Princeton, West Virginia, surprised me in the best way.
It offers a little bit of everything, ranging from waterfalls to street art, local dining gems, and a unique overnight stay.
I’m sharing more about the top things to do during your visit to Princeton.
This article is written in partnership with Visit Mercer County. All opinions are my own.
Discover the Murals in Downtown Princeton, WV
I was so impressed with the abundance of murals in The Grassroots District in downtown Princeton. The artistic influence really enhanced the downtown charm.
Princeton’s Grassroots District has 34+ murals throughout downtown.
You don’t have to walk far for a mural on the side of a building to catch your attention and curiosity.
There’s an abundance of murals on both sides of Mercer Street.
Artists’ Alley
The Artists’ Alley is accessible from Mercer Street, across from the Princeton Library.
The alley showcases 22 unique panels painted by local artists.
The RiffRaff Arts Collective
869 Mercer St, Princeton, WV
The RiffRaff Arts Collective was instrumental in bringing the Princeton Renaissance Project to life, which includes the amazing murals downtown.
RRAC’s mission is to inspire, empower, and promote the arts and creativity in downtown Princeton, Southern West Virginia, and the Appalachian region.
Inside the store, you’ll find an assortment of art media and styles from various regional artists.
You may notice the metal flowers displayed in front of businesses around downtown that were created by the same local artist who also has pieces for sale in the shop.
The Dream Bean
860 Mercer Street Princeton, WV
We kicked off our exploration of downtown Princeton at The Dream Bean because we love and appreciate good coffee.
I ordered an iced lavender latte, and my husband chose one of their house drip coffees. Their pastries in the display case tempted us, but we had to save room for dinner later that evening.
This community coffee shop has a great vibe with local art featured throughout.
There’s seating at the front of the coffee shop and a larger seating area for patrons in the back of the coffee shop, with a stage for live music.
The Hatter’s Bookshop
929 Mercer St, Princeton, WV
The Hatter’s Bookshop lives up to the theme with an eclectic style and a welcoming environment, inviting patrons to stay a while and get lost in a book.
The bookstore offers a large selection of previously loved fiction and non-fiction books in all genres and eras.
Mercer Street Bicycle Co-Op & Mercantile
868 Mercer St, Princeton, WV
This bicycle shop has a lot of heart. In fact, their mission is “Everyone should have access to a bicycle, a tool to create opportunity and empowerment.”
Bike donations to the shop help provide bicycles to those in need in the community, primarily kids. The shop repairs and refurbishes donated bikes, keeping them out of landfills and reselling them at a low cost, and at no cost.
The shop also has educational programs to help ensure riders know the rules of riding a bike on the road.
Purchases in the retail shop help fuel the mission. I purchased one of their “Life Behind Bars” t-shirts to wear on my next bike ride on “The Virginia Creeper Trail.”
Daydream Games
925 Mercer St, Princeton, WV
Daydream Games appeals to a range of game enthusiasts. This store has a large selection of board games, trading card games, role-playing games, and puzzles.
It’s also home to the Daydream Games Board Game Society, a monthly board game subscription service featuring great titles from small creators and publishers.
80’s Toys of Princeton
935 Mercer St, Princeton, WV
Unfortunately, we walked by 80’s Toys of Princeton after they had closed for the day, but we did peek in the windows.
This is the perfect store for a dose of 80s nostalgia, as indicated by their logo with a nod to G.I. Joe.
Princeton Railroad Museum
99 Mercer St, Princeton, WV
The Princeton Railroad Museum has exhibits of railroad artifacts featuring the Virginian Railway, which was founded in 1907, along with other railroads.
Outside, the museum has a restored #308 Virginian caboose that visitors can step inside.
Admission is free, and donations are appreciated. The museum is open daily from 11 AM – 4 PM, except holidays.
Jimmies Restaurant
839 Mercer St, Princeton, WV
While you’re downtown, enjoy a meal at Jimmies Restaurant for lunch or dinner.
Jimmie’s Restaurant is a great spot for classic American comfort food with an elevated twist.
I ordered the “Jimmies Jam Grilled Cheese.” It’s made with their house-made pimento cheese, bacon pepper jam, and a 3-cheese blend on butter-grilled sourdough bread.
I also want to note that their homemade ranch dressing is delicious and perfect for dipping your fries in.
My husband tried the “Fiery Fowl.” It’s made with a fried chicken breast topped with buffalo sauce, jalapeño, bacon, and their house-made pimento cheese on a grilled bun.
The branding on the bun was also a nice detail.
Make sure you check their hours in advance. We ended up dining there around 6:15 before their closing time at 7 PM.
There are a few classic video games mounted to the wall if you’re visiting with kids… or kids at heart.
Boc-Hord Brewery and Bakehouse
833 Mercer St, Princeton, WV
This business was closed during our visit (open Thursday- Monday), but it offers an assortment of beers, and the menu includes pizza, soups, salads, sandwiches, and more.
Additional Restaurants in Princeton
These restaurants aren’t in the downtown district, but they’re still worth the stop.
Dolly’s Diner
909 Oakvale Road, Princeton, WV
Dolly Diner is a retro diner that’s a popular spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner by locals and tourists alike.
We visited Dolly’s Diner for breakfast on the last day of our visit.
My husband ordered the “Country Boy Omelet,” which has hash browns inside, sausage, sautéed onions, American cheese, and is topped with gravy
I ordered the “Big Bopper Breakfast.” It’s made with two biscuits and gravy, hash browns, home fries, sausage or bacon, and two eggs in your style of choice.
If you prefer sweeter options, their waffles and pancakes sounded wonderful, too.
Campestre Mexican Bar & Grill
345 Greasy Ridge Rd, Princeton, WV 24739
Campestre Mexican Bar & Grill is a great restaurant that serves authentic Mexican cuisine for lunch and dinner.
There’s a large bar toward the back of the restaurant and plenty of seating options for guests.
My husband ordered the “Fajitas Texanas.” The dish has sliced steak, chicken, and shrimp grilled with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. It’s served with guacamole salad, sour cream, flour tortillas, and beans.
I ordered the “Burrito Fajita Texan” because I was craving the cheese sauce on a chimichanga, but I was indecisive on my meat choice.
The entrée has Fajita-style steak, chicken, and shrimp grilled with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. It’s wrapped in a tortilla and covered with cheese dip.
I don’t think you can go wrong with whatever entrée you choose. The portions are generous and the food is delicious.
Sleep in a Treehouse at Lake Mountain Manor
377 Imperial Dr, Princeton, WV
Lake Mountain Manor is a great option for a unique overnight stay.
I’ve been fortunate to stay in several types of treehouses all over the US over the years, and I appreciated the cleanliness and intentional design of each treehouse at Lake Mountain Manor.
There are four treehouses to choose from, each with its own unique style.
I’m all about glamping, where you can enjoy the outdoors and then return to the comforts of home indoors.
We stayed in the Lakeview Treehouse, but I was able to tour the other three treehouses.
I especially LOVED that every treehouse has its own bathroom and shower.
Each treehouse has a fire pit area, too. Our treehouse has stumps to sit on around the fire. I’d recommend bringing camping chairs that you could take to the beach.
I would definitely recommend Lake Mountain Manor to anyone who enjoys glamping or is seeking an introduction to glamping after staying there for two nights.
Guests have access to hiking trails, free fishing, paddleboards, paddleboats, and a beach on-site during their stay.
We didn’t swim in the lake, but we did enjoy a quiet evening sitting in the Adirondack chairs around sunset.
If you have a larger party, you can rent out the whole Lake Manor, which can accommodate up to 16 overnight guests.
Nearby Outdoor Attractions
These outdoor attractions are around 30 minutes or less away.
Brush Creek Preserve and Falls
Camp Creek Speedway Road, Athens, WV
Open year-round, this preserve is near Brush Creek Falls, a popular spot for photographers and nature lovers.
It’s only a .25-mile hike to access the 30-foot waterfall.
The trail has a short switchback that takes you closer to the base of the falls for an even better vantage point.
Camp Creek State Park and Forest
2390 Camp Creek Road, Camp Creek, WV (20 minutes from Princeton)
You can visit two waterfalls in a short amount of time without having to hike far. Camp Creek State Park has Campbell Falls and Mash Forks Falls.
Both waterfalls are a short distance from the parking area, great for families with younger kids.
These waterfalls are also on the official West Virginia Waterfall Trail, which includes 43 waterfalls across the state.
You can download the West Virginia Waterfall Trail mobile passport, check into waterfalls you visit, and earn waterfall-themed prizes.
The forest is 5,269 acres, and 487 acres of the original Forest were made into the State Park.
Visitors can enjoy beautiful picnic areas, 35 miles of hiking trails (15 trails), 27 miles of trails open to mountain biking, fishing, four campgrounds, a large playground, and more.
Camp Creek has 30 to 35 miles of trails in the adjacent State Forest available for horseback riding, too.
Pipestem Resort State Park
3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV (36 minutes from Princeton)
We decided to visit Pipestem Resort State Park on a whim after dinner one evening.
When you reach the top of the stairs at Pipestem State Park Lookout Tower, you’ll be 3000 ft above sea level.
We didn’t have another chance to see the park during the daytime during our visit, but the park also offers ziplining, Splash Park & Adventure Lake, hiking, camping, biking, and more.
More Related Articles in Mercer County, WV
Check out these articles for additional things to do around Mercer County.
