Vacation in WV - places to go and things to do? (Beckley: real estate, rent)

[snorpus]

m_p,

To answer your last question first, maybe the Princeton area would work better for you. Go west to I-77, then straight up I-77 to Princeton.

Pipestem Resort State Park is about 15 miles outside of town, has two lodges plus a number of cabins. One of the lodges is only accessible via an aerial tram. The cabins have up to 4 bedrooms (guess the single guy ends up on the couch).

Within an hour you can drive to Tamarack (Arts & Crafts of WV), Beckley, Bluestone Lake, Hinton, Lewisburg, the Greenbrier, etc.

There are airports in Bluefield, Princeton (I think), Beckley, and Lewisburg, but the way the airlines have been cutting routes, I don't know how good the schedules are.

[zheni]

I think you should look into Oglebay Resort, in Wheeling! A great place for kids, lots to do, nice cabins and main lodge, golf, tennis, horseback riding/pony rides, fishing lakes, nature center and walks, restaurants, historic mansion next door... A lot of people come here every year. Indoor pool, and beautiful outdoor may be open by then. A spa is opening this summer. Cabela's is in town, too. A very nice, relaxing place. Easy to get to: off I-70. One hour west of Pittsburgh airport, easy drive.

[GottaHerdOn]

Originally Posted by moving_pains

First of all, let me thank all of you folks for some great suggestions. I've been looking at them.

Some more info - we couldn't make it for the Memorial Day weekend because couple of us had other stuff coming up, so we decided to postpone this to the July 4th weekend. And as it stands now, we won't be having any kids with us. It'd be 5 guys and 4 girls (4 husband-wife pairs and one single guy), so we need to tailor our vacation accordingly. And I know, even with a July 4th date, if we don't do the bookings now, everything's going to get filled up, so I'm looking to get everything wrapped up in a weeks' time.

A little bit more on what we'd like to do - I don't expect us doing a LOT of whitewater rafting or even ANY hiking. I'd like to try whitewater rafting, that's for sure, but the problem is my wife doesn't know how to swim (and I am sure there might be others in our group with the same problem). Not knowing swimming, I think we might be stuck to doing whatever rafting is possible in shallow waters (class 1?). Wife is ready to pass out after a 2 mile hike on the trail near where we live, so I can't expect her to hike the wilderness of WV.

From what I've seen so far, it appears as if going to Elkins, WV would be the best option (~7 hours drive for me though ). And from there, we could go wherever else we want to, in a couple of hours time. Am I right?

Most importantly - any idea where I can get cabin rentals in Elkins? Any recommendations? Hopefully some place where someone here has been before and liked it? I'd like it to be a bit away from the hustle and bustle (but not in a godforsaken place, of course), be able to accommodate 9 of us with ease, has good scenery around, so we can sit on the decks with our beer bottles, gaze away into the scenery and catch up on each other. Google hasn't been much help, so far.

Any idea which would be the nearest airport for Elkins? Some folks live as far away as Chicago, Boston and Dallas.

And if I may ask, any good place like Elkins, which could be closer for me? I'd like to keep the drive within 4-5 hours, if possible. Davis, Berkeley Springs, everything, seems as far away as Elkins.

Thanks!

Cabin rentals in Bowden would be your best choice. There are also camp grounds with some really nice campers if you are interested in those, as well as cabins. Contact the Mon. Forest National Headquarters to see what they recommend. The headquarters is in Elkins.

There is an airport in Elkins. You can charter a plane in if you'd like. The nearest commercial would be Harrison-Marion Airport in Bridgeport, or Pittsburgh International.

I'm confused, you don't find Davis far, but Elkins you do? ha ha Davis and Elkins are only about 40 minutes or so apart from each other. I've just never thought of them as being that far from each other. They were both settled by the same man. ha ha

If you do decide to come to Elkins. You really should get tickets on the excursion train! It boards in historic downtown Elkins, you can shop, eat, and catch a show if you'd like, then board the train and go deep into the wildness to stop at the High Falls of Cheat. Here is a pic of the falls.



Here is a link to Mountain Rail

The New Tygart Flyer, scenic train excursion in Elkins and Belington WV (broken link) ( Tygart Flyer Excursion Train)

Also, Randolph County Convention and Visitors Bureau would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about what to do, where to stay in or around Randolph County.

Welcome to the Heart of West Virginia ( Randolph County Convention and Visitors Bureau )

I hope this has provided some information. Feel free to ask any further questions you may have

[BJC]

You need to check out Summersville, and look for places on ..VRBO® is Vacation Rentals by Owner® Vacation Homes Rentals by Owner lisitng # 84445. Lots of things to do in/around S'ville. Fayetteville is close, Blennerhassett is an easy day trip, we did it in October.

[David Kennedy]

I agree with Pipestem...has horses...boat rental on the Bluestone...Old town Hinton is at the bottom of the hill and Tamarac is close enough to get a nice fish sandwich from the Greenbriar...not forgeting the golf course...the trick will be to get a cabin in such a hurry. 62 million people know that the best is in Wv and those who do not go to the beaches will be here in the mountains...

[snowshoemtnman]

Snowshoe. snowshoemtn.com

All kinds of things to do and you can get a cabin very easily from 304.572.2210. I am not affiliated with this company, but know they have an array of options. Cabins are privately owned mountain second homes, primarily used in ski season, so your timing would be during off-season, although the resort will have a lot of things going on. Nearest airport is Lewisburg, WV - Greenbrier Valley Airport, approximately hour and fifteen minutes of beautiful drive through the mountains on Rt. 219. Amenities galore, just check out the web site for Snowshoe. I recommend a cabin off-mountain though, through the number provided.

[beverlysmithscott]

There is a town in Summers County called Alderson that has the biggest fourth of July parade in the entire state. They make a whole weekend out of the festivites including beauty pagants, fire mans races with the local prison (which just happens to be the same prison that Martha Stewart was in), flea markets, fireworks, etc... It has been a great time every time that we have went. There is also the state fair in Lewisburg in August. It lasts for about two weeks and has rides, bands, rodeos, livestock shows and horse races. There is usually alot of entertainment at the local bars such as bear wrestling, wet tee shirt contests etc...

[ecormack]

You should really check out Fayetteville. It's only a 4 to 4.5 hr drive and there will be plenty of activities for you to do.

Contact Whitewater rafting Vacations - West Virginia and have Heather or MA give you a call. Tell them Eric C. sent you.

If you would like my personal suggestions on where to eat and what to do (i've lived and worked here for 34yrs.) please feel free to email me.

Wherever you spend your weekend, I hope it is a memorable one.

Eric

[harborlady]

Lots of great info here. I did the drive for the whole length of I77 and didn't get too bored because the scenery kept me entertained. The speed limit is 70 so your estimated driving times may vary relative to your state.
Wife can't swim- standard gear of life preservers are generally provided by the rafting companies because the coast guard mandates this for recreational boating (inland rules still apply). Experienced swimmers usually go with the shorter profile high buoyancy type vests without a collar, but your wife may be better suited for the type 1 (collar type) because it's guaranteed to keep her head out of the water even if unconscious. If she's the nervous type insist on the extra safety. Stick with the bunny trail they advised in post above (gauley isn't for her, upper new river is more her speed), save the beers for afterwards and you'll have a blast.

Question- does WV have any annual tubing festivals?

[moving_pains]

The whole of the past week we looked a lot, but every single cabin everywhere was taken. Finally, it came down to the stage where we were ready to go wherever accommodation was available, and not just WV. But finally I lucked out and was able to find and book this! So we are on!

Now, that we've decided on the place to go to, now to compile the list of things to do! Anyone living in Canvas, WV or anyone been to the place? Suggestions? I hurt my knee couple of days ago and been advised to take bed rest. I would barely recover by July 4th, so can't do anything strenuous (hiking, biking etc..) .

Thanks!