What makes us unique?

This post was originally published on this siteWhat’s better than a summer day spent in West Virginia’s wonderful whitewater? Spend the day underneath sunny skies taking on the rushing rapids of the New River with all your family and friends. And the best part is – kids raft free! That’s right, children ages 6-11 can raft for free on the Upper New River Gorge every Sunday to Friday with ACE Adventure and Adventures on the Gorge. ACE Adventure Resort ACE Adventure Resort offers guided rafting trips on both the lower and upper sections of the New River Gorge. Choose between half day, full day or even overnight journey. Trip skill levels range from kid-friendly to experienced paddlers only. For an extra special affair, consider the private group tour. Pair your thrilling expedition with an unforgettable stay at ACE Adventure Resort. An oasis of outdoor recreation, this mountain resort offers rock climbing, mountain biking, an aerial course, a 5-acre lake waterpark and much, much more. Dine on-site at The Last Paddle Bar & Grill for mouthwatering pub fare, local brews and even live musical performances on the weekends. Spend your night camping by the river or in a rustic, A-frame cabin.

This post was originally published on this siteThe Northern Panhandle in West Virginia represents one of two panhandles in West Virginia. With historic cities like Wheeling, Weirton, Moundsville and others within one-hour drives of each other, Almost Heaven will amaze you with its array of options to spend time in the Northern Panhandle. Catch a glimpse of these locations and you may find yourself claiming them as your new favorite hidden gems. Appalachian Appetite No matter where you are arriving from, your appetite will be begging you to try out the local restaurants in Almost Heaven. For unique dinner entrées made from locally-sourced ingredients or a late-evening taste of what’s on tap, check out one of region’s most renowned eateries, Vagabond Kitchen. This eatery is owned by Wheeling native, official WV Chef Ambassador and Guy’s Grocery Games winner Matt Welsch. A drive through Moundsville in Marshall County will reveal many unique restaurants. If you’re searching for classic American food with a Mountain State twist, visit Bob’s Lunch and try the famous “2 Pound Mound Cheeseburger.” To get a feel for southern comfort cuisine, Mason Dixon Barbecue Company will certainly not disappoint with its variety of brisket, pork and chicken dishes. Grandma

This post was originally published on this siteThe Northern Panhandle in West Virginia represents one of two panhandles in West Virginia. With historic cities like Wheeling, Weirton, Moundsville and others within one-hour drives of each other, Almost Heaven will amaze you with its array of options to spend time in the Northern Panhandle. Catch a glimpse of these locations and you may find yourself claiming them as your new favorite hidden gems. Appalachian Appetite No matter where you are arriving from, your appetite will be begging you to try out the local restaurants in Almost Heaven. For unique dinner entrées made from locally-sourced ingredients or a late-evening taste of what’s on tap, check out one of region’s most renowned eateries, Vagabond Kitchen. This eatery is owned by Wheeling native, official WV Chef Ambassador and Guy’s Grocery Games winner Matt Welsch. A drive through Moundsville in Marshall County will reveal many unique restaurants. If you’re searching for classic American food with a Mountain State twist, visit Bob’s Lunch and try the famous “2 Pound Mound Cheeseburger.” To get a feel for southern comfort cuisine, Mason Dixon Barbecue Company will certainly not disappoint with its variety of brisket, pork and chicken dishes. Grandma

This post was originally published on this siteWritten by Chef Ambassador, Matt Welsch Springtime in the West Virginia mountains is something to behold. As we say in these parts, “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes!” It is common to see all four seasons in the span of one day or even across a few hours. We learn to layer up in these parts, and to be ready for anything. After all, self-sufficiency is the Appalachian way. No amount of weather roulette will calm a West Virginian’s enthusiasm for the spring and we know the season brings many boons to offset the trailings of winter – longer days, more sun, the landscape bursting from greys to brilliant greens – and most of all – ramps! “Now, what in the name of all things wild and free are ramps!?” Well, my friends, let me tell you. Ramps are a treasure to us here in the mountains. They are a type of wild onion with a bulb very reminiscent of a single small garlic bulb. These bulbs, though, have a root cluster on the bottom side and are attached by this beautiful reddish stem to a large broad