Summit Road Trip — Things to See
Unusual stops along the drive from Charlotte airport to the Summit.
Most of the drive from Charlotte Douglas airport (CLT) to the Summit Bechtel Reserve is on I-77 North. These are ideas for breaking up the trip — not places the troop has necessarily visited. Check opening days and hours before you go; several are seasonal.
Quirky roadside stops
- Virginia’s Largest Pencil — Wytheville, VA. A 30-foot yellow pencil at the entrance to Wytheville Office Supply. A classic “world’s largest” photo stop.
- Wytheville Balloon Water Tower — Wytheville, VA. A water tower painted to look like a giant hot air balloon, a nod to the town’s annual balloon festival.
- Mystery Hole — Ansted, WV. Near the end of the drive. A kitschy stop with a Volkswagen Beetle “crashed” into the building and a tilted room where water appears to flow uphill.
Unique experiences and museums
- Fort Chiswell Animal Park — Max Meadows, VA. Just off I-77. Ride an open-air bus through a drive-through animal park and feed zebras, camels and giraffes.
- Big Walker Lookout — Wytheville, VA. Climb a 100-foot tower at an elevation of about 3,400 feet. On a clear day you can see a long way.
- Lost World Caverns — Lewisburg, WV. A detour east. A self-guided tour 120 feet below the surface, past huge stalactites.
- Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine — Beckley, WV. Close to the Summit. Ride a “man car” into a real coal mine, guided by a veteran miner. See the Summit lessons learned for tips from crews who went.
Scenic landmarks
- New River Gorge Bridge — Victor, WV. One of the longest and highest steel arch bridges in the world. The Canyon Rim Visitor Center has the best views, or book the Bridge Walk on the catwalk beneath the road.
- Almost Heaven Swings — across West Virginia. Rustic wooden swings in scenic spots, such as Bluestone State Park and Tamarack Marketplace. A quick photo stop.