Beyond the city limits of the “Coolest Small Town in America”, you’ll find some pretty amazing places to just chill, too. In fact, sometimes the best table in the house isn’t indoors at all. Greenbrier County offers an array of ambiances from breathtaking mountaintop vistas, tranquil forest trails and serene creek side settings where you can dine al fresco and take in the scenic sites surrounding the city.

On the outskirts of downtown Lewisburg, up US-219 N toward Frankford, is a special spot known locally as Coleman Cliffs. Like any “secret” site, it’s not terribly easy to find, at first. Once you do, however, the view is impossible to forget. Coleman Cliffs offers a postcard-perfect place to marvel at the majestic Allegheny Mountains and the meandering Greenbrier River below.

Follow US-219 N (past Wal-Mart and I-64 E/W overpass) about 5 miles. You’ll pass an Exxon and an old cemetery on the right; turn right on Anthony Road, then left onto Gardner Road. A mile or so up Gardner is a small gravel pullover on the left with a trash can. You won’t see any sign, so the trash can is the only true landmark there. You’ll also find an inconspicuous trail that leads to one of the most striking views in the area.

It’s a quiet spot with awesome landscapes in every direction. It’s a spectacular spot to toss aside your worries (it’s a cliff, after all) and simply relax and enjoy a casual outdoor meal. In fact, if you want a completely hassle-free experience, several restaurants in Lewisburg will gladly prepare and pack a deliciously unique picnic to-go for you and your companions to enjoy.

The picnic meal featured in this article was provided by The Bakery at 102 North Court Street in Lewisburg, WV. If you call ahead, Sandy and his staff from The Bakery will be happy to share their menu options with you and offer suggestions to plan a perfect picnic. They’ll even have it ready to pick up when you arrive. Call (304) 645-1106 for more information or to order your picnic from The Bakery.

– Jim Shock