What to Do in Bluefield: Pandemic Edition
It’s been a challenging year in light of the COVID pandemic. Masks and social distancing are required everywhere we go, and there are restrictions in the way we eat out, where we visit, and even visitors coming to campus. With all the limitations, students on and off campus often have trouble finding activities or places to go around Bluefield. We asked a few students to share what activities they are doing during this difficult time.
Laurel Romano, a commuter student from Bluefield, VA, shared two locations she visits in Bluefield while keeping the social distancing rule.
“When I think about things to do in Bluefield, especially during the pandemic, my mind goes to hiking,” Romano said. “Right next to the college is Lotito City Park. The trails there are connected and are fun to explore in the beautiful weather.”
Romano said the hiking trails at the park range from one to five miles. She said there are other activities to explore at the park, as well, including basketball, sand volleyball, or relaxing in a hammock to enjoy the shade. Romano also recommends the East River Mountain overlook where you can see the beautiful mountains and hills of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia.
“These are just a couple of places to visit and socially-distanced things to do in Bluefield,” she said.
Senior Matt Mainville shared a long list of places he’s been visiting in Bluefield during the pandemic, including Mountaineer Bowling Lanes, the local AMC movie theatre, and Fincastle Country Club’s golf course. He also mentioned places to visit outside of Bluefield that allow you to follow the required social distancing rule, including Dismal Waterfalls in Bland, VA; Pinnacle Rock State Park in Bramwell, WV; Lake Shawnee Haunted Amusement Park Tours in Rock, WV; and Pipestem Drive-In Theatre in Pipestem, WV.
“I went to the Pipestem Drive-In Theatre a few times in the fall,” Mainville said. “I can’t wait to go there again. They should be open again in April.
Mainville said he thought it was “awesome” that the drive-in theatre was opened during the pandemic, and he said the admission fee is cheap for students. Other places he recommends students visit are local restaurants allowing dine-in eating, including Chick-fil-A at Mercer Mall; Campestre’s in Princeton, WV; and Lynn’s Drive-In in Bluewell, WV.
“I love their (Lynn’s) chili cheese dogs,” Mainville said. “I like Lynn’s because it is family-owned, the food is magnificent, and it is cheap.”