Cass Scenic Railroad
State road 28, 304-456-4300, (http://www.cassrailroad.com/). located in the town of cass, about 45 minutes northeast on us-219 and wv-66. the original steam-driven locomotives drive the same lines that were used in 1901 to bring lumber to the town. restored company buildings and a logging camp recreation are available. visitors can take a five-hour trip on the railroad from cass to bald knob, the second-highest point in west virginia. dinner trains and murder-mystery trains also available. cottages, cabooses and a wilderness cabin on bald knob available for rental. trips cost $13 to whittaker station, $16 to spruce and $18 to bald knob.
Elk River Touring Center
5 miles south of wv-66, 304-572-3771 or 866-572-3771, (http://www.ertc.com/). a 150-acre former mountain homestead with an inn and restaurant. world-class fly fishing, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. downhill skiing on trails around highland scenic highway 150 elevation 4,700 feet and snowshoe mountain 4,848 feet. skiing and snowboarding $16 - $30.
Roadkill Cook-off
800-336-7009. part of the autumn harvest festival, held annually in late september. cooking begins at 11 am, judging at 3 pm. a culinary competition in which chefs prepare dishes made from animals that are commonly found on the side of the road: turkey, opossum, squirrel, rabbit, groundhog, bear, deer, boar, elk, moose, rattlesnake, frog and turtle. dishes are usually given unappetizing names, such as "turkey gobble vomit over maggots", "squirrel scrotum stew" or "blood, rocks and guts over snails and maggots". the cook-off started in 1991 as a joke, in a bid to increase tourism to the area, and although it has drawn criticism for playing on a negative stereotype of appalachians, the contest attracts cooks from all over. visitors can sample the results. there's also arts and crafts, an agricultural and homemaking show, mountain music and dancing, and regular food concessions.