Fayetteville (West Virginia)

Fayetteville is a town of 2,754 people (as of 2000) in West Virginia, often called "Gateway to the New River Gorge"; it borders the northern end of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It was originally called Vandalia, before it became the seat of Fayette County in 1837 and was incorporated in 1883. Most visitors come to enjoy the scenic views from the New River Gorge Bridge, and the outdoor adventures that are linked to the area: whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, llama treks, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling, camping and fishing.

Get in
Fayetteville is situated on the segment of US-19 that intersects I-77 between Beckley and Sutton. Coming from the north, take I-77 exit 57; from the south, take exit 48.

See

 * Downtown Fayetteville is the historic district in the center of town, with shops and restaurants and galleries. It was used as a stand-in for the town of Frazier's Bottom in the film Win a Date with Tad Hamilton. The Fayetteville Historic Convention and Visitors' Bureau, housed in the Historic Fayette Jail, is at 306 N Court Street, +1 304 574-1500 or +1-888-574-1500. You can take a guided walking tour of the historic downtown homes at designated times.
 * New River Gorge Bridge, route 19 north of Fayetteville, +1 304 574-2115. Visitors' center open daily from 9AM-5PM. Completed in 1977, the New River Gorge Bridge was the longest steel-arch bridge in the world until the construction of the Lupu Bridge in Shanghai in 2003. Every third Saturday in October, the bridge is home to Bridge Day, when the bridge is opened to pedestrians for great views, organized walks, parachuting and rappelling demonstrations to the river 876 feet below, music, and a variety of vendors. There are beautiful views from a distance of the bridge spanning the gorge; the Canyon Rim Visitors' Center just north of the bridge features an exhibit room, gift shop and a boardwalk with two observation decks.
 * New River Gorge Bridge, route 19 north of Fayetteville, +1 304 574-2115. Visitors' center open daily from 9AM-5PM. Completed in 1977, the New River Gorge Bridge was the longest steel-arch bridge in the world until the construction of the Lupu Bridge in Shanghai in 2003. Every third Saturday in October, the bridge is home to Bridge Day, when the bridge is opened to pedestrians for great views, organized walks, parachuting and rappelling demonstrations to the river 876 feet below, music, and a variety of vendors. There are beautiful views from a distance of the bridge spanning the gorge; the Canyon Rim Visitors' Center just north of the bridge features an exhibit room, gift shop and a boardwalk with two observation decks.

Do

 * Take an airplane tour of the New River Gorge. Before he passed away in 2001, you could hire "Five Dollar Frank" Thomas to take you up in his Cessna 172 Skyhawk for $5; these days, you'll have to find a more expensive carrier.
 * Take an airplane tour of the New River Gorge. Before he passed away in 2001, you could hire "Five Dollar Frank" Thomas to take you up in his Cessna 172 Skyhawk for $5; these days, you'll have to find a more expensive carrier.

Whitewater Rafting
The New River, ironically considered to be one of the oldest rivers in the world, is one of the area's main draws. It's a very popular destination for whitewater rafting, as well as kayaking and fishing. There are several companies in the area that can get you started on your own whitewater adventure, of which the most prominent are:



Horseback Riding and Llama Treks

 * New River Llama Trekking Company, in Edmond, +1 304 574-2524 or +1-888-873-5982. Half-day, full-day, multi-day and overnight guided trips along the New and Gauley Rivers and the Monongahela Forest, with llamas carrying the gear. $75 - $340.
 * New River Llama Trekking Company, in Edmond, +1 304 574-2524 or +1-888-873-5982. Half-day, full-day, multi-day and overnight guided trips along the New and Gauley Rivers and the Monongahela Forest, with llamas carrying the gear. $75 - $340.
 * New River Llama Trekking Company, in Edmond, +1 304 574-2524 or +1-888-873-5982. Half-day, full-day, multi-day and overnight guided trips along the New and Gauley Rivers and the Monongahela Forest, with llamas carrying the gear. $75 - $340.

Golf

 * Bridge Haven Golf Club, Salem Gatewood Road, +1 304 574-2120. Open daily year-round. 18 holes, par 71. On-site full-service pro shop, snack bar and driving range. $25.

Buy

 * Chimney Corner USA, 15328 Midland Way in Chimney Corner, +1 304 632-1002. Appalachian arts and crafts, quilts, baskets, books, handwoven rugs, brooms, cornmeal, honey, pottery, and coal collectibles.

Sleep

 * Adventures on the Gorge, Deluxe Mountain Cabins located near the rim of the New River Gorge bridge.
 * Quality Inn New River Gorge, Laurel Creek Road and US-19, +1 304 574-3443 or +1-800-228-3323, . Gift shop; outdoor pool; tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast. On-site restaurant called the Whitewater Bar and Grill, open daily from 11AM-midnight, serving salads, sandwiches and steaks.
 * Opossum Creek Retreat, Your cabin in the woods.Opossum Creek Cabin Rentals
 * Opossum Creek Retreat, Your cabin in the woods.Opossum Creek Cabin Rentals
 * Opossum Creek Retreat, Your cabin in the woods.Opossum Creek Cabin Rentals

Go next
The New River Gorge CVB can help you find lodging, restaurants and packages for the area in and around Fayetteville. Additionally, the Southern West Virginia CVB offers west virginia vacation and travel information on the Southern West Virginia region.
 * Oak Hill is practically adjacent to Fayetteville on US-19.
 * Summersville, about 30 minutes north on US-19, is home to the largest lake in West Virginia, part of West Virginia's Mountain Lakes District.
 * Beckley, about 30 minutes south on US-19, is the nearest spot if you want to do any heavy-duty shopping.
 * Lewisburg, a little over 1 hour east on US-60 and US-64, is an old-fashioned town that's home to the Greenbrier Resort.
 * Richwood, a little over 1 hour northeast, is a historic former lumber town adjoining the Cranberry Wilderness of Monongahela National Forest
 * Hinton, about an hour south, is the counterpart to Fayetteville at the southern end of the national park.
 * Charleston, a little over 1 hour west on US-64, is the state capital.
 * Bluefield, a little over 1 hour south on US-77, is a lovely mountain town on the Virginia border.