In western West Virginia, close to Kentucky and Ohio borders, Charleston is where the Elk and Kanawha Rivers meet. Despite having a population of little over 50,000, it has a small-town atmosphere despite having impressive and diverse arts and performing a scene that many towns twice its size would frequently envy. 

Pioneers who migrated west after the Revolution colonized this region, and Fort Lee, built in 1788, was the first permanent colony. Prepare for a unique travel.

Hollywood Casino

Charleston is a cute place full of history, but we’ve already told you that it’s possible to mix it all up with lots of fun. If you want to make the most of your vacation, you should visit Hollywood Casino, which now is a cashless casino. A fantastic place with approximately 5,000 slots, more than 100 tables, live horse racing, and seven delectable eating options.

State Museum of West Virginia

Follow a path through this Black Forest Coal museum to learn about West Virginia’s history from the Paleolithic era. Displays of coal and fossils are interspersed with a video of modern-day West Virginia landscapes. The Braxton County Runestone, one of the state’s most well-known forgeries, is among the archaeological discoveries you’ll see along the way. 

You’ll also stop at an early settler’s cabin, travel realistically through a model coal mine, and learn about West Virginia’s history, culture, traditions, and art. Audio commentary and short films enhance the experience.

East End Historic District and Capitol Market

One of the city’s oldest and most diverse business sectors, the area around the Clay Center and State Capitol is most frequently referred to as the “East End,” where contemporary urban trends merge with Charleston’s past. 

The neighborhood has recently undergone a revitalization that has been energized by a diverse array of public artwork, from pieces in the graffiti style to historical statuary. One of the most well-known attractions in this area is Capitol Market, the only indoor and outdoor farmers market in West Virginia. It offers a variety of seasonal fresh fruit, flowers, and local goods.

Arts and Sciences Clay Center

The Clay Center for Arts & Sciences, which is 240,000 square feet, brings together science, the visual arts, and the performing arts in one place. Various musical styles and classics, including gospel, swing, jazz, motown, rock & roll, and Southern rock, are performed at these concerts. Here, plays from the Broadway in Charleston series are also presented.

There are many performance venues in Charleston, despite the variety offered here. Every Friday night from May through September at Haddad Riverfront Park, Live on the Dike is a concert series with local and national acts playing various music, from African and country to pop. Live on the Dike is produced by the Opera Guild of Charleston.

Capitol Street

Visitors can meander through ancient Charleston, which has retained historic structures, along Capitol Street. Along the tree-lined brick, walks are cafes, galleries, bookstores, and boutiques. Restaurants here provide everything from pizza and Asian food to homemade ice cream. The street offers ArtWalk celebrations every month, from March to December, with free, self-guided walking tours of stores and galleries showcasing artwork, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and music.

National Capital

The Charleston State Capitol, the most well-known structure in West Virginia, soars majestically above the banks of the Kanawha River and has a five-foot dome over the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. 23.5 carat gold foil is used to cover the whole 300-foot dome, and it is applied in small, less than four-inch square sheets. This limestone structure was designed by Cass Gilbert, who also used classical antiquity as inspiration for several of his other well-known creations, including the U.S. Treasury Building and the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington. The enormous chandelier that hangs from the Capitol’s dome is noteworthy. Charleston, West Virginia, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East. 

Avampato Discovery Museum

At the Clay Center for Arts and Sciences, the Avampato Discovery Museum offers guests two floors of family-friendly entertainment. Exciting interactive science exhibitions bring engineering, energy, magnetism, and the earth sciences to life. Milton Gardner’s Earth City, a retro roadside attraction, studies earth science, while the Health Royale offers cutting-edge health and wellness activities. The STEAMworks program tackles science, technology, engineering, and math, while Kidspace is tailored to the abilities and interests of kids under five. Around 800 pieces of American art from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries are also housed in the museum, together with European counterparts that shed light on their evolution.