Historic Downtown Lewisburg, WV

Historic Lewisburg, A Cultural Crossroads

This city center of just a few thousand has made a name for itself. It pops up on must-do lists all across the country. Even recently cited by Fodors.com for its America's 25 Cutest Main Streets in Smaller(er) Towns and USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice for Small Town Food Scene three years running. Take some time to poke through the antique shops, boutiques and galleries, and stop in a downtown café for coffee, lunch or an afternoon treat.

RELAXED LODGING. The eclectic style that resonates through Lewisburg doesn’t fall short when it comes to a good night’s sleep. The Historic General Lewis Inn is a restored 1834 and 1928 building named after a general who fought in the French and Indian War. Take your pick from twenty-four rooms and suites, each tastefully decorated with historic touches and fully updated in all the right places. The Escape is a private boutique hotel on Randolph Street—one block from the bustling downtown district. Consistently garnering high marks for its well-appointed creature comforts, rooms are equipped with kitchenettes, spacious showers and lounge areas. Step off the front porch of the Washington Street Quarters and right into downtown. Accommodations range from a cozy studio to multi-room suites—all the modern amenities with just the right flair of historic style.

WHERE THE ARTS THRIVE. It’s a wonder how so much art and entertainment can fit into just a few blocks. Carnegie Hall, only one of four still in operation worldwide, showcases a wide-ranging repertoire of music from all over the globe. The Greenbrier Valley Theatre, the State Professional Theatre of West Virginia, delivers exceptional main-stage productions ranging from Shakespeare to Broadway musicals. And the building where Lee Street Studios resides was originally the local high school. True to its educational roots, the school rooms are now working studios and art spaces.  

SHOPPING & DINING. The key to any fruitful downtown outing is the shopping and dining prospects. Within Lewisburg’s five-block district, stylish and independently owned shops are filled with one-of-a-kind works to the uniquely repurposed and re-treasured. Museum-quality relics define Lewisburg’s “old hardware store,” now occupied by The Golden Rabbit. The Proprietors at A New Chapter are always in search of the next page-turner and latest in current affairs, guaranteeing their corner of the world is up on its reading. Inside Aggie's Gift Shop, Vest is an oasis in functional fashion dedicated to all things men.

You’ll quickly see the culinary collective possesses an unbridled spirit for food. There are a dozen or more restaurants, bakeries and cafés, each with its own flavorful style. For breakfast, Corn + Flour serves on-the-go stacked bagel sandwiches and sweet-treat-pick-me-ups. For lunch, the Stardust Café takes an artisan approach to food that features locally-raised meats, fresh breads and seasonal produce. The menu of classic favorites at Food & Friends has made it a Greenbrier Valley mainstay where locals have been celebrating special occasions for generations.