Beckley

Admittedly this location didn’t require me to wander very far. Sometimes it’s fun to take a new look at old things, visit old haunts, and maybe even pretend you’re a tourist in the very town or city in which you live. Just because you see the same scenery every day doesn’t mean it’s not interesting.

This is something I like to do when I feel the itch to travel someplace new to explore and photograph, but lack the time or funds to do so. It’s also a good exercise for anyone, not just photographers, as it will rekindle an appreciation for your local surroundings.

With this in mind, I decided to take a stroll down Neville Street and Main Street in downtown Beckley. While meandering along the sidewalks, I passed by all sorts of shops and restaurants (even a few I hadn’t heard of yet), and great deal of extraordinary buildings that I enjoyed photographing. This short walk reaffirmed something that I already knew; Beckley is a cool place.

The shops and food alone are pretty awesome and are worth your time and money to experience firsthand. I personally appreciate the revitalization of the buildings since I love old structures with character. Beckley also hosts a great deal of noteworthy events from Friday’s in the Park, Neville Street Market, to Chili Night, and a whole slew of other festivals (click here to check them out).

So the next time you’re looking for something fun to do, you might find that Beckley has a lot more to offer than you thought. And if you decide to visit downtown Beckley, don’t forget to check out my favorite shop: Tickety Boo Mercantile.