Day trips to Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg is about an hour west of the inn on I-64, just over the West Virginia line. Budget Travel readers voted it the Coolest Small Town in America in 2011, and its downtown of 18th- and 19th-century buildings has been a National Register historic district since 1978. It makes an easy day trip, with time for lunch, a walk and dinner before the drive back.

Downtown

Washington Street is lined with independent shops, galleries and restaurants. Carnegie Hall, built in 1902 with money from Andrew Carnegie, is one of only four Carnegie Halls still in continuous use; the others are in New York, Pittsburgh and Scotland. Today it's an arts center with concerts, exhibits and classes, so check what's on before you go.

Caves and trails

Lost World Caverns, just outside town, was discovered in 1942. Its self-guided tour is a half-mile loop of about 45 minutes, past the 28-foot War Club stalagmite. The Greenbrier River Trail starts in Caldwell, just east of Lewisburg, and follows an old C&O rail line for 78 miles; even a few miles out and back along the river makes a good walk or bike ride.

Where to eat

Lewisburg punches well above its size for food: USA Today readers have voted it the best small-town food scene four years running. A few of our favorites, all on or near Washington Street:

• The Humble Tomato for pizza and house-made pasta, with a full bar and garden seating in season.
• Food & Friends, a longtime local favorite for lunch or dinner.
• Stardust Café for sandwiches on locally baked bread in a former neighborhood grocery.
• The General Lewis Inn for Southern cooking, biscuits and mountain trout on the veranda.
• Hill and Holler for brick-oven pizza and smoked wings.
• Jim's Drive-In for a burger and milkshake with curbside service.

Stopping on the way? White Sulphur Springs, about 15 minutes before Lewisburg, has Gustard's Bistro and Max on Main.

The State Fair

The State Fair of West Virginia is held every August at the fairgrounds in Fairlea, just south of Lewisburg, with livestock shows, rides, food and grandstand concerts. Rooms in the area fill early that week.

On the way: The Greenbrier

The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs is right off I-64 on the drive to Lewisburg. Founded in 1778, it's known for its golf and for the Cold War bunker built under it for Congress, which is open for tours by reservation.

Planning more days out? See our guides to Hot Springs, Clifton Forge and Lake Moomaw, or everything to do nearby.

Photo of Lewisburg: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0.