Make a weekend of it
Princeton sits at the heart of southern West Virginia's rail and coal country. Base yourself by the museum, then branch out — historic coal mines you can walk into, a railroad town on the Amtrak line, and some of the best outdoor country in the East, all an easy drive away.
Stay in Princeton or Bluefield and these are your drive times. Nothing here is more than about an hour and a quarter away.
The Virginian Railway was built to haul West Virginia coal — so the region around us is full of places that carry that same story. Start with these.
One of the nation's first exhibition mines (opened 1938). Walk right into the coal seam that started it all, alongside a museum and the historic Pocahontas Opera House. This is the seam that helped make the railroads run.
Directions ↗Ride a "man car" deep into a restored mine led by veteran miners, then explore a re-created coal camp with a church, schoolhouse and museum. Seasonal (roughly April–November) — bring a jacket, it stays cool underground. Pairs perfectly with a New River Gorge day.
Directions ↗A C&O Railway town frozen in time, with one of the best-preserved railroad-era downtowns in the state — and a stop on Amtrak's Cardinal, so you can still arrive by train. Home to the Hinton Railroad Museum and the gateway to the New River Gorge's southern end.
Directions ↗When you're ready to roam a little farther, these are the big ones — a world-famous gorge, a resort state park with an aerial tram, and a mountaintop lookout across the Virginia line.
America's newest national park, about 63 miles north via I-77 and US-19. Whitewater rafting, hiking, climbing and the Canyon Rim overlook boardwalks below the iconic New River Gorge Bridge — which the Virginian's rival, the C&O, once ran right through.
🍁 Going in fall? Color peaks early-to-mid October. Gauley Season whitewater releases start the Friday after Labor Day for about six weekends. Bridge Day (the one day cars stop and BASE jumpers leap) is the third Saturday in October.
🐾 Bring the dog: New River Gorge is a B.A.R.K. Ranger park — leashed pups can take the pledge and earn an official badge at the Canyon Rim or Sandstone visitor centers.
Directions ↗West Virginia's flagship resort state park, just up the road. Its aerial tram descends roughly 3,600 feet into the Bluestone River Gorge to Mountain Creek Lodge, plus an 18-hole championship golf course, a zipline canopy tour, horseback riding and an indoor pool.
3405 Pipestem Drive, Pipestem, WV 25979 · (304) 466-1800. The tram and some activities are seasonal — check hours before you go.
Directions ↗Head south through the East River Mountain Tunnel into Virginia to Walker Mountain and its 100-foot observation tower — views of up to five states on a clear day — plus the historic Big Walker Country Store. About an hour from Bluefield via I-77 south. Seasonal (spring–fall).
Directions ↗When the snow flies, southern West Virginia's largest ski resort is a short hop north in Ghent — downhill skiing, snowboarding and one of the state's biggest snow-tubing parks. 100 Old Flat Top Mountain Road, Ghent, WV. Seasonal (typically Dec–Mar, weather permitting).
Directions ↗Touring schools, cheering a team, or just love a pretty campus? Mercer County has three of its own, and two major Virginia universities are a short drive away.
The "Campus Beautiful," perched on a mountain plateau in Athens — one of the prettiest campuses in the state.
concord.edu ↗A historic public university in the heart of Bluefield — one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), founded in 1895 and a cornerstone of the community ever since.
bluefieldstate.edu ↗A private Christian university about a mile across the state line in Bluefield, Virginia.
bluefield.edu ↗The Hokies' sprawling flagship campus is about 45 minutes away via US-460 — a great half-day trip for prospective students and football fans.
vt.edu ↗A scenic public university on the New River, about an hour east toward Blacksburg.
radford.edu ↗Full itineraries, events, dining and a countywide Heritage Trail live on the official visitor site — the perfect companion for a longer stay.