West Virginia is a beautifully bucolic state to visit any time of year. But there’s just something even more magical about coming here during the leaf-peeping season of autumn. Living up to the long-familiar tourism motto and reputation of being “Almost Heaven,” it’s no wonder that countless folks flock here to experience the charming and quaint ambiance and familiar, friendly fellowship to be found.
It’s enough to thank your lucky stars that extended weekend getaways to destinations throughout the state are abundant. It is especially true around this time of year in the spirit of thankfulness and our National Holiday of Thanksgiving, which is arguably celebrated more prominently here than in other states. In fact, you will even find several well-known National Parks serving up special Thanksgiving meals on the big day, along with notable area inns of superior renown. Here’s a guide to just some of those Thanksgiving Dinner offerings to take note of.
Cacapon Resort State Park
Prospects Restaurant at Cacapon Resort State Park will be dishing out the works with a Thanksgiving dinner from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The menu will include Steel House Farm Roasted Turkey, brown sugar-glazed baked ham, roast beef, pecan-crusted rainbow trout, traditional sides, a fresh garden salad bar, and assorted desserts. A special holiday menu will also be featured from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The price is $40 a person. Kids 12 and under are $18 each. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 304-258-1022, extension 6120.
Prospects Restaurant at Cacapon Resort State Park is located at 18 Cacapon Lodge Dr, Cacapon Resort State Park, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411. Click here to learn more.
Chief Logan State Park
Chief Logan State Park will host its own Thanksgiving Feast from noon to 3 p.m. The menu will comprise those well-known traditional regional favorites, including turkey and dressing, black-oak ham, comfort-food sides, salads, and desserts for a sweet sendoff.
The cost is $29.95 for adults and $10.95 for children 10 and under. While not required, reservations can be made or more information gathered by calling 304-855-6100.
Chief Logan State Park can be found at 1000 Conference Ctr Drive, Logan, WV 25601. Click here for more.
Hawks Nest State Park
The Overlook Restaurant in Hawks Nest State Park is serving up a hearty Thanksgiving Brunch in two sessions. The first offering is at noon, with the second seating at 2 p.m. Featured menu selections will include roasted turkey, citrus ham, traditional sides, scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, breakfast apples, home fries, assorted salads, and a dessert bar.
Adults are $36. Kids aged six to 16 cost $18. All children five and under are free. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 304-658-5212.
Visit the restaurant at its in-park location at 49 Hawks Nest Park Road, Ansted, WV 25812. Find out more on the website.
North Bend State Park
Last Run Restaurant at North Bend State Park will provide three seatings for Thanksgiving meals. Early birds can enjoy the first offering at 11 a.m. The second is at 12:30 p.m., followed by the final seating at 2 p.m. The menu will be the same for whichever session you opt for. Featured favorites include baked ham, turkey, creamy skin-on potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean bake, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, rolls, and salad bar. For dessert, there will be apple and pecan pie.
Adults pay $20 each. Kids 12 and under are just $11. Reservations may be made by calling 304-643-2931.
Visit Last Run Restaurant at North Bend State Park at 202 North Bend State Park Road, Cairo, WV 26337. Additional details can be found on their website.
Pipestem Resort State Park
Starting at 11 a.m. and lasting through the day until 8 p.m., you can stop in at Bluestone Dining Room at Pipestem Resort State Park to enjoy traditional Thanksgiving trimmings with all the works. Featured menu presentation selections will include herb-roasted turkey, orange-glazed ham, maple-glazed fresh Atlantic salmon, macaroni and cheese with pumpkin and brown sugar, butternut squash soup, and savory sides, along with salads and desserts.
The cost is $34.99 a person, plus tax and gratuity. While not required, reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 304-466-1800.
Bluestone Dining Room at Pipestem Resort State Park is located at Pipestem State Park, 3405 Pipestem Drive, in the Pipestem Lodge. Click here for more information.
Twin Falls Resort State Park
Thanksgiving is twice as nice at Twin Falls Resort State Park with two featured seating times. The first is at 1 p.m. and the second is at 3 p.m. The menu presentation will incorporate all the helpings and viable trimmings of a traditional Thanksgiving feast—turkey, stuffing, gravy, classic sides, and all the works.
Adults pay $26.95, with children 12 and under included for $13.95. Tax and gratuity must be paid in addition. Reservations can be made by calling 304-294-6000.
Twin Falls Resort State Park can be visited on Route 97, Mullens, WV 25882. More can be found on the website.
Tygart Lake State Park
The Lodge Restaurant at Tygart Lake State Park will also be divvying out delightful Thanksgiving meals between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The featured food menu will include the following: turkey with gravy, glazed pineapple ham, stuffing, broccoli casserole, sweet potato casserole, country green beans, mashed potatoes, bacon cheddar mac and cheese, butternut squash bisque soup, house-made rolls, cranberry sauce, and a salad bar. For dessert, the options will be pumpkin pie, pumpkin mousse, lemon meringue, and pecan pie.
The cost to attend is $24.99 for adults and $9.99 for kids 10 and under. Reservations can be made by calling 304-265-6144, ext. 204.
The Lodge Restaurant at Tygart Lake State is located at 1240 Paul E. Malone Road, Grafton, WV 26354. Click here to learn more.
In addition to some of your favorite State Parks serving up the works for Thanksgiving, you’ll find no shortage of charming area inns across the state, all offering up Thanksgiving getaway package deals complete with festive food feasts. Two time-tested favorites are the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown and the renowned Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. Click here for full details on the former and here for the latter.
Remember, Thanksgiving Dinner and area inn holiday packages fill up fast. So, it’s always best to act quickly in making your plans and arrangements well in advance.