Serving as the county seat of Lewis County, Weston is a small city located in the central part of West Virginia.
The city had undergone several name changes early in its history.
Founded in 1818, the town started as Preston, then became Fleshersville, then, finally, Weston, in 1819.
The town officially became a city in 1913.
Weston was formerly a typical small American city with an artisanal glass industry.
The industry peaked in the 20th century with more than 30 glass manufacturers.
Weston is also famous for its Downtown Residential Historic District.
The district spans 60 acres and contains almost 200 buildings dating as far back as the mid-1800s.
Many recreational parks surround the city, making it an ideal destination for outdoor activities.
Here are the best things to do in Weston, WV, offering a diverse option of places and activities to enjoy.
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Have you ever imagined what old Victorian-era asylums look like in modern times?
Better yet, would you like to visit one today?
Weston has one perfect example of such a place, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.
Located near the West Fork River, the asylum is an architectural marvel.
Built between 1858 and 1881, the building is the biggest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America.
It’s also a noteworthy historical building, for the Union Army used it as a military outpost during the Civil War.
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Historical tours explain the history of the asylum.
Meanwhile, paranormal tours also welcome those brave enough to join.
These tours are also the main draw of the asylum, offering a spooky fun experience to the visitors, diving into the unsettling history of the institution.
Whether you love visiting historic sites or are a fan of anything paranormal, the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum is the perfect spot.
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The United States military has a proud history of bravery and courage.
Countless American men and women fought for peace and freedom, many of them paying the ultimate sacrifice.
The city of Weston also has a roster of local heroes who bravely served during some of the world’s most important wars.
The Mountaineer Military Museum commemorates and honors the bravery of these West Virginians.
It honors fallen soldiers from the Spanish-American War in 1898 to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
Veteran Ron McVaney founded the museum as a tribute to his fellow service members.
Since then, the place has grown to become an indispensable Weston landmark.
The Mountaineer Military Museum features various war souvenirs and military uniforms to dioramas depicting like on the battlefront.
Containing over 20,000 pieces of different glassworks, the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia is a testament to American craftsmanship.
The museum features glass artifacts made primarily by West Virginia glass artisans and others in other states and countries.
Its oldest pieces date back to 1860 and go down to the shards of vital ceramic components of a space shuttle.
You can find the museum’s second most extensive collection of Steuben art glass.
Also proudly on display is its exquisitely-detailed Lady Jane stained glass doll house.
You can also find the National Marble Museum inside, containing a massive collection of marbles of different sizes and beautiful color patterns.
With all these features and more, visiting the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia should be your top priority in Weston.
The Lewis County Park is Weston’s go-to place for quick recreation and sports activities.
The park’s main attraction is its swimming pools, whose centerpiece is a full-sized pool with two slides and a few kiddie pools.
However, swimming isn’t the only activity you can do in the park; it also hosts many sports facilities for extra action.
Watch your calories burn as you break a sweat at the park’s tennis and basketball courts.
The park even has a sand volleyball court for that extra beach vibe.
You can practice your golfing skills on the park’s putt putt mini golf course or test your aiming skills on its disc golf course.
Your children can also play to their hearts’ content at the playground.
If you want to relax, you can go picnicking and watch other people running around the park.
Located on the outskirts of Weston, the Broken Wheel Campground’s proximity to the city makes it an ideal place for a quick day trip and weekend camping.
One of the highlights of the campground is its well-stocked fishing pond, which is perfect for impatient anglers.
You can also join regular fishing tournaments at the campground.
If you can’t resist checking your emails, the campground has internet access to help you get some work done while on vacation.
Likewise, you can grab all your outdoor supplies at the Broken Wheel Campground.
Stock up on supplies for groceries, hiking, hunting, and fishing there.
Still, if you need something else that isn’t available in the shop, you can simply travel a few minutes to the city to buy what you need.
The Broken Wheel Campground is the place for you whether you want a quick outdoor adventure or a night or two camping outdoors.
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Completed in 1990, the Stonewall Jackson Dam was a flood control project at first.
Eventually, it became popular in Weston with its pristine waters and thriving wildlife.
One artificial structure that stands out is the Stonewall Jackson Dam, located south of Weston.
The dam has helped prevent or mitigate flooding that would have caused millions of dollars in economic and property damage.
Tourists can visit the Stonewall Jackson Dam Visitor Center, where they can learn about the dam’s history.
However, if you want to relax, you can stroll along the dam and listen to the sound of rushing water from the outlet.
Moreover, if you have the time, you can even go fishing there.
The Stonewall Jackson Dam offers essential and recreational roles in Weston and the surrounding areas.
West Virginia may not be the first place that pops into people’s minds regarding wines.
However, deep in the heart of the state lies a gem producing some of the finest wines for miles.
Lambert’s Vintage Wines boasts a wide selection of red, white, and blush wines to suit individual tastes.
The winery’s Gothic-inspired building and scenic views of the surrounding vineyards have also made it a perfect location for weddings.
The winery’s rental cabin can accommodate up to four people.
If you want to stay for a night or two, book a cabin and sip wine all night.
Whenever you’re in Weston, tour Lambert’s Vintage Wines and experience the good life with a glass of wine.
The city of Weston was once the center of West Virginia’s artisanal glass production.
However, as with most things, technology eventually led to the decline of these old traditions.
Fortunately, some institutions continue to preserve traditional glassmaking techniques.
In Weston, one such place is Appalachian Glass.
This place is not only a one-stop shop for glass souvenirs in Weston but also a living manifestation of a once-thriving Weston glass industry.
The Turner family has proudly produced gorgeous glass pieces of various colors and sizes for over three generations.
Today, the family shows zero signs of slowing down.
The best part of the trip to Appalachian Glass is witnessing the artisans demonstrate how they turn simple materials into beautiful art pieces.
Indeed, Appalachian Glass is a true American gem in every sense.
Don’t let the name turn you off.
You might find Appalachian Oddities one of the most memorable and unique places you can visit in Weston.
It’s hard to miss Appalachian Oddities, thanks to its towering grim reaper on the doorstep, a tell-tale sign of what lies behind its doors.
This store has become one of Weston’s most exciting places to visit, starting from a humble idea among a group of friends passionate about the weird.
Check out several items from different corners of the world, ranging from weirdly fascinating to downright dreadful.
To crank up the experience, they also have an Escape Room called ‘Gabriel’s Feast,’ reserved only for the courageous.
On a lighter note, though, they do life casting to preserve some of life’s most important milestones.
All these quirks and creepiness make Appalachian Oddities one of the most unique yet fun places to visit in Weston.
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Take a 15-minute drive south of Weston to reach Roanoke, West Virginia.
In Roanoke, you should visit one of the most beautiful resorts in West Virginia, the Stonewall Resort.
Featuring unmatched views of the scenic Stonewall Lake and rolling hills of West Virginia, the Stonewall Resort sits at the heart of Stonewall Resort State Park’s sprawling 1,900 acres.
Thanks to its perfect location, you can expect a vast selection of outdoor recreational activities.
If you crave water adventure, you can go kayaking and boating on the tranquil waters of Stonewall Lake.
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You can also go for long walks, hike, bike along the resort’s trails, then go camping at the Briar Point Campground.
Stonewall Resort also has a world-class golf course named after legendary golfer Arnold Palmer.
The resort boasts three restaurants offering an excellent dining experience with fantastic views of Stonewall Lake.
With all these great amenities, exciting outdoor activities, and breathtaking views, staying at Stonewall Resort is a must for anyone visiting this part of West Virginia.
Just a short ten-minute drive north of Weston lies the boyhood home of the legendary Confederate general, Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson.
The National Register of Historic Places has listed Jackson’s Mill in its record.
It’s a popular destination for history and military buffs visiting Weston and nearby areas.
If you go there, you’ll learn how the state of West Virginia shaped the life of one of America’s most celebrated military figures.
According to historical accounts, young Stonewall helped his uncle, who operated the farm, take care of the livestock and tend the crops.
When Stonewall got into West Point in 1842, he moved out of the mill to pursue his military career.
The mill remains as it was more than 200 years ago, thanks to stringent preservation efforts.
This place is also the highlight of the Jackson’s Mill Center for Lifelong Learning and State 4-H Camp, a unique campus of West Virginia University.
The old structures in Jackson’s Mill may not look impressive from an architectural standpoint.
However, their historic importance draws people to visit this landmark every time they arrive at the Weston area.
If you want to try clay shooting, go to Roanoke, ten minutes from Weston.
You will reach Stonewall Sporting Clays, which guarantees a fun and enjoyable experience for both beginners and expert shooters.
The site’s top priority is safety, observing rigorous safety guidelines to ensure everybody’s well-being.
Experts will also guide beginners on correct shooting and improving their aim.
Even experienced shooters will face a challenge when shooting sporting clays.
For added excitement, the site also holds occasional themed shoots and special events.
To experience something new and different, you should visit Stonewall Sporting Clays.
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The Stonecoal Lake Wildlife Management Area is an American paradise.
You will find it in Buckhannon, West Virginia, 21 minutes from Weston.
The park’s centerpiece is its 550-acre Stonecoal Lake, which resembles more of a river than a lake due to its narrow shape.
Boating, canoeing, and kayaking are the most popular activities you can do on the lake’s tranquil and clear waters.
You can also go fishing at the lake and catch catfish, bass, trout, and carp.
Of course, you can also try to catch the renowned and highly-prized muskellunge.
Observing the surrounding wildlife and nature in Stonecoal Lake is a rewarding experience.
The relatively basic facilities in the Stonecoal Lake Wildlife Management Area make it highly appealing to those who want a quiet outdoor experience.
Sunny Pointe Guest House is the perfect place for a staycation near Weston.
You can easily reach sunny Pointe Guest House by taking a 13-minute drive from Weston to Jane Lew, Virginia.
Nestled inside a 600-acre farm, the guest house maintains many of the farm’s original structures.
For example, its 19th-century farmhouse and cabins with several souvenirs from the period remain intact.
The old barns still stand, too.
It offers nothing less than a peaceful stay for everyone who wants to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, if only for a while.
With its scenic views, rural atmosphere, and rustic ambiance, staying at Sunny Pointe Guest House is an experience you shouldn’t miss.
Deerfield Country Club offers a quick fix if you are itching for some tee time.
You can find it in Jane Lew, West Virginia, six minutes from Weston.
Designed for 9-hole regulation, the course opened in 1978.
Since then, it has become the go-to place in Weston for playing golf.
Its longest tees cover a total distance of 3,405 yards for 36 par.
The golf course layout offers a good challenge even for seasoned players.
It also boasts well-maintained greens for an unhampered golfing experience.
If you want to hit the greens or enjoy a peaceful time in a relaxing environment, Deerfield Country Club is the place for you.
Weston’s Appalachian charm and country vibe make it a haven for anyone who wants to leave the urban jungle.
There are so many things to do in Weston.
You’ll need to spend a few days to make the most of your stay in this beautiful city in West Virginia.
Book your trip today!
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