood
Martinsburg
White Sulphur Springs
Philippi
Morgantown
Point Pleasant
Ripley
Ronceverte

On TRAC Communities
Belington
Parkersburg
Romney
Beverly
Marlinton
Sutton
Elkins
Rowlesburg
Kenova
Madison
Shinnston
Ranson/Charles Town
Parsons
Wheeling

Take the Million Dollar Bridge into Fairmont.

Independence Hall is one of many historical sites to see in downtown Wheeling. There are fantastic museum exhibits inside too! Image courtesy of Wheeling National Heritage Area.

Historic railroad depot in Elkins is open 7 days a week. Courtesy of Downtown Elkins.

The Charleston East End Main Street website features a list of the funkiest and most popular bars and eateries around. Afterwards, you walk it off on a self-guided tour of the district. Further north, you can drive into Fairmont via the Million Dollar Bridge. Spanning the Monongahela River, this route frames the townscape against the rolling hills. Once in the historic Downtown District, you can enjoy the seamless blend of revival styles ranging from Beaux Arts to Colonial to Italian Renaissance and Neo-Classical Revival. After stopping in Fairmont, continue on scenic Route 250 to Mannington and enjoy the Historic Home Tour or visit the Miniature Railroad Museum. In the Eastern Panhandle, Martinsburg boasts blocks upon blocks of local small businesses, ideal for a day of shopping.

Another possibility is a trip to Wheeling and West Virginia’s Independence Hall via the nation’s first roadway, historic U.S. Route 40. Or take a ride around the Potomac Highlands on one of the Mountain Rail Adventures departing from Elkin’s historic rail depot or from nearby Durbin.  Another possible outing is to Sutton, where you can step in to history. This town is a part of three trails promoted by the state’s tourism bureau – The Historic Theatre Trail, Civil War Trail, and the Historic New Deal/CCC Trail. All of these trails will be featured in later Excuse for an Excursion postings.

Why just visit either Main Streets or On TRAC communities? These towns are bundled all around the state, and traveling from one town to the next makes for a great day trip! And each of these locations has events scheduled year-round so be sure to look-up upcoming events when planning your visit.
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So stopping making excuses to stay at home this weekend, instead make an excuse for an excursion!