New River/Greenbrier Valley

The New River/Greenbrier Valley Region has a varied character that provides visitors, no matter their inclinations, with something to see and do. For the outdoor enthusiasts there is skiing, whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, rock climbing, hiking and biking trails, hunting, fishing and camping. For others there are museums, photo ops, covered bridges, antiques, shopping and historical sites rich in Revolutionary and Civil War annals. There are the coal mines and the Coal Heritage Trail. There are the resorts around White Sulfur Springs for restful moments. There are state parks and wildlife management areas where bear, elks, and deer roam. So come here and ride the rivers and scenic auto routes, climb the mountains, delve into history and enjoy yourselves. Things to See and Do Attractions Contentment in Ansted - A restored 1830 antebellum home with period furnishings. A museum and one-room schoolhouse on the grounds. Contentment was originally the home of a Confederate officer. Mystery Hole in Ansted - A fun stop where the laws of gravity seem to be defied. Just west of Hawk's Nest State Park. Tamarack in Beckley - Offers an extraordinary shopping and dining experience. The complex, America's first and only statewide collection of cultural heritage and traditions, displays handcrafts of furniture, pottery, glass and Appalachian quilts and regional specialty foods. Nature trails, gardens, art gallery and theater. Science Center of West Virginia in Bluefield - Features hands-on exhibits on light, electricity, magnetism, chemistry, ecosystems and weather and several virtual reality exhibits. New River Gorge Bridge northeast of Fayetteville is one the longest steel-arch span bridges in the world. The arch spans 1,700 feet and the bridge is 3,030 feet across the gorge. One of the highest bridges in the nation at 876 feet, higher than the Washington Monument by 391 feet. Lost World Caverns in Lewisburg - Discovered in 1942. Stalagmites, stalactites and pure calcite formations, one of which (Snowy Chandelier) is more than 40 feet high with a 25 foot circumference. Constant 52 degree temperature. Organ Cave in Ronceverte - Is the second longest cave on the east coast with a depth of almost 500 feet and over 40 miles of mapped limestone-walled passageways. Named for the huge calcite formation that resembles a church organ. The cave played an important role in the Civil War as a resting place for Confederate soldiers and a source of saltpeter, necessary for making gunpowder. Covered Bridges Herns Mill covered bridge located near Lewisburg, WV (Greenbrier County). This bridge was built in 1884 and spans Mulligans Creek. From Lewisburg, head west on US Route 60 for approx. 2.6 miles. Turn left onto Secondary Route 60/11 and then left onto Secondary Route 40 for 2.2 miles. Hokes Mill covered bridge located near Ronceverte, WV (Greenbrier County). This bridge was built in 1897-1899 and spans Second Creek. From Ronceverte, head south on US Route 219 to Secondary Route 48. Turn south onto Secondary Route 48 for ~3.6 miles to Secondary Route 62. Proceed south on Secondary Route 62 to Hokes Mill. Indian Creek covered bridge located near Union, WV (Monroe County). This bridge was built in 1903 and spans Indian Creek. Located on US Route 219, 6 miles south of Union. Laurel Creek covered bridge located near Lillydale, WV (Monroe County). This bridge was built in 1910 or 1911 and spans Laurel Creek. From Indian Creek, WV, take Secondary Route 219 north to Secondary Route 219/7 and turn left to Lillydale. Take a right on Secondary Route 219/11 through Lillydale to the bridge. Historic Sites Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley - On the National Register of Historic Places. Go down 500-feet and ride authentic "man cars" as the miners of years past rode to work. Veteran miners guide your tour. Small, family owned mine donated to the city in 1953. Downtown Bluefield Historic District. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Center of the Southern West Virginia smokeless coal fields. Tour of historic Victorian homes and structures. Campbell-Flanigan-Murrell House Museum in Hinton - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is Hinton's oldest standing residential home built in 1875. Locations Historic Bramwell - Once the richest town in America with 19 millionaires. The Depression brought an end to the prosperity gained from coal. Many of the "gilded age" structures of the coal barons are preserved in the historic district. Self guided tours. Historic Hinton - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Walking tour provides viewing of numerous homes of unique 19th-century architecture. Museum Youth Museum of Southern Virginia/Mountain Homestead in Beckley. Housed in four converted boxcars. The museum exhibits hands-on science and arts displays while the homestead exhibits crafts demonstrations in an Appalachian pioneer setting. North House History Museum in Lewisburg - A restored 1820 house featuring antiques and artifacts from the early 1700's to late 1800's, including items from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars Mercer County War Museum in Princeton - Honors those who served with displays of items from the Civil War to Vietnam. Of the more than 500 war items and artifacts, most are from WWII. Parks & Trails The Greenbrier River Trail - A 77 mile (120 kilometer) long former railroad, now used for hiking, bicycling, ski-touring, and wheel-chair use. Hawk's Nest State Park in Ansted - A 276-acre park overlooking the New River. Tranway takes one down 446-feet to the gorge bottom where paddleboats can be rented. Museum displays West Virginia historic items. Food is available. Bluestone State Park in Hinton - Borders 2,040-acre Bluestone Lake that was formed by the Bluestone Dam. The dam is 165-feet high and 2,048-feet long. Walkway on top of the dam for viewing. Launching facilities for boats, fishing, hiking trails, camping, cabins.

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