The lore of the iconic Mothman is alive and well in the center of town in Point Pleasant, West…read moreVirginia. The statue was created by Bob Roach with an unveiling in 2003. Mothman stands in all his glory at 12', his red eyes piercing through your soul. He was constructed from stainless steel that has a mirror effect. Paying homage to Mothman is one of the biggest draws during the annual Mothman Festival. Folks have been drawn to the mysterious human/creature since 1966. It's said to have been at that time when several witnesses spied the creature at the West Virginia Ordinance Works (an abandoned TNT area). Go to Point Pleasant for the Mothman...if you dare!

It's bright silver and really doesn't match the witness descriptions of the alleged Mothman too…read morewell but so what? Mothman is so fun and freakishly wild and just about the only thing that puts this sleepy West Virginia town on the map. If you're within twenty or thirty miles and at all susceptible to kitsch how can you not swing by and snap a pic or three and maybe a couple dozen selfies with ol' red eyes here in all his anthropomorphic glory? And not only is your time with the statue free but you might actually make money if you choose to snatch the funds people have stuck into Mothy's bunghole. I don't know the story on that custom and pilfering butt money might be bad luck, though. As much as it pains this Detroiter to admit it I must say the Mothman statue is cooler than the Robocop statue.

Today I went with grand babies, Deacon & Saige Hunt along with Mama Kayla Beth Fields , to the Fort…read moreRandolph Christmas Reenactment celebration. It was free and historically informative. Saige has decided to become a vegan. She doesn't like seeing all the animal babies hurt. The actors were dressed into character. We had fun! Cookies, punch and Hot Apple Cider and we bought a few souvenirs. Highly recommend to all

This lovely park stands outside the floodwalls at the confluence of the Ohio River (upstream to…read moreWheeling WV and Pittsburgh PA) and the Kanawha River (upstream to Charleston WV). The park is full of memorials and boasts a fabulous view of the rivers. You'll find an 84-foot granite obelisk commemorating the Virginia militiamen who died in the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant against Shawnee and Mingo forces and the "Mad" Anne Bailey Memorial and Grave which celebrates the legendary frontier scout known for her daring ride to secure gunpowder for Fort Lee in 1791. The Mansion House Museum was originally built in 1796 as a tavern and now contains colonial-era artifacts and relics from the battle. The Chief Cornstalk Burial Marker honors the Shawnee leader who fought in the battle and was later murdered in 1777. One historical marker reads, "Point Pleasant Battle. Here, Oct. 10, 1774, General Andrew Lewis and a thousand Virginia riflemen defeated the federated Indian tribes led by Cornstalk. Known as the "first battle of the Revolution." It was the most important battle between Indians and whites." And on the reverse, "War of 1812. On October 20, 1812, the western Virginia Brigade of Militia under command of General Joel Leftwich, embarked here for the Ohio frontier to join the Northwestern Army for service in the Second War with England." Expect to spend a good amount of time here reading monuments, viewing the museum and just looking out at the barges moving on the river. [Review 594 of 2025 - 177 in West Virginia - 24155 overall]

Located at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers in Point Pleasant, WV, Tu-Endie-Wei State…read morePark commemorates the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant, as well as containing other historical monuments and markers commemorating local Native American history and other important events. The park isn't particularly large, but it offers a very peaceful with a great view of the rivers and the Mansion House, a historic home that was originally used as a tavern and is packed full of artifacts. We really enjoyed chatting with the park ranger on duty who was full of knowledge on the area and that we sat and talked about the park and town with for over 20 minutes. A must visit in Point Pleasant that offers a refreshing break from all the Mothman and spooky lore of the area.

It's just a small monument marking the place of where Fort. Randolph used to stand…read more The site where Fort Randolph was built emerged as a strategic location in the years before the American Revolution. In the Treaty of Fort Stanwix of 1768, the British acquired title to present-day West Virginia from the Iroquois. Thereafter, British colonists and land speculators began to explore the region. One of the first to do so was George Washington, a planter and politician from Virginia, who in 1770 made a long canoe trip down the Ohio River to examine the land around Point Pleasant. Many other British colonists and surveyors did the same over the next few years.

What a cool spot to visit! It is probably a one-and-done for me, because it's not nearby, but it…read morewas fun to see in person after hearing about it for many years. It was also cold and rainy when we went and there were not a ton of people there (yet) the day before Halloween. It is a bit muddy, so wear some shoes you don't care about. Nice assortment of vendors and food trucks, but most of them had not yet opened for the evening. Some looked like they were just starting to open up as we were leaving. We had no trouble finding parking. Cute industrial Ohio River town with a beautiful house to be very proud of. Worth a visit.

This was such a cool spot to visit on Halloween! Even if you're not a fan of the holiday, it's…read morestill something that you won't see anywhere else. The detail in the carvings are very impressive and it's uplifting to see town members walk through and recognize their own art. The town may be small, but they band together to get the Pumpkin House ready every year. I highly recommend making a trip to Kenova for at least one Halloween.

As a city on a river, Charleston has a handful of bridges that ensure the two sides are able to…read moreconnect. While the upriver Chuck Yeager Bridge carries both I-77 and I-64 over the river, this one is downriver from the city and is simply named the South Side Bridge. Perhaps one day it will get named after a worthy West Virginian. In the meanwhile, the South Side Bridge was built in 1936 by the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company and was updated in 1990. The bridge spans 1146 feet with a main span of 420 feet and is 38.7 feet wide. It is a Parker through truss bridge. It brings I-64 over not only the Kanawha River but also Kanawha Boulevard and MacCorkle Avenue and a railroad line. My two crossings of the bridge today were easy and smooth thanks to low weekend traffic. As there are signs on the bridge that note the "exit only" lanes, it is likely much more challenging during rush hour. There is no toll here which is a positive. [Review 566 of 2025 - 151 in West Virginia - 24127 overall]

The 1148-foot South Side Bridge opened in 1936 and carries Dickinson Street over the Kanahwa River…read morein the middle of Charleston WV. It is a through truss bridge with clearance enough for a Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star doing 500mph to miss the water and the deck. According to an April 2010 item in the Charleston Gazette this is the bridge Chuck Yeager famously flew under in 1948 - a year after breaking the sound barrier: one pass, heading west, to impress/scare the locals and then back to work. No more, no less, the general was just having a little too much fun. Yea Chuck!

If you're cruising through South Charleston and spot a big grassy hill tucked between antique shops…read moreand quiet streets, that's the Criel Mound. It's worth a stop. It's not flashy, but there's something grounding about standing next to a structure built over 2,000 years ago by the aboriginal people. The steps leading up are wide and gentle, and once you reach the top, you get a surprisingly peaceful view of the neighborhood. It's a quick visit. The mound itself is steeped in mystery and history. Archaeologists found 13 skeletons inside, including a central figure surrounded by others. There's a small park around the mound with interpretive signs that give you just enough context to spark curiosity. Some locals say horse races were once held around it, and there's even talk of burials that might represent alliances between different tribes. It's wild to think about how much has happened on that patch of earth, and how little we still know. The Criel Mound stands to quietly anchor the town. Kids run up the steps, people are walking dogs, and there's me, pausing to read the plaques. There is a sense of reverence here if you feel it. It's not at all a playground. [Review 569 of 2025 - 154 in West Virginia - 24130 overall]

The Criel Mound is a historic and cultural gem nestled in South Charleston, WV…read more The small park which houses it has plenty of street parking available and several interpretive signs around the mound explaining its history, importance, and what archaeologists discovered inside the mound when excavating. The mound is the second largest Adena mound in West Virginia and is believed to have been developed between 250 and 150 B.C. The Criel Mound was originally one of 50 mounds and prehistoric earthworks located in WV but unfortunately most have since been destroyed due to industrialization. It's definitely worth a visit (plan on about 30 minutes) if you're in the area.

There are actually two bridges here, carrying I-64 / I-77 across the Kanawha River just south of…read moreCharleston. They are unique, steel-through arches, with the first completed in 1954. The second, parallel, bridge was completed in 1983. Each is two lanes and there is no toll to cross the bridges. Named after the aviator who was the first to fly faster than sound, https://youtu.be/zgR-KadhgMI, US Air Force Brigadier General Charles "Chuck" Yeager. His birthplace of Myra WV is about 40 miles west of here. He is laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. The bridges are a very boring green, almost Army olive. They are scheduled to be repainted this year in the official colors of West Virginia, blue and gold. [Review 19618 overall - 92 in West Virginia - 589 of 2023.]

This is a cool breeze that I've traveled over numerous times man traveling through West Virginia on…read morethe way to Pittsburgh go Steelers can't go wrong with that this is a cooler bridge it's green text you over the water does what a bridge should do four out of five stars good for you bridge

This is a great place for picnic and quick history lesson for folks of all ages. American Civil War…read morebuff? Follow the "Morgan's Raid" road signs for an adventure. Love Native American history? Check out the mound!

I had long heard about Buffington Island, but don't get down this way much. When I was driving to…read moreNorth Carolina I noticed it was only a few miles off my route, so I had to swing by. The only Civil War battlefield in Ohio- how could I pass that up? It is small, and probably not of much interest unless you are a real history buff, in which case it is fascinating. There is a small park with plenty of parking, an Indian mound, and a small outbuilding with bathrooms. A few historical markers and a small pavilion with display panels round out the amenities. The story is fascinating: John Morgan, later imprisoned in the old State Pen in Columbus, was a Confederate raider who attacked all along the Ohio River. This was the only major battle, and it eventually led to his capture. The displays explain the background, battle, and aftermath. It's quiet and isolated, and pretty cool. Maybe not worth a special trip unless you are a Civil War buff, but if you live in the area or are traveling nearby, definitely worth a visit.

I don't know about most peeps, but I frigging love love love covered bridges. Just something about…read morethem...something regal, majestic, mysterious and yet romantic all rolled into one. Now this particular bridge is located off KY route 7 in Northern Greenup Co. Very easy to find, yet if not careful you can easily pass it by. There are no signs like in the state of Indiana telling you there is a covered bridge ahead. Also, you can actually drive across this bridge because it is still used for automobile traffic. It spans 159 ft across Tygart Creek. This vintage beauty was built in 1855 and repaired in 1915. Damaged in flood in 1997, and repaired again. This is a Wheeler Truss Bridge, only example still standing. That's very interesting. I love searching these beauties out when I am roaming around the area on backroads...absolutely something you should see if in the area!!!

An actual wooden covered bridge you can drive your car across. Pretty cool. Once a year they close…read morethe bridge to traffic and have a catered dinner with tables and chairs on the bridge floor.