Kids attractions going through WV? (Morgantown, Fairmont: hotel, theater, restaurant)

[Nightfly]

Hello,
We are coming through WV from SC and heading to Pittsburgh. Are there any kid friendly stops that are worth it? I guess we will be heading from 77 to Hwy 19 to 79. We just want to break up the trip a bit. Thanks.

[snorpus]

Tamarack in Beckley, just before you turn off I-77/64 and head north on US Rte 19. I think it's Exit 45 on I-77.

It's arts and crafts, glassware, pottery, clothing, books, etc. Nice restaurant/grill run by the Greenbrier Hotel, with sandwiches, soup, desserts, etc. A nice change from fast food.

Worth the stop, even if your kids aren't of a mind to appreciate what they're seeing.

[Sharedspirit]

Watch your speed on 19! The police love to ticket out of state people and there are many speed traps set up.

How old are the kids? Don't miss Tamarack if you haven't been there before. If your kids are very young, they probably won't enjoy it but there used to be a playground outside. I haven't been there in a while so I'm not sure it's still there.

[cldwv]

If you are passing through Fairmont, try Valley Worlds of Fun and/or Prickett's Fort. In the Morgantown area there is Cooper's Rock which is beautiful. Valley Falls is nice too. You can get out and stretch your legs and let the kids run. You'll find all of these places on the web.

[BJC]

Traveling north on Rt 19 at Rt 60 Hico, stop at Hawks Nest and the Mystery Hole. Kids will love the Mystery Hole. You can even walk down to the river at Hawks Nest; it is an easy walk or ride the tram.

As sharedsprit said watch your speed on ALL of Rt 19. I do not think they are "speed traps" as some say, you just need to obey the traffic laws that these towns have set up. Most places will give you 3-5 miles over the speed limit but these towns have a 0 tolerance for speeding.

[snorpus]

How could I forget the New River Gorge bridge?

It's over a 1000 feet from the deck of the bridge to the New River below. The NPS Visitors Center has lots of exhibits from the mines in the area, plus a short walkway to where you can view the bridge. (Pedestrians aren't allowed on the bridge itself.)

Hawk's Nest SP (BJC's post) is just down the river, and there's lots of other stuff to do in the area.

Oh, did we mention to go the speed limit on 19?

[ki0eh]

I remember stopping at Tamarack with my (then) 4yo daughter. That was still a little young - too much fragile stuff in there.

[Nightfly]

Thanks, we always gas up at Tamarac and we have been to the Gorge which is right on the way.

[David Kennedy]

honestly..not a lot to do in Wv.

Pittsburgh has the museum...the submarine...the ball park...planetarium, conservatory...shows in the theater district...warf district...strip district...Station Square, Sternwheelers, Kennywood...that's about it.

[snorpus]

Nightfly, when you get to the 'Burg, be sure to take the kids to Kennywood, even if they've been before.