Explore Elkins: Railroad History, Museums, and Music

Elkins brings together railroad history, forest and cultural history, music, and seasonal markets. When planning your trip, it makes a difference whether you focus on a several-hour train excursion, a museum visit, or a morning market. These activities call for different time frames and priorities—a helpful starting point when planning your days in Elkins.

Museums, Railroads, and Local History

The Appalachian Forest Discovery Center is located in the historic Darden Mill. Its focus is the cultural and forest history of the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. The Center adds a new exhibit each year and also features donated objects and interactive elements. Admission is free. Since admission policies can change, check the terms before you arrive.

The West Virginia Railroad Museum also focuses on railroad history, covering Elkins and the entire state. A tourism listing dated January 16, 2026, gave seasonal opening hours for the exhibition building from May through October, Thursday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; according to the listing, visits are currently available only by appointment for groups. Before visiting, check whether the opening hours and group policy are still in effect.

The Downtown Elkins Historic District is a national historic district in Elkins’ central business district and includes 65 contributing buildings. The Downtown Elkins Historic Walking Tour offers a different perspective on the city’s history: the route through the historic downtown provides a glimpse of Elkins’ past as an industrial city. These are two distinct perspectives—the history of the railroad and Elkins’ development as an industrial city. If you are planning to use an accompanying brochure, check in advance whether it is available.

The Train Ride as a Standalone Activity

The New Tygart Flyer departs from the restored Elkins Depot on Railroad Avenue. The four-hour round trip covers 46 miles along the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River to the High Falls of Cheat. Its duration and route make the ride a clearly defined block of time in your travel plans. Since the schedule and departure point are operational details, check both before you arrive.

Music and Cultural Traditions

The Augusta Heritage Center focuses on traditional music, folklore, and folk arts from many regions and cultures. In Elkins, it also holds intensive weeklong workshops each summer; a tourism listing says they attract several hundred participants. Dates and topics vary from season to season. These workshops therefore call for a different time frame than a single visit and focus on music and folk arts over several days.

Pickin’ in the Park features acoustic bluegrass and old-time music: the weekly jam session in Elkins invites visitors to play along or listen. You can choose between taking part and being an audience member. Exact dates and seasonal venues may change; check the details if you would like to include the session in your plans.

The Rotary Amphitheater in the Elkins Railyard hosts farmers markets, festivals, and concerts. The events on offer may vary. For your travel plans, it is therefore worth checking the specific event dates rather than assuming that a particular program will be available on any given day of your visit.

Markets and Seasonal Dates

The Elkins Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays from May through October, from 8:00 a.m. to noon, on Town Square, behind the Elkins Depot Welcome Center on Railroad Avenue. Offerings include produce, meat, eggs, baked goods, and crafts; the selection varies by market day. If you want the market to be a fixed part of your day’s plans, check the hours and offerings for your intended date in advance.

The Ramps and Rail Festival in Elkins takes place each year on the last weekend of April. It combines ramp-based foods with live music and craft vendors. Exact dates and programming may vary. Checking the relevant event dates will help you plan when to visit.

Explore more destinations: Dryfork, Beverly, Huttonsville

Return to the main travel guide: Randolph County.