We are meeting in Beckley, WV with my husband's sister who is driving from Ohio and we are driving from North Caolina back home. We'll be staying only one night in Courtyard Hotel. We are not looking for any places to go out and visit at night but is there anot too far access to a state or any other park where we can spent three-four hours? His sister has difficulties walking. Also is there nearby a safe place where I can go running/walking/hiking alone for a couple hours early in the morning?

Further, we will need a place to eat not too far away from Courtyard. Anything goes as long as it is not Cracker Barrel or any place like McDonald's or Taco Bell.
Thanks for any help you can provide

The most interesting thing I know to do in Beckley?

The mine tour. Fascinating.

Google for more information and articles on it. The best part was the VERY retired miner that led the tour.

Being from Ohio originally we make the sojourn several times a year (from Charlotte). There is not much there at all, outside of outdoor activities. If you visit www.beckley.org I believe there is a list of parks on there..

The Tamarack - The Greenbrier has a shop and restaurant there. Items by WV artists and craftsmen are sold at the Tamarack. It's a neat place to look around even if you are not in the market to buy. It's compact and has sitting areas so would also be suitable for sister. http://www.tamarackwv.com/

Applebee's & Outback are next door to the Courtyard
Other good restaurants:
1. The Char (upscale)
2. Macados (Great & unusual sandwiches http://www.macados.com/menu.htm )
3. Tamarack (Casual open setting but it is run by The Greenbrier and uses Greenbrier chefs. 1 mile from the Courtyard. http://www.tamarackwv.com/
4. Pasquale Mira's Italian Restaurant (1 mile from the Courtyard on the other side of the Interstate - ask front desk for directions)

Have emailed a friend about running, etc - will get back with you.

PS. If you are a Starbucks fan - there is one in the Travel Plaza near the Tamarack.

I can second the recommendation for the Char. Excellent food and service.

The Tamarack is nothing special.

Tamarack restaurant is sort of cafeteria style and is open along the Tamarack. Yes, it is nothing special as far as a dining experience but the food is good for a quick lunch.

Starssville, SAnParis, Cvechko, and MileKing, all your information is very helpful. I already found websites for a coal mine museum and the Char. This restaurant looks like a place where four of us would enjoy a good food and conversation so I hope it is not too noisy. We are going to call and make reservations.
SAnParis, I'll carefully check out all near by parks for places to take a short hike, walk or run my own. I like to give my husband some time with his sister so they both can complaint about their spouses.
Cvechko, if you can find out about a place for a little run I would greatly appreciate your help.

Also if the Char won't work out for some reason I think we would consider Pasquale Mira's Italian Restaurant. Unfortunately I cannot find any information, menu or website for this place but it seems so convenient to Courtyard.

We just happened to wind up in Beckley during a road trip last summer. Mine tour was great, Tamarack nothing special but you might want to wander through if you have time to kill, Pasquale Mira's was awful.

irishswampyankee, thank you for posting your personal experience with Pasquale Mira's. We won't consider this place. I guess once we get there we'll decide how to spend a few hours together.

Cvechko, did you hear from your friend about a safe place to run alone in Beckley, WV?

Just got back & had an email from him. He said:
As for sightseeing, Grandview is a beautiful place. It's off the
Grandview exit of I-64 near Shady Spring. It has a beautiful view of
the New River Gorge area. It's a breathtaking view!"

Here are a couple websites to check out. First one mentions Grandview, on the second one you may have to look around.
http://www.wvexplorer.com/whitewater...ns/default.asp

http://www.wvtourism.com/planner.aspx?pgID=57&rg=5& (This is the wv Tourism site - I have taken you to the Beckley area Travel Planner. You can take it from there).

There is also a nice little park called Little Beaver State Park. http://www.wvtourism.com/planner.aspx?pgID=57&rg=5&

The problem is that where you are staying is in an area of motels, restaurants, etc. There's not a park, etc real close by. However, from your hotel, you could run along the road on the sidewalk (go in the direction opposite the interstate). You will pass some businesses and I think the hospital is a short distance away. I would feel very safe walking/etc in that area.

Hope this helps. From my experience of Beckley - I feel pretty safe just about anywhere. I just love the people in that town.

Little Beaver State Park: http://www.littlebeaverstatepark.com/

Another great place to eat, it's very upscale Glade Springs Resort. http://www.gladesprings.com/

It would also be a beautiful and safe place to run, but I am not sure you can get into it to run. http://www.gladesprings.com/

I just looked at Grandview on the net & it looks like it may be further than you want to go.

Thank you again Starssville, SAnParis, Cvechko, MileKing, and irishswampyankee for your help. It was an extremely short visit in Beckley this time and as a result we didn't have a time to try out any options you posted here. We spent time looking at some photos and my husband and his sister talked for hours. However, I filed all information as we will be going through Beckley now more often while our house is being built in NC. We were in Beckley on Sunday and the Char was closed so we ended up walking to Applebee's. My SIL did not want to hear about driving anywhere after being in the car already for a few hours. Well, maybe next time.

Cvechko, I promise to use many of your wonderful information and thank you for getting back to me with all details.
Pat