Location: Charleston
Top Things to do in Charleston
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Top 10 Free Things to do in Charleston, West Virginia (WV)
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. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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!
7. 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.
8. Big Joe's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Manskittles - Virginia, United States
Stopped in after the baseball game. We had their signature win dish Buffalo chicken Mac & Cheese and Breakfast burger with homemade potato chips. It was a Tuesday night. So we didn’t expect any crowds. Food was surprisingly delicious. Bartender often checked on us while eating.
9. Spring Hill Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By beverlyb827
This cemetery tells the history of Charleston and has great views over the city. It's a nice peaceful little outing.
