Whitewater Rafting Season!
April 1, 2008 - October 30, 2008"Terror of the Tug" Outdoor Drama
July 25, 2008 - July 26, 2008
Things to See
Blessed with twelve West Virginia State Parks and Forests and the New River Gorge National River – the region of Southern West Virginia has an abundance of natural beauty and breathtaking scenery. From the wild whitewater of the New River, to wonderful vacation opportunities offered by the surrounding state parks this is a dreamland for those who love to be close to nature. Sublime green scenes of spring and summer, crispy fall scapes, and breathtaking winter wonderland - one can lose oneself in the mountains of Southern West Virginia.
Experience the history of the coal mining towns and take a tour underground in a once operational coal mine. The tour at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley, includes a 35-minute underground history lesson of coal mining from past to present. You can also tour the Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine and listen as guides explain the story of mining the famous Pocahontas Number Three coal, and how the hand-loading era of the industry slowly succumbed to mechanization.
Festivals and theatrical productions throughout the region combine entertainment with underlying historical, heritage and nature related themes. Festivals include: The New River Birding Festival in early May; The West Virginia State Fair – a great agricultural event held the second week in August; Bridge Day, held the third Saturday in October, commemorates the famed New River Gorge Bridge that looms 876 feet above the New River; Bramwell Oktoberfest, also held in October, is set amid the town of Coal Baron Mansions, a must visit for coal history enthusiasts; and The Annual Appalachian Coal Town Christmas & Light Festival, held the first weekend of December. These festivals offer just a glimpse of what is in store for you!
The longest running outdoor dramas “Honey in the Rock” – a retelling of the story of West Virginia's tumultuous birth during the Civil War and “Hatfields and McCoys” – a recount of the feud between the Hatfields, of West Virginia, and the McCoys, of Kentucky are produced by Theatre West Virginia June through August each year. More Appalachian themed plays and musical events are also produced by other venues in Southern West Virginia including The Historic Fayette Theatre, Greenbrier Valley Theater and Carnegie Hall, to name a few.
The activities and attractions mentioned above are just a sampling of what Southern West Virginia has to offer – we welcome you to come “See” for yourself.
Present your Southern West Virginia key fob and receive special offers or discounts at participating attractions.
