Things to do in Huntington, West Virginia – Fall Itinerary

Fall time has settled in, and along with it, my yearly urge to take a long drive down a road of color changing mountains. This year, I didn’t have to travel far to find all of this and more, in a state neighboring my own.  West Virginia is blanketed with a sea of beautiful foliage, hoisted up on mountains, for all to see their beauty. My adventure in this new state was made possible with the help of the West Virginia Department of Tourism, and the Huntington Area CVB. Together, they organized and arranged an incredible itinerary for my visit, connecting me with the best must-see spots in Huntington, WV. On our way to the lovely city of Huntington we were lucky to experience the full length of West Virginia, and soak in the wonder of this mountainous gem of a state.

Heritage Farm

Our first stop was a family friendly farm, rich with historical experiences, fun learning activities, friendly animals, and so much more. The Smithsonian affiliated Heritage Farm was an absolutely magical Appalachian Adventure, and made me feel like a kid all over again.  From the Guided ATV tours to the Historical Museums, all of the fun activities were educational, and all the educational activities were fun! Our host and guide for the day was the farm’s owner and operator, Audy. Along the “Mountain Coaster” ATV ride, Audy filled us in on the farm’s history, legacy, and recent developments. His knowledge and passion were evident, and set us up for a fantastic day on the farm. One of my personal favorite sections housed a variety of friendly and unique animals. Being a huge animal lover, I couldn’t get enough of the baby Goats, Turtles, Bunnies, and my favorite friend, Humphrey the Camel. I spent plenty of time feeding my gentle giant friend some flowers and enjoying his sweet presence. I also ended up learning so much about a culture I knew very little of. The Appalachian settlements were filled with hard working, problem solving communities that created incredible developments, and evolved many of the ways we do things today. The museums of transportation and development took me back in time to showcase these historic innovations and the impact they had on the state’s growth. What stood out most about the incredible Heritage Farm grounds, was the endless activity options, and ways to enjoy this wonderful learning environment. Along the ATV tour we got to see the zip-lines, terrain courses, and mountain bike trails.The only bad part about our experience was having to leave! We felt like there was still so much to do, and we very much hope to return in the future. An absolute must stop while in West Virginia.

Nomada Bakery

After our day on the farm we took a short drive into our host city for the weekend, beautiful Huntington, West Virginia! For our first stop in this adorable city, we got a bite to eat at a local bakery, with a taste of my home country! I couldn’t have been more thrilled when I visited Nomada Bakery, only to find out that the owner, Ariel, was from my home country of Panama! With a very warm welcome, our gracious host sat with us and spoke with me about our homes and our journeys up until now. While we talked, Ariel offered us delicious empanadas, coffee beverages, and even my FAVORITE Latin cookie, Alfajores originally from Argentina. Everything was absolutely delicious, but what made it so special was the nostalgic feeling of enjoying some favorite flavors from my childhood, while meeting a fellow Panamanian, so far from home.The bakery was connected to the visitor center, and a quirky little gift shop. Amongst the creative West Virginia memorabilia and unique gifts, we found some gems, including a Sasquatch soap, covered in Sasquatch hair! The visitor center, Nomada Bakery, and the gift shop were a perfect introduction to the city of Huntington.

Full Circle Gifts and Goods

Only a few steps away was our next stop at Full Circle Gifts and Goods, to enjoy a Tile Carving experience with the owners, Noelle and Scott. This was my first time carving tiles and our hosts were fantastic teachers!  Noelle gave us a demonstration of how she carves her tiles, and some of the techniques she uses, and then we tried it for ourselves. Using some stencils, and a series of tools we carved our own unique designs into the clay tiles. I went with a choo choo train car, while my husband made a polka dot Elephant. Being able to create in a new medium was so much fun, but what I enjoyed most about the experience was how relaxing and stress relieving the carving was. Carefully focusing on each gentle and deliberate stroke of the carving pen was like carving out little pieces of stress from my mind. This almost meditative activity was an absolute delight and something I hope to continue back home.  

Le Bistro

For our first dining experience in Huntington we visited Le Bistro, located on Thrid Avenue, just steps from the Delta Hotel. Quality was the theme throughout the meal. From the extensive list of beers, wine, spirits, to the menu of delicious dishes, everything was top notch and so thoughtfully prepared.  

Butter It Up

We started our second day off early with some brunch at Butter It Up. We wanted something light and yummy, and Butter It Up was the perfect spot. I ordered a parfait with some fruit and granola, while my husband went for a bagel with cream cheese and honey! It was such a cute spot to grab some breakfast or lunch, and was conveniently located right across the street from our hotel, inside The Market.  

Huntington Museum of Art

After some much needed refueling we journeyed to our next stop on our tour of Huntington, the Huntington Museum of Art. We were lucky to be greeted by our fantastic host and guide of the museum, Fred. As a Docent for the museum, Fred was extremely knowledgeable about all of the pieces in the museum, as well as its rich history and legacy. From room to room, Fred would introduce each area, allow us to explore, and then offer some insight and stories behind the piece’s significance and artistic value. Each room varied with different artistic mediums, including paintings, glass, sculptures, weapons, and even some living art! The C. Fred Edwards Conservatory, a tropical and subtropical plant conservatory is home to a plethora of tropical plants and marine life, many of which are so startlingly unique. Aside from the fantastic experience of witnessing new forms of life, I once again was able to enjoy a little nostalgia. Many of the plants in the Conservatory grow naturally in Panama, and some even in my backyard! This second little slice of home, in two days, was a lovely treat and made my experience at the Huntington Museum of Art even more magical.

Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar

With plenty of steps under our belts from the museum, we were ready again to try some of Huntington’s best cuisine. For lunch we visited Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar. I was certainly intrigued by the name alone. Two of my favorite types of foods where quality is of the utmost importance, and Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar certainly did not disappoint! The pizzas were carefully crafted with the best ingredients, and baked to perfection in the huge brick ovens! From the raw bar we selected ceviche, a favorite of mine from Panama, and was pleased to taste the same level of freshness and quality.  

Central City Antiques District on 14th Street West

We spent the afternoon enjoying Huntington’s Central City Antiques District on 14th Street West. Known for its Antiques and specialty shops, Central City also has a farmers market and home-cooked cafes. Each antique store I visited was like a treasure hunt surrounded by gems. I was thrilled to find an adorable vintage camera, which I love to collect on my antiquing trips. After my find, I took a peaceful break at the Cicada Books & Coffee to skim through some different books before I chose my next read.  

Rittler Park

Strolling through Ritter Park in Huntington, West Virginia was a delight. I was lucky to catch the leaves changing and enjoy some perfect fall weather. Such a peaceful break from an adventure filled trip. Along our walk we were able to stop and admire The Memorial Arch. The Memorial Arch is dedicated to those who served and died in WWI. Built of gray Indiana limestone on a gray granite base, it measures 42 feet high and features classical revival style bas-relief carvings. It is the only triumphal style arch in West Virginia.  

21 at the Frederick

For dinner we hit the best steakhouse in town, the 21 at the Frederick! Located in the historic Frederick hotel, this dimly lit, old-world eatery has vintage style and a classy atmosphere.

Black Sheep Burrito & Brews

On our final day we had a long drive ahead of us, so we decided to stop by Black Sheep Burrito & Brews on our way out to refuel with some brunch! While serving popular Latin dishes, like burritos, Black Sheep was so much more! Offering a diverse array of flavors from different cultural cuisines, Black Sheep had the right dish for any taste.  

Blenko Glass Company

On our way back to Philly we decided to make one more stop, at the famous Blenko Glass Company. Family owned and operated since 1893, Blenko Glass still prides itself on its exquisite handmade glass products, and the difference shows! Walking through the Visitor Center and enjoying the pieces, the quality and personal care that went into each piece is apparent and stunning. I was particularly impressed with the radiant and immaculate stained glass windows hung up perfectly for the sun to shine through. While I’d consider every piece to be art, many of the pieces are functional, including their iconic Water Bottles, bowls, sun catchers, and more. With an ample variety of different colors and sizes, they have just the right unique piece for everyone! We look forward to making time for their factory tour, on our next  visit, which hopefully will be much sooner than later! 

For anyone that hasn’t been, West Virginia is an absolute must see state. Being able to drive through the whole state, to witness it’s magnificent mountainous glory was alone a terrific treat. But what made me want to stay was experiencing the local culture, warm hospitality, and how the spirit of the surroundings positively affects the people you meet. It’s really like they say, Almost Heaven.

Happy Traveling!