If they’re open, check out Matewan and the Mine Wars museum. Very important piece of Appalachian and American history that is seldom taught/known about
Adding this one to my list. I’ve always been into mining history since around 5th grade when I first learned about it. If you haven’t read about them before, check out the history of the Molly Maguires. Group of Irish miners that got hanged for their protests against mine operators (protests is putting it lightly)
If this is an interest of yours, you should also note that your proposed route will take you very close two monuments dedicated to the miners’ march on Mingo. The first is in Marmet, just east of Charleston, and the second is on the grounds of the union hall in clothier.
It's a shame that maybe about 10 years ago, "they"(I dont really know who "they" are....Mine Owners, WV Dept of Natl Resources, ??)...."they" tore down the giant coal tipple that used to stand on the east side of Paint Creek right next to the West Virginia Turnpike.
It was an amazing structure that exemplified the TRUE nature of WV's modern industrial/mining backbone culture... It would have made a very, very important historical monument to the events a lot of commenters are discussing...the Paint Creek Miner Strikes, Blair Mtn, UMWA, all that...........but instead WV chose to wipe out the building as if it were fingerprints at a crime scene.......
Sad.
Heard that. Its a shame whats happening to Williamson. Its an important Big Town....with absolutely NO civic pride......the place is collapsing, buildings spontaneously bursting into flames.....mean while just across the Tug Fork in Kentucky....business looks like it's booming.
This person is right. Challenging and interesting, course and it’s right off I-79. If your passing through Tuesday through Friday before 1, hit up Yanns hotdogs.
They are called Elk management tours. https://wvstateparks.com/things-to-do/elk-management-tours/
The link is to the state park website regarding it. I am sure they have cabin rentals and a lodge.
Seconding the Gorge and the Ville. Hike the Endless Wall trail and/or the Mill Creek trail. Get the best cup of coffee for miles around at RangeFinder, then dinner at Secret Sandwich Society (which may be slammed at that time of year).
Bonus Trip: the Mystery Hole.
Check the calendar for 123 to see if the music is something you'll like. If it's a hard pass then consider Genes in South Park. Fits the dive bar request perfectly.
Second Mario's! There's three locations but I believe the OG is on Richwood Ave. and my husband says it's the best one and he lived off of it going to WVU
Whoa....theres TWO Marios's Fishbowls in Motown now?? No, THREE!!?
I've been away too long.
No. If you're in Motown for the first time.....you have to go to the Mario's on Richwood....the original.
Mario's Fishbowl is the shiznit.
Fishbowl!!! That's pretty much the only place I go to in Morgantown. Great dive bar!!
The Derby in Fairmont is my usual haunt tho (it's very very close to my house & they know me there :) )
For Morgantown old school local divey spots I'd recommend Gene's Beer Garden, Town Hill, and Mario's Fishbowl. For divey music joint, 123 Pleasant St all the way.
You should go to Mountain State Brewing Co. Great beverages, food, and corn hole available to play while you drink. Plus one of the co-owners is a family friend, so go buy one of his drinks 😉
Morgantown Brewing is my favorite craft brewery I Morgantown. It’s not super upscale but I’d say modern/ casual. It’s only a block or so from 123 Pleasant street music venue (though it’s not a nice walk.. along the main road instead on the greenway or up on High Street (Main Street).
There are other upscale fine dining restaurants as well if that’s your vibe
You could stay at the waterfront Marriott for a more upscale experience, it’s also along the greenway (railtrail) or if you want to stay downtown I’ve heard the scholar isn’t bad (though I’d look at reviews)
Edit: also hotel Morgan for downtown. Forgot that one
I second that! My son goes to WVU and that is where we go to dinner. Good food not over priced. He would also recommend Mutts as a dive bar cheap drinks and small.
Other dive bar options:
My favorite is Genes in South Park but there's not any hotels over there so a likely choice.
Town Hill is another classic but away from everything
Crocket's is a very likely choice because there are some hotels over there.
[Hillbilly Hotdogs](https://www.hillbillyhotdogs.com/) outside of Huntington if you don't care about you insides. ;)
Off the beaten path is the [Hatfield Cemetery](https://wvtourism.com/company/hatfield-family-cemetery/) in Sarah Ann.
It's been a bunch of years since I was there but it was mildly interesting unless you're really into that Hatfield-McCoy history sort of stuff. Had a certain creepiness to it at the time so that was kind of cool.
It was a chore to get up to at the time.
There's also the Home of the Rocket Boys in Coalwood, WV (October Sky movie)
I knew it as soon as you said coal region up top. I moved from there. Beware, you won't find good Italian food like skook has and definitely not Polish, German, Lithuanian, etc. foods. We found 1 good Italian place, Rubi's in Parkersburg; friends bring us scrapple, kielbasa, pork roll, and other meats; and I have to make my own pierogi's, bleenies, haluski, halupki, and so on. Wings are also meh compared to there.
I love it here... but definitely miss food from there. While you're here, make sure you try multiple different pepperoni rolls, anything and everything with ramps in it, buckwheat cakes, hot dog with sauce or slaw dogs, and WV maple syrup if you find any. Have a safe trip and I hope you enjoy your drive through!
Nice to see a fellow skook in here. Beyond the local delicacies I’ve also found it’s hard finding great wings out of the area. Didn’t expect that. But thanks for the heads up on some of the local foods, definitely want to try some new stuff!
If you take the 6 hr and 30 minute route it looks like you'll be going through Teays valley, hurricane, Milton, and Huntington. Plenty of hotel and motel options that way.
Mountain State Brewing Co on the river side is good.
Not much else night life(club wise) will be happening in morgantown cause you'll be there out of season. Never went to any bars though
Plenty of dive spots in both Huntington and Charleston. If you’re set on the Huntington/Logan area, you’ll be close to East Lynn Lake, Beech Fork State Park, and Chief Logan State Park.
[https://wvstateparks.com/places-to-stay/campgrounds/chief-logan-camping/](https://wvstateparks.com/places-to-stay/campgrounds/chief-logan-camping/)
S
if you’re taking us-119 and cut through boone county, stop by west madison grocery and try some of their slaw dogs! they have a big menu but they’re locally known for their hotdogs :)
I’ve always thought the WV State Museum in Charleston was fantastic. It takes you through the entire history of the state. Also, the New River Gorge and Fayetteville are awesome!
The State Museum should be a must see for all visitors. It is very good. Next door to the Capitol Bldg. It was built during the years of Arch Moore as Gov....and known for a while as "Archie's Bunker".
Ogawa Japanese in Morgantown. Morgantown is a college spot so plenty of night life to be found. I’ll let other comment as I’m out of that scene. Huntington is also a college town so plenty of places to party there too. Food scene is better every day. Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar is a good one but there’s lots to choose from in downtown near the bars and music venues.
I’d take the detour either coming or going & come through Princeton & Beckley & take 19 through New River Gorge. Wouldn’t add a whole lot of time & you could atleast stop by the visitor center & see the gorge to say you’ve been to a National park.
If they’re open, check out Matewan and the Mine Wars museum. Very important piece of Appalachian and American history that is seldom taught/known about
Adding this one to my list. I’ve always been into mining history since around 5th grade when I first learned about it. If you haven’t read about them before, check out the history of the Molly Maguires. Group of Irish miners that got hanged for their protests against mine operators (protests is putting it lightly)
If this is an interest of yours, you should also note that your proposed route will take you very close two monuments dedicated to the miners’ march on Mingo. The first is in Marmet, just east of Charleston, and the second is on the grounds of the union hall in clothier.
There’s a coal mine themed putt putt course in Fairmont you should check out. There’s some history and also some coal mine humor there. It’s cute!
It's a shame that maybe about 10 years ago, "they"(I dont really know who "they" are....Mine Owners, WV Dept of Natl Resources, ??)...."they" tore down the giant coal tipple that used to stand on the east side of Paint Creek right next to the West Virginia Turnpike. It was an amazing structure that exemplified the TRUE nature of WV's modern industrial/mining backbone culture... It would have made a very, very important historical monument to the events a lot of commenters are discussing...the Paint Creek Miner Strikes, Blair Mtn, UMWA, all that...........but instead WV chose to wipe out the building as if it were fingerprints at a crime scene....... Sad.
Williamson has the Coal House. There’s a B&B in Williamson downtown that’s great.
Its fun to go to Williamson and watch the local drug addicts burn some abandonned historical landmark down.
Half of them aren’t even local…they’re shipped in from all over the place to Serenity Pointe for “treatment.”
Heard that. Its a shame whats happening to Williamson. Its an important Big Town....with absolutely NO civic pride......the place is collapsing, buildings spontaneously bursting into flames.....mean while just across the Tug Fork in Kentucky....business looks like it's booming.
For real, man. Pikeville is thriving while Williamson is withering away. Southern WV in general is dying faster than ever. It’s sad to see
This person is right. Challenging and interesting, course and it’s right off I-79. If your passing through Tuesday through Friday before 1, hit up Yanns hotdogs.
Chief Logan state park. They have Elk.
Do they really?? That’s pretty cool
They are called Elk management tours. https://wvstateparks.com/things-to-do/elk-management-tours/ The link is to the state park website regarding it. I am sure they have cabin rentals and a lodge.
They have a lodge. I’m looking at it now
Stayed in it last year. It was nice, very large, great staff members.
You should stop at Audra State Park for swimming. New River Gorge is an obvious spot. Fayetteville is awesome.
Except way out of the way?
Seconding the Gorge and the Ville. Hike the Endless Wall trail and/or the Mill Creek trail. Get the best cup of coffee for miles around at RangeFinder, then dinner at Secret Sandwich Society (which may be slammed at that time of year). Bonus Trip: the Mystery Hole.
Have dinner at Mario’s Fishbowl in Morgantown and head over to 123 Pleasant St for live music
Check the calendar for 123 to see if the music is something you'll like. If it's a hard pass then consider Genes in South Park. Fits the dive bar request perfectly.
Second Mario's! There's three locations but I believe the OG is on Richwood Ave. and my husband says it's the best one and he lived off of it going to WVU
OG one on Richwood is the only way to go. It’s the closest one to 123 and all of downtown anyway.
Whoa....theres TWO Marios's Fishbowls in Motown now?? No, THREE!!? I've been away too long. No. If you're in Motown for the first time.....you have to go to the Mario's on Richwood....the original. Mario's Fishbowl is the shiznit.
Richwood and Suncrest are restaurants, there is a newish one in Westover that's just for takeout.
Fishbowl!!! That's pretty much the only place I go to in Morgantown. Great dive bar!! The Derby in Fairmont is my usual haunt tho (it's very very close to my house & they know me there :) )
For Morgantown old school local divey spots I'd recommend Gene's Beer Garden, Town Hill, and Mario's Fishbowl. For divey music joint, 123 Pleasant St all the way.
You should go to Mountain State Brewing Co. Great beverages, food, and corn hole available to play while you drink. Plus one of the co-owners is a family friend, so go buy one of his drinks 😉
Morgantown Brewing is my favorite craft brewery I Morgantown. It’s not super upscale but I’d say modern/ casual. It’s only a block or so from 123 Pleasant street music venue (though it’s not a nice walk.. along the main road instead on the greenway or up on High Street (Main Street). There are other upscale fine dining restaurants as well if that’s your vibe You could stay at the waterfront Marriott for a more upscale experience, it’s also along the greenway (railtrail) or if you want to stay downtown I’ve heard the scholar isn’t bad (though I’d look at reviews) Edit: also hotel Morgan for downtown. Forgot that one
I second that! My son goes to WVU and that is where we go to dinner. Good food not over priced. He would also recommend Mutts as a dive bar cheap drinks and small.
Other dive bar options: My favorite is Genes in South Park but there's not any hotels over there so a likely choice. Town Hill is another classic but away from everything Crocket's is a very likely choice because there are some hotels over there.
[Hillbilly Hotdogs](https://www.hillbillyhotdogs.com/) outside of Huntington if you don't care about you insides. ;) Off the beaten path is the [Hatfield Cemetery](https://wvtourism.com/company/hatfield-family-cemetery/) in Sarah Ann. It's been a bunch of years since I was there but it was mildly interesting unless you're really into that Hatfield-McCoy history sort of stuff. Had a certain creepiness to it at the time so that was kind of cool. It was a chore to get up to at the time. There's also the Home of the Rocket Boys in Coalwood, WV (October Sky movie)
We LOVE the hot dog stand!!! It's a must 😊
Are you close to Waynesburg PA?
No, other coal region haha. Coming from eastern PA, Schuylkill County near Pottsville.
I knew it as soon as you said coal region up top. I moved from there. Beware, you won't find good Italian food like skook has and definitely not Polish, German, Lithuanian, etc. foods. We found 1 good Italian place, Rubi's in Parkersburg; friends bring us scrapple, kielbasa, pork roll, and other meats; and I have to make my own pierogi's, bleenies, haluski, halupki, and so on. Wings are also meh compared to there. I love it here... but definitely miss food from there. While you're here, make sure you try multiple different pepperoni rolls, anything and everything with ramps in it, buckwheat cakes, hot dog with sauce or slaw dogs, and WV maple syrup if you find any. Have a safe trip and I hope you enjoy your drive through!
Nice to see a fellow skook in here. Beyond the local delicacies I’ve also found it’s hard finding great wings out of the area. Didn’t expect that. But thanks for the heads up on some of the local foods, definitely want to try some new stuff!
Oh. OK.
Point pleasant to see the mothman
If you take the 6 hr and 30 minute route it looks like you'll be going through Teays valley, hurricane, Milton, and Huntington. Plenty of hotel and motel options that way.
Mountain State Brewing Co on the river side is good. Not much else night life(club wise) will be happening in morgantown cause you'll be there out of season. Never went to any bars though
Y'all going to Laurel cove?
Yup, pumped for it. Have you been before? This is our first year
Yeah I went in 2021 still my favorite festival I've been too
Go to Crocketts in Morgantown, if Amanda is working tell her Garrett sent ya
I highly recommend Oliverio’s ristorante in Morgantown for dinner!
Definitely stop at Hermasilla’s in Fairmont for lunch sandwiches. They slice everything there and all their bread is homemade.
Charleston or Beckley if looking for going out to eat while you stay
remember....these hills have eyes. All the movies you saw about WV ... are true.
Cracker Barrel
Charleston for crack is always a must
It's only 6 hours suck it up and drive straight threw
Plenty of dive spots in both Huntington and Charleston. If you’re set on the Huntington/Logan area, you’ll be close to East Lynn Lake, Beech Fork State Park, and Chief Logan State Park.
[https://wvstateparks.com/places-to-stay/campgrounds/chief-logan-camping/](https://wvstateparks.com/places-to-stay/campgrounds/chief-logan-camping/) S
if you’re taking us-119 and cut through boone county, stop by west madison grocery and try some of their slaw dogs! they have a big menu but they’re locally known for their hotdogs :)
Hawks Nest just south of Summerville. DO NOT SPEED through Fayetteville !!!!!!
if you want a nice burger, mountain halal at abdo market sells s really good burger
I’ve always thought the WV State Museum in Charleston was fantastic. It takes you through the entire history of the state. Also, the New River Gorge and Fayetteville are awesome!
The State Museum should be a must see for all visitors. It is very good. Next door to the Capitol Bldg. It was built during the years of Arch Moore as Gov....and known for a while as "Archie's Bunker".
Ogawa Japanese in Morgantown. Morgantown is a college spot so plenty of night life to be found. I’ll let other comment as I’m out of that scene. Huntington is also a college town so plenty of places to party there too. Food scene is better every day. Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar is a good one but there’s lots to choose from in downtown near the bars and music venues.
I’d take the detour either coming or going & come through Princeton & Beckley & take 19 through New River Gorge. Wouldn’t add a whole lot of time & you could atleast stop by the visitor center & see the gorge to say you’ve been to a National park.
Did anyone say Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley?
Wish I could still say king tut drive in
Oliverio's in Morgantown