Overview
Princeton is a city of 6,347 people (as of 2000) in West Virginia. It was established in 1838 and named for Princeton, New Jersey, where General Hugh Mercer — an apothecary from Fredericksburg, Virginia, for whom Mercer County was named — was killed in a Revolutionary War battle.
13 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Princeton
McNutt House
The only surviving structure from the Civil War standing in Princeton.
Camp Creek State Park
5,300 forested acres for hunting, trout fishing, scenic trail hiking, horseback riding, basketball, volleyball and badminton. Three campgrounds available.
Pipestem Resort State Park
WV-20 14 miles north of I-77 (exit 14), 304-466-1800. Scenic overlooks of the Bluestone Gorge and an aerial tramway. Two lodges, rental cottages, campgrounds, four restaurants and three gift shops. Two golf courses, guid…
Bluestone National Scenic River
The, WV-20 near Pipestem. 4,310 acres of parkland along an 11-mile tributary of the New River. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding along the Bluestone Turnpike Trail; fishing, hunting and whitewater boating alon…
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park
An abandoned amusement park (1920s-1966) occupies a desecrated native burial ground which was the site of the 1783 Mitchell Clay settler farm. Three of the Clay children (Bartley, Tabitha, Ezekial) were killed by a band …
West Virginia Tourist Information Center
Locally known as "the Pyramids" for its unmistakable triple-pyramidal glass ceiling, the TIC also has a large repository of guides and brochures, as well as an extensive craft and gift shop featuring hand-crafted local s…
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 — 29 mi away. Directions
- LWB Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg — 51 mi away. Directions
- GSO Piedmont Triad International Airport, Greensboro — 109 mi away (major hub). Directions
Princeton is on US-19 just northeast of Bluefield and south of Beckley. US-460 leads from just south of Princeton to Blacksburg, Virginia.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $58–$125 a night (typical $85), from 13 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$290.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge, Bed and Breakfasts in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Princeton Railroad Museum, Mercer County Agricultural Museum, Chuck Mathena Center
- Lunch Angelo's Pizzeria
- Afternoon Mercer County War Museum, McNutt House
- Evening Sister's Coffee House
Day 2
- Morning Camp Creek State Park, Pipestem Resort State Park
- Afternoon Bluestone National Scenic River, Brush Creek Preserve
Day 3
- Morning West Virginia Tourist Information Center, Princeton Speedway
- Afternoon Vietnam Memorial
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.
Understand
Princeton's proximity to I-77 makes it a popular lodging stop for travelers. The city features a long strip of historic commercial buildings along the length of Mercer St.
The outlying community of Athens, 15 minutes northeast of Princeton on WV-20 is the location of Concord University.
Get in
Princeton is on US-19 just northeast of Bluefield and south of Beckley. US-460 leads from just south of Princeton to Blacksburg, Virginia.
Get around
The downtown along Mercer St. is walkable between the train tracks and the county courthouse; otherwise a car is necessary for travel in the region.
See
See West Virginia Tourist Information Center
Locally known as "the Pyramids" for its unmistakable triple-pyramidal glass ceiling, the TIC also has a large repository of guides and brochures, as well as an extensive craft and gift shop featuring hand-crafted local souvenirs, including glass, coal sculptures, pottery, books, jewelry and foods. Free Wi-Fi.
See Princeton Railroad Museum
Replica depot housing artifacts relating to the Virginian Railroad.
See Vietnam Memorial
304-589-3435 or 304-384-7547. Lists Vietnam veterans from eight surrounding counties in West Virginia and Virginia.
See Wiley Cabin and Museum
A 1932 cabin now housing a museum with three exhibit rooms, library, and a craft and gift shop.
See Mercer County War Museum
Parks
See Pipestem Resort State Park
WV-20 14 miles north of I-77 (exit 14), 304-466-1800. Scenic overlooks of the Bluestone Gorge and an aerial tramway. Two lodges, rental cottages, campgrounds, four restaurants and three gift shops. Two golf courses, guided horseback rides, outdoor amphitheatre, nature center, Olympic-sized outdoor pool, miniature golf, lighted tennis and basketball courts, hunting, fishing, paddle boating, canoeing, 20 miles of hiking trails, bicycling, horseshoes, archery. Cottages $86 - $182 nightly, $542 - $1,024 weekly; camping $15 - $23.
Do
Learn
Buy
Shop Princeton Shopping Center
Eat
Eat Angelo's Pizzeria
Family-owned pizzeria.
- A Taste of Memphis, 1275 Stafford Dr, 304-425-9667. Barbecue and steak.
Drink
Drink Sister's Coffee House
Soups, sandwiches, salads, desserts and freshly-brewed Green Mountain Coffee.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Stay Holiday Inn Express
70 rooms. Indoor pool, fitness center. Complimentary Express Smart breakfast buffet.
- McKeever Lodge, Pipestem Resort State Park. 113 rooms. Gorge-view rooms, executive suites and jacuzzi rooms available. Indoor heated pool, saunas, outdoor hot tub, exercise room, game room. On-site full-service restaurant and snack bar. $59 - $165.
Splurge
Bed and Breakfasts
Go next
Nearby
Lake Shawnee
A small unincorporated community located along US Route 19, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) northwest of Princeton.
See Lake Shawnee Amusement Park
An abandoned amusement park (1920s-1966) occupies a desecrated native burial ground which was the site of the 1783 Mitchell Clay settler farm. Three of the Clay children (Bartley, Tabitha, Ezekial) were killed by a band of natives; Mitchell Clay led a group of settlers in bloody retaliation, causing several fatalities. In the 1920s, businessman Conley T. Snidow purchased the site of the Clay farm for development as an amusement park; the park was abandoned in 1966 after two children were killed (a girl on a circling swing was hit by a truck and a boy drowned in the amusement park’s swimming pond). The park structures and rides stand in abandoned and deteriorating condition; tours of the "cursed" site are offered by appointment only, with a "dark carnival" in the days leading up to Hallow'een.
Nearby
Bluefield
City / town · 22 listings · 10 mi away
Bramwell
City / town · 13 listings · 12 mi away
Mullens
City / town · 6 listings · 22 mi away
Hinton
City / town · 10 listings · 24 mi away
Welch
City / town · 9 listings · 27 mi away
Pineville
City / town · 5 listings · 28 mi away
Beckley
City / town · 24 listings · 29 mi away
Wytheville
City / town · 9 listings · 29 mi away
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