If you’re looking for epic outdoor adventures near charming mountain towns with a relaxing and quaint vibe, Davis, West Virginia needs to be on your list for a winter road trip. It was our first time exploring this underrated state and we were amazed with how many different activities we fit in our Davis, West Virginia itinerary! We’ll cover everything you need to know to plan your own West Virginia itinerary.
How to get to Davis, West Virginia
Washington Dulles International Airport and Charleston International Airport are about the same distance from Davis. Which airport you fly into depends on where you are located, and if you plan to see other parts of West Virginia.
In either case, you’ll need to rent a car for the 3 hour drive. Since West Virginia is full of small, low population towns, there isn’t a lot of public transportation.
Where to stay in Davis, West Virginia
Keep in mind that you are going to experience small town vibes. This means that there are not going to be a lot of large chain accommodations nearby. This is not an issue though, as there are cute, small hotels and BnBs in the area.
We absolutely loved staying at Timberline Mountain. Our room was right at the base of the ski slopes, and we loved how easy it was to wake up and jump on our snowboards. We also loved watching other skiers cruise down the slopes from our room’s balcony. Timberline Mountain has on-site gear, ski, and snowboard rentals and a delicious on site restaurant and bar.
When to visit Davis, West Virginia
This is the perfect year round destination! We visited in the dead of winter and we hiked, snowboarded, ate delicious food, explored the cutest mountain towns, saw live music, and stayed right at the base of the slopes at Timberline Mountain.
Day 1
Day 1 will have you arriving at Dulles or Charleston international airports before embarking on a 3 hour road trip to Davis. Don’t fear the drive, West Virginia is beautiful and you’ll love the sights along the way. Pick up lunch on the way so you’re ready to get some exploring in when you arrive!
Explore Blackwater Falls State Park
This is your first introduction to this beautiful state park. There are so many waterfalls to explore in Blackwater Falls State Park. Pictured is the famous Blackwater Falls during the winter. There had just been a fresh powdering of snow when we took this photo. To see the Blackwater Falls, look for the Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail.
If you are visiting in the winter, check out the East Coast’s longest sled run.
Sunset at Lindy Point
Located in Blackwater Falls State Park, don’t miss this iconic sunset spot! This spot is one of the most photographed in all of West Virginia, for good reason! Unfortunately, the cloud cover was significant when we visited, but we’ve seen the sky light up in other photos. Even without an epic sunset, this place is still worth a visit as the mountain views are absolutely beautiful.
Dinner at Sirianni’s Cafe
Italian dishes and delicious pizza await you at Sirianni’s Cafe. This is comfort food at its finest right in downtown Davis. You should know that they only accept cash, but they do have an on site ATM. Stop by for a cozy, local dinner.
Day 2
Breakfast at Milo’s Cafe
Day 2 starts bright and early with a hearty breakfast at Milo’s Cafe. This was the perfect place to fuel up for a long day of adventuring. Myles had the biggest pancakes we’ve ever seen here and Sarah got her favorite: avocado toast with a fried egg. The cafe is named after its mascot, Milo the dog!
If you are looking for post breakfast latte, Trailhead Coffee Shop is next door.
Snowboard at Timberline Mountain
Did you know Timberline Mountain is home to the longest ski slope in the southeast? The two mile green Salamander run is perfect for beginners and we rode it several times. We loved seeing big groups of people having pre run tailgates and enjoying their time on the mountain.
Lunch at Riverfront Wood Fire Pizza
There’s nothing like a warm, fresh pizza after a morning on the slopes. Riverfront Pizza has so many options and can even be made vegan. It’s a short drive to the neighboring town of Thomas.
Explore Thomas
We were blown away by the cute shops, art galleries, coffee shops, live music, and delicious food in the charming town of Thomas! One shop, TipTop Coffee, even had chocolate from all around the world including Iceland.
Some of our favorite shops: TipTop Coffee, Bloom, Thomas Yard, Ella and Company, Macy Lou’s Gourmet Apple Company.
Elakala Falls
This waterfall is such a huge reward for just a little bit of effort! This short trail starts to the right of the Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge. Look for the sign for the trailhead and you’ll quickly reach the foot bridge over top of the falls. Look for a trail that goes to the base of the falls. Be careful in the winter as it can be icy.
Dinner at Timberline Mountain
We ended the day back at Timberline Mountain eating on the top floor of the restaurant. We loved watching the night skiers through the huge windows! Watching them hit the jumps was great dinner entertainment.
Day 3
Coffee and breakfast at TipTop
This was one of our favorite shops on the whole trip! TipTop Coffee had amazing coffee, natural groceries, breakfast pastries, and grab-and-go options. We picked up oatmeal and lattes to-go so we could get to the slopes. We actually ended up visiting here again later in the day for turmeric lattes to warm up. They also have a chocolate wall with chocolate from all over the world. We even recognized Icelandic chocolate we had tried in Iceland!
Snowboard at Timberline Mountain
Day 2 of skiing/snowboarding!
Lunch at WhiteGrass Cafe
WhiteGrass is a cross country ski center and the cutest little mountain hut. If you’re not interested or don’t have time to cross country ski, it’s still worth a visit to see this magical place and eat at the delicious cafe. We had the best curry soup and sandwiches there. We also met the resident dog, Betsy who spent most of her time laying near our feet. The vibe of the hut is so cozy and relaxing.
Pendleton Point Overlook
One of our favorite views in Blackwater Falls State Park! We actually went for sunset this day and then stopped by the next morning before we left. Even though it was only one day apart, it felt like a completely different experience. There is one main overlook area, but you can walk around and find some other nice vantage points.
If you have some extra time, check out the Balancing Rock or Pase Point trail.
Dinner at Hellbender Burritos
Probably our favorite restaurant of the trip, Hellbender Burritos located in downtown Davis will not disappoint. It was at this time that we learned about the hellbender salamander. We liked this spot enough that we bought a pint glass to bring home.
Live music at the Purple Fiddle
The Purple Fiddle in Thomas is a go to spot for many locals. They often have live music and great drinks.
Day 4
Coffee at Trailhead Coffee Shop
Located in downtown Davis, it’s an easy stop before leaving town.
Pendleton Point Overlook
We were so happy we stopped by the overlook again because it looked completely different from the day before. The overnight snow blanketed the mountains in white and it was a magical view. If you’d like to see something else in the park, check out one of the other trails.
Explore Wardensville, WV
Another cute small town to explore! Did you know that no town in West Virginia is home to more than 50,000 people? This gives a feeling that is unlike anywhere we have been. You might think that means the small towns aren’t that charming, but they are the cutest!
Our favorite shops in Wardensville: WordPlay, Lost River Trading Post, Wardensville Garden Market
Lunch at Drifter’s Cafe
While you are exploring Wardensville, grab a bite to eat at Drifter’s Cafe. They have lots of healthy food options and coffee’s and teas.
We hope that you enjoyed reading about our 4 day Davis, West Virginia adventure itinerary! Hopefully it will inspire your next trip to West Virginia. For even more West Virginia adventures, checkout out the West Virginia Tourism website.
