Overview
Beckley is a city of 17,256 (as of 2020) in West Virginia, and is the county seat of Raleigh County pop. 74,591 (2020). It sits on a high plateau above the New River Gorge at an elevation of 2,418 feet. It was founded in 1838 and named for John J Beckley, the first Clerk of the House of Representatives and the first Librarian of Congress.
Once a major coal industry hub, Beckley contains a small historic downtown and many suburban neighborhoods. The Beckley area serves as the overall regional commercial center for Southern West Virginia region, and has many big box stores and chain restaurants, in contrast to the small-town nature of its surrounding communities. Beckley sits as the closest town to the Grandview portion of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, and has easy access within 40 minutes to the park's 2 other visitor centers near Fayetteville and Hinton.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 12 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Beckley
West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
Tours available 10AM to 5:30PM daily, April 1 through November 1. Visitors get a realistic look at coal mining as it was at the turn of the century, by travelling 1500 feet underground in authentic mining cars and tourin…
Winterplace Ski Resort
In Ghent, or 800-607-SNOW (7669). Open 9AM to 10PM on weekdays, 8AM to 10PM on weekends and holidays, December through March. 27 trails, a terrain park, 16 snowtubing lanes, 9 ski lifts and 5 tubing lifts, and a vertical…
Theatre West Virginia
In Beaver. A professional touring and historical outdoor drama theatre company, holding performances in a dramatic amphitheatre. Among their outdoor musical dramas: "Honey in the Rock", which tells the story of the birth…
Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia
Open 10AM to 6PM daily, April through October; and 10AM to 5PM Tuesday through Saturday, November through March. Four railroad boxcars, a planetarium, a recreated Appalachian mountain homestead, and three rotating exhibi…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Snowshoe)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BKW Raleigh County Memorial Airport, Beaver — 4 mi away. Directions
- LWB Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg — 43 mi away. Directions
- GSO Piedmont Triad International Airport, Greensboro — 135 mi away (major hub). Directions
Beckley is situated along I-77 and I-64. Both enter the Beckley area from the northwest twinned on the West Virginia Turnpike from Charleston. From Charleston, I-64 heads west towards Huntington and I-77 heads northwest towards Parkersburg. Leaving Beckley to the east, the highways split: I-64 continues to Virginia Beach, Virginia in the east, while I-77 heads south, continuing as the West Virginia Turnpike towards Charlotte, North Carolina.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $50–$79 a night (typical $59), from 11 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$90, mid-range ~$130, comfortable ~$240.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge, Bed and breakfasts in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia
- Lunch Char Restaurant
- Afternoon Winterplace Ski Resort, Theatre West Virginia
- Dinner Young Chow's
- Evening Daniel Vineyards
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Beckley is situated along I-77 and I-64. Both enter the Beckley area from the northwest twinned on the West Virginia Turnpike from Charleston. From Charleston, I-64 heads west towards Huntington and I-77 heads northwest towards Parkersburg. Leaving Beckley to the east, the highways split: I-64 continues to Virginia Beach, Virginia in the east, while I-77 heads south, continuing as the West Virginia Turnpike towards Charlotte, North Carolina.
By bus
- Greyhound, 105 3rd Avenue, +1 304-253-8333. Open 7AM to 5:30PM Monday to Saturday; and 7AM to 10AM, and 2PM to 5PM on Sunday.
By train
- Amtrak, WV-41 N by Depot Road in Prince (about 30 minutes northeast), +1 304-253-6651. Open 9:30AM to 9:30PM Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
By plane
Get around
- New River Transit Authority, 360 Prince St, +1 304-894-8917. Local bus service.
See
- New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Grandview Visitors Center offers a view of the deepest part of the New River Gorge, and several hiking trails.
- Uptown Beckley includes the brick-paved Main Street with shops, galleries, eateries and the courthouse. The area is undergoing revitalization and features events throughout the year, including a chili night when visitors can sample the entries in a chili-judging contest.
See Theatre West Virginia
In Beaver. A professional touring and historical outdoor drama theatre company, holding performances in a dramatic amphitheatre. Among their outdoor musical dramas: "Honey in the Rock", which tells the story of the birth of West Virginia, and "Hatfields and McCoys", which relives the famous feud. Tickets $15.
- Beckley is the northern terminus of the Coal Heritage Trail, a 97-mile scenic drive that passes mine-owners' mansions, miners' homes, company stores, coal tipples and state parks, before ending in Bluefield.
Do
Do Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine (Phillips-Sprague Mine)
Tours available 10AM to 5:30PM daily, April 1 through November 1. Visitors get a realistic look at coal mining as it was at the turn of the century, by travelling 1500 feet underground in authentic mining cars and touring the historic coal camp on the grounds, with veteran miners as guides. Be sure to bring a jacket, as temperatures underground stay at 58 degrees year-round. Adults $22.
Do Winterplace Ski Resort
In Ghent, or 800-607-SNOW (7669). Open 9AM to 10PM on weekdays, 8AM to 10PM on weekends and holidays, December through March. 27 trails, a terrain park, 16 snowtubing lanes, 9 ski lifts and 5 tubing lifts, and a vertical drop of 603 feet. Rental shop and four restaurants on-site. Skiing and snowboarding lessons available. $27-137 (lift tickets, including multi-day), $22-71 (rentals), $42-104 (lessons).
Do Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia
Open 10AM to 6PM daily, April through October; and 10AM to 5PM Tuesday through Saturday, November through March. Four railroad boxcars, a planetarium, a recreated Appalachian mountain homestead, and three rotating exhibits designed to entertain and educate on subjects like biology and art.
Buy
Shop Tamarack
Selling "the best of West Virginia", Tamarack offers a one-stop-shop for high-quality and authentic West Virginia culture, heritage, handcrafts, fine art, regional cuisine and music. It's one of the best places in the state to stop if you're looking for a really nice souvenir: you can buy hand-carved furniture, glass, pottery, Appalachian quilts, and regional specialty foods. The food court features signature dining options from the Greenbrier Hotel. There are six resident artists on-site who give demonstrations throughout the day, and Tamarack boasts a 178-seat theatre for live musical, theater, dance and storytelling performances.
Malls
Eat
Eat Char Restaurant
A family-owned and -operated restaurant since 1965, voted "Best Restaurant in West Virginia", with excellent food, friendly service and inviting ambiance. Steaks, chops, seafood and traditional Italian favorites. Try the fried olives, brascioli and their bread pudding.
Eat Young Chow's
Chinese-American and Japanese appetizers, soups, salads, vegetables, poultry, beef, pork, seafood, rice, noodles, grilled dinners, sushi and desserts. Meals come with free fried noodles with dipping sauces, and Chow's spicy cabbage. Try the fried ice cream. $5-25.
Drink
Drink Daniel Vineyards
In Crab Orchard. International award-winning estate-grown wine, with a tasting room. 11 red and white wines, including one made entirely from blackberries.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay The Resort at Glade Springs
In Daniels. Lodging for up to 350 people in The Inn, Manor Houses, Oak Lane Villas, Executive Suites, Chestnut Hill Lodges and Stone Manor. Two golf courses, fitness center, spa offering massages and facials, whirlpool, steam room, sauna, canoe and kayak rental, paddle boats, fly-fishing, clay skeet shooting, horseback and pony rides, bike riding, walking trails, day camps. Four on-site restaurants. $119-509 (double occupancy), $1000 (9-person manor).
Bed and breakfasts
Go next
- New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
- Fayetteville is about 30 minutes northeast on US-19.
- Mullens is 30 minutes southwest on WV-121
- Hinton is 40 minutes away
- Charleston is about 1 hour northwest on I-64 / I-77. State capital
- Lewisburg is about 1 hour east on I-64.
- Bluefield is about 1 hour south on I-77.
- Summersville is about 1 hour north on US-19
- Welch is about 1 hour southwest
- Gilbert is 1.5 hours west
- Huntington is about 2 hours west on I-64
- Morgantown is about 3 hours north.
Nearby
New River Gorge
Park · 3 listings · 14 mi away
Oak Hill
City / town · 12 listings · 14 mi away
Mullens
City / town · 6 listings · 17 mi away
Hinton
City / town · 10 listings · 18 mi away
Fayetteville
City / town · 21 listings · 19 mi away
Pineville
City / town · 5 listings · 23 mi away
Princeton
City / town · 30 listings · 29 mi away
Welch
City / town · 9 listings · 32 mi away
My experience
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