Budget Travel in Beckley-Raleigh County (series part 1)

 

Planning some splurges this family vacation? How about balancing that out with some money-savers? Each of our counties here in Southern WV offers fun-filled getaways and activities that won’t break the bank.

So, we’re giving you tips to save a little when you visit us!

Here’s your budget guide to a Raleigh County and Beckley area family vacation:

STAY: Hotels
A stay in a hotel or motel in Southern West Virginia is much more economical than many vacation destinations, and Raleigh County is full of budget-friendly places to rest up after your day of fun. Want the cheapest rates? Stay mid-week instead of on the weekend.

STAY: Camping 
Save on accommodations costs by turning your stay into an outdoor adventure. It’s only $22 per night to camp at Lake Stephens Campground and Marina, and you saw even more if you stay seven days with a reduced weekly rate. The nightly rate at New River Campground is the same, but the weekly rate break is a little cheaper. Grab some hot dogs and s’mores and take an evening by the fire one evening for a cheap alternative to dining out.

PLAY: Family events
Pack up a picnic and catch a lunchtime band with regular concert series events like Fridays in the Park or Wednesdays in the Square. Annual events include: Chili Night in Beckley, where $5 gets you 5 chili samples; the 3-day Friends of Coal Auto Fair; the free-admission Pumpkin Harvest Festival; and the Appalachian Festival, where an adult ticket is only $4, and discounts are given to children, students and seniors.

Parks & Recreation
With one of the most gorgeous views of the New River Gorge National River – Grandview is a great place for a hike. You can also spend a day (and night – also great spot for camping)  at Little Beaver State Park to fish, bike or take a paddle boating trip. Or, go to Lake Stephens for basketball courts, playgrounds, swimming and other recreation activities. In the summertime, fly down the waterslide at New River Park, walk the fitness trail or enjoy playing tennis, basketball or horseshoes.

Youth Museum
Treat the kids to a day of interactive exhibits at the inexpensive Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia. Interpreters will lead you through entertaining exhibits, which feel more like play than learning. They´ll also get a unique peek into history at ¨The Mountain Homestead,¨ set up to mimic the Appalachian frontier.

Miner’s Baseball
You can snag seats to see these prospect-leaguers for as low as $5.50 on the bleachers, and springing for a box seat will only set you back $8.50 per chair. Special games are designated throughout the season for promotions, giveaways and fireworks, so be sure to check the Miner’s website  for game schedules and event schedule.

Pottery DIY
Get crafty with a paint-your-own ceramics session. Choose from plates or bowls, cute clay animals and other ceramics, then paint and decorate it yourself with a huge selection of paints and craft materials. You can have several hours of fun crafting your piece, and you´ll end up with a handmade souvenir! It takes a few days to get your pot back, baked and ready to go, but if you´re skipping town soon, The Pottery Place will gladly ship it to you once it´s ready.

SHOP: Tamarack
Take a day to browse West Virginia’s best artisan crafts, and watch the artisans at work. Admission is free, but you will probably want to buy a few souvenirs, so shop wisely and walk through all of the booths to see what you like best before making your final purchases.

Beckley Motorsports Park
Catch some quick-paced action at the motorsports park. Watch the revved up and built-for-speed cars battle it out to zoom first across the finish line. Children get reduced rates to the races.

Ski Deals
Heading down in the winter? Check Winterplace Ski Resort’s “deals” page. On certain holidays, you can usually ski free when you buy a lift ticket or a night at one of the resort hotels. You can also go tubing and hit the slopes at a lower price.

Which deals are you most excited about for your family? Do you have any tips for budget travel in Raleigh County?