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West Virginia:
Daniels, Family Vacation Ideas.
Southern
West Virginia offers hiking, biking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, live
theatre, antiques, golf, sporting clays, horseback riding, caving and spa
experiences. Scenic and wild, the area contains the spectacular New River
Gorge, also known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” and miles of green shaded,
no-name roads waiting to be explored. During the summer months wildflowers frame
the roadways and in the winter misty mornings and snowy peaks mark the horizon.
For now, Southern West Virginia remains a family vacation secret.
Head
underground. For a
truly West Virginian experience head over to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
and travel 1500 feet beneath the hillsides of New River Park along mine track
accompanied by veteran miners. After the underground tour visitors are
encouraged to explore the historical early 20th century coal camp
situated above ground with lovingly restored buildings and exhibits depicting
coal-camp life of the period. Bonus Point: During the summer months one
price encompasses all activities at both the Exhibition Mine and the Youth
Museum. (New River Park, Beckley, 1(304) 256-1747 or
www.beckleymine.com)
Walk
though history.
Right next door to the Beckley Exhibition Coal mine is the Youth Museum of
Southern West Virginia. The main gallery of the museum is composed of four
boxcars featuring three exhibits annually – pas exhibits have included “T-Rex”,
“Bats”, and “Page after Page”, an award-winning children’s authors presentation.
Beyond the boxcars lies the Mountain Homestead historical exhibit – a recreation
of a typical homestead on the Appalachian frontier. Bonus point: During
the summer months one price encompasses all activities at both the Exhibition
Mine and the Youth Museum. Need to know: Reservations are required at the
Youth Museum – the months of May, June and October are extremely popular so
reserve early. (New River Park, Beckley, 1(304) 252-3730 or
www.beckleymine.com/ym/)
See a family feud.
Not-to-be-missed is theatre under the stars and Theatre West Virginia offers the
perfect match for an evening out with the kids. Each summer West Virginia’s
infamous family feud is revived for the fun of it. The “Hatfields & McCoys” recounts the bloody feud between the Hatfields of West
Virginia and the McCoys of Kentucky. A second summer production, “Honey
In the Rock” is the
nation's oldest Civil War Drama. It brings to life the story of West Virginia's
tumultuous birth during the American Civil War. Both
outdoor drama performances are presented on the stage at the Cliffside
Amphitheatre at Grandview.
Need to know:
Both productions contain some violence which may frighten very young children.
Bonus points:
Also in 2006 Theatre West Virginia is presenting the captivating classic
Disney's “Beauty and The
Beast”.
(Take I-77
S. to I-64 E. to exit 129B Grandview Road, then six miles to Grandview. 1(304)256-6800,
toll-free
1-800-666-9142 or
www.theatrewestvirginia.com/)
Shop till you drop. Tamarack is the nation’s first state-wide collection of
state-specific handmade crafts, art, and cuisine. Featuring the best of what
West Virginia culture has to offer, Tamarack features a delectable array of
regional specialty foods and products – making it a truly West Virginian
shopping experience. (Located on Exit 45 just off I-77/I-64, One Tamarack Park,
Beckley, 1-88-TAMARACK, or
www.tamarackwv.com)
Enjoy the great outdoors.
The
locally popular Little Beaver State park features an 18-acre lake, fishing,
swimming, boat rentals, ten hiking trails, 60 picnic areas, and an enclosed
playground. Bonus point: If you’re visiting in the fall makes sure to
check out the spooky Haunted Trail – it’s a hair-raising walk down a dark trail
that’s sure to spook.
(1402
Grandview Rd., Beaver, 1(304) 763-2494 or
www.littlebeaverstatepark.com)
Raft a river.
 About an hour north of Daniels, ACE Adventure launches
family rafts and duckies on the Upper New River (world's 2nd oldest river).
Beginner friendly rapids make this the perfect trip for laid-back adventure in
the great outdoors. You'll raft through a magnificent 1,400-foot canyon and
enjoy some of the East's most spectacular scenery. Bonus points: For
those family members not interested in doing the river, the complex offers
biking, hiking, caving, horseback riding and use of water toys during the day.
Need to know: They
offer lots of activities
suitable for kids as young as 6 on the upper New River.
(ACE Adventure Center Oak Hill WV, 25901.
1-888-223-7238, 1(304) 469-2651,
ace@aceraft.com or
www.aceraft.com)
Take aim on clay.
Sporting Clays
is one of America’s fastest growing shooting sports. The Resort at Glade Springs,
a 4,100 acre mountain resort,
offers
a mini adventure which
includes basic shooting instruction and quality shooting
equipment on a full-service course featuring 20+ shooting stations with 50
targets. (The
Resort at Glade Springs 255 Resort Drive Daniels, West Virginia 25832 or
www.gladesprings.com)
Stay in the saddle.
The Equestrian Center at Glade Springs is a premiere facility serving Southern
West Virginia year round. They offer guided trail rides, Amish crafted carriage
rides and pony rides for tykes. The routes follow scenic areas of the resort but
also venture into some of the less traveled areas of the 4,100 acre resort.
Bonus point: Take a 3-hour ride through Glade Creek Gorge and stop creek side
for lunch. (The
Resort at Glade Springs 255 Resort Drive Daniels, West Virginia 25832 or
www.gladesprings.com)
West Virginia: Daniels, The Resort at Glade Springs,
Fly Fishing, Camp Glade and a Spa.
Southwestern
West Virginia has and
abundance of meandering roadways and delightful secret places, ideal for family
gatherings. The
Resort at Glade Springs
is one of those secret places nestled
amid 4,100 acres of mountainous forests, hills and streams. Whether you want to
conquer some white water, golf all day, hike trails, rock climb, or just relax,
it is a great mountain getaway for families.
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© 2006 Content
syndication services provided Travel Communications, Inc. Images provided by
FamilyTravelFiles.com staff. Copyright 6/2006
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