Get Outside in Marion County
July 9, 2018
Summertime in Marion is as perfect as Appalachian fun can get. All you have to do is get outside in …
Valley Falls. This is a space for just about anyone regardless of whether you’re looking for high energy activity or no energy activity. Kayak the falls; mountain bike through the trails, run them, walk them; or just sit on the rocks enjoying Marion.
Pricketts Fort. You can get outside or inside here. The fort is a massive spectacle of old-school architecture. Explore the fort, hear about the lives of the living history interpreters there and listen to the live music. Need more outdoorsy fun? Rent a bike and hit the rail trail.
Speaking of rail trails, we have quite a few. This is pure Marion, pure West Virginia and pure Appalachia. Wherever you are, you’re probably pretty close to a beautiful hike.
Or go a different way at the Wave Pool. We have plenty of mountains here, but not enough ocean. So we made our own! The only wave pool in the region just got a $1.5 million reboot with cabanas and all new amenities!
Summertime in Marion isn’t just about sunshine, pools, and hiking. Fairs and festivals are coming up fast and furious with incredible event schedules.
The Paw Paw District Fair is five days of mud bogs, demolition derbies, pageants, carnival rides and fun, fair foods.
The Mannington District Fair is another six days of dirt bike races, wrestling, cowgirls, eating contests and live music.
While you’re there, consider adding to your trip something a little more outdoorsy at Curtisville Lake and Campground. Take a hike, catch some fish and relax beneath the stars.
Fairs and festivals are more than fun; they’re times for community and camaraderie. Continue the theme every week at Palatine Park.
The park hosts entertainers, movie nights, shows and competitions all summer. ThundeRRR in the Park has pro wrestling and chicken roasts. Enjoy The Rustic Mechanical’s The Comedy of Errors. Be amazed by the Strongman Corporation Teen Nationals and a lake water ski show team. All that and live music, too!
There is something for all outdoor tastes at Palatine Park – literally. Stop by the Farmers Market every Tuesday and Thursday for the freshest summertime produce (and cupcakes).
Palatine Park is also a beautiful (and free) place to cool down during the wild, wonderful West Virginia summers (read: hot). The Splash Pad is family fun all season long with fountains and sprays of cold water everywhere!
Get outside at a different kind of park for a different kind of sport. Morris Park – complete with a paved walking trail and hilly hiking trails – is home to two disc golf courses. Enjoy the best of the outdoors, golf, frisbee, and fun!
A more familiar ‘sport’ is coal mining. JK. Practice your batting average at the batting cages at Coal Country and play a round of mini golf, all the while learning about Marion coal history.
If you want something that is more commonly recognized as an outdoor sport, head to the golf course at Fairmont Field Club for beautiful views and athletic sporting opportunities. But remember, practice makes perfect, so practice, practice, practice at White Hall Driving Range to improve your athletic sports game.
You should also get outside in the water with Wood’s Boathouse. Not only do they have rentable choices of boats like pontoons and kayaks and other boating words, but they also sell life vests (which is very important to non-aquatic people like me). Hit up Rivesville for a lovely kayak and boat launch!
I know what you’re wondering now: Where can we get outside, enjoy the sunshine and have a drink? We have two places specifically for that…
Mi Pueblo has more than Mexican food; they have mixed drinks! Let’s talk on the patio while drinking Mexican beer and Margaronas, please.
The Rambling Root is where beer abounds from all over West Virginia. Sit outside, try a flight and maybe a veggie burger … or the beer cheese and bacon fries.
Our Back Porch doesn’t have ‘adult beverages,’ but they do have ice cream – which might be even better. Get the espresso float, blueberry yogurt smoothie, pumpkin spice chiller or try to choose from the copious amounts of Arctic Freeze options.