5 Fall Activities You Can’t Miss at the Top of WV
1. Applefest
Wellsburg, West Virginia is home to the first Grimes Golden Apple tree. Every year, residents celebrate Wellsburg’s history with a three-day Applefest. Visitors can sample delicious apples in every form from local vendors: cider, pie, jam, butter, and more!
The Applefest Queen is crowned at the annual pageant, and kids participate in pie eating contests. Entertainment includes train rides, live music, a talent show, a chain saw wood carving demonstration, a pet show, and pumpkin carving contest. For an authentic, small-town fall celebration, you can’t miss Applefest.
2. The Leaves at Tomlinson Run
The WV Department of Tourism released their Fall Foliage Map so you can plan your perfect leaf-peeping trip to Almost Heaven. Predictions show that best leaf colors can be viewed in the Top of WV during late October. If you’re headed our way, Tomlinson Run State Park’s heavily forested hills and sandstone cliffs set the perfect fall scene. Take a hike on one of the park’s many trails, and stop for a picnic to enjoy a breathtaking lunch.
3. Seasonal Events
The New Cumberland Fall River Fest kicks off festival season at the Top of WV. Live music, local vendors, food, a car show, and fireworks provide three days of entertainment. More music and seasonal brews can be enjoyed at the Chester Oktoberfest later in the month.
Fiesta Tableware Company hosts their annual Fall Tent Sale the first full weekend of October. Take a tour of the factory to learn about how America’s most colorful dinnerware is made, then shop their best sales of the year.
Later in the month, art lovers can check out the annual Art Hop. Local artists spread out to seven locations in Weirton and Wellsburg. Visitors can see demonstrations, shop for art, and even get a book signed by local authors. Cloak and Dagger “On the Air” rounds out the night with a live performance in old-time radio style.
4. Good Food and Brews
There’s no shortage of good fall food at the Top of WV. With so many locally owned restaurants to choose from, you can’t go wrong. Warm up with a soft pretzel and Oktoberfest Brew at Basil’s Sports Bar and Grill. See what’s on tap at Route 22 for a bottoms up beer, or head over to B4 to try one of their creative seasonal burgers. If you really want to feel like a local, try some square DiCarlo’s pizza at Mario’s. Cheese is added to the pizza after the crust is baked for a slight melt.
5. Stay Cozy in a Cabin
Plan an overnight stay at one of our favorite local spots to complete your fall travels. If it’s too chilly to roast marshmallows at one of Tomlinson Run State Park’s campsites, book a cabin at Brooke Hills Park with the whole family! Or, for a real getaway, stay at the Barn with Inn to experience a West Virginia Autumn on a farm. The finished barn loft offers a great view of rolling hills and fall foliage.
Bonus
It wouldn’t be Fall at the Top of WV if we weren’t already thinking about the holidays! October and November host several Christmas themed events. The charming town of Follansbee, WV has Christmas in the Park. Crafts, raffles, food, music, and cookies with Santa get visitors in the holiday spirit.
Weirton has an all day festival called Christmas on Main Street that features ice skating, bands, dance groups, train rides, food and craft vendors, and several fun contests. The following weekend, the Weirton lights up downtown with a glow in the dark night parade.
