Photo courtesy of Molly at Wilderness Adventure
From its endless list of adventure activities to its parking lots full of roof-racks, Fayetteville, West Virginia never struggles to keep busy. And why should it? With miles of climbing, boating, and exploring, one would have to try hard to not have a good time in Fayetteville (really hard). And to put that into perspective, here are the top 5 reasons why Fayetteville, WV should be on the map for your next weekend getaway:
(In no particular order)
1. Climbing
A climber’s dream. The New River Gorge spans for miles and miles giving access to world class climbing. Grab your guidebook, trad rack, and a few buddies and prepare to be entertained from dawn to dusk (and through the night if you pack right…) Check out a New River Gorge classic at the Bridge Buttress located underneath one of the longest arch bridges in America. And with the American Alpine Club (AAC) building a huge number of donation based campgrounds, finding a place to crash next to the rock shouldn’t be a problem.
2. Whitewater Boating
What may seem as a strong climbing culture in Fayetteville, the way of life is equally rivaled by boaters. Whitewater kayaks, hard-tops, and rafts, if it can float, it can be found on the water. Nothing gets the heart pumping like being pulled down a current into huge drops propelled by the force of the raging river. So much energy, commotion, and chaos, and you’re riding right on top of the everlasting stampede of water buffalo. Coordinate your schedule accordingly and visit during the 2 months (Sept. Oct.) of Gauley season when the dam is released and hold on for the ride of your life. Guaranteed to cleanse the work week right out of you.
3. Local Dining
What’s a weekend getaway without a good meal? In Fayetteville the options for local, unique, and delicious dining are many. Whether you prefer the slightly upscale and established Mexican-fusion food of DiOGi’s, or the climber’s diet of cheap burritos at the Burrito Bar, Fayetteville has just the right menu for any pallet. A must-go breakfast spot in town is the Cathedral Café, (an old church converted into a nestled café, stained-glass and all) for some fair-trade coffee and a great meal to start the day.
4. Atmosphere
I doubt a traditional movie theater would ever survive in Fayetteville, it is an adventure town. Gear shops, out-of-town license plates, and shuttle buses; every corner of Fayetteville is built with an adventure lifestyle in mind. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the town’s dentist climbing some vert or the local taxidermist shredding the gnar-gnar. As a result, a lot of like-minded thinkers head to Fayetteville which brings in a lot of climbing buddies, friendly waitresses, and a welcoming atmosphere.
5. Adventure
Fayetteville is double the dose of the doctor recommend adventure. Go in with a plan or don’t, Fayetteville will take you in, chew you up, and spit you out with a few scrapes, bruises, and memories to last. Whether it is standing on top of the world via rock face, taking a splash down the Gauley, or bungee jumping off the New River Gorge Bridge, Fayetteville is no stranger to fun.
Get outside, go to Fayetteville, and play
-Brad
