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Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

4.8 (91 reviews)
Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine Photos

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Dale S.

I was really disappointed in our visit here. We started planning this trip months ago but I could not find the information I needed and didn't receive an answer when I called. I tried emailing the director to see if I could get some information and clarification for our visit and I never heard back. We started traveling a few weeks later and because we have been delayed a couple of times when we arrived, exhibition was closed for the season. The building is small and I've posted photos of all the information outside, which isn't much. It's really a shame I can't tell you more about the mine itself, but I can say with confidence that communication and customer service can definitely be improved.

Front of building
Dave G.

A truly unique experience. It's hard to describe, but it's an immense, incredibly detailed mining camp. You can easily knock out several hours hearing about the history of each individual building and the roles that would have been filled by various mining camp personnel from the extremely knowledgeable staff. All topped off with a cart trip that takes you to a point where you are under well over a 100 feet of earth, and you get to see what "pitch black" really means. Well worth the trip.

Outhouse (there are bathrooms inside please don't use it lol)
Sara K.

What an awesome place with the most friendly people! Honestly, the kindness of folks I met in this state, combined with its natural beauty and low cost of living has me considering moving here. But let's not get ahead of myself ... The overall time I spent here was 3 hours! There were wonderful guides in many of the places you'll see that were rich in knowledge of just about everything! I honestly was not expecting to learn as much as I did and let me tell you: I left beyond grateful for the life we live today versus then! Wowza! Gail, Nancy, and one other younger gentleman (no name tag visible) were the 3 people that walked me through some of the buildings, filling my head with history. All of the buildings were moved there either in whole, partially dismantled, or wholly dismantled and put back together. They are original school houses, homes, blacksmiths shops, etc. (Some slight modifications only for safety purposes). It was absolutely incredible! The coal mine tour was one-of-a-kind! Every operator/tour guide is someone who worked in the mines. Ours (I regret that I forget his name) worked in them for 29 years. You will ride in a cart and stop at 3 locations. Yes, it is cold in there! And you'll be down there maybe 40 minutes or so, so bring layers for warmth! I couldn't believe everything I learned down there. I knew about dangerous conditions. But I always thought men took the risk because the money was good. Yikes ... those people lived in debted to the owners and worked their tales off for those debts. I'm glad our countries has the rules and regulations (and unions if you're lucky) that it does today. I will say no more as I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Inside the main entrance, there is a museum upstairs and a gift shop down stairs. I cannot recommend the fudge enough! I got a little of each and YUM! Great stop for tourists and locals alike to learn about our history over the last 150 years.

Bolts to hold the rock wall together and prevent collapse
Grace D.

This tour is fantastic! A great break from the heat of summer as the mine is rather cool, and you get to ride through the mine in a tour cart!! The tours are led by coal miners, and the detail is fantastic! In addition to the mine, you get to tour a coal camp, youth museum (definitely kid focus!) and a mock pioneer settlement, with buildings relocated from other sites and brought to this location! You can walk in the buildings and get a look into the past! There's a coal museum in the visitor center as well!! Definitely must do if you are in the area!

Don the tour guide
Jamie D.

First of all, Don was the absolute BEST tour guide of the coal mine. He was so interactive and upbeat plus displayed a strong faith in God. The ticket price includes the mine tour plus all the house tours, youth center and museum. Such a great pit stop on our road trip! Only a couple miles off Route 77. Totally recommend.

Jpb T.

The story needs to be told about how poorly workers were treated around 100 years ago and how they had the courage to unionize. This is more than just a coal mine your. They set up a replica coal mining company town. The old church and school were my favorites. The pictured guide was awesome.

A wonderful tour guide
Molly T.

Great tour guides! The experience and knowledge makes the experience even better! Being able to go into a former coal mine and see just how hard miners worked for so little is very humbling.

Tom G.

This is a must do when in the area. We toured the entire site, showing how the coal miners lived and worked. It was an incredibly tough life for these guys. And what little they made was needed to pay for everything they needed from "the company store." If you do stop here, do the underground portion as well to really get a feel of how they spent 12 hours a day.

Tammi W.

Very cool place to go. You can walk thru a coal camp and ride through an actual coal mine. The tour guide we had, Mike, was a retired miner and was obviously very knowledgeable. He was a great tour guide. On the grounds was an old school as well as some other buildings to explore. Schoolhouse rules were great.

Kellie R.

On our Fallout76 tour through WV, Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine was on the list since it's a frequent lace we visit in the video game. When we arrived, we noticed immediately how spacious and well kept the grounds were. There were plenty of parking spots up front. We went inside to purchase tour tickets and bought a few souvenirs. There were a decent amount of trinkets and candies and I ended up getting a magnet and train whistle (for funsies). When we were called to our mining cart, we were greeted by Don, the most amazing tour guide ever! He made this entire visit to be a memorable, informative, and excited one. Not only did we have a fun time, we learned quite a bit on our tour as well. Everything was well maintained and clean. Every employee we encountered at Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine was an absolute delight. Superb customer service and employees that came off as genuine and kind. Highly recommend a visit through the mines!!

Dorsel demonstrating the lighting tools.

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16 days ago

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9 months ago

Chauncey was very knowledgeable and gave a great tour !!! I am here visiting from Arizona and enjoyed the tour !

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11 months ago

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9 months ago

Lots of good personal stories from retired coal miners who are now the tour guides. .........................

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2 years ago

This is well worth the visit. The tour guide had great information and insight into the lives of the coal miners.

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9 years ago

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Ask the Community - Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

If I am coming alone, can I just show up and buy a ticket instead of buying it for online? Also, about how much time can I expect to spend here (again, I will be by myself).

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Review Highlights - Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine

It will change forever the way you see and appreciate the dank and dangerous conditions of coal mining.

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Tamarack Marketplace - West Virginia-made candy

Tamarack Marketplace

3.8(314 reviews)
1.7 mi
$$

What a great idea for a rest area! It's kind of like an art fair that's always open. Pottery,…read moret-shirts, jams, glassware -- there's even a window where, if they're working at the time, you can even watch glassblowing. And, there's also a food court if you're hungry. A nice stop along the road.

I recently had a trip and I was so excited to stop for a late lunch. It has been at least 2 yrs but…read moreprob longer since I've been here. I used to travel and stop here often and it was amazing. The craft area of handcrafted merchandise has become not as sophisticated and high end workmanship. I noticed that change the last time I stopped through so that was disappointing. I used to often browse for gifts but that time nothing much to see. But on to my main thing -- the food. I'm actually heartbroken that now it's not in any way what it was. I learned that a few years back The Greenbrier Hotel stopped operating the dining room. And it shows -- they have remodeled and added tables. You no longer go through the cafeteria w the chance to see the grill and the food. And the food is pretty low to average score. The fried green tomatoes used to be pan cook w cornmeal and now battered and deep fried -- terrible the vegetable plate used to be amazing but barely edible. The cornbread used to be a large tender square delish but now a couple of tasteless muffins. My plate was served quickly and the food was barely warm. My friend's meal was very average, the salmon. The other was the soup and a side vegetable. Again average. I'm not sure why they lost The Greenbrier but it's not worth the cost. Still a nice place to walk around and stretch your legs but the food isn't worth the price and the crafts not at a high level. So a very disappointing meal. So you've been forewarned. All good things must come to an end.

Photos
Tamarack Marketplace - Art gallery

Art gallery

Tamarack Marketplace - Chicken and Waffles served at our All Day Sunday Brunch. Only available on Sundays!

Chicken and Waffles served at our All Day Sunday Brunch. Only available on Sundays!

Tamarack Marketplace - Signature Fried Green Tomato Sandwich

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Signature Fried Green Tomato Sandwich

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine - museums - Updated May 2026

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