Alex Narramore and Deron Eckert

Travel Concierge

Home base for the event will be Pikeville, Kentucky. There are two hotels and one bed and breakfast to choose from for your stay. The Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn are located directly next to each other, and their interiors are conjoined by the indoor pool. Shuttling will be provided to the ceremony and reception from both hotels and the local bed and breakfast, Pikeville Historic Mansion Bed and Breakfast, if some guests choose to stay there. Shuttles will run throughout the evening to return guests back to their hotels both comfortably and safely, so they can fully enjoy themselves at the reception.

In Pikeville, there are several restaurants to visit, including The Blue Raven (our favorite place in town), Sliced, the pizza venue now located in the same building as The Blue Raven, and Roasted for morning croissants and coffee that we love. If visiting Roasted, the Main Street sandwich and the "Roasted" Egg White Croissant are highly recommended! You could also enjoy drinks at The Blue Raven, Bank 253, Alltech Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery, or one of the many other restaurants in town. We chose Pikeville as home base due to its close proximity to shopping, restaurants, etc. Simply put, we think it's more fun if those are the things that appeal to you. For Pikeville, we recommend the Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn and taking full advantage of the shuttles, so you can enjoy yourselves at the reception.

For those traveling from Virginia, we also recommend The Inn at Wise. While there won't be shuttling from this location, The Inn boasts three restaurants, and is adorable to boot; a good choice if you're coming from that direction and plan on driving yourself to the wedding ceremony and reception instead of utilizing the shuttling. The Inn is great if you wish to spend the majority of your time in a beautiful historic inn with a 1950's style diner and a basement pub and tap room.

If you're driving through Slade, Kentucky on your trip here, we recommend stopping in at Miguel's Pizza, a Red River Gorge tradition since 1984. It's delicious and completely worth the detour. Read this article: "How This Pizza Restaurant in Rural Appalachia Became a Kentucky Institution" about Miguel's in Food and Wine.

This straightforward hotel across from Pikeville University is a 3-minute walk from the Big Sandy Heritage Center and 25 miles from Breaks Interstate Park.

Low-key rooms include free Wi-Fi and custom-designed beds, plus desks, flat-screen TVs with HD channels and coffeemakers. Suites add living areas and pull-out sofas, plus microwaves and minifridges. There's free hot breakfast and parking. Other amenities include a fitness center, a heated indoor pool and a coin-operated laundry, plus meeting rooms and a business center.

Reference the Narramore-Eckert wedding block upon booking. The block will be available until August 25th. Rates start at $129 and may decrease to $114, as confirmed guests in the block increase. View the booking link here: group.hamptoninn.com/NarramoreEckertWedding .

Hatfield McCoy Heritage Days is taking place in town this weekend. We have been advised by the hotel that everyone should book as soon as possible to ensure a room.  

Hampton Inn

831 Hambley Blvd, Pikeville, KY 41501

(606) 432-8181

Distance to Ceremony: 55 min (46.1 miles)

via US-119 S/US-23 S and US-119 S   

The Hilton Garden Inn Pikeville hotel is located in historic downtown Pikeville, KY, and just steps away from leafy Pikeville City Park. Take your laptop to the park and stay connected with complimentary WiFi. Explore the restaurants and shops of downtown Pikeville, catch a show at Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center or canoe down the scenic Big Sandy River. Visit the Pike County Tourism office, in the adjacent Hampton Inn to help plan your itinerary. The hotel is conjoined to the Hampton Inn by the same indoor pool.

This Pikeville hotel offers comfortable guestrooms each with a spacious work area and ergonomic chair, a 39-inch HDTV, microwave, mini-refrigerator and coffeemaker. Choose between a single king bed or two queen beds, or, for more room, upgrade to our king corner room with sofa-bed. The Hilton's rooms come with complimentary in-room WiFi when you book direct.

Reference the Narramore-Eckert wedding block upon booking. Rates start at $124. View the booking link here: hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/B/BRGPKGI-ECKERT-20180920/index.jhtml

Hatfield McCoy Heritage Days is taking place in town this weekend. We have been advised by the hotel that everyone should book as soon as possible to ensure a room.  

Hilton Garden Inn Pikeville

849 Hambley Blvd, Pikeville, KY 41501

(606) 766-2000

Distance to Ceremony: 54 min (46.1 miles)  via US-119 S/US-23 S and US-119 S 

Landmark Inn featuring 3 restaurants & polished rooms with work spaces & sitting areas. Perfect for if you want to base most of your stay out of this beautiful hotel, enjoy the 1950's style diner and pub and tap room and plan to drive yourself to and from the ceremony and reception.

STEP BACK IN TIME IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA  Step off the Crooked Road and wander back in time—relive history and capture a piece of it for yourself. Surrounded by nature, history, culture, and mountain traditions, The Inn at Wise is a 100-year-old historic landmark in southwest Virginia and is the ideal spot for a cozy get-away! With a full restoration of the building complete, The Inn is truly “The Charm of Tradition Reimagined”.

CORNER DINER AT THE INN AT WISE

 The Corner Diner is the perfect blast-from-the-past dining experience, taking you right back to your sock-hop days complete with authentic jukebox signed by Miss Peggy Sue herself. Take a bite out of the ‘best burger in town’, dive into our open-faced hot roast beef plate, or keep it simple with a Chef’s salad . . . no matter which way you slice it, The Diner will fit your palate.

Daily Lunch Specials Served Sun. & Mon.  6:00 am. - 10:00am Daily  Call for our Daily Specials  Hand scooped ice cream and milk shakes available!  

The Pub and Tap Room  Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Thursday 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday 5:00 p.m. - Midnight Sunday & Monday - CLOSED  Sometimes you just want to go where everyone knows your name. Stop for happy hour, a nightcap, or just a daily dose of community in The Pub & Tap Room, this charming tavern-style bar located in the lower level of the hotel. This bar is a local’s favorite and we’re sure that once you experience it you may never want to leave . . . just like The Pub's ghosts.

Reference the Narramore-Eckert wedding block upon booking. The block will be available until August 1st. Rates start at $99.

The Inn at Wise

110 E Main St, Wise, VA 24293

(276) 321-7600

Distance to Ceremony: 42 min (31.7 miles) via US-23 N and US-119 S

211 Main St, Pikeville, KY 41501

(606) 509-2583

Our favorite place to walk to for weekly dinners and drinks in Pikeville. This cozy option specializes in refined Kentucky and Appalachian dishes that showcase quality ingredients and preparation. Served in simple, warm environs. The menu at Blue Raven is on a consistent rotation.

Walk-ins Welcome. Reservations/Carryout Orders can be made by calling (606)509-BLUE (2583) .

Hours of Operation: Tuesday-Thursday 11am-9pm
Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday 5pm-10pm

787 Hambley Blvd
Pikeville, Kentucky 41501

(606) 253-3035

It's a gem. We love it. Perfect for "Roasted" egg white croissants with pesto, the Main Street sandwich, chicken salad, pimento cheese, and coffee. Pair this with later dinner and drinks at Blue Raven and you're golden.

Hours of Operation:

SUNDAYS- 12:30PM TO 5PM
SATURDAYS- 8AM TO 8PM
MONDAY TO FRIDAY- 7AM TO 7PM

Roasted Appalachia is the area's only full-service espresso bar & coffeehouse. Serving only the freshest micro-roasted coffee, sourced from exotic locations around the world and distributed by Louisville's very own, Quills Coffee Micro-Roastery. With Appalachian charm, hard work, and an expert staff, Roasted will make your visit a true, hand-crafted coffee experience. Offering a multitude of espresso and coffee-based drinks, delicious homemade baked goods, and Roasted's breakfast & lunch menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches, and more!

Housed in a very historical location - part of the old Chesapeake and Ohio train depot. Built in 1923, the building was the old baggage station. The train depot, baggage station and train tracks once made up what we now know as Hambley Boulevard.

253 2nd St, Pikeville, KY 41501

(606) 432-6566

Good for a late night drink, maybe after dinner and drinks at The Blue Raven. Restaurant by day and nightlife for the late night. American Pub style with a twist
Enjoy the atmosphere have a good time and relax.

Dress: Casual
Nightlife begins at 10pm, 21 and up only

Friday and Saturday Dress Code: Dress to Impress. Absolutely NO: sunglasses, backwards hats, chains, jogging pants, ripped or torn clothing. Door mans discretion at all times.

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Wednesday 11am - 11pm
Thursday 11am - 11pm
Friday - Saturday 11am - 2:30am
Sunday - CLOSED

127 Main St B, Whitesburg, KY 41858

(606) 633-5749

We've had a lot of wonderful times here. The Thirsty Heifer Ltd. Co. is located in Historic Downtown Whitesburg and proudly part of the Downtown Renaissance Initiative. Complimenting premium craft and imported beer selection, they serve fantastic fresh, farm-to-table hamburgers made with beef from a farm in a neighboring county. Buns are baked fresh for them daily. They hand-craft their seasonings. Good burgers and beer.

Hours of Operation:

Dinner: M-Th 4pm-9pm
Friday 4pm - midnight
Saturday 11am - midnight (lunch & dinner)

214 Main St, Whitesburg, KY 41858

(606) 536-5074

Good for a drink and to see what's going on. They often have live music. Summit City is a restaurant, coffee shop, art gallery, live performance venue, and cocktail lounge. It’s located in the historic John A. Webb building, built in 1925. It can be fun to walk from Thirsty Heifer to Summit City, Heritage Kitchen, and whatever bar and restaurant resides across the street at any given time.

Hours of Operation:

Monday: 3:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday: 3:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday: 3:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Thursday: 3:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday: CLOSED

Summit City believes that small, community-centered, locally-owned businesses are vital to healthy communities. They are committed to mountain art, music, and to bringing people together.

Summit City has provided Kentucky’s most eclectic Artist Roster since July-2007 under the direction of National Booking Agent Greg Napier “An Evening with Concert series at Summit City.

Bands that have performed here include: 2007-present
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Mark Knight, Rival Sons, Sturgill Simpson, St. Paul and The Broken Bones, Justin Townes Earle, Don Dokken, Richie Kotzen, John Corabi “Motley Crue-Ratt”, Kip Winger, Damon Johnson, Bother Cane, Jake E.Lee and Red Dragon Cartel, Rich Robinson of The Blackcrowes, Marc Ford of The Black Crowes, Sleeper Agent, The Whigs, Company of Theives, Brian Owens, SIMO, Steepwater Band, Desert Noises, Roadkill Ghost Choir, Chris Knight, The Felice Brothers, Hackensaw Boys, Whipsaws, Planet of the Abts with Matt Abts and Jorgen Carlsson of Gov’t Mule, LA GUNS, The Cold Stares, Sons of Bill, Isarel Nash, Lee Bains and The Glory Fires, Shonna Tucker and Eye Candy featuring members of The Drive By Truckers, Brian Owens, SHEL, JYPSI, Dawn Landes, Michelle Malone, ADLER Featuring Steven Adler of Guns N Roses, Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons, 68-75, Halfway to Hazard, Swear and Shake, Good Graef, Chris Jason, Folk Soul Revival, Rose Hill Dive, Truth and Salvage Company, Buffalo Killers, Downtrend, Wayne Graham, Cory Harris, Paul Brandon Fields, Ordinary Fools, T-bone, Kris Logsdon, Peyton Kendrick, Blue Stone Mystic, Hayley Sulivan, Exit 23 to name a few.

45 US-119, Whitesburg, KY 41858

(606) 633-1183

We like the salad bar and perusing through the gift shop offerings. If you’re up early, “Uncle Gerald’s breakfast” should suffice. Pine Mountain Grill & Gifts is a family run business built around family traditions, faith in community and the love of good, mountain cooking. They've been serving the Whitesburg community for more than 20 years and have built a solid following and reputation for good food, service and specialty gifts.

Hours of Operation:

Serving Breakfast 7:00 am – All Day

 Lunch – Dinner  11:00 am – 9 pm 

Located in Letcher County, Bad Branch State Nature Preserve was dedicated on September 26, 1985, establishing and launching protection efforts for one of the most significant and beautiful natural areas in the state of Kentucky. The original 435 acres includes Bad Branch Gorge, a forested gorge with a 60-foot waterfall tumbling over sandstone cliffs on the south face of Pine Mountain. Subsequent acquisitions have expanded the preserve west into the Presley House Branch watershed, northeast into the upper reaches of the Bad Branch watershed and a small portion of the north face of Pine Mountain.

Today, this 2,785 acre preserve protects the scenic beauty of the gorge and one of the largest concentrations of rare and uncommon species known in the state. The preserve also protects Kentucky’s only known nesting pair of common ravens (Corvus corax). Bad Branch has been designated a Kentucky Wild River.

Features - hemlock gorge, waterfall, high-quality stream, numerous rare species, trail along mountain crest
Access - foot trail and bridges, 5 miles of trail over uneven terrain, strenuous

Bad Branch was highlighted in the Summer 2015 edition of Land, Air & Water magazine.

There are many mountain biking trail opportunities starting from the campground at Wiley's Last Resort. Some are unexplored. Personally, we generally walk to Mars on foot. Due to some recent vandalism, they are more strict on visitors, but it is truly otherworldly with wet sand and towering orange rocks.

From 2013: MARS Rocks - There are a number of ways to ride to the Mars Rocks from Wiley's Last Resort campground, including the Sisters Trail, the Muhammed Alley, the Path to Enlightenment and you can also go down on Faith Hill.

If you want to try seeing Mars, try contacting Wiley's Last Resort. They may be able to tell you how.

Cautionary Note: This trail is extremely challenging, with as many as 18 stream crossings (at the height of the winter thaw), a 1,200-foot elevation change and many opportunities to lose the trail. There are also no facilities (such as drinking water) on or near the trail.

The Devil's Fork Loop Trail provides an impressively beautiful route through an old-growth hemlock and rhododendron forest. Amazing rock formations, waterfalls, swimming holes and mountain views give you plenty to see and do, but keep one eye on the trail, as the going can be rough. Although the trail follows yellow blazes for its entire 7 miles, poor maintenance means it is often difficult to find the blazes and the path, which, in several places, scrambles over large rocks or up very steep cliff faces.

The trail's main attraction is Devil's Bathtub, located just 1.5 miles from the start. The rushing water of Devil's Fork shoots out of the soft sandstone and swirls quickly through this stone luge, plummeting into a beautiful pool of blue-green water. Another trail highlight, shortly after Devil's Bathtub, is the 50-foot waterfall at the mouth of Corder Hollow. The trail enters a very different landscape as you leave the Devil's Fork and begin hiking along the ridges of several mountains. The forest has little underbrush and the path can be easily lost.

Devil's Fork Loop Trail

Jefferson National Forest, Fort Blackmore, VA

+1 904-330-8959

Distance

From Wise, Virginia: 48 min (17.2 mi) via State Rte 619

From Whitesburg, Kentucky: 1 h 19 min (44.6 mi) via US-23 S and State Rte 619

From Pikeville, Kentucky: 1 h 36 min (62.9 mi) via US-23 S

You weren’t seeing things if you were driving down old U.S. 23 and thought you saw a zebra. Or thought you were seeing double. There are two zebras on the Potter Farm. According to Joan Potter, her son, Mitch, bought the animals.

At the same time Mitch was ordering zebras, Scott went to an exotic animal sale. “He bought two rams with the curly horns,” Joan says. “They turned them loose with the goats and we haven’t seen them since! They’re out there on the hill … or I don’t know where they are!”

Besides zebras, aoudad sheep, horses and goats, the Potter farm is home to African Watusi cows, Texas Long Horn cows, a pig and a dog.

If you want to see the zebras, travel down the old US 23 and you’ll see them in a field on the right. “We have all kinds of people coming and bringing their children,” Joan says. 

Look for the zebras as you travel from Pikeville on your way to the wedding ceremony.

Enjoy one of Kentucky’s most breathtaking 18-hole golf courses, a beautiful marriage of the handiwork of man and nature. Opened in 1995 as a 9-hole layout and expanded eight years later, Raven Rock is part of a remarkable strip mine reclamation project that encompasses some 2,000 acres in southeastern Kentucky.

Built by TECO Coal in the heart of reclaimed wildwoods, the prairie grass-lined broad fairways feature a wide open links feel and striking elevations that reach nearly 3,000 feet around the property’s dramatic quarry. Enjoy a new clubhouse with expanded facilities and full-service restaurant overlooking this peaceful valley and manicured greens. If you're on the golf course, get a drink or a bite to eat at the golf course restaurant and bar, The Pine at Raven Rock.

Most importantly, experience the epitome of how a once-scarred property can be reclaimed from its coal-mining origins into a model sustainable development for generations to come.

View Raven Rock on GolfAdvisor

Raven Rock Golf Course

586 Cs-2072

Jenkins, KY 41537

(606) 832-2955

Distance:

From Pikeville, Kentucky: 34 min (30.8 mi) via US-119 S/US-23 S

From Whitesburg, Kentucky: 19 min (13.9 mi) via US-119 N

From Wise, Virginia: 24 min (17.3 mi) via US-23 N

Nestled in the beautiful mountains of Pike County, Kentucky, take a scenic horse trail overlooking the historic town of Pikeville, Kentucky (home of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud). Experience our approximately three mile trail accompanied by an experience trail guide with the most experienced trail horses in the region. Our horses are hand selected for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders to ensure your maximum safety and to enhance your trail riding experience. We have a variety of different times available at your convenience and depending on the scenery you want to experience. Allow us to help make a memory on the mountain for you!

When we visited, we took some videos of the sweet horses. See the videos here.

For More Information Please Call: Hatfield McCoy Adventures 606-424-0321 or 606-422-3107, Sunday-Saturday 12pm to 5pm or email at Hatfieldmccoyadventures@yahoo.com

Come and enjoy the Mountains of Eastern KY on the White Lightning Zip lines! Zip across 8 lines up to 1000' long! Learn about the history of the area from the Hatfield & McCoy Feud to Running Moonshine. The zip-line tours are conducted at night, as well.

Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your departure time, So we can suit you up and give you a little training before your trip...

For More Information Please Call:

Hatfield McCoy Adventures Office at 606-424-0321 or 606-422-3107

Hatfield & McCoy River Trail

The Levisa Fork holds gentle riffles and flowing shoals, perfect floating conditions for families and beginners. This section is ideal for canoes, kayaks and small one-man pontoon boats. Since the Levisa Fork receives the waters of Russell Fork along with releases from Fishtrap Lake Dam upstream, the river has great flow all summer long.

The Hatfield-McCoy River Trail System is now recognized as a Kentucky Blue Water Trail.

This 2 hour trip will take you through some breathtaking scenery including the Pikeville Cut Thru Project, a man made channel that moved a mountain and a river.

This trip is on class 1 water and is suitable for beginners and families.

For More Information Please Call:

Hatfield McCoy Adventure Office 606-424-0321 or 606-422-3107