Last week, the Marion County Geo Trail was released showcasing many of the things the area has to offer. From historical locations to scenic vistas and everything in between, ten hidden geocaches await you and your family! Not sure what geocaching is? It is like a scavenger hunt for the 21st century! You can read all about it here!

So what are you waiting for? Explore the county in a way you may have never experienced before! Follow this itinerary for a day of fun for the whole family. 

Start your adventure at Joe N Throw for some liquid energy; coffee for the adults and hot chocolate for the kids! Then, make your way to  Valley Falls State Park. The scenic views of the falls coupled with a sunrise crescent in the valley is a great way to kick-start your day! 

Next, complete the state park pair with a visit to Prickett’s Fort State Park. After you find this cache, catch a glimpse of the 18th century with a tour of the fort or live reenactments!

Continue your tour through history with a stop at Palatine Park and check out some of the Legends of Marion County at the park’s new mural then head to the Marion County Courthouse in downtown Fairmont. These caches should be easy to locate, but extreme stealth is required due to the high volumes of people at each location!

After your first four stops, indulge in some lunch to satisfy your hunger at Pufferbelly’s Food and Ice Cream Station. This train-themed restaurant is a great stop for some authentic West Virginia cuisine! 

Once your stomachs are filled, stop by County Club Bakery just a short drive away. Although you might still be full from lunch, pick up a few pepperoni rolls to snack on as you travel the rest of the county!

From the bakery, take a drive through the country to Monongah to learn the history of the Monongah Mining Disaster. After finding the cache, stop by Creekside Country Market, another hidden gem in the rolling hills of Marion County!

After indulging in some Amish treats, continue the drive through the county to Mannington. Here you can visit the Hamilton Round Barn and #9 Mine Memorial. Before leaving town, check out Our Back Porch for a delicious treat while in Husky Country.

Travel Husky Highway back to downtown Fairmont and cross the Million Dollar Bridge and head up the Gateway Connector! Just a short drive away is Morris Park, home to the state’s premier disc golf complex. It has been said that the Flying Frisbees geocache is possibly the most difficult to locate on the trail, so hopefully, you brought an extra pair of eyes!

Finally, make your way to the Marion County Visitor Center to find the final cache on the tour and claim your unique souvenir from your time in the middle of everywhere!

After a long day of exploring, treat yourself to a well-deserved treat at Dairy Creme Corner. This locally owned ice cream shop has the biggest cones in town sure to cap off a great day. 

Find your code sheet at Marion County Geo Trail

Now that you have had your fill of ice cream and adventure, which was your favorite stop along the Marion County Geo Trail?