I have seen and done everything that West Virginia has to offer. Well...... maybe not. But living there for 30 years I did see and do a lot. Since I now live in the Charlotte NC area, I'm just 3 hours away from my hometown of Bluefield West Virginia, so I get back to those country roads quite often. There are a million things to see and do in West Virginia, and so much of it is being outdoors, So I am going to break these West Virginia posts up into sections.
Located at the base of the East River Mountain Range, and conveniently located near the Bluestone River. Exit 1 off of Interstate 77 near the East River Mountain Tunnel, where the state line separating West Virginia and Virginia is located on the wall inside. After taking the exit you will arrive at Bluefield WV via Route 460, and if you continue west on 460 you will end up on the Bluefield Virginia side.
Bluefield is known as nature's air-conditioned city, due to the temperature very rarely reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Actually, this is a little bit untrue, as the temperature is taken at the airport, which is on a hill outside of the city limits. It reaches 90 degrees more often in downtown Bluefield. But when the temperature reads 90 degrees at the airport, free lemonade is given out in the city. So far for 2024 there has only been 1 Lemonade Day, and there was not any last year at all.
Here are a few videos I made for YouTube of the Bluefield WV area, Check them out.
I have tons of other Bluefield area videos on YouTube. Mercer County, McDowell County and Tazewell County Virginia. Look for @tourangie to find them.
Bluefield, Mercer County. Southern WV.
While on Route 460 in Bluefield you can drive to the top of East River Mountain and check out the overlook. It is a nice place to stop and take a few pictures. It can be quite beautiful and great place to enjoy some mountain air.
Downtown Bluefield is going through a much-needed revitalization. Bluefield was a booming city back in the day, due to coal and railroads, and during WW2 Hitler placed Bluefield on a list of possible air raid targets. But as coal declined, the city did as well, with many of the businesses in the area shutting down, buildings torn down, and people leaving the area. But recently, the past 5 years or so, Bluefield is slowly coming back.
The downtown area of Bluefield West Virginia is going through some major changes. Between Bland Street and Federal Street there has been demolition of many larger older buildings that back in the day were what made Bluefield a major city. Where people from over an hour away would come to shop at Montgomery Wards, or JCPenney, plus many others. But due to how life in Bluefield has changed over the years there have been many buildings that have had to be torn down. Bluefield will eventually put something up in its place, but for now the side street called Commerce Street has some really neat places to visit.
Downtown has a few new restaurants that are delicious. The Railyard, and The Vault are my favorites downtown. Bluefield's downtown also has the Granada Theater which opened up recently and plays classic movies, but in the future will be playing new releases. There is a small movie theater called Raleigh Street Cinemas (located in the basement side of the Grenada), that opened up last year. Also check out Portabella's Italian Restaurant on Princeton Avenue.
While in the downtown area, take a look at Ramsey School which is in the Guiness Book of world records for having so many street level entrances because the building is on a steep hill. The building is no longer used as a school, but there is a museum located inside. One Thin Dime Museum is a neat place to visit.
Just below Ramsey School is the Bluefield Arts Center which is promoting arts and theater in the community. It's a beautiful building with a statue out front of a man on a bench.
Another building just around the corner is the Elizabeth Kee Federal Building. Built between 1909 and 1911 it is a beautiful building, that takes you back to the heyday of Bluefield being a major city due to coal and railroads.
In the winter there is usually an ice-skating rink in Bluefield at the city park, also recently Mistletoe Market for your Christmas gifts is open in the park. The main draw to the Bluefields in the Winter is The Holiday of Lights. Bluefield is the Christmas Light Capital of West Virginia, even though the lights are set up in the city park with part of it located in Bluefield Virginia. Over 1.3 million lights are shining bright at the city park from Thanksgiving to the first week of the New Year every Christmas Season.
Click here to see a video of the lights, not the greatest quality but still cute. Visit in Person for a better effect and to lights that are not seen just through the driver's side window.
New Year's Eve Bluefield does a lemon drop instead of the recognizable ball drop the NYC does, to ring in the new year. This happens in the downtown area.
Bluefield, Tazewell County Virginia.
Just across the state line is Bluefield Virginia, which many years ago was named Graham Virginia. 100 years ago, Graham changed its name to the town of Bluefield and the cities were united by a symbolic wedding of a couple where 1 person was from the WV side and the other from the VA side. The governors of each state were in attendance for this wedding, and the story of this union was reported in newspapers all over the United States. In 1924 when the wedding took place, Bluefield WV was considered a major city and the neighboring city of Graham did not want to be left behind, this was the reason for the name change.
Today with 100 years passing since the name change, both cities in Virginia and West Virginia have changed a lot. Population decreases, changes in jobs, and the coalfields die which in turn hurt the railroad. The Bluefield’s in general are trying to adapt and have turned into cute cities with a small-town feel.
Visit the downtown area, which is quaint and cute. Harmony Acres pool nearby is open in the summer, and Graham Recreational Park is a wonderful place for a picnic.
Colleges in the Bluefields
In West Virginia, Bluefield State College, now known as Bluefield State University, was originally known as a historically black college. Bluefield Colored Institute was founded in 1895 and was known as a great college for African Americans to attend. There is a rich history behind the college and how it grew as a school for teachers in the 1930’s to what it is known for today, with a great nursing program and many other degrees offered at the University level. The affordability of this college was how I was able to attend college and not leave me drowning in student loans.
Across the state line in Bluefield Virginia is Bluefield College, now known as Bluefield University. This university is known for its beautiful campus and mud pig day in the spring. This university offers 22 majors and has campus housing. Known as an evangelical college, where religion has been important to those who attend. In fact, churches in Bluefield noticed the need for a college and started the college back in 1922 by the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Random Fact, Nobel prize winner John Nash attended college here and is known throughout Bluefield for living on the West Virginia side while growing up. If not familiar with who I am talking about, watch the movie called Beautiful Mind.
ATV Adventures and Camps
For ATV adventure seekers, Route 52 in Bluefield takes you thru Brushfork, Bluewell, and then onto Bramwell, which will lead you to a section of the Hatfield McCoy Trail. Look up Hatfield McCoy Trail, it is massive and spans through 7 counties in West Virginia. Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, Wayne, Mingo, Lincoln and Logan County. There are plenty of places to stay in the area, just book early. If you don't book early, there are plenty of hotels to stay in, in Princeton WV which is not too far away. There are only a couple in the Bluefield area I would recommend, but Princeton has more. One of my favorite ways to reach the trail system is by turning right in Bluewell, and drive to Montcalm. This is where I have accessed the trails the most. (Wind Mill Gap rd.). Twin Springs, The Mud Pit, Coal Miners Hideout, Hillbilly Hideaway, are on a road between Montcalm and Bramwell, but Hidden Hollow farther into Montcalm is also good. Side note..... While in Bramwell eat at the Bramwell Corner Shop that was featured recently on America's Best Restaurants.
Lotito Park at the Bluefield City Park
Bluefield has a cute little park near the Virginia line called Lotito Park, located in the Bluefield City Park. Actually, a good portion of the park is on the Virginia side, there are a few hiking trails, picnic shelters, kids play area, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a baseball field. Also, if you are lucky and come in the summer you can ride the Ridge Runner Train, a little train that used to be located on top of East River Mountain.
If you are here on a Friday evening in mid to late August, and you enjoy Football, check out the Graham/Beaver Football Game at Mitchell Stadium near Lotito Park. It is a major high school rivalry game, in which Bluefield WV plays Graham, (which is technically Bluefield VA). Both schools use this stadium to do all their home games. This rivalry was featured on ESPN back in the day b/c it draws such a crowd. and in 2019 Mitchell Stadium was voted America's Favorite Stadium.
Location near many wonderful places.
The location of Bluefield is convenient to many larger cities, or some really cool cities to visit. So, there are many convenient areas with so much to explore.
Roanoke VA-1.5 hours
Blacksburg/ Christiansburg VA-1 hour
Hinton WV- 1 hour
Athens WV (Concord College)- 30 minutes
Princeton WV- 15 minutes
Beckley WV-1 hour
Charleston WV- 1.5 hours
Bristol VA-1.5 hours
Wytheville VA- 30 minutes
Bluefield is known for beautiful scenery, and country life, with many state parks and 1 national park located nearby. Just taking a drive up a country road can be a wonderful thing to do.
Pipestem State Park- 30 minutes
Pinnacle Rock State Park -15 minutes
New River (on the Virginia side)- 30 minutes
New River Gorge National Park -1 hour
Mountain Lake Lodge (where parts of Dirty Dancing was filmed)-1 hour
Cascades Waterfall- 45 minutes
Camp Creek State Park- 35 minutes
Ghent WV, Winterplace Ski Resort- 50 minutes
The last thing about Bluefield I must tell you is a local favorite. I have to make a stop here every trip back to WV. Dairy Queen on Cumberland Rd. The best hotdog ever.!!!!!! Sweet Thingsz Bakery is right beside Dairy Queen, so get a cupcake too.
Accommodations in the area, I would only recommend 1 in Bluefield WV and that is Quality Inn. If you got to Bluefield VA I would pick Comfort Inn, but Princeton WV has several major hotels to choose from. Also there are several Airbnb places to rent.
The city of Bluefield is a special place for me. That brings back many memories since it is my hometown. It might not be a typical vacation destination, but you are sure to have a great time on these country roads.
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Great writing. Very true!!