Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum 5.0 (reviews)

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is SO much more than just...well, a coal mine! You have the Exhibition Coal Mine itself, as well as the Mine Museum, AND the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia!

This West Virginia attraction is SUPER popular with families, so why not join then!

The area itself is very pretty and fun for kids to explore. There are colorful flowers, picnic areas, and even a coal miner statue - and they deserve one, they went through a lot! (As you will find out!)

The Exhibition Coal Mine is the fun, underground part of the day. You can ride through the dark passages of a real vintage coal mine. Can you imagine what it would have been like to actually work in the mines? The guides themselves are veteran miners, so you can ask them! It also means that you can find out everything you want to know about being a coal miner, and you know it's true because you're asking a real live coal miner!

They can offer you first hand stories of the daily responsibilities, and also how coal mining has changed over the years.

As well as the mine, Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine as the interesting Mine Museum, as well as a period coal camp that is located through the grounds. The restored buildings, from the church to the school, give families a real representation of an early 20th century coal camp life.

And finally, the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia is an all year round experience, with three interactive exhibits in the central areas. If you're in a group tour, you can visit the planetarium too! 

Behind that there is the Mountain Homestead (yes - there's more!) which tells kids ALL about the story of the pioneer settlers in West Virginia. You can experience what it would have been like to live back then, with their school room, barn, general store and event moonshine still!

History, educational, and underground fun at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine!