Elkins combines railroad history, forest culture, and music with a historic downtown and seasonal markets. When planning, it helps to distinguish museums and historic sites from activities with specific dates: the Discovery Center, railroad museum, and historic walking tour offer different historical perspectives; the train ride, jam session, and farmers market focus on other things. This makes it easy to shape your stay around your interest in history, music, or regional products, without trying to fit every subject into the same day.
Museums and Local History
The Appalachian Forest Discovery Center is located in the historic Darden Mill in Elkins. It presents the cultural and forest history of the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. Each year, the Center adds a new exhibit and incorporates donated objects and interactive elements. Admission is free; since admission policies can change, it’s worth checking the current visitor information before your trip.
The West Virginia Railroad Museum preserves the history of railroading in Elkins and throughout the state. As of January 16, 2026, the exhibition building was open seasonally from May through October, Thursday through Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; visits were available only by appointment for groups. Check whether this policy is still in effect before visiting.
The Downtown Elkins Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district in the central business area and includes 65 contributing buildings. The Downtown Elkins Historic Walking Tour takes visitors through the historic downtown and offers insight into Elkins’ past as an industrial town.
Train Ride and Walking Tour
The New Tygart Flyer travels along the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River to the High Falls of Cheat. It departs from the restored Elkins Depot on Railroad Avenue; the round trip lasts four hours and covers 46 miles. The two experiences offer different focuses: the Flyer follows the river to the High Falls; the walking tour explores Elkins’ past as an industrial town. Schedules, duration, and departure location may change; check these details before your trip.
Music and Events
At Pickin’ in the Park, visitors can join in or listen to a weekly acoustic bluegrass and old-time jam session. Exact dates and seasonal venues may change. The Augusta Heritage Center focuses on traditional music, folklore, and folk art from many regions and cultures. In Elkins, it holds intensive weeklong workshops every summer, attracting several hundred participants each year; dates and topics vary by season.
The Rotary Amphitheater at Elkins Railyard hosts festivals and concerts; the program may change. Elkins is also one of the destinations participating in the Mountain Dance Trail. The Mountain Dance Trail description mentions scheduled dances with local music and calling for locals and visitors; according to the description, there is an authentic West Virginia dance on the trail every weekend.
Farmers Market and Seasonal Food
The Elkins Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays from May through October, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Town Square behind the Elkins Depot Welcome Center on Railroad Avenue. Vendors offer produce, meat, eggs, baked goods, and crafts; the vendors present vary from market day to market day.
The Ramps and Rail Festival takes place every year on the last weekend of April and combines ramps-based food with live music and craft stalls. Market hours, festival dates, and programming may change; check the details before traveling. The difference is clear when choosing dates: regular Saturday mornings from May through October versus a single festival weekend each year in late April.
Discover more destinations: Huttonsville, Beverly and Dryfork.
For the regional travel overview: Randolph County.
