Overview
Bluefield is a city of 9,800 people (as of 2018) in Mercer County, West Virginia. Along with Bluefield, Virginia, it forms the micropolitan area of the Bluefields.
Nestled at the foot of the 3,400-foot East River Mountain, Bluefield is the most elevated town in West Virginia, at 2,655 feet above sea level. The town is sometimes called "Summit City", because of its high altitude, and "Nature's Air-Conditioned City" for its pleasant summer temperatures. Since 1941, the Chamber of Commerce's "Lemonade Lassies" have passed out free lemonade on days when the temperature exceeds 90°F. The airport thermometer is used to determine this, which is at the highest point in Bluefield. It can often exceed 90° in downtown Bluefield during the summer.
The area was first settled in the 1780s and incorporated in 1889. Named for the blue chicory fields in the area, Bluefield was a booming Norfolk and Western Railroad hub for the coal industry until the decline of coal in the 1960s. Today the city has an air of faded 1950s glory; some of the lovely homes have seen better days, the downtown is largely deserted, and passenger railways have given way to freight cars. The city is beginning to embark on an aggressive revitalization scheme, by restoring old buildings, attracting specialty shops and restaurants back to downtown, and focusing on tourism as a promising source of revenue. The town still retains its small-town Appalachian charm, with friendly people, beautiful scenery, and very low housing costs.
One of the best-known local residents is John Forbes Nash, winner of the 1994 Nobel Prize in economics and the subject of the 2001 film A Beautiful Mind. The town has yet to capitalize on this connection, however, so if you're a big fan of the man or the movie, you won't find a lot of related activities or sights in the area. Nash's boyhood home is undergoing renovation, and will likely be a listed historic site in the near future.
2 sights · 7 things to do · 4 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bluefield
Bluefield Area Arts Center
Housed in the historic Old City Hall, the Arts Center features an art gallery with rotating monthly exhibits, a top-floor artists' studio featuring local artisans, the Summit Theatre and a restaurant. The Mercer County C…
Eastern Regional Coal Archives
Open Monday through Friday afternoons; closed holidays. If you're interested in the coal-mining heritage of the area, this public history research center, housed in the Craft Memorial Library, highlights the history of W…
Mountaineer Bowling Lanes
A 28-lane bowling center with snack bar, billiard tables, nursery, pro shop, game room and Keno.
Elks Golf Course
The Granada Theater
The Granada Theater opened January 2, 1928, with Mary Astor in "Rose of the Golden West." The building was modernized in 1949 to the plans of architect E. H. Geissler. The theater was built for Vaudeville Acts and brough…
Mountain Festival
For a week around Memorial Day Weekend, the festival features live entertainment, dancing to oldies and beach music, a carnival, fireworks, sporting events, contests, an antique car show and the Miss Mountain Festival Pa…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Wettest: Sep and Jun. (climate data from nearby Boone)
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 — 37 mi away. Directions
- LWB Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg — 61 mi away. Directions
- GSO Piedmont Triad International Airport, Greensboro — 107 mi away (major hub). Directions
Bluefield is just off I-77, between Beckley in the north and Wytheville, Virginia, in the south. Most people will use exit 1, although if you're travelling south to Bluefield, you may see a sign recommending that you get off at exit 9; this, however, is only a needless detour through Princeton. At Bluefield, I-77 becomes the West Virginia Turnpike; if you continue north from Bluefield, you'll encounter toll booths.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Battle of the Bluefields, Bluefield Area Arts Center, Mountaineer Bowling Lanes
- Lunch David's Downtown
- Afternoon The Granada Theater, Lemonade Days Festival
- Dinner The Railyard
- Evening Open Heart Ministries Cafe
Day 2
- Morning Eastern Regional Coal Archives, Elks Golf Course
- Lunch Tudor's Biscuit World
- Afternoon Mountain Festival, Bluefield Coal Show
- Dinner Valley Country Restaurant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Bluefield isn't quite a culinary drawcard these days; if you like fast food, you're in luck, but otherwise there aren't a whole lot of options.
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
Bluefield is just off I-77, between Beckley in the north and Wytheville, Virginia, in the south. Most people will use exit 1, although if you're travelling south to Bluefield, you may see a sign recommending that you get off at exit 9; this, however, is only a needless detour through Princeton. At Bluefield, I-77 becomes the West Virginia Turnpike; if you continue north from Bluefield, you'll encounter toll booths.
The other main roads that pass through the town are US-19, from Abingdon, Virginia in the southwest to Beckley in the north; US-52, from Williamson in the northwest to Wytheville, Virginia, in the south; and US-460, from Grundy, Virginia in the west to Blacksburg, Virginia, in the east.
By bus
Go Greyhound Bus Lines
By plane
Get around
Bring your car! The area is rather mountainous, so if you stray from the main highways, you'll probably end up in some hilly terrain. It can be treacherous, especially in winter; but the upside, of course, is that the scenery is often spectacular.
There are also several streets in town that are very steep (Jefferson and S Mercer being good examples); traversing them in warm weather is nail-biting enough, but when the streets are covered with snow or ice, you definitely don't want to attempt it without four-wheel drive.
- Bluefield Area Transit, 1642 Bluefield Ave, +1 304 327-8418 or +1-866-759-0978. Buses run Monday through Friday, with limited weekend service to Athens; closed on holidays. Services Mercer and McDowell Counties with routes into Bluefield, Princeton and Welch. Fares $1–2, or $20–25 for a monthly pass.
See
- Downtown Bluefield, with its architecture dating from the 1920s. There are self-guided walking tours available.
* First Fridays, Chicory Square. Live entertainment and food on the first Friday of each month.
See Bluefield Area Arts Center
Housed in the historic Old City Hall, the Arts Center features an art gallery with rotating monthly exhibits, a top-floor artists' studio featuring local artisans, the Summit Theatre and a restaurant. The Mercer County Convention and Visitors' Bureau is also in the building.
- The East River Mountain Overlook, at the top of the mountain along Route 598 (off Route 460), +1 304 327-2401. Gives visitors a 3,500-foot-high view of the Bluefields and East River Mountain. Observation deck, hiking trails, picnic shelters, tables and grills.
- The National Coal Heritage Area encompasses 11 counties in southern West Virginia, and aims to preserve, protect, and interpret lands, structures, and communities associated with the coal mining heritage of the state. Bluefield is the southern 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 at the Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley.
See Eastern Regional Coal Archives
Open Monday through Friday afternoons; closed holidays. If you're interested in the coal-mining heritage of the area, this public history research center, housed in the Craft Memorial Library, highlights the history of West Virginia coal fields. Along with research material, the center houses exhibits, photographs, mining implements, memorabilia, music and films.
Do
Do Elks Golf Course
- If you just want a relaxing family afternoon by a gentle stream, haul your picnic basket out to the Bluefield City Park, 1750 Stadium Dr, +1 304 327-2448. Picnic area with 4 pavilions, grills, playground, softball fields, football stadium, youth center with recreational equipment, tennis courts and gymnasium with indoor goals.
- Greater Bluefield Community Center, 703 College Ave, +1 304 325-5707. Swimming pool, basketball, racquetball, gymnastics, aerobics, swimming and lifesaving classes, weight room and Nautilus. Day passes $6.
Do The Granada Theater
The Granada Theater opened January 2, 1928, with Mary Astor in "Rose of the Golden West." The building was modernized in 1949 to the plans of architect E. H. Geissler. The theater was built for Vaudeville Acts and brought many talents to the area such as legendary contralto Marian Anderson, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Greer Carson. The Theater servers Gelato.
Events
Bluefield holds several festivals during the year:
- Holiday of Lights Festival, Bluefield City Park. Held yearly from Thanksgiving through the first full week in January. Open 6PM-10PM weekdays, 6PM-11PM weekends. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted. The city park is festooned with Christmas lights, displays and scenes, which can be viewed from the warmth of your car as you drive along the marked trail.
Do Lemonade Days Festival
Celebrated in early August. Free lemonade even if the temperature isn't above 90 °F, along with sales in downtown shops, entertainment, vendors, an auction, the Downhill Derby and a parade.
Also of note is one of the most passionate high school sports rivalries in the country:
Do Battle of the Bluefields (Bluefield–Graham game)
If you're a fan of high school football, this annual rivalry is not to be missed. The Bluefield Beavers and Graham G-Men, respectively representing the public high schools of the West Virginia and Virginia Bluefields, first played in 1911 and have played every year since 1928. While the schools have a strong rivalry in all sports that they sponsor, the football version is by far the most passionate. Mitchell Stadium, located in the West Virginia city's park (though with the state line passing through the parking lot), is the home field for both teams, and the rivalry game sells out every year.
Learn
The city newspaper is the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.
Place Bluefield State University (BSU)
A four-year historically black college on the north side of town, established as a teachers' college in 1895 and integrated in 1954. Bluefield State specializes in career and technical two- and four-year programs, enhanced by a selection of liberal arts courses.
Buy
Eat
Bluefield isn't quite a culinary drawcard these days; if you like fast food, you're in luck, but otherwise there aren't a whole lot of options.
Eat David's Downtown
Cosmopolitan cuisine.
Eat The Railyard
Great restaurant/bar in the heart of downtown Bluefield. Live music on the weekends
Eat Tudor's Biscuit World
West Virginia regional chain specializing in biscuits, biscuit sandwiches, and homestyle specialties.
Eat Valley Country Restaurant
Open all day. Homestyle country cooking.
Drink
Drink Open Heart Ministries Cafe
Here you can be part of something bigger by helping to support the homeless community.
- Ole No. 3 at the Quality Inn Hotel and Conference Center, 3350 Big Laurel Hwy, +1 304-800-4102. Pub food and drinks.
Sleep
Hotels
Stay Economy Inn
Stay Quality Hotel and Conference Center
120 rooms. Full-service dining room, cocktail lounge, fitness center, sauna, game room, and seasonal heated outdoor pool. Rooms from $90.
Go next
- Bramwell is about 15 minutes northwest on US-52. It was once home to millionaires and is now home to Pinnacle Rock State Park.
- Princeton is about 10 minutes northeast on US-460. It's the county seat, and a good access point for Pipestem State Park and the Bluestone National Scenic River.
- Tazewell, Virginia is about 30 minutes southwest on US-19.
- Welch is about 1 hour northwest on US-52. It's a traditional mining town in the heart of coal country, although the decline of the industry has hit the town hard.
- Wytheville, Virginia is about 45 minutes south on I-77.
- Beckley is about 1 hour north on I-77. Winterplace Ski Resort, in nearby Flat Top, offers skiing, snow tubing and snowboarding trails.
- Blacksburg, Virginia is a little over 1 hour east on US-460. It's home to the Virginia Tech Hokies.
- Abingdon, Virginia is about 1½ hours southwest on I-77 / I-81, or a bit under 2 hours if you follow US-19. A charming town popular for its well-known Barter Theatre.
- Grundy, Virginia is about 1½ hours west on US-460.
- Williamson is about 2.5 hours west on US-52. Birthplace of the Hatfield-McCoy feud.
Nearby
Bramwell
City / town · 13 listings · 7 mi away
Princeton
City / town · 30 listings · 10 mi away
Wytheville
City / town · 9 listings · 23 mi away
Welch
City / town · 9 listings · 23 mi away
Mullens
City / town · 6 listings · 24 mi away
Pineville
City / town · 5 listings · 28 mi away
Hinton
City / town · 10 listings · 33 mi away
Beckley
City / town · 24 listings · 36 mi away
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