Check these attractions off your 2017 bucket list!

Last updated: September 25, 2018

Need some inspiration for the new year?

Our county is an adventure waiting to happen. Fill your schedule with history, romance and eccentricity!

See if you can scratch these attractions off your bucket list:

1. Bramwell
Explore the wealthy past of this charming town in the elegant Victorian mansions along the brick-clad Main Street.

Coal was so prosperous here that Bramwell had more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in America during the boom era. Men in silk top hats managed the lucrative bank, rolled wheelbarrows full of cash down the streets and built grand homes.

Fortunately, that legacy left behind plenty of architectural treasures. You can’t stop into town without spotting the Victorian and Edwardian manors, like:
The Cooper House, built in 1910, has a copper roof, bricks imported from England and an indoor swimming pool!
The robin’s-egg-blue Goodwill House (1895) has a ballroom, tower, wraparound porch and butler’s pantry.

No trip to Bramwell is complete without a stop at The Corner Shop, though. The old pharmacy is now an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor. Try the nostalgic treats like banana splits, sundaes in tall glasses and burgers. There’s even a working antique soda fountain!

2. Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park
This rusted amusement park is so eerie, it’s been featured on shows on the Travel Channel, Discovery Channel and National Geographic.

Lake Shawnee’s history spans centuries of grim events. For starters, it’s an ancient burial ground. Then, in the late 18th century, a frontier family was massacred here. The bad luck carried into modern times, too. Several children died in freak accidents when Lake Shawnee was an amusement park. In 1966, it closed— there were just too many curses to justify keeping it there.

Paranormal experts have detected spirits, while other visitors have seen ghosts.

Even if you don’t believe in that stuff, there’s plenty to see. The rusted ferris wheel, creaky chain swing set and worn out ticket booth have a shivery appeal all their own. To visit, call for an appointment. Or head to the Dark Carnival in October for tours and creepy (and true) tales around the campfire.

3. RiffRaff Arts Collective
Dancing, fine arts, healing, music… all types of creativity come together under one roof. RiffRaff is also a performance venue. Its quirky Room Upstairs has an open stage Monday nights. You might hear anything from poetry to classical music. Browse, shop and get inspired!

4. Gary Bowling’s House of Art
This zany gallery is a one-of-a-kind gem.

Unlike most art studios, Gary Bowling’s House of Art shuns any sense of order. Sculptures of fantastical creatures leap from the walls and corners. There are rainbow-hued monsters, bright carousel horses and “upcycled” pieces of furniture, too.

If there’s anything that unites the gallery, it’s humor. None of the resident artists take themselves too seriously, which makes the extravagance of the place all the more fun.

5. Brainerd Gallery
Hal Brainerd is one of America’s foremost photographers. From awards to public recognition by famous figures like Hillary Clinton, he’s earned all kinds of merit. His studio is filled with bright landscapes, vivid portraits and animals in action.

6. Bluefield Inn
Crystal chandeliers, an airy verandah and a masculine billiards room— 20th century touches make the Bluefield Inn one of Mercer County’s top B&Bs.

7. Chuck Mathena Center
Catch some of the most cultured performances in America, from off-Broadway hits to comedy skits, at Chuck Mathena Center. It’s not just performing arts, either! Pop into a gallery to admire seasonal exhibits or sign up for a class. Now’s the time to learn a new skill for the new year.

8. Hatfield-McCoy Trails
Traverse more than 700 miles of wilderness terrain on the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system— one of the largest off-road systems in the country.

Start your journey in Mercer County, home of the Pocahontas trailhead. It has routes for every driver and level. Plus, you’re close to Bramwell, so you can end your day of rugged muddin’ by exploring Millionaire Row! There are plenty of places to roll your ATV on up for cozy accommodations!

9. Brush Creek Preserve and Falls
This restful retreat is just what you need to relax. Just park and walk along a sparkling stream. Along the way, you’ll spot the Bluestone River, pale sandstone cliffs and southern West Virginia’s largest waterfall.

Brush Creek Preserve is particularly appealing in spring, when wildlife is stirring. You might catch a glimpse of a rare shrub, Canby’s mountain-lover, frilly white cedar trees, or several flowers: anemones, wild columbine, ragwort and phlox.

10. Winterplace Ski Resort
Uncover unique, exhilarating activities at this high-altitude resort just outside Mercer County.

Winterplace has a secret weapon: snowmaking equipment, which guarantees precipitation until March. There’s also nighttime skiing and tubing! Modern lifts, carousels and “magic carpets” let you play all day!

Where are you exploring in 2017?