Elkins: Culture, Music, and Railroad History

Elkins combines railroad history, traditional music, regional celebrations, and a vibrant culture. Anyone looking for a vacation rental in Elkins can plan their trip around their own interests: One day might lead to museums and the historic downtown, while another takes you to music events, markets, or a train ride. This creates a varied stay without requiring you to limit yourself to just one way of experiencing the area.

Discover Culture and History in Elkins

The Appalachian Forest Discovery Center is located in the historic Darden Mill and presents the cultural and forest history of the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. Admission is free. The Center adds a new exhibit each year and incorporates donated objects and interactive elements. This makes it especially worthwhile for travelers who want to learn about regional history not only through buildings but also through exhibits and personal artifacts.

Another destination for those interested in history is the West Virginia Railroad Museum. It preserves the history of railroading in Elkins and throughout the state. The exhibition building is open seasonally from May through October, Thursday through Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. At present, visits are possible only by appointment for groups. You should take this restriction into account when planning your day.

The Downtown Elkins Historic District is a National Register historic district with 65 contributing buildings in Elkins’s central business district. The Downtown Elkins Historic Walking Tour offers insight into Elkins’s earlier era as an industrial city during a walk through the historic downtown. Anyone interested in urban history and the transformation of industrial communities will find a distinctive way to connect with the past here.

Railroads, Music, and Regional Traditions

The New Tygart Flyer departs from the restored Elkins Depot on Railroad Avenue. The four-hour round trip follows the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River for 46 miles to the High Falls of Cheat. This type of trip places a clear emphasis on the landscape and the railroad experience, complementing the museum-based exploration of rail transportation history.

Music is also part of Elkins’s character. Pickin’ in the Park is a weekly acoustic bluegrass and old-time jam session where visitors can play along or listen. The Augusta Heritage Center focuses on traditional music, folklore, and folk arts from many regions and cultures. In summer, it hosts intensive one-week workshops that attract several hundred participants each year. Elkins is also one of the destinations participating in the Mountain Dance Trail. The Mountain Dance Trail hosts dances with local music and callers for residents and visitors.

The Gandy Dancer Theatre offers Branson-style dinner shows featuring musicians and dancers. The Premier Show combines live music with a served meal. Farmers markets, festivals, and concerts take place at the Rotary Amphitheater in the Elkins Railyard. The Arts Center presents visual art exhibitions throughout the year and hosts monthly concerts featuring local musicians and performers from outside the area.

Markets and Festivals Throughout the Year

The Elkins Farmers Market takes place on Saturday mornings from May through October, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Town Square behind the Elkins Depot Welcome Center on Railroad Avenue. Offerings include produce, meat, eggs, baked goods, and crafts. The Ramps and Rail Festival takes place every year on the last weekend in April and combines ramp-based foods with live music and craft vendors. The Mountain State Forest Festival follows each fall and is attended by approximately 75,000 people.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Elkins, it is worth first deciding on the mix of activities you want from your trip. Those interested in culture can focus on museums, the historic downtown, and exhibitions. Music lovers can choose among different types of events, including jam sessions, concerts, workshops, and traditional dances. Anyone who enjoys regional products and festivals can plan their stay around farmers market and festival dates. An accommodation in Elkins can therefore serve as a base for a trip whose focus you can flexibly choose between history, music, culinary experiences, and railroads.

For further travel planning, you can also explore the independent destinations Dryfork, Huttonsville, and Beverly.

To the higher-level travel overview: Randolph County.