Buckhannon offers a variety of reasons to visit: river trails, a historic building on Main Street, and music and community events. If you are planning your visit around a specific interest, the differences between the river offerings, the town’s history and the event formats can help you decide.
Along the Buckhannon River and on the road
At Elizabeth J. “Binky” Poundstone Riverwalk Park, a paved footpath follows the scenic Buckhannon River. It is accessible and ADA-accessible. If you would like to include a riverside walk in your trip, you will find a paved path along the water here. Its surface and riverside location are specific features to consider when planning a walk.
The River Walk Trail has a boat launch and access to the Buckhannon River. This distinction is useful for planning: Poundstone Riverwalk Park offers a paved, ADA-accessible footpath, while the boat launch and river access are the key features of the River Walk Trail. This makes it possible to distinguish between a walk along the footpath and time by the water with access for boats.
For travel, Buckhannon is located on Corridor H, also known as Route 33, a four-lane divided highway, about a 10-minute drive east of Interstate 79. North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB) is within a half-hour drive of Buckhannon. Check road conditions before you travel; flight schedules can change, so check your connections in advance if you are flying.
History, music and local festivals
The History Center Museum was built in 1856 and is the oldest surviving building on Main Street in Buckhannon. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The construction date and the register listing mark different historical reference points: one dates the building, while the other marks its later inclusion in the register. This gives the museum a clear historical focus alongside Buckhannon’s river and music themes.
The Music Machine is a Buckhannon program featuring free community programs and events that supports local artists who create original music. It is open to all ages. The Local Music Night concert series is part of the program; it is also open to all ages and free of charge. Buckhannon Songwriters offers a different format: the monthly songwriting workshop is open to beginners as well as experienced professionals. The concert series and the workshop therefore differ in format—one is for listening, the other for songwriting in a workshop.
Another cultural occasion is the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, a traditional celebration honoring the strawberry harvest. Throughout the year, Fish Hawk Acres hosts farm dinners, seasonal celebrations and community events that focus on Appalachian cuisine and hospitality. Their themes differ: the festival celebrates the strawberry harvest, while food and Appalachian hospitality shape the events at Fish Hawk Acres. If you would like to plan your trip around a concert or festival, check the relevant dates before you travel.
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