Location: Charleston
Top Things to do in Charleston
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10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day 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 Symphony Orchestra
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
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. Mountain Stage
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
For more than 30 years, Mountain Stage with Larry Groce has been the home of live music on public radio. Produced in West Virginia and distributed by NPR, each two hour episode of Mountain Stage can be heard every week on more than 150 stations across America, and around the world via NPR Music and iTunes. Recorded in front of a live audience, Mountain Stage typically features four or five artists, with each artist given roughly the same amount of time to perform, give or take five to ten minutes, unless otherwise stated. The show is recorded live to two track, with as few edits as possible. Mountain Stage features performances from seasoned legends and emerging stars in genres ranging from folk, blues, and country; to indie rock, synth pop, world music, alternative, and beyond. Come see what radio looks like!
5. The Folded Leaf
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Learn to live the good life! The Folded Leaf is West Virginia's premier yoga studio, servicing both Kanawha and Teays Valley. We also offer massage therapy, reiki, and earth-friendly retail. Offering over 40 classes per week in two serene studios, The Folded Leaf has a comprehensive schedule with something for everyone. Beginning to advanced practitioners will find a comfortable place to practice and grow.
6. Locked & Coded
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By AmyintheAttic - Wytheville, United States
We really enjoyed this escape room experience, we are novice escapees and this proved to be very challenging for us, so a lot of fun. There is a variety of rooms to choose from with different levels of difficulty. And a staff of folks there to help you along the way... if you need it.
7. Axes and Ales
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By DeWitt65101 - Auburn, United States
We went with some locals to Axes and Ales and boy did we have fun! You get a short safety briefing and are asked to sign a waiver. Then you get to throw axes at a projected target on a wooden wall. It sounds hokey, but it was a blast! First the rules. Safety first. No horseplay. Screw around and you're out. Second, no retrieving your own axes. You rotate on your lane (which you buy by the hour). You can only throw from the mat, only when the target appears. You can only collect your axe when the walking symbol appears. And you have to stop throwing your axe when the "No Axes" sign comes up. Until 4 pm this is the Lucky Dill Deli. From 4 till 9 its five lanes of axe-throwing fun, along with a 2 beer maximum. When you buy your second beer, you get a red X on your hand in magic marker and you don't get any more. A little beer, okay. Nobody throws while blitzed. We had an excellent time. The playlist of country-rock tunes was well chosen and had everyone tapping their feet. All the folks were having fun, and everyone was cheering for the other guy. Ya gotta love that! If you miss Axes and Ales, you've missed the most fun you can have in Charleston (with your clothes on anyway).
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 Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
Imagine a shopping environment with many specialty shops that include a cafe, hot lunch spots, a butcher, a wine shop, a fresh seafood market, a bakery and a fresh cold spot for fresh produce year round and a full scale restaurant for lunch and dinner.Capitol Market offers a vast array of items from Spring plants to fresh produce to Fall pumpkins and holiday trees are what you will see year round throughout the Outdoor Market. As you stroll the outdoor market marveling at the many specialty shops indoors, as well as, the eclectic lunch spots with unique menus to tantalize anyone's appetite. You can also dine at the hottest restaurant in Charleston, Soho's.
Reviewed By 787DeeS - Charleston, United States
This is an amazing attraction in my home town. You can purchase almost everything you need. It offers an outdoor farmers market, and indoor shopping from unique produce items at the Purple Onion, wonderful gifts at the West Virginia Shop, fresh meats at Johnnie’s Meat Market, and you can even have lunch at a few of the local restaurants inside the Market. A must see and visit fir everyone who comes to the city.
