Buckhannon, West Virginia travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Buckhannon is a city of 5,725 people in West Virginia, and the only incorporated community in Upshur County. It was established in 1816 and named for Buckongahelas, a Native American chief of the Lenni-Lenape tribe who often hunted around the area, and whose name was often mispronounced by English settlers as "Buckongehanon".

3 sights · 1 things to do · 5 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Buckhannon

West Virginia Wildlife Center

A modern zoological facility displaying native and introduced state wildlife, with a 1.25-mile interpretive trail through a mature hardwood forest.

Audra State Park

Has a lively creek and a boardwalk that enters a passage below a sandstone overhang called Audra Cave.

West Virginia Wesleyan College

A liberal arts university founded in 1890, with 36 academic majors including biology, business, education, political science and psychology.

West Virginia Strawberry Festival

Downtown Buckhannon. Held the third week in May since 1936. Parades, a carnival, fireworks, helicopter rides, arts and crafts exhibits, quilt show, photography show, souvenir shop, band competition, car show, live entert…

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Snowshoe)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
CKB North Central West Virginia Airport, Bridgeport — 21 mi away. Directions
MGW Morgantown Municipal Airport Walter L. (Bill) Hart Field, Morgantown — 48 mi away. Directions
PIT Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh — 103 mi away (major hub). Directions

Buckhannon is located on US-33 between Weston and Elkins.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning West Virginia Wildlife Center, West Virginia Wesleyan College
Lunch Mizu Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi
Afternoon Audra State Park, West Virginia Strawberry Festival
Dinner Sam's Pizza
Evening Stone Tower Brews

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder