first timer’s guide to lewisburg, west virginia
traveling home to west virginia is truly like breathing in fresh air. and i missed these mountains! lewisburg is a place i haven’t spent enough time in so i’m lucky to have spent a weekend exploring recently. if you’re new to the area or just passing through, here’s an itinerary to get you started!
the history
lewisburg is an old town; old like before the usa was a country and west virginia a state. back in 1751, it was just an outpost, being used as a campground by andrew lewis (for whom the town was named) and other virginia soldiers. a few civil war battles later, the once-military settlement is now a center for agriculture, medicine and the arts.
lewisburg has one of only four carnegie halls still used as a performance venue. the west virginia school of osteopathic medicine just celebrated its 50th anniversary and is number 1 in rural primary care. beyond this, the greenbrier valley is a outdoor adventurer’s dream with fishing, hiking, climbing and rafting opportunities galore.
it might be situated in a secluded area, but lewisburg is actually very accessible via car on i-64, via air by way of greenbrier valley regional airport (with regular flights from IAD + CLT) and via amtrak - the white sulphur springs station is less than 10 miles away and has weekly trains from washington dc.
itinerary
start your day getting coffee at the wild bean before exploring the quaint downtown. lewisburg has been named one of america’s coolest small towns and one walk down washington street proves why. historic buildings have been reimagined into eccentric small businesses and restaurants.
grab a bite to eat at stardust cafe, a gourmet bistro that was once clingmans market, a long-standing restaurant that served a full thanksgiving dinner each friday and was known to provide free meals to med students. the stardust cafe carries on this spirit by creating a space for friends and strangers to gather, eat and support one another. something you’ll soon learn about lewisburg - the town takes care of its people & those traveling through.
next, peruse paperbacks at a new chapter bookstore. this wouldn’t be an alex blog post without a local indie rec and a new chapter fits the bill. this was the first place i experienced a ‘blind date with a book’ and now every time i go, i pick one up and am pleasantly surprised. they always carry the newest bestsellers and often have signed copies.
pop around the corner to carnegie hall to experience a bit of history. this arts center has frequent choral and theater performances, outdoor concerts, art exhibits and educational classes and workshops. a permanent exhibit on the second floor shares the history of the hall. even if you can’t make it to a show, it’s a great photo op featuring a neoclassical brick façade and grand white columns.
after visiting carnegie hall, shop for antiques at robert’s antiques and sample a few wines while doing so! this is one of the most intriguing stores - half wine shop/half treasure trove, you’re bound to find something interesting. like in the back of the shop, they’ve got movie props, an old guillotine, quirky light fixtures and incredibly vibrant persian rugs. i never pass up the chance to visit!
the greenbrier valley area has no shortage of unique accommodations from the world famous greenbrier resort to the newly renovated & transformed schoolhouse hotel. on the list of fun & cool places to stay is the historic general lewis inn, just steps away from downtown lewisburg. this boutique hotel has been in continuous operation since 1929, though its origins stretch long before that when it was merely brick home in the 1800s.
with 24 distinct rooms, filled with antiques and art, each space is entirely its own. as soon as you step through the doors, you can feel the history - from the killer bar (with equally killer cocktails) to the uneven, hardwood floors covered in colorful rugs - character oozes out of this place.
during your stay, be sure to grab dinner on-site at the dining room, where elevated menu items include local mountain trout, rosemary lamb chop with garlic jam and braised pork shank sautéed with fuji apples. dinner, of course, includes skillet-made biscuits that are to die for. there are only a handful of tables so it feels very intimate and personalized. breakfast is also just as mouthwatering.
if you have more than just a day, i highly, highly suggest a trip to the greenbrier (deep-dive on the resort here). it’s a place unlike any other and one of those bucket list items. the greenbrier valley is also an excellent place to connect with the outdoors and get back to nature. greenbrier state forest and bluestone state park are nearby and offer a variety of ways to enjoy the mountains.
craft spirits are also aplenty with three local breweries/distilleries:
after you visit the area (which i know you will) let me know your favorite part!