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Bramwell Octoberfest 2013 Posted to Instagram by Visit WV/.

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Jammin' WV Style at Bramwell Oktoberfest Posted to Instagram by Visit WV/.

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Why stop at one resolution? Southern West Virginia has pulse-pounding adventures for the whole year. Resolve to do one (or more) of these activities for 2024! 1. Beckley-Raleigh County Welcome to the “Hub of Southern West Virginia.” Raleigh County’s convenient roads and interstates make road trips a snap. Prime whitewater rivers and climbing mountains are minutes away. It’s also an easy drive to Fayetteville and Lewisburg. Raleigh County is more than just a connector, though— much more. It has stylish, innovative restaurants, unusual attractions, including The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine - a once operating mine with trips guided by WV Coal Miners, and natural beauty. Nowhere else will you find urban entertainment, history, the arts and outdoor scenery so compatible. With those pointers in mind, Raleigh County makes resolutions so much better than your typical workout. Here’s what you can do instead: Go “rock” climbing. At the Outside In Climbing Gym in Beckley, you can clamber over 18 color-coded routes, 35 feet off the floor! Beginners and experts are welcome. Afterwards, relax at the Chocolate Moose cafe, the on-site coffee shop. Hike, fish, explore. Refresh your spirits— and your resolutions— at Little Beaver State Park in Beaver. The 562-acre refuge has more than a dozen trails and a placid 18-acre lake. Treat yourself to one of the most spectacular views in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve at Grandview.  The Main Overlook stands 1400 feet above the river, views include 7 miles of the New River and an active railway. 2. Fayette County Outdoor recreation rarely gets as good as this. Home of the lower section of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Fayette County boasts outstanding whitewater rafting, hiking, and sandstone climbing. It’s also spectacular. Mountains, rapids, and old-growth forests form the backdrop of any activity, mild or wild. Do you know what else comes naturally? New Year’s resolutions! If you’ve pledged to push those boundaries, come to Fayette County. It’s easy to keep those promises when you’re having fun. Try outside-the-box adventures like: Bridge Walk. At 876 feet high and 3,030 feet long, the New River Gorge Bridge certainly draws the eye. It’s America’s third-highest span— and you can hike the catwalk! Bridge Walk tours are open all year. The views are simply spectacular! Hiking and biking. The New River Gorge has numerous trails for casual and serious explorers alike. Historic mines, awe-inspiring overlooks, and lovely waterfalls are just some of the surprises in store for you. Stacked-loop paths up the ante for bikers. Escape rooms. Sharpen those critical thinking skills for 2018. Fayetteville’s Escape -A-Torium has interactive mysteries that need solving. Bring a friend and see how many clues you can crack before time’s up! 3. Mercer County When it comes to off-road driving, this county ranks towards the top. A portion of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails, America’s largest ATV network, is located in Mercer County. Its Pocahontas Trail is one of the longest contiguous paths within the system. Mercer County also has a rich past. Bramwell, a Victorian town, once had more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the country. That wealth is still evident today, thanks to the many coal baron mansions on display. Other historic places include Bluefield and Princeton; both are certified artistic communities. Spice up 2024 with: ATV driving. You don’t need to be a pro behind the wheel; Hatfield-McCoy Trails has paths for beginners as well as advanced drivers. ATV-friendly communities also help with guides, rentals, lodging, and supplies. On-stage performances. Add some culture to your new year! Princeton’s Chuck Mathena Center has interactive entertainment, comedians, and singers all year. 4. Monroe County In this quiet patch of Southern West Virginia, time seems slower. It’s a land of gentle farmland, covered bridges, and grain mills. Hikers on the Appalachian Trail often ramble through on their way to Georgia or Maine. Historic sites riddle the area, too. There’s Rehoboth Church, which dates to 1784; Alderson Depot, a C&O station; The Alderson Store, operated by the Alderson Family since 1887, and early 19th-century mineral springs and spas. Because Monroe County is so well preserved, natural beauty abounds. The dramatic landscape is punctuated with caverns, sandstone formations, and old forests. It’s a worthy setting for those resolutions, too! Not sure where to start? Check out Hanging Rock Observatory in Union. Located on Peters Mountain, the former fire tower sits almost 2,000 feet above the forest. Birds of prey swoop past during winter and spring. If your timing is right, you can see eagles, falcons, and hawks at eye level! 5. Greenbrier County This gracious region has attracted guests since colonial times. Not much has changed over the centuries. Greenbrier County still charms visitors with its warm hospitality, fine restaurants, and old-fashioned towns. If your time is limited, visit Lewisburg’s historic district. Brick antebellum homes, interspersed with cheerful gardens and boutiques, color the narrow streets. The venerable city doesn’t lack for entertainment, either. Look forward to imaginative cuisine and attractions— the kind that veer from the ordinary. Here’s how you can spice up 2024: Authentic Appalachian spirits. Get handcrafted bourbon, gin, whiskey, and vodka at Smooth Ambler Spirits in Maxwelton. You can also tour the facility and try samples in the cozy tasting room.  At Hawk Knob Appalachian Hard Cider in Lewisburg, heirloom ingredients enhance every drink. Specialties include classic, elderberry-infused, and wild-fermented ciders, plus honey mead and melomels. Greenbrier brews. These aren’t your typical beers. Maxwelton’s Greenbrier Valley Brewing Co. gets its inspiration from quirky West Virginia legends: Mothman, Devil Anse, and a local ghost, among others. Pale ales and stouts are specialties. Historic performances. Only 4 continuously operating Carnegie Halls exist in the world. Lewisburg has one of them. Visit the 1902 performance hall for year-round concerts, plays, workshops, and more! Caving. Lewisburg’s Lost World Caverns is a spellbinding treat for old and young alike. Go on a leisurely walk and see enormous chambers and odd rock formations, or take a Wild Cave Tour— a 4-hour trek with mysterious crannies and passageways. 6. Nicholas County Civil War history and exotic landscapes add plenty of drama to this northern county. Summersville Lake, West Virginia’s largest impoundment, is one of Nicholas County’s most striking features. Hailed by many as the “Little Bahamas of the East,” its aquamarine depths fill 60 miles of shoreline. That’s plenty of room for adventure. In fact, scuba diving and stand-up paddleboarding are especially popular. Make 2024 special with: Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park. History and scenery combine at this dramatic 156-acre refuge, where Union soldiers defeated Confederate forces in 1861. The park has stellar views, too; set above the Gauley River, it overlooks wild rapids and waves. Lakeside recreation. Rain or shine, winter or spring, Summersville Lake deserves a visit. The breathtaking shores are worth a hike any time! Fishing and boating are worthy resolutions, too. 7. Wyoming County With its wild mountains and valleys, this county has lots of rugged personality. You can hop on an ATV and disappear into the woods; climb Castle Rock, a sandstone formation; or look for mining ruins. One of Wyoming County’s best attractions, though, is Twin Falls State Park. Located near Mullens, the tranquil retreat is a great place to escape for the day or weekend. In fact, you might want to set your New Year’s resolutions right here! The park has more than 25 miles of trails and an 18-hole golf course, which is open all year. Make time for Pioneer Farm, too; it’s a recreated homestead with animals and crops. 8. McDowell County At one time, this region supplied most of the world’s coal. One of McDowell County’s most prolific mines was located in Coalwood, the childhood home of author Homer Hickam. His memoir, “Rocket Boys,” made the region famous. McDowell County’s current draw is outdoor recreation. Much of the county is covered with forest— a lure for hikers and ATV drivers. If your New Year’s resolution involves tranquility or exploration, McDowell County is the place for it! On a similar note, you might want to search for the “Luther Elkins Petroglyph.” These ancient rock carvings are found near the town of Oceana. They’re well worth a hike! However, please look but don’t touch. 9. Summers County This southern gateway to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve captures the imagination with its romantic parklands. Enormous cascades— some of the New River’s biggest— pour through the wide canyons. Diverse forests grow thickly along the mountains, too: hickory, hemlock, oak, and dogwood, among many others. Summers County attracts many visitors to the historic railroad town of Hinton where you can dine, lodge and shop. Everybody needs beauty. Why not start 2024 with an awe-inspiring trip? You won’t go wrong with Sandstone Falls, the New River’s widest cascade at 1,500 feet. It’s one of West Virginia’s most photographed subjects. An overlook on State Route 20 gives you a long-distance view (the thunderous noise is really impressive). To get closer, continue on County Route 26. You’ll see signs for the boardwalk. The short hike leads to dramatic bridges and an observation platform. Happy New Year! Which adventure are you going to try for 2024?

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Southern West Virginia is home to some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities, including ATV trail riding! We even have the largest contiguous trail system in the United States: the Hatfield-McCoy Trails. Get ready to take in the fresh air and explore our beautiful mountains on an off-road excursion with one of our reputable outfitters.   Burning Rock For an off-road adventure everyone will love, head to Burning Rock Off-Road Park in Sophia, West Virginia. Situated across 10,000 areas, Burning Rock features over 100 miles of trails that range from family-friendly to challenging. There are trails for dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs and Jeeps.  The trailhead is only 15 minutes from Beckley and features a general store, pavilion, campground, rustic cabins, RV hookups and more! Visit Burning Rock’s website for more information and view the updated trail rules concerning new safety practices before you book your trip.   Hatfield McCoy Trails Located in the rich highlands of Southern West Virginia, the Hatfield-McCoy Trails is made up of over 700 miles. The trails are open all year long and offer something for every skill level. Ride along paths with scenic mountain views of Pinnacle Creek or set out on the twisting trails of Bearwallow. As a bonus, many trails connect to ATV-friendly towns like Bramwell and Pineville where visitors can fuel up on local eats and experience Almost Heaven hospitality. Every rider visiting the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system is required to purchase an individual User Permit. Purchase a permit and learn more about this famous trail system on their website.    New River ATV Located in Minden, New River ATV provides adventure for all ages. The New River Gorge’s premier ATV adventure tour is the perfect outfitter if you’re looking for another way to explore the picturesque Gorge. With experienced guides, top of the line vehicles and over 100 miles of trails to travel, New River ATV guarantees to give riders of any skill level the challenge and adventure of a lifetime. Looking for a fun family activity to add to your visit? Book a Side by Side family tour with the brand new Yamaha Wolverine x4. Visit their website for more information on available tours and updated safety precautions. Plan a visit to Southern West Virginia to experience the thrills of motorsport riding through our scenic landscapes.

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If you're joining the crowds at Bridge Day, don't forget that there's more to explore! Bridge Day is the biggest event in Southern West Virginia. In fact, during the festival, more people convene in Fayetteville than in any city in the state. It's our largest pop-up population. It's easy to see what attracts the crowds: BASE jumpers parachuting from the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, rappellers descending into the canyon,  unique WV foods, tons of local vendors with great crafts, and amazing foods. But the festival isn't all there is to see! Make it a weekend, and explore the area before and after Bridge Day. Here are some of the highlights: Around Fayetteville (5 min drive) Go enjoy the outdoorsy, happening little town that helps make this adventure-fest possible. Weekend Events As a part of the Bridge Day weekend, Fayetteville hosts the after-party with a downtown chili cook-off, and the evening before Bridge Day, Adventures on the Gorge brings restaurants in for Taste of Bridge Day, where you can sample all the region's most loved dishes in one place, with a beautiful scenic view. Truly Unique Dining Fayetteville is a haven of culinary creatives from around the world. Taste gourmet pizzas from Pies and Pints, upscale Appalachian cuisine from Smokey's on the Gorge, sweet-potato stuffed tortillas at the Burrito Bar, or smoky BBQ at Fire Creek BBQ & Steaks. That's barely scraping the surface of your eatery options around downtown. Local Shops Downtown is also full of quirky shops and top-quality gear stores. You can find antiques at the New River Antique Mall, recycled and natural goods from Cathedral Cafe  Feeling adventurous? Rent a bike or get some top-notch gear from Arrowhead Bike Farm, or explore climbing and camping gear at the legendary Waterstone Outdoors. You can even see a show (The Butler Did It!) at the Historic Fayette Theater! Around the New River Gorge (up to 20 min drive)  With more than 70,000 acres of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve to explore and the lots of small towns to visit that support the park, there's plenty to see all around the gorge. Outdoor Adventure It's no secret that the New River Gorge is the capital of West Virginia adventure. Recreation activities include hiking and biking, along with world-class whitewater rafting (the Gauley River is one of the Top 10 across the globe) and renowned sandstone cliffside climbing. If the BASE jumpers inspired you, you can soar the skies doing stunts in a Wild Blue WWII plane. Zipline through the trees hit the trails horseback, challenge yourself to an aerial obstacle course, stroll across the bridge catwalk, go underground among the caves… that's just a glimpse at what you can try. Beckley Head into the commercial center of the gorge area in Beckley. There you'll find some of West Virginia's top crafters on display at Tamarack, with some in-studio artisans creating away in front of you with live demos. Then, delve into history and underground at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, where you'll ride an old mine car into the cavern for a look at one of the state's most famous industries. The kids might be more interested in the Youth Museum, where they can roam the Appalachian frontier or learn about history with fun interactive exhibits. Ansted Tucked back a bit more than Fayetteville, Ansted is full of its own unique charm. Ride over the aerial tram at Hawk's Nest State Park for a beautiful view, and swoop down into the marina for a New River Jetboat Ride then head out to discover the oddities at Mystery Hole. Summersville While the lake might be chilly, you can get an amazing landscape view from atop the lighthouse. Or, throw on a wet suit to stay warm and roll down the scenic Gauley River that drains from the lake. Stop in to taste the mountains with a sip of wine & spirits at Kirkwood Winery, where you'll find wild flavors like dandelion, ginseng, ramp, blackberry, and more. Thurmond This old mining town is nearly abandoned, but it's a great place to explore. The depot has been restored, and is now a visitor's center and museum, where you can hear all of the town's tales. If you're interested in exploring even more abandoned coal sites, ask about finding some of the ghost towns and ruins in the area. Across Southern WV (within about an hour's drive) Escape the crowds to see some of WV's other cultural treasure troves. Glade Springs If all the Bridge Day adventure got you tuckered out, spend a day at the spa. Glade Springs Resort's massive private estate has plenty to enjoy, from fine dining to bowling and recreation, and, because we're approaching Halloween, they'll also have 4 huge haunted attractions this weekend, including a 3D haunted house, hayride, and zombie laser tag game. Lewisburg This charming little town is full of character. Stroll historic downtown for jam-packed antique and artisan shops, art galleries, outdoor gear stores, boutiques, and more, there's plenty to browse. Take a break to dine at a charming cafe, quirky coffee shop or upscale eatery. The eclectic vegetarian-friendly Wild Bean, lauded Stardust Cafe, farm-to-table Stella's and modern Food & Friends are a few local favorites. The town is also home to one of the world's 4 Carnegie Halls, and several other entertainment venues. Nearby, you can find trails and caves to explore. Princeton History buffs can delight in the Eastern Regional Coal Archives, where you can find diaries, artifacts, records, photos and more from the coal boom era. Take home a piece of WV's heritage with classic coins and fine glassware from the Bronze Look. A little further from town, you'll find Bramwell, with streets still lined with lavish, sprawling mansions from when the town was home to more millionaires than anywhere else in the country. Hinton Stop off in nearby Sandstone Falls to catch the water crashing, stretched 1,500 feet across the scenery. Then drive on to this old rail town, and dig right into its history at the Hinton Railroad Museum. If you're still in town the weekend after Bridge Day you'll definitely want to check out the Historic Town of Hinton as they host their annual Hinton Railroad Days, the town will be bustling with activity. You can even ride the rails along the daily Amtrak rides (just plan out a route back, too!) The historic area is full of unique architecture, like the Romanesque Revival style courthouse. Entertain yourself with a show at the Ritz Theatre, or just flip on the AM radio for some old-school hits & chat on Historic Hinton's Hometown Radio. What are you exploring on Bridge Day weekend? 

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