BECKLEY, WV

Thanks to the highest gas prices we’ve seen in years, many families will be looking to take shorter trips this summer and stay close to home. Not to worry, there are some fun-filled towns near Charleston that are great for a weekend getaway, plus they will give you a fresh perspective on the Mountain State. Driving one hour south and gently east brings you to Beckley, West Virginia. Beckley is home to two major attractions, Tamarack and the Exhibition Coal Mine, but there is plenty more for your weekend adventures.

WHAT TO SEE & DO IN BECKLEY

Give your muscles a workout and participate in a beloved family-friendly activity at The Chocolate Moose, offering miniature golf and a climbing gym. Golf is a biggie in Beckley, and you’ll not run out of challenging courses to play. Three alone are at Glade Springs, including the Cobb Course, with many lakes, 50+ sand bunkers, and hundreds of feet of elevation change.

Take in the scenic gorge views from America’s 63rd National Park, New River Gorge, only minutes from Beckley. Plan hiking, a bridge walk, picnicking, sightseeing, or explore the Grandview Visitor’s Center. Another fantastic offering in this region is Theatre West Virginia, often still called Grandview Theater, a gorgeous one-of-a-kind cliffside amphitheater. The shows change often, but you can see the Hatfields and McCoys, Rocket Boys The Musical, and Wizard of Oz over the summer months.

Quench your thirst with a cold, tasty craft small-batch ale or lager from Weathered Ground Brewery in Cool Ridge, or sip a glass of locally-made wine from Daniel Vineyards, a farm and estate winery nestled in the Appalachian mountains.

Tamarack is a big draw, a spectacular venue housing art vendors of all types, a restaurant, and a great space to walk around and admire local artisans. It’s something you can’t miss when traveling I-77. The other big draw to the Beckley area is the historic Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, showcasing the mining industry via underground tour, a museum, and store. Several historic buildings have been moved to the property, including a coal camp church, school, and company house. Kids will be ecstatic over the nearby Youth Museum of Southern WV, located in railroad boxcars with a recreated frontier settlement and planetarium.

Lastly, for those wanting an outdoor weekend, whether it be camping, fishing, or boating, Stephens Lake is the perfect place for all three. 

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

eckley has both old and new restaurants worth visiting and a few classic eateries you won’t want to miss. I always recommend Tudor’s Biscuit World, a WV landmark, for breakfast. Lunch brings about choices—carhop service from King Tut Drive-In or an array of upscale eats and comfort food dishes from Tamarack Marketplace. Try King Tut’s meatloaf sandwich, or the steak hoagie, while Tamarack has classic pinto beans & cornbread, Fried Green Tomatoes, and WV Rainbow Trout. Tamarack’s peach cobbler is to die for and made from a Greenbrier Resort recipe.