Find tons of family fun in Martinsburg
Known for its vast mountain landscapes and rich history, Martinsburg, West Virginia, is an ideal vacation spot for visitors of all ages. If you’re traveling with children, there’s no shortage of attractions to explore during your getaway. Read on to plan your family friendly adventure.
The Wonderment Puppet Theater, at 412 W. King St. in Martinsburg, serves as both entertainment venue and museum. The attraction site is in a former 1885 Victorian house. The team produces six original puppet shows each year, with performances on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. year-round. Weekday shows can be arranged for guests passing through town as well. In addition to shows, the space offers an array of hands-on items to play with, including puzzles, musical noise makers, and a play theatre where guests can put on their own puppet shows. The center is home to multiple mazes, a wishing well, and an art gallery. Visit with Polly the Talking Parrot and snap lots of silly family photos in the walk-around photo booth.
If you’re looking to mix education with fun, For The Kids, By George Children’s Museum is a perfect blend. Part of the Washington Heritage Trail, the museum is a high-touch, hands-on space with a focus on young George Washington and the rich railroad history of West Virginia. The attraction is housed inside the Historic Caperton Train Station at 229 E. Martin St. in Martinsburg. Guests will learn about our first president’s adventures in the Eastern Panhandle and time in the area as a surveyor, take a virtual 3-D ride down the Washington Heritage Trail, and experience more than 300 years of American life in the nation’s first frontier. The museum was forced to close in 2020 and is reopening in June 2024. In addition to its exhibits, the venue hosts summer camps and workshops for children.
JayDee’s Family Fun Center, at 2332 Henshaw Road in Inwood, offers multiple ways to expend some energy. The attraction features a waterpark and splash zone including the Red Viper Speed Slide for the adventure seeker and pools to longue in for those looking for some rest and relaxation. Guests can also enjoy batting cages, go karts, a jungle gym, a challenging 18-hole miniature golf course, and an arcade. Day passes can be purchased to combine a variety of activities and there are even family specials that include deals on food. Most of the attractions are suitable for children under 12 as well as older kids, so there’s something for every member of your family.
For those looking for a fun challenge, check out Climbing New Heights, an indoor climbing gym at 54 General Motors Access Road in Martinsburg. The site has various obstacles to scale, including 15 top rope climbing routes that go up to 26 feet and a newly remodeled bouldering area with angle and degree options up to 14 feet high. Routes range from beginner to expert, and the floors are padded thick to minimize risk of injury. Climbing New Heights also features strength training equipment for those gearing up for a bigger climb, indoor or outdoor, in the future. The company offers climbing classes indoors and outdoor guide services for rock climbs at Seneca Rocks and other locations in West Virginia.
Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation Board maintains multiple outdoor spaces for families to enjoy. Ambrose Park is home to the Gateway Children’s Garden, a 4.3 acre free facility that gives your children plentiful opportunities to exercise their physical and mental abilities. With fortresses and fun murals to traditional playground equipment, the garden will provide hours of enjoyment for your family. Additionally, Ambrose Park has picnic tables and shelters, a spacious dog park, and lots of grassy areas for running and playing. War Memorial Park features four playground areas with multiple slides and climbing structures and canopy-style shades to stay cool in summer months. The site is home to an 18-hole lighted miniature golf course as well as open picnic areas and extensive parking. The 19.5 acre park is one of the most visited in Berkeley County. At Poor House Farm Park, children can enjoy a nature-based playground complete with climbing ropes, rope swings, and other adventure areas. Poor House Farm Park is known for its extensive walking and bike trails and also offers a 27-hole disc golf course, catch and release fishing (license required), public restrooms, and plenty of open green space.
Berkeley County is home to more than 200 active caches and multiple geo trails for explorers of all experience levels. Geocaching is a treasure hunt that combines technology and the outdoors to send people looking for clues using GPS tracking. Caches are hidden or are in plain sight and can look like anything – from a birdhouse to a fake rock. Ready to start your first hunt? Create an account at geocaching.com.
With all these attractions to explore, your family will surely enjoy a fun-filled time in action-packed West Virginia.