night in this elegant little village. Nearby Pinnacle Rock State Park is a great place for a picnic and a spectacular view. Farther along on
U.S. 52 is Bluefield , Nature’s Air- Conditioned City. Since 1939, the town has offered free lemonade when the temperature tops 90 degrees—if you’re there on a scorcher, don’t miss out on yours! From Bluefield, follow U.S. 19 through Princeton . If your tastes run to the spooky, arrange a private tour in advance of the abandoned Lake Shawnee Amusement Park
( visitmercercounty.com/lakeshawnee ). Otherwise, continue north on U.S. 19 to Beckley , where a stop at the Beckley ExhibitionCoal Mine is recommended—and don’t miss the state’s giant artisan gallery, Tamarack ( tamarackwv.com ). From here, follow U.S. 19
Southern Wes t V irginia SouthernWest Virginia, home to the coal seams that fueled the nation’s industrial might, offers historical mining communities, outdoor adventure, and panoramic mountain views. In Huntington , home to Marshall University , find great shopping and dining at Pullman Square and Heritage Station . Camden Park
north to Fayetteville , with an optional side trip at Glen Jean to the ghost town of Thurmond . You’ve entered whitewater country. If you’re not planning any
activities, Fayetteville is a can’t miss stop for the hearty, tasty fare that satisfies climbers and paddlers. But to fully experience the area, book a stay at one of the local fun-of-all-kinds destinations, like ACE Adventure Resort
here is the only amusement park in West Virginia ( @camdenparkwv on Facebook ). Follow U.S. 52 south to Williamson , a longtime rail and coal center. A small building there faced in coal houses the
Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce . You’re about to pass through Hatfield- McCoy Trails territory—if you’re an ATV enthusiast, check the website for trailheads ( trailsheaven.com ). Continuing 11 miles on U.S. 52, the right turn on State 65 takes the motorist on a parallel route over the King Coal Highway , a roadscape unlike any other in West Virginia. Rejoin U.S. 52 and follow it to Iaeger, where a side trip for swimming, fishing, and camping at Panther State Forest is possible. Back on U.S. 52, moving eastward, is Welch , site of the nation’s first monument to World War I veterans. Farther along, Bramwell was home in the late 1800s to the largest number of millionaires per capita in the United States. Drive by mansion after gracious mansion, or book a B&B and spend the
( aceraft.com ) or Adventures on the Gorge ( adventuresonthegorge.com ). A few miles beyond Fayetteville, U.S. 19 crosses over the famed New River Gorge Bridge —stop here at the National Park Service’s Canyon RimVisitor Center for stunning views. U.S. 19 joins U.S. 60 a little farther on. Eight miles west is Hawks Nest State Park , with a scenic overlook and a lodge.
U.S. 60 descends from here into the New River Gorge , then follows the Kanawha River into Charleston ; continuing on U.S. 60 through Milton allows for a stop at the BlenkoGlass visitor’s center ( blenko.com ) on the return to Huntington.
Main route: 364 miles. Huntington to Bluefield via U.S. 52, 178 miles—Bluefield to Hico via U.S. 19, 80 miles—Hico to Huntington via U.S. 60—107 miles.
82 wvl • summer 2020
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