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Interesting Things to Do in Beckley

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Exhibition Coal Mine

Tourists ride on railed “man cars” 1,500 feet into a former working mine. Guides tell how the mining life has changed over time. Above ground, you can visit the Rahall Company Store, visitor center, museum, fudgery, and gift shop. A restored coal camp includes a historic house, superintendent’s home, Pemberton Coal Camp Church, and Helen Coal Camp School.

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Tamarack

Tamarack features West Virginia-made products. Chefs from the Greenbrier cook West Virginia-inspired food sold in the food court. Tamarack also has regular music concerts, a dinner theater, and conference rooms for rent.

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Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia

The museum includes railroad boxcars, rotating exhibits, a planetarium, and a mountain homestead re-created as an Appalachian frontier settlement, complete with a weaver’s shed, log house, one-room school, barn, blacksmith shop, and general store.

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New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

The park, with more than 70,000 acres, runs from the Bluestone Dam to Hawks Nest Lake. Fishing, hunting, primitive camping, horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking are popular activities.

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Outdoor Adventures

The region is popular for whitewater rafting and climbing, with more than 1,400 established rock climbs. Numerous private, licensed outfitters offer guided trips on the New and nearby Gauley Rivers, lasting from a few hours to a few days.

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Theatre West Virginia

The park also encompasses the former Grandview State Park, known for its breathtaking overlooks and Theatre West Virginia, the state’s only professional touring and historical outdoor drama company.

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Local Parks

Other parks near Beckley include Babcock State Park, Bluestone State Park, Camp Creek State Park, Little Beaver State Park, Pipestem Resort State Park, Plum Orchard Wildlife Management Area, Twin Falls State Park.

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Skiing

Winterplace Ski Resort in Flat Top has 90 skiable acres with 27 trails and 10 lifts, at elevations ranging from 2,997 to 3,600 feet. The resort also has a snow tubing park.

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Wildwood

This museum was the 1836 home of city founder General Alfred Beckley. It's open in the summer and for pre-arranged tours throughout the year.

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Beckley is the gateway to southern West Virginia. Located at the intersection of Interstates 64 and 77 and U.S. 19, Beckley is a stop on the Coal Heritage Trail and the hub between three national parks, numerous state parks, a private ski resort, and the variety of year-around recreation and entertainment they offer. Beckley Renaissance and the city of Beckley host events and festivals throughout the year. A list and dates are available at beckley.org.

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