West Virginia with Kids

1. Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum, also known as the Phillips-Sprague Mine, is a well-preserved historic coal mine at New River Park in Beckley, Raleigh County.

One of the largest coal heritage destinations in the region, the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, delves 1,500 feet beneath the hillsides of New River Park.

Visitors can explore the mine on guided daily tours on authentic mine cars which travel into original working areas of the coal mine, as well as walking tours through the grounds which feature beautifully restored buildings like Miner's Shanty, the Coal Company House, Pemberton Coal Camp Church, and Helen School.

A Visitor’s Center is designed to replicate a company store and boasts informative indoor and outdoor exhibits, and a gift shop.

Located next to the Exhibition Coal Mine is the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia, which features a range of railroad-related presentations.

513 Ewart Ave, Beckley, WV 25801, Phone: 304-256-1747

2. Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park

Situated on a small island in the Ohio River, Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is a unique state park that features beautifully manicured grounds and a replica of a Palladian Mansion once owned by Harman Blennerhassett, which is now a museum.

Built on the foundations of the original mansion, which burned to the ground decades ago, the Blennerhasset mansion resembles George Washington's Palladian-style Mount Vernon.

Accessed by a traditional sternwheeler riverboat from Point Park, the island and mansion-museum can be explored on guided tours, and horse-drawn carriage rides when the park is open from May through the last weekend of October.

The park also has picnic shelters, bicycle rentals, hiking trails, and a gift shop.

137 Juliana Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101, Phone: 304-420-4800

3. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in Cass, Pocahontas County, is home to the 11-mile-long Cass Scenic Railroad, which takes people on a journey back in time to the steam-driven locomotive era.

The heritage railroad features a logging locomotive with converted log cars and travels on a standard gauge track laid by immigrant workers in 1901 and traverses the steep Back Allegheny Mountain on three different tours beginning and ending at Whittaker Station. Other attractions in the park include refurbished former railroad company houses, the Company Store and gift shop, and the Last Run Restaurant and Soda Fountain. The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is one of the only authentic operating museums of lumber railroading in the country.

242 Main St, Cass, WV 24927, Phone: 304-456-4300

4. Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia

The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston celebrates and promotes the performing arts, visual arts, and the sciences.

The 240,000 square-foot facility features the Avampato Discovery Museum, the Juliet Art Museum, and the Maier Foundation Performance Hall, which the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra calls home.

Established to inspire creativity, curiosity, and learning through unique arts, crafts, and science-based experiences, the Center’s Juliet Art Museum features an incredible permanent collection and traveling exhibits from artists around the world. The Avampato Discovery Museum offers three floors of interactive, hands-on FUN for the whole family, and state-of-the-art Caperton Planetarium and ElectricSky™ Theater takes visitors to the stars.

1 Clay Square, Charleston, WV 25301, Phone: 304-561-3570

5. Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park

Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is located on Droop Mountain in Pocahontas County, which was the site of the last major battle of the American Civil War in West Virginia.

The Battle of Droop Mountain occurred in 1863 and saw Confederate Forces losing the state to Union troops. The 276-acre park honors the casualties of the battle and features a wooden observation tower and a small Civil War museum with exhibits and displays telling the story of the fight. The park also features family-friendly hiking trails, guided tours of the battlefield site, and other exciting and educational experiences.

683 Droop Park Road, Hillsboro, WV 24946, Phone: 304-653-4254

6. Harpers Ferry National Historic Park

Nestled at the point where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet, the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is a vast protected area that spreads from the Shenandoah Valley in Jefferson County to Washington, Maryland, and Loudoun Counties in Virginia. Based in and around Harpers Ferry, the national historical park spans 3.5 square miles and is famous for being the place that abolitionist John Brown raided in 1859, expediating the American Civil War. The fort as which the raid took place can be explored in the quaint town of Harpers Ferry, which is part of the National Historical Park and boasts beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings and a Civil War Museum. Visitors can also soak up scenic views where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet, and the Appalachian Trail Visitor Center features exhibits on the world-renowned long-distance hiking trail.

171 Shoreline Dr, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

7. Hinton Railroad Museum

The Hinton Railroad Museum in Hinton celebrates the history of the area’s railroad and boasts an array of fascinating exhibits relating to railroading. Established to preserve the history of the railroad and teach visitors more about one of the most critical developments in the nation, the museum has an informative collection of railroad memorabilia. Displays include artifacts from the early days of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, uniforms, model trains, equipment, and tools that were used during the time of the ‘Steel Drivin' Man,’ John Henry, and a John Henry Woodcarving exhibit with works by a local artist.

206 Temple St, Hinton, WV 25951, Phone: 304-466-6100

8. Hovatters Wildlife Zoo (West Virginia Zoo)

Hovatter's Wildlife Zoo, also known as the West Virginia Zoo, is a zoo in Kingwood that is home to over 30 different species of native and exotic animals from all over the world. Open seasonally from April to October, and on weekends in November, the zoo is home to a variety of animals, including cougars, black bears, deer, baboons, and tigers, among others. The Hungry Bear Café serves a selection of light fare and drinks; a pavilion can be rented for special events and private functions.

291 Wagner Ln, Kingwood, WV 26537, Phone: 304-329-3122