The holiday season is just getting started. First up is Thanksgiving, and then not long after that all of the December celebrations will be in full swing. Will you be spending any of your holiday time in Bridge Day Country? If so, we wanted to help out by giving you some ideas of ways to make your holiday special while here. Read on…

New River Gorge Lodging

Make your holiday really special by staying somewhere that has the coziness of home and the luxury of a getaway. Around here, you’ll find lots of wonderful cabins, chalets and lodgesthat can accommodate most any size group. These places are designed for your comfort and are a perfect spot to spend a festive gathering with family and friends.

Many of these homes-away-from-home include fully equipped kitchens, meaning you can still whip up your favorite holiday meal. Go all out and even bring your own decorations and garland. It will be a holiday to remember, for sure.

Shopping

Love it or hate it, shopping is a big part of the holiday season. We’re lucky: there are lots of great handcrafted and original gifts here. Check out the Canyon Rim Gift Shop at the National Park Service Canyon Rim Visitor Center, located next to the Bridge.  Then head into Fayetteville, which is full of unique shops.

We like New River Antiques. It’s got the area’s biggest selection of unique items and nostalgic gifts. Waterstone Outdoors in downtown Fayetteville is a great place to shop for adventure gifts. From climbing gear to paddling apparel and tons of outdoor clothing and apparel, you’ll find what you need for lots of outdoor activities.

Stop into Wisteria Gifts, Marathon Bikes, or any of the other speciality shops in Fayetteville. You should also plan to pop into our visitor’s center, where you can purchase Bridge Day and West Virginia gifts.

Recreation

The holidays are about spending time with family and friends, so why not spend some of that time outside? Bridge country has everything you need to get out and have fun. All you need to do is take your pick.

Winterplace Ski Resort is a short 30-minute drive from the New River Gorge. Skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing are fun for folks of almost all ages. With a huge amount of snow making equipment, Winterplace will have snow even if the real stuff isn’t coming down.

Besides snow sports, think about going hiking, biking, ATV riding, or zip lining while you’re here.

Are you visiting the New River Gorge this holiday season? Tell us about your plans in the comments.