I-77 and WEST VIRGINIA

• Beckley
• Charleston
• Parkersburg

Beckley

Here, at exit 40, we meet I-64 which goes east to connect with I-81 in Virginia. I-64 shares the road with I-77 between here and Charleston (the I-77 exit numbers are used).

Visitors' Center - 
  From I-77 northbound, take exit 42 and follow WV-16 eastbound into Beckley to the intersection of WV-3 which is Neville Street. Turn right on Neville and follow it to its end at Heber Street (about 7 blocks depending upon which streets you count). Turn left and then right onto Main Street. The Visitors Center is at the end of the block at the corner on your right (200 Main Street).
  If southbound on I-77, take exit 44 and follow WV-3 southbound into Beckley. When you get to the intersection of WV-16 (Robert Byrd Drive) in town WV-3 will have become Neville Street. Continue - but ignore WV-3 when it turns off to the right - on Neville and follow it to its end at Heber Street (about 7 blocks depending upon which streets you count). Turn left and then right onto Main Street. The Visitors Center is at the end of the block at the corner on your right (200 Main Street).

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine - Opened in the late 1800s, this coal mine, 500 feet below the surface, was donated to the City of Beckley as an exhibit of the working environment of miners. Exhibits cover early to modern mining techniques. Guides are experienced miners and can answer your questions about mining. Note: temperature in the mine is always about 58ºF.
  Open from April through October, 10a to 5:30p. For more info, phone 1-304-256-1747 or visit their web site: CoalMine.
  From I-77 take exit 44 and follow WV-3 (Harper Rd) 1.5 miles to Ewart Avenue (it will be on your left). Turn left and drive another 0.3 miles to New River Park.

Daniel Vineyards - Creating a wide array of fine wines, Daniel Vineyards invites you to come and look over their facilities - including their tasting room. View their state-of-the-art equipment or just savor the beautiful views.
  Open Monday through Saturday 10a to 6p; Sundays 1 to 6p. From I-77 take exit 42 and follow WV-16 WEST to the Glen View Road Fork (about 1.3 miles). Take the right fork (Glen View Road) and follow it to Twin Oaks Road (about 1.7 miles). You'll see the sign and the vineyard.
  For more information phone 1-304-252-9750 or visit their web site: DanielVineyards.

New River Canyon Rim - The New River Bridge, about 25 miles from (north) of the Turnpike is, in itself, a stunning sight. On the other side of the bridge is the official  Canyon Rim Visitor Center. In the main building you'll find a wealth of information. On the west side of the parking lot is a long series of flights of rustic (but very safe) wooden steps descending to an observation platform.
  Warning! Descending is the easy part. Ascending all those steps (it seems like there are hundreds of them) can be quite taxing. You don't have to descend all the way to appreciate the view. If you only get part way down and feel enough is enough, don't be embarrassed. We don't have any statistics but many, many people descend only part way.
  From I-77 take exit 48 and follow US-19 northbound about 25 miles to the New River Canyon. Drive across the bridge (watch the road!) and pull into the parking area (road on your right).

» Hotels in Beckley «

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Charleston

Visitors' Center - Charleston seems to be somewhat shy of exits from I-77 (and I-64) even though the WV Turnpike ends at the southern edge of the city. It is easier to get to the Visitors' Center than many other places in the city (at least from the Interstates) and, once you are on city streets, getting around is very easy - even with the river almost bisecting the city.
  From I-64/77 northbound continue past the I-64/77 split at exit 101 staying on I-64 westbound. Take the very next exit - which is numbered 58-C. At the end of the off-ramp bear left on US-119 (Pennsylvania Ave) and go 2 blocks (the 1st US-60 is one-way the wrong way) and turn left on Lee Street (the second US-60). Cross over the bridge and turn left onto Clendenin Street. The Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau is one block ahead on your right (200 Civic Center Drive).
  From I-77 southbound exit onto I-64 west at exit 101. Take the very next exit - which is numbered 58-C. At the end of the off-ramp bear left on US-119 (Pennsylvania Ave) and go 2 blocks (the 1st US-60 is one-way the wrong way) and turn left on Lee Street (the second US-60). Cross over the bridge and turn left onto Clendenin Street. The Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau is one block ahead on your right (200 Civic Center Drive).
  For more information, phone 1-800-733-5469 (toll free). Their web site is: CharlestonCVB.

Kanawha River Walkway - While you are at the visitors' center ask them about the Kanawha River Walkway (within a couple blocks of where you probably parked your car). This is a very nice walk (actually there are two: an upper and lower walk) along the river with a lot of nice views plus some older, stately homes facing the river. It is a nice, short break from driving.

Charleston Sternwheel Regatta - Each Labor Day weekend, they put on a fun shindig. Centered around a parade of boats and about anything folks can find that can float on the river, they add to the fun with a lot of bands (about every kind of music you can imagine) and lots and lots of food. While you can enjoy just one day's worth of it you might consider spending a night or two and really being part of the fun. For more details, contact the visitors' center at 1-800-733-5469 (toll free).

WARNING: If you are northbound on I-77 be sure you get on I-77 north at exit 101. It is very easy to drive on out of Charleston on I-64 thinking you are still northbound on I-77.

» Hotels in Charleston «

Parkersburg

Visitors' Center - From I-77 take exit 176 and drive westbound (toward town) on US-50. After US-50 splits into one-way streets in downtown Parkersburg, count 4 streets on your left. This will be Market Street. Turn left, go 1 block and turn left. The Convention & Visitors Bureau will be on your right mid-block (350 7th Street).
  For more information phone 1-800-752-4982 (toll free). Their web site is parkersburgcvb.

Ruble's Sternwheelers - They offer cruises on the Ohio River and, also, to Blennerhassett Island. We couldn't get a schedule and they apparently have no web site. Our phone inquiry was rather disappointing. Ruble's phone is 1-740-423-7268 but you might ask about them at the visitors' center.
  There is another, apparently better organized, sternwheeler cruise in Marietta OH (off I-77 just over the border from West Virginia). See Valley Gem Sternwheeler.

Blennerhassett Island - Here is a lot of history encapsulated on this one island in the Ohio River. While the plans and plots are exciting (though most never materialized into action, fortunately) the mansion is very real. Count on at least half a day on the island (including the boat ride via Ruble's Sternwheeler to/from Parkersburg).
  They have a rather complex operating schedule (viewable at Schedule). Admission charges are also included on this web page.
  For more information phone 1-800-225-5982 (toll free). Web site: Blennerhassett.

» Hotels in Parkersburg «

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