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Charleston (WV)

USA (WV)

Capital of the Mountain State

Gold-domed capitol on the Kanawha River, music venues, and a launchpad for New River Gorge — West Virginia's quiet capital.

Things to do

West Virginia State Capitol
must-see
Cass Gilbert-designed gold-domed capitol on the Kanawha River — free tours.
1.5 hrs · Free · attraction
Capitol Market
must-see
Year-round indoor and outdoor market in a former rail freight depot.
1 hr · $10–25 · food
New River Gorge National Park day trip
must-see
1 hr east — America's newest national park (2020), white-water rafting and the iconic bridge.
Full day · Free park entry · nature
Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences
recommended
Combined art museum, science center, and planetarium downtown.
2 hrs · $13 · culture
Mountain Stage radio show
optional
Live NPR public-radio music show recorded weekly in Charleston — diverse roots and indie acts.
2.5 hrs · $25–35 · activity