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Voykit pocket guide · United States
Grafton, West Virginia
Grafton, WV
Spend a half‑day in Grafton to see the International Mother's Day Shrine and the B&O Railroad Station; add a quick drive to Tygart Lake State Park if you have extra time.
Grafton is a small city of under 1,000 residents in north‑central West Virginia. Its main attractions – the International Mother's Day Shrine, the historic B&O Railroad Station and nearby Tygart Lake State Park – can be visited in a few hours. One day is enough unless you plan extensive outdoor recreation at the lake.
- Country
- United States
- Local name
- Grafton, WV
- Best months
- May–Oct (warm weather, park open)
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (cold, limited park services)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $45–$70 excl. bed · Mid $70–$110 excl. bed · High $110+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | $2–$4 |
| Sandwich (Lesa's Place) | $5–$8 |
| Pizza slice (Gormet Express) | $8–$12 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.30–$3.80 |
| Parking (city street, 2 h) | $2–$4 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CKM · North Central West Virginia Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Car rental (compact, 1 day)
- ≈ $45–$60 (check)
- Gas (per gallon)
- $3.30–$3.80
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car is the most practical; the city centre is walkable for the shrine and depot. US 50 and US 119 provide regional access.
See and do
Known for
- International Mother's Day Shrine
- B&O Railroad Station
- Tygart Lake State Park
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tygart Lake State Park | Drive west on US 119, about 15 km (9.3 mi)Drive west on US 119, about 9.3 mi (15 km) | ≈30 min total |
| Clarksburg | US 50 east, ~30 km (19 mi)US 50 east, ~19 mi (30 km) | ≈40 min |
Sleep
- Tygart Lake State Park lodge
- Cabins, rooms and campsites; convenient for park activities and short city visits.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Thank you | Thank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it? |
| Where is the restroom? | Where is the restroom? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Winter snow can close park roads; check conditions before traveling.
- Museum and shrine hours vary seasonally; verify opening times on their official sites.
Grafton is generally safe; typical small‑town caution applies—lock car doors, keep valuables out of sight, and be aware of wildlife near the lake.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Grafton, West Virginia yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- International Mother's Day Shrine
- B&O Railroad Station
- Tygart Lake State Park
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- International Mother's Day Shrine: www.internationalmothersdayshrine.org/
- Tygart Lake State Park: wvstateparks.com/park/tygart-lake-state-park/
- Wikivoyage: Grafton (West Virginia), revision 5308668 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5308668
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Grafton, West VirginiaGrafton, WV
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
US consulate in Charleston, WV (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/grafton-west-virginia). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.