Location: Charleston
Top Things to do in Charleston
10 Things to do in Charleston That You Shouldn't Miss
Once a frontier town and home to Daniel Boone, today Charleston is the historic, sophisticated capital of West Virginia and home to a variety of exciting cultural and recreational attractions. The State Capitol, with its gleaming 23-karat gold dome and classic 20th-century architecture, is truly a sight to see. Most of the city's major landmarks are located right around the Capitol, making it easy to see everything. Wander around the meticulously landscaped grounds to view statues of historic figures like Stonewall Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. History and culture buffs will want to spend some time at the Cultural Center, which includes a state museum, reference and archive libraries, a theater and plays host to special events throughout the year. For those who prefer outdoor endeavors, more than a hundred miles of spectacular scenery await you on the Midland Trail scenic highway, also known as U.S. Route 60. Hop off at any point to do some antiquing, biking or hiking. The Kanahwa Forest offers more than 9,000 acres of exploration and recreation just south of town. Shopping, interesting attractions and plenty of outdoor fun make Charleston an ideal getaway.
Restaurants in Charleston
1. Culture Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 120 reviews
Complex that houses a variety of interesting tourist sites such as the State Museum, reference libraries, and a live-performance theater.
Reviewed By sheliadscott - Charleston, United States
I went to visit The Culture Center in Charleston to do my family research and I found a lot of interesting facts about WV. My visit turned into a tour because I was fascinated by the deep culture that is hidden in WV.
2. West Virginia Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 107 reviews
Site where sculptor Joe Mullins' work is displayed.
Reviewed By JenniferandAlan - Easton, United States
Every May my husband and I visit West Virginia to put flowers on a friend's grave in Princeton. We always visit the state capital and the veterans memorial on its grounds. The memorial is beautiful with the statues of soldiers and sailors of WWl, WWll, Korean War and Viet Nam wars. The memorial is tear wrenching--all those names all those lives lost. I believe the pool represents all our tears. Thank you for remembering.
3. West Virginia State Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 396 reviews
Located in the Cultural Center, this interesting museum traces the history of West Virginia through a series of exhibits containing everything from an extensive collection of antique hats donated by a local school teacher to the telescope George Washington used to survey lands within the state.
Reviewed By ArwenElf - Rock Hill, United States
Free cultural museum with 26 Discovery Rooms that showcase West Virginia’s geology, prehistoric cultures, exploration and settlement, frontier conflicts and life...statehood, railroad, coal company town, mining,... the Great Depression, Civil Rights movement...transportation, fairs and festivals, cultural state collections and famous West Virginians. Very well done with extensive and interesting displays about West Virginia’s history and culture. Conveniently located next to the capital building.
4. West Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
5. Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
6. The Art Emporium
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By WelltraveledWV - Charleston, United States
Great place, wonderful owner and superb service. Custom framing is special. The local art showcased is really nice.
7. Mountain State Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Downtown Charleston's first distillery featuring sampling bar and gift shop. On-site distillery operations include mashing, fermentation, distillation, bottling and labeling.
Reviewed By 681dougm
Wonderful and friendly place go by and visit genuine people making genuine products support your local people and go by a visit a spell
8. State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 513 reviews
Designed by influential architect Cass Gilbert, this grand building, the highest state capitol dome in the United States, is open to the public for tours and features decadent interior details like marble walls a massive crystal chandelier.
Reviewed By JenniferandAlan - Easton, United States
Every May for about the past 10 years we have visited WV and we make sure to always see the capitol building. During the week you can have a guided tour of the inside and it is a good tour. This year we got there around 5PM and just strolled the grounds. The flowers are beautiful. The statuary is amazing, Our favorite is the WV coal miner. We also visit the war memorial each year--WWI, WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War and the list of names. Thank you for remembering.
9. Governor's Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Built in 1924, the home of the Governor of West Virginia is a traditional Georgian colonial mansion with a stately, but somewhat homey, feel. Tours are conducted on Thursday and Friday mornings.
10. Capitol Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
Capitol Street runs through the historic and scenic shopping and dining area of Charleston.
Reviewed By Flipper1954 - Ellsworth, United States
Shops, cafes, bars....yes, some closed from this covid mess, but still a great place with traffic blocked for only pedistrian traffic. Charming area!
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