With a well-preserved town center and convenient access to national parks and ski resorts, Hinton has much to keep visitors active and entertained. Delve into local railway history, admire the historic architecture and participate in outdoor activities on the surrounding rivers and rugged mountains.
The town of Hinton was established in the late 19th century and still contains features from its early days. Wander around the National Hinton Historic District and inspect the old architecture. Many of the buildings in this part of town were built during a building boom in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Look for the Summers County Courthouse, which dates back to 1875, and the neoclassical revival-style Hotel McCreery, where weary early-20th-century railroad travelers once stayed.
Follow the story of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway at the Hinton Railroad Museum and admire the elegant Campbell Flannagan Murrell House Museum, one of the town’s oldest surviving residences.
Located next to the wide New River, Hinton is popular among canoers, kayakers, fishermen and boaters. Watch the activity as you bike along riverfront trails. Escape to Bluestone State Park to fish and to hike along forested trails. Venture to the nearby Pipestem Resort State Park for golf, hiking and camping. In winter, hit the slopes of the Winterplace Ski Resort, about a 40-minute drive southwest of Hinton .
Back in town, browse the shops, which sell everything from antiques to outdoor gear. Several restaurants, some with river views, are also located here. Purchase tickets for a show or film at the Ritz Theatre, where the plush lobby looks much the same as it did during the theater’s 1930s heyday.
To reach Hinton, ride an Amtrak train to the downtown station. While the town itself is walkable, renting a car will allow you easy access to the spectacular landscapes of nearby state parks.
