Tamarack Marketplace

If you’re traveling West Virginia’s stretch of Interstate 77 and don’t check out Tamarack Marketplace in Beckley, you’re missing one of the state’s great just-off-the-road finds. The eye-catching, peaked, red-roof building located up the hill from the service station at Exit 45 is an oasis of art, gourmet food and serene calm, as well as a great road-trip pit stop. The circular building showcases works from artisans representing all 55 counties in West Virginia. 

The gallery offers more than 20,000 products, including jewelry, cutting boards and woodwork, pottery, works in metal, high-end sculpture and lots more. There are also artist demonstrations, hands-on classes and gallery exhibitions. A resident glass-blowing expert can lead you through a 20- to 30-minute class to make your own ornament, paperweight, bowl or other glassware. 

The Appalachian-inspired gourmet food at the on-site restaurant is not to be missed. There are full entrees, including a West Virginia trout platter, chicken pot pie and meatloaf. The menu also features sandwiches and wraps (the fried green tomato sandwich is highly recommended), sides, a menu for kids, and desserts like peanut butter pie and Greenbrier peaches and cream. 

The Sunday brunch menu adds an array of eggs Benedict options to consider. For those on the run, there’s a daily grab-and-go selection and meals can be ordered boxed up and ready for the road. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Tuesday; 1 Tamarack Park, Beckley, West Virginia 25801, 304/256-6843, tamarackwv.com