Charming Charleston

The capital of West Virginia Charleston is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers.

State Capitol Building was completed in 1932 and this building and the West Virginia Executive Mansion make up the West Virginia Capitol Complex. It is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Capitol faces the Kanawha River and is flanked by two wings. You can get a tour of this 333-room building. At 292 feet this is the tallest building in the state.

Nearby the Capitol is the Governor’s Mansion. This beautiful historic building was completed in 1925. The mansion sits by the Kanawha River and is part of the West Virginia Capitol Complex. At the entrance is a columned portico. In the foyer is a black and white marble floor and a dual staircase. The design of the foyer was inspired by the White House. You can take a tour of the 30-room mansion.

The neighborhood around the Clay Center and the State Capitol is referred to as the “East End”. This is one of the oldest and most diverse commercial districts in the city. Here you can see how modern urban styles mix with the history of Charleston.

The State Capital dominates this riverside district and on its ground is the oldest building in the East End. Holly Grove Mansion was built in 1815 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in many different architectural styles.

The West Virginia State Museum delights both adults and children. It offers a comprehensive history of the state from prehistoric times to the present. There are many interactive displays.

The West Virginia Veteran’s Memorial honors and remembers the sacrifices of soldiers from West Virginia. Each war has its own piece of memorial and its own statue. A special area is dedicated to female soldiers. It was constructed between 1991 and 1999 and consists of a two-story oval-shaped monument and four limestone monoliths surrounded by a pool. The names of over 10,000 men and women who died in wars are listed on the walls. There are four statues - of a World War I dough boy, a World War II sailor, a Korean War aviator, and a Vietnam War Marine.

Capitol Street is the center of Charleston’s historic district. Along the streets are sturdy, old trees. There are many shops to see and places to eat.

The Capitol Market is located near the end of Capitol Street. It is housed in a 19th-century freight station and is the only indoor/outdoor farmers market in West Virginia. You can shop for fresh produce, plants, flowers, seafood, and locally-made products.

Kanawha State Forest is just fifteen minutes from Charleston. Here you’ll find many trails and see the beauty of nature. Camping is available.

Craik-Patton House is a historic home that dates back to 1834. It once belonged to the grandfather of General George S. Patton. The house has been moved from its original location. You can tour the house and see a historical display with live actors.

The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences is a center for performing arts, visual arts, and sciences located on Clay Square. It is home to the West Virginia Symphony and the Avampato Discovery Museum. The museum has two floors including an art gallery with permanent and temporary exhibits. There are also interactive science exhibits. The center has two theaters

The Avampato Discovery Museum is located in the Clay Center. It offers interactive science exhibits. Milton Gardner’s Earth City was designed as an old-style roadside attraction, Health Royale features innovative experiences in health and wellness, Kidspace was designed for the interests of children under the age of five, and Streamworks explores technology, engineering, and math. The museum also has nearly 800 artworks from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries that include both American and European art.

On Kanawha Boulevard when the old Joel Ruffner home was demolished in the 1960s the walls of the original log cabin were discovered. They were reconstructed in Daniel Boone Park. The original cabin had been built before 1803.

Daniel Boone Park commemorates the early Charleston resident and assemblyman. There are picnic tables, a fishing pier, and boat docking.

Haddad Riverfront Park is the top gathering place. It was built in 1993 and has a 36,000-square-foot concrete amphitheater sitting on the banks of the Kanawha River. The park plays host to concerts, special events, and private functions. People can sit in boats on the river and watch events from there.