HotelTonight – Find Great Hotels in Beckley West Virginia
The small coal-mining town of Beckley, West Virginia is one of the most unique towns I've visited in the U.S. I had never been to Appalachia before my trip to Beckley, which was informative, interesting and ultimately, a lot of fun. I didn't know what to expect from Beckley before visiting, but within hours of arriving, I had gotten a great feel for the heart and soul of this mountain town. I was lucky enough to spend more than just an afternoon in Beckley, because I decided to stay the night so I could explore more of the town. To book my last-minute hotel in Beckley, West Virginia, I simply checked the HotelTonight app on my phone. Within minutes on the app, I had booked a great hotel in the heart of Beckley, and I was ready to really experience this West Virginia town for myself.
Main Street
Beckley's historic roots lie in Main Street, the main drag downtown. Here, you'll find some of the most important historical buildings in the city, such as the Raleigh County Courthouse and the Raleigh County National Bank. Many historic buildings have been preserved in this downtown neighborhood, so you'll see old red brick buildings side by side on Main Street and Neville Street. While Beckley's Main Street certainly isn't as bustling or as vibrant as it was in the early 1900s, it's still a great place to get a feel for Beckley's history and culture.
The Coal Mine
This city was built on coal, so I felt it was only appropriate that I visited the vintage coal mine while I was in Beckley. The Exhibition Coal Mine is a popular place for visitors to learn about the coal-mining industry, and how it affected the town of Beckley. I learned a lot about the coal camp that was integral to Beckley's growth, and I even got to go down into the dark passages of this old, preserved coalmine. If you want to understand the lifeblood of Appalachia towns, taking a tour of a coalmine is the best way to do it.
The Universities
Beckley is a small town, but it offers a surprising amount of higher education. Beckley is home to three different universities, the University of Charleston-Beckley, WVU-Beckley and a branch of Concord University. Because of this, there's a strong student population in Beckley, which helps maintain the lively, optimistic atmosphere in the town. Plus, it means there are several great spots to grab a drink after a long day of exploring.
HotelTonight – Beckley West Virginia Hotels
I had never heard of Beckley before passing through this small town in West Virginia, but now I'll never forget it. This Appalachia town provided me with some of my favorite travel memories, since sometimes you stumble upon the most interesting places when you're least expecting it. I was glad I stayed the night in Beckley so that I had more time to get to know this small town, and my impromptu change of travel plans wouldn't have been nearly as easy without the help of HotelTonight.
