Blues tone-Greenbrier
Forests, streams, and mountains dominate this tour through southeasternWest Virginia.
Leaving Beckley on U.S. 19, take State 3 east at Shady Spring , then State 20 into Hinton . Walk the streets of this old railroad town on the banks of the New River to see a well- preserved historic district, visit the Hinton Railroad Museum ( “Hinton Railroad Museum” on Facebook ), and find a good meal. Returning to State 3, the tour proceeds eastward. TheGreenbrier
Academy for Girls in Pence Springs is housed in the beautiful former Pence Springs Resort. Farther along this picturesque stretch of the
Greenbrier River , stop for a bite at the RiverviewCafe in Alderson ( “Riverview Cafe” on Facebook ). At Ronceverte , pick up U.S. 219 headed north. Four miles on, you’ll reach Lewisburg , the third oldest town in the state, now a lively arts community. Stop at the North House Museum to learn about the history of Greenbrier County. Lewisburg is home to one of four Carnegie Hall s. Stroll the Greenbrier , one of the many storied springs resorts that have operated in the area over the past quarter- millennium. The Greenbrier’s Cold War Congressional bunker wasn’t even built yet when the 1950s brochure sent travelers in this direction; since the bunker became public in 1992, you can call ahead now to book a tour ( greenbrier.com ). Prepare a picnic for the rural
streets here for intriguing galleries and temptations for any meal. This is also a great place on this tour to spend the night. Be sure to drive the seven miles east to White Sulphur Springs , home of The
Marlinton . Or continue the tour by taking State 39 west to Cranberry Glades , 300 acres of bogs unlike any place else in West Virginia. You might spot some carnivorous plants from the boardwalk. Five miles farther west on State 39, pull off for a short hike
to the Falls of Hills Creek . Route 39 then follows the Cherry River, a fine fishing stream, through Richwood and continues to Summersville and U.S. 19, the southbound leg. Three miles south of Summersville is a road leading to Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State
next leg of this tour, which offers the motorist a choice of great parks. Continuing north on U.S. 219 through the Greenbrier Valley, stop at Beartown State Park to follow the boardwalk among incredible rock formations. At Spice , DroopMountain Battlefield State Park has a museum with Civil War artifacts and a lookout tower with a view of the Greenbrier Valley. And Watoga State Park , the state’s largest park, has an arboretum, boating and fishing, many hiking trails, and camping and cabins. At Mill Point , fishing enthusiasts might like a side trip north on U.S. 219 to the Edray Trout Hatchery —don’t miss historic
Park , where Federal troops in the Civil War gained control of the Kanawha Valley. From here, U.S. 19 leads crosses the New River Gorge Bridg e and passes Fayetteville —a great place to stop for a meal—on the return to Beckley.
Main route: 208 miles. Beckley to Ronceverte on U.S. 19 and State 3, 58 miles—Ronceverte to Lewisburg on U.S. 219, 4 miles— Lewisburg to White Sulphur Springs and return on U.S. 60, 14 miles—Lewisburg to Mill Point on U.S. 219, 33 miles—Mill Point to Summersville on State 39, 53 miles—Summersville to Beckley on U.S. 19, 46 miles.
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