Beckley, West Virginia is one of those little towns which gets overlooked by visitors coming to see the gorgeous natural area surrounding it. Which is a shame, because the town itself packs a lot of history and interest that deserves to be explored. After visiting on our trip in 2023, I wanted to write this visitor’s guide to Beckley as a way to help others make the most of their time here and to encourage them to stop for a day or two instead of just passing through.
In my guide to Beckley, we will explore the best things to do in Beckley, how to explore the surrounding area with Beckley as your base, and even my own suggested itinerary! If you’ve visited the area, please drop some of your own suggestions in the comments below to help out future travelers!
The Best Things to do in Beckley
Visit the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
No visitor’s guide to Beckley would be worth reading if it didn’t call out the star attraction in the area. The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is a stellar look at the inner workings of a coal mine. In fact, this site used to be a functioning mine!
Retired coal miners will take you on an exploration of the mine itself. The expertise shared about what conditions were like for the workers, how coal mines operated, and the particular culture of coal mining was worth the price of admission. I super enjoyed my tour of the mine and this is one of those things to do in Beckley that I’d certainly come back for.
Beyond the coal mine itself, you’ll find authentic buildings from coal towns across the area. These buildings give a further look into the history of the surrounding area and how people lived then and some still live today. This place is really facinating and shouldn’t be missed on any trip to Beckley, WV.
Take a Hike or Bike the Beckley Rail Trail
The Beckley Rail Trail runs through the heart of town. This former C&O Railroad line has been turned into a wonderful way to get in some exercise for everyone in town. It’s especially great if you’ve brought some bikes with you on your trip to West Virginia, with the entire length of the trail being paved and perfect for biking.
As you travel along the trail, you’ll find interpretive signs which highlight the history of the town. This can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get some history at the same time. Additionally, you’ll find local art spread across portions of the trail which adds some great visual appeal as well!
If the Beckley Rail Trail hasn’t given you enough of a place to do some biking, you can also explore additional trails spread across the city.
Check Out Tamarack Marketplace
If you’re a big champion of shopping small, like I am, then you’ve got to make a visit to the Tamarack Marketplace when visiting Beckley, WV. The Tamarack is more than a simple market, it’s an exhibition of the creativeness and craftiness of the entire state of West Virginia. Visitors and shoppers will find works from over 2,800 artists, from across all of the Mountain State. If you want to take a piece of West Virginia home with you, Tamarack will have you covered.
However, it’s not just galleries and shops to explore at Tamarack. There is plenty of home cooking to enjoy as well! You can grab a quick snack or desert if you’ve got dining plans elsewhere, or you can come for an entire meal. Some fan favorites include the Fried Green Tomato sandwich or the Cinnamon Bread Pudding.
Catch a Show at The Raleigh Playhouse and Theater
If you’re wanting to stay near downtown but also feeling like seeing a show, then consider stopping by the Raleigh Playhouse and Theater. Throughout the year, they put on a variety of productions as well as regularly showing movies both current and classic.
The little theater is kept up in fantastic condition. Far too often places like this get overlooked or under appreciated. I think it’s important to support local art and artists when you can, so The Raleigh checks all the boxes for me! To find out more about what is upcoming at The Raleigh, check out their Facebook page
Exploring the Area Surrounding Beckley
Explore New River Gorge
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is the star attraction in the area. America’s newest national park serves to protect what is quite possibly the world’s oldest river. Beckley is located on the southern end of the park, which snakes northward towards the town of Fayetteville, WV.
The closest portion of the park to Beckley, WV is Grandview. Here you’ll find one of the most iconic views in the entire park, which is just an easy walk from the parking area. It’s a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
Sandstone Falls is the next spot you’ll want to visit in the park. This broad falls is another easy walk along a boardwalk, providing you with a stunning location for sunrise or sunset depending on the time of year. When you’re done visiting the falls, don’t forget to check out the most scenic Dairy Queen in the country!
Further north of Beckley, WV you’ll find the abandoned town of Thurmond. Once a booming coal town, now all that’s left is a few buildings and a still functioning Amtrak station. Keep heading north and you’ll find the iconic New River Gorge Bridge. This is the “star” man-made attraction of the park, offering stunning views and walks under the bridge for those daring enough!
Spend Time at Lake Stephens
If you’re looking for things to do in Beckley on a hot summer day, then consider heading down to Lake Stephens. This is a well known spot for locals who want to take their boats out for fishing or kids for a swim at the beach. However, if you’re visiting it can also be a wonderful way to spend the day yourself.
The marina has paddle boats, kayaks, and aqua bikes for rent. These are a great way to get out on the water yourself and away from the crowds. The aqua park has large inflatables for the kids to get all their energy out while enjoying the cool waters of Lake Stephens. If you’re not looking to spend the day in the water, the surrounding park has plenty of hiking and even a free disc golf course!
See a Play at Theatre West Virginia
If you’re looking for a unique experience that blends arts, culture, and outdoors then look no further than Theatre West Virginia. This unique venue is situated in the Grandview portion of New River Gorge National Park. Throughout the year you’ll be able to catch performances at this unique amphitheater.
When choosing a show to see at Theatre West Virginia, I’d suggest one that touches on the culture of the state itself. Honey on the Rock is deeply connected to the independent spirit and history that resulted in the birth of West Virginia during the height of the Civil War. You could also see Hatfields & McCoys, which tells the tale of the family feud that all Americans have heard of but few know the real story.
Hike the Clear Fork Rail Trail
If hiking along a rail trail through Beckley isn’t quite up your alley, then head on out to the Clear Fork Rail Trail. This trail meanders alongside the Clear Fork River, providing access to the Clear Fork Waterfall. It’s a great way to escape into nature, while also getting away from some of the more popular hikes around Beckley.
The trail sticks fairly closely to the road that runs through the area, however, its lightly traveled. You’ll also want to take note that you’re going to be without cell coverage on most of the trail, so be aware of this when heading out. Whatever you bring with you in, you’ll need to take with you out!
Visit Three Rivers Avian Center
I debated on whether Three Rivers Avian Center should be included on my list of things to do in Beckley, but ultimately decided to include it. The reason for my hesitation is that visitors are only welcomed for a select few days a year. The first Saturday of each month from May to October, visitors are welcome to visit the center. You can theoretically visit during other times, but it requires making an appointment ahead of time.
The center houses a number of birds who are unable to be released back to the wild. Their work focuses largely on rehabilitation, with the goal of helping injured birds return to the wild and protecting native species habitats. If you do get a chance to make a visit, consider donating while you’re there to help support their wonderful work!
Where to Eat when Visiting Beckley
Now that you’ve got some insight into all the things to do in Beckley when you visit, you’re probably wondering where you’re gonna be eating during your trip! There are plenty of your standard options across town, but if you’re visiting a place I think it’s important to try the best local choices.
One of my favorite places I ate at in Beckley was Tudor’s Biscuit World. While this is a chain, it’s uniquely a West Virginia institution and serves up some mighty fine biscuits. If you’re not looking for biscuits, you can still stop by since another popular WV eatery, Gino’s often share locations with Tudor’s.
Black Circle Bistro is one of the best options in town if you’re looking for a laid-back place to grab a casual bite. What stands out the most about Black Circle are the pinball machines, which gives you a chance to have a bit of fun while waiting on your food!
Another great option if you’re looking for a night out is The Char. This is by far the best steakhouse in Beckley, blowing away the competition. Like many steakhouses, it will run a bit on the pricier side of your options, so keep that in mind if you’re on a budget.
Lodging Options In and Around Beckley
Beckley, WV has plenty of your standard hotel options spread across town. Most of these are located near the main exit on I-64 which leads into Beckley and are convenient to the Tamarack Marketplace. If you want to stay with a “major” brand, then take advantage of your favorite rewards programs from companies like IHG, Marriott, or Hotels.com to find the place for you. There are plenty of alternatives to the big hotels chains to be found around Beckley.
While not located directly in Beckley, when we visited back in 2023, we stayed at the Skyline Lodge. This was a super affordable option and gave us easy access to town and the surrounding area. It’s also nearby Winterplace Ski Resort, so if you’re coming in the winter it can be a great choice!
If you’re wanting a more B&B-like experience for your stay, then a great option to choose is just outside of town as well. Nearby in Hinton, you can stay at the wonderful Guest House Inn on Courthouse Square. Staying here gets you close to the southern portion of New River Gorge and access to Sandstone Falls, plus the most scenic Dairy Queen in America!
My Suggested Weekend Beckley Itinerary
Beckley, WV is a great place to base yourself for a nice weekend of exploring Southern Virginia. It can also serve as either the beginning or end of a larger road trip through or around the state of West Virginia. My suggested itinerary can be used for either purpose with one full day of fun and two half days.
Starting this Beckley itinerary off with a half day on Friday, I think it’s best to try and catch a show at Theatre West Virginia. Since it’s located in the Grandview portion of New River Gorge, you can check two boxes in one afternoon! Get there well before your show time to explore the sights, then settle in for the show in the evening.
Saturday starts off with a visit to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. This is the star attraction in town, and by visiting early you’ll dodge some crowds. It’ll also offer you the opportunity to spend as much time here as you want. If you’re like me, I read EVERYTHING, so our trips to museum like places are always longer than I expect. After visiting the coal mine, you can head out to Tamarack Marketplace to shop and eat local for the afternoon.
Sunday is back to spending time outdoors. There are plenty of options here, so don’t hesitate to pick a few if you’ve got time before heading out. New River Gorge has more than enough to justify a visit to a different section. If you want a change of pace then go out to the Clear Fork Rail Trail or even Lake Stephens if you need to cool off. Either way, I think the best things to do in Beckley are all outside, so don’t waste your last day inside!
Thoughts on Extending Your Trip in West Virginia
Now that you’ve got the low down on all the fantastic things to do in Beckley, you can turn your attention to the rest of West Virginia. The Mountain State is packed full of fantastic locations that are worth spending days exploring. If you’re wanting to stay relatively local to Beckley, then consider visiting Babcock Falls State Park to see the iconic grist mill. It’s one of the best state parks in West Virginia.
You can also explore the entire state in under two weeks if you’ve got the time. Morgantown is the hub of activity in the northern part of the state, and there are a ton of day trips from Morgantown you can do. If you’re wanting to do a road trip around the entire state, my West Virginia road trip was an all-time classic in my book!
No matter how you choose to spend your time, I hope my guide to Beckley helped you plan a fantastic vacation! If you’d like to help me continue writing and travelling I’d greatly appreciate your support. Following me on social media will help you stay in touch, or you can get a free custom itinerary by signing up for my newsletter!
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