If you’re looking for a fun weekend about three hours from D.C, you’ve been to Deep Creek Lake and want a different adventure— check out Thomas and Davis, West Virginia.

Locals’ Guide: Thomas and Davis, WV

I grew up with these twin towns being neighbors to my own, and they are full of fun memories. These two small towns have become too cool over the past years. They are choc’ full of galleries with homemade artisans, good restaurants, fun shops and amazing nature. They are closest to Spruce Knob, West Virginia’s highest point, Canaan Valley, Dolly Sods, and the ski resorts of Timberline and Canaan. And they are amazing year round—fall foliage to boot, ski resorts and snow in the winter, beautiful rivers, lakes and hiking in the spring and summer.

Restaurants to Visit:

• Sirianni’s Cafe is a classic I’ve been going to since I was three and playing tunes on the Jukebox. My favorite orders: pizza with pepperoni and banana peppers, the parmesan wedge with both marinara and ranch or the warm veggie hoagie. Posters on the walls and skis give away that this is a local hangout for skiers. 

• The Billy Motel, the restaurant and bar take you back in time with their retro design, the cocktails and are good, the food menu is super varied on type of cuisine, and is some of the best in the area.

• I’m not a burrito person, but I can’t deny that Hellbenders makes one even I enjoy!

• Milo’s Café has great bar food; the wings are one of my favorites!

• Tip Top, part café, part bar, this little place has great baked goods and drinks, so enjoyable they had to move to a bigger space and bought a building. You go guys!

• Appalachian Mountain Artisan Shave Ice, this little shave ice truck brings some serious refreshment on a hot day!  And they have condensed milk and all the toppings to make this a serious endeavor!

Entertainment: 

• I am separating out the Purple Fiddle from the above list, because more than their food, the draw here are all the great musicians, especially in the Folk and Americana spectrum that pass through this place, which you might not expect for a small town in the West Virginia highlands.  

Shops and Galleries:

• Nellie Rose Textiles is an awesome little shop with handmade clothes and jewelry that I just adore.

• Ella and Company has so many fun things botanical, outdoorsy, fun things for the home, I always come out of here with something.

• Invisible has super colorful pieces that just make me happy looking at them!

• Santangelo is a favorite gallery to walk through and read all the story art.

• The Wandering Caravan is like a whirling dervish in a shop and is lots of fun. I bought my most recent ski shirt here, as well, as they have some funny, but practical screen printing.

• Gradient Project has different people in their space, I love all the lights and interactive art here!

• Sister Witches Crafting Company has some very cool craft kits.

• Macy Lou’s Gourmet Apples sells—you guessed it apples!  Chocolate and Caramel with lots of different things on them. I have to cut mine off the stick to not make a mess.

Outdoor Pursuits:

• Dolly Sods Recreational Area has great hiking, as well as Spruce Knob the highest point in West Virginia.

• Blackwater Falls is a very pretty waterfall you can see with not a lot of effort!

• In the winter you can ski at Canaan, Timberline, tube at Canaan and cross country ski at White Grass.

• There are lots of options for kayaking in this area as well.

• Also a local tip — even if you aren’t staying at Canaan Resort, you can get a guest pool pass that is very affordable!

Where to Stay:

• The Billy Motel,  cute, but small.

• Canaan Resort this is a public owned resort in the state park with more amenities, like the aforementioned pool.

• Cooper House Bed and Cocktail! This place is a art maven’s dream. So cool in the design. It’s a maximalist type of place with a funky vibe!
  

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