The Best Things To Do In Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston, West Virginia sits at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers. 

It’s a historic city that’s held on to its small town feel despite its modern amenities.

The capital city is surrounded by beautiful state parks and charming small towns begging to be explored.

Read on for the best things to do in Charleston, West Virginia.

How to Get To Charleston, West Virginia 

Yeager Airport (CRW) is located just outside of Charleston.

Charleston, West Virginia is drivable from many cities in nearby states.

Including Pittsburg, PA, Columbus and Cincinnati, OH, Lexington-Fayette, KY, and Greensboro, NC all of which are less than 200 miles from this capital city.

When to Visit Charleston, West Virginia  

Any time of year can be great to visit Charleston.

The Mountain State gets all four seasons with mild weather in each. The most popular time to visit is May – September, the state’s warmest months.

Temperatures rarely exceed 90° in summer, although it’s quite humid, making it feel warmer at times.

Getting Around Town

You do not need a car if staying in downtown Charleston for your entire trip.

The city is small, walkable, and parking is limited.

The city does have Uber and Lyft for times when a car is most convenient. If you plan to visit areas outside of downtown a rental car would be best.

Where To Stay in Charleston  

The Historic District of downtown is the most popular area to stay.

You will find a variety of standard hotels here such as Marriott, Sheraton, Hampton Inn, and Embassy Suites.

There’s also a good selection of charming Airbnb rentals around the downtown area. 

The Best Things To Do In Charleston, West Virginia 

Explore The Capitol Building & Capitol Street

Charleston’s Capitol is a beautiful historic building composed of limestone and equipped with a 293 foot gold dome. 

The picturesque structure sits on the Kanawha River in the heart of downtown.

If you wish to see inside the building guided tours are offered Monday – Saturday.

Tours are 30 minutes long, start times vary seasonally.  

While in the area be sure to explore Capitol Street.

This area offers boutique shops and locally owned restaurants behind old brick storefronts.

Old-fashioned clock posts and cobblestone sidewalks add to the historic charm. If you’re up for libations stop by Mountain State Distillery.

This is a popular, locally-owned distillery sitting just off the Kanawha River.

Hike or Bike in Kanawha State Park 

Kanawha State Park is located only 7 miles outside of downtown Charleston.

The beautiful park has over 25 miles of hiking and biking trails through wooded, dense forest. This is definitely one of Charleston, West Virginia’s hidden gems.

Most trails average 1 -2 miles and are rated easy to moderate making this a great way to spend a half day while visiting Charleston.

The park is especially beautiful in fall when the leaves burst into color.  

Visit the Clay Center

The Clay Center is unique in that it’s a Performance Theatre, Children’s Museum, Art Museum, and Planetarium all under one roof.

The building is beautiful and an excellent way to bring a variety of arts and culture to a smaller metropolitan area such as Charleston.

The center’s mission is to inspire creativity, learning and wonder through arts and science for all people of West Virginia.

The cost varies depending on which segments you plan to visit, but most attractions are under $10/adult.  

Shop the Capitol Market 

The Capitol Market offers up tons of local goods in an old train station turned marketplace.

You’ll find a wide variety of food and locally made merchandise at the large indoor/outdoor marketplace.

While you’re here grab a coffee and browse the merchant stalls or order up a fresh lunch made from seasonal goods. 

Be sure to also check out their events calendar for live music and libations.

The market is open Monday – Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, closed Sunday. 

Take a Day Trip From Charleston and Explore Beautiful West Virginia

If you enjoy charming small towns and a quiet day surrounded by nature you’ll love exploring West Virginia.

Spend a day on the road while discovering the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains… and maybe belt out John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” a few times.

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like this is essential when visiting West Virginia.

Best Day Trips From Charleston, West Virginia

• Blackwater Falls State Park
• Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
• Summersville Lake
• Lost World Caverns.

Be sure to also stop by one of the area’s many country villages such as Hinton, Bluefield, Lewisburg, and Fayetteville.

Check Out an Event at Haddad Riverfront Park

Haddad Riverfront Park is a 2,500 person amphitheater with great views of the Kanawha River and downtown Charleston.

The venue hosts special events, an epic 4th of July show, and concerts.

Including the free concert series Live on the Levee which hosts free concerts every Friday evening Memorial Day – Labor Day.

Be sure to take a look at Haddad Riverfront Park’s event schedule when planning your trip to Charleston. 

Visit New River Gorge National Park

Located just an hour out of town is one of the nation’s newest national parks, New River Gorge.

Officially awarded the national park status in late 2020 this park offers white water rafting, biking, hiking, climbing, and stunning scenic drives through the Appalachian Mountains.

The impressive gorge has been slowly sculpted over time by New River, ironically one of the oldest rivers in the world.

Today ‘the New’ continues to shape one of the longest and deepest gorges in the Appalachians.

It even offers a home to the area’s most diverse population of plants and animals.

This is an exciting addition to the national park system and definitely one of the best things to do in Charleston, West Virginia.

Things To Do In New River Gorge National Park

• Check out the New River Gorge Bridge
• Hike Endless Wall Trail
• Raft the New
• Learn about the park’s history at Canyon Rim Visitor Center
• Go for a scenic drive

Be sure to also check out: 12 Things You Must Do In New River Gorge National Park or How To Spend One Day In New River Gorge National Park.

This is a great place for a quick weekend getaway, whether strolling historic downtown or taking in the area’s beautiful parks there’s so many things to do in Charleston, West Virginia.

Any questions? Please leave a comment below.

If you’d like to follow along with my travels in real time, check out @seen.by.amy on Instagram or @seenbyamy on TikTok!

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional West Virginia guides or head on over to Visit Charleston!