Blue Ridge Country - July/August 2019 - 60

WEST VIRGINIA
1. Greenbrier County (Lewisburg, White
Sulphur Springs)
The Greenbrier Valley's energized and
creative communities have contributed
heavily to the area's recent growth. Focusing on quality products and warm hospitality, the independent shops, restaurants
and niche businesses are thriving in Lewisburg and White Sulphur Springs. Golf at
The Greenbrier. Hike on the Greenbrier
River Trail. See a show at Carnegie Hall.
"The Greenbrier Valley is the right
blend of history, outdoor adventure and
an impressive culinary scene," says Valerie
Pritt, communications manager for the
Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau. "With a push to use locally
sourced ingredients, you're likely to get a
fresh-from-the-farm meal at many of the
restaurants."

FIVE THINGS NOT TO MISS:

The Greenbrier, a classic resort dating to 1778.

Greenbrier River Trail, spanning 78 miles.

Smooth Ambler Spirits, a distillery offering a tasting room and tours.

Carnegie Hall of Lewisburg, featuring live performances.

The French Goat, a French bistro restaurant in Lewisburg.

2. Mercer County (Bluefield, Princeton)
Since the creation of the ATV trails on the
county's coalfields, outdoor adventure
from state parks to scenic overlooks continue to climb in popularity. The downtowns of Princeton and Bluefield burst
with revitalization, offering exciting new
restaurants and attractions, and helping
create a new experience for visitors craving the outdoors and Appalachian culture.
"With more outdoor projects on the
horizon, Mercer County is tying its historical background-railroad and coal-into
a destination for hikers, bikers, ATV riders
and more," says Jamie Null, executive director of Mercer County Convention and
Visitors Bureau. "It is exciting to watch the
transformation."

The Greenbrier has
been welcoming visitors
for more than 240
years.

FIVE THIINGS NOT TO MISS:

* The Hatfield-McCoy ATV trails: Ride in
a family UTV or take in the scenery on a
one-person ATV or dirt bike.

* Camp Creek State Park waterfalls, perfect
for fishing, wading and splashing.
* Princeton Railroad Museum: See how the
railroad impacted southern West Virginia
at this museum near a brewery and gift
shops of the Grassroots District.
* The Corner Shop in Bramwell, an oldfashioned soda fountain plus a famous
hamburger and fries.
* Stay in Bluefield's Bluefield Inn or Baker's
Hill Inn and take in the view at the
overlook of East River Mountain.

3. Pendleton County (Seneca Rocks)
Pendleton County is West Virginia's
fourth largest county in terms of land
mass and has just 7,000 residents. Quaint
mountain towns are nestled in between
rolling mountains, majestic rock formations and some of the best fishing east of
the Mississippi River.
"Pendleton County represents everything people picture when they think of a
mountain getaway," says Laura Brown, executive director of the Pendleton County
Convention & Visitors Bureau. "You can
get lost in a scenic back roads drive or
explore hiking trails with views of mountains that seem to never end. The fishing
is spectacular and the people make you
feel at home."

FIVE THINGS NOT TO MISS:

* Spruce Knob, West Virginia's highest point

* Seneca Rocks, popular with both hikers and rock
climbers
* Swilled Dog Hard Cider, Upper Tract
* Harper's Old Country Store, serving Seneca Rocks
since 1902
* The Boggs House Museum is located inside a
1758 log home at Franklin.

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Blue Ridge Country - July/August 2019

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