ATTRACTIONS
Casinos
Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center
P.O. Box 7118 • Cross Lanes, WVLocated 15 Minutes from Charleston
304-776-1000
The Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center offers 90,000 square feet of gaming entertainment with 1,800 slots and more than 70 varieties of games; and state-of-the-art simulcast areas. The Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center also offers a wide variety of restaurants, including The French Quarter Restaurant and Lounge. more... map
Historic Homes & Buildings
Craik-Patton House (circa 1834)
2809 Kanawha Boulevard East; P.O. Box 175 • Charleston, WV 25311
Located on the Midland Trail (WV Route 60)
304-925-5341
Known as "Elm Grove" when constructed by the Rev. James Craik, the restored Greek Revival-style Craik-Patton House, adjacent to Daniel Boone Park along the banks of the Kanawha River; is open for tours from April through October. Craik-Patton is host to such special programming as Civil War encampments and exhibitions of frontier living. The house and grounds are available for weddings and other special events. more... mapMidland Trail National Scenic Byway
237 Capitol Street • Charleston, WV 25301
Midland Trail Scenic Highway Association
Experience the restored antebellum town of Lewisburg, enjoy extreme outdoor sports, the beauty of the Scenic New River Gorge, or visit one of WV D5s premiere State Parks. more... mapMorgan's Kitchen Plantation Museum (circa 1846)
Route 60 MacCorkle Avenue • St. Albans, WV 25177
Located 10 Miles West
304-727-2654
Once used as a hospital and a kitchen for both sides during the Civil War, this log kitchen displays an open fireplace, various original jugs and containers, a table setting, spinning wheel, and a bear trap. more... mapWest Virginia Governor's Mansion (circa 1925)
1716 Kanawha Boulevard East • Charleston, WV 25305
304-558-4839, 800-CALL-WVA
This 30-room Georgian Revival structure, overlooking the Kanawha River, was designed by Charleston architect Walter F. Martens. The first floor state rooms are open to the public by guided tour. These rooms include the reception hall, living room, library, state dining room, and the ballroom, featuring a mantel acquired from an Irish castle. Reservations are required. more... mapWest Virginia State Capitol Building
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East • Charleston, WV 25311
304-558-4839
Situated along the Kanawha River, the classical-styled State Capitol was designed by architect Cass Gilbert, who also designed the U.S. Treasury Building and the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. With an exterior of buff Indiana limestone, the State Capitol's 293-foot gold dome that tops the structure is five feet higher than the dome of the U.S. Capitol. The entire dome is gilded in 14 karat gold leaf applied to the copper and lead roof. It is presently the tallest building in West Virginia. map
Historic Sites & Monuments
Criel Indian Mound
Located in Staunton Park
Probably built between 250 and 150 B.C., the Criel Mound in South Charleston is the largest of approximately 50 conical type mounds of the Adena culture in an area west of Charleston extending to Institute and the second largest Indian burial mound in the state. It was the burial ground for an Indian village located on the site of the city of South Charleston some 2,000 years ago. Today, all the artifacts and skeleton remains are maintained at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.New River Gorge Bridge
P.O. Box 202 • Lansing, WVLocated on U. S. Route 19
304-574-2115
875 feet above the bottom of the New River Gorge, the 1,700-foot New River Gorge Bridge has the second longest single arch steel span in the world and it is the second highest bridge in this country. mapWest Virginia Veterans Memorial
1900 Kanasha Boulevard East • Charleston, WV 25314
304-558-0230
Part of the State Capitol Complex, this two-story oval shaped monument honors more than 10,000 West Virginians who defended the nation in 20th century conflicts. Four limestone monoliths dedicated to World War I and II, Korea, and Vietnam display names of the war dead and ramped walkways over an oval reflecting pool affords easy access to the sanctuary display of their names. more... map
Libraries & Research Centers
St. Albans Public Library
602 4th Street • St. Albans, WV 25177
Located 10 Miles West
304-722-4244
The first floor of this library contains an adult collection of books, CDs, DVDs, books-on-tape, magazines, and newspapers while the second floor is exclusively devoted to the children's collection. Two meeting rooms are available. more... mapWest Virginia State Archives
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East • Charleston, WV 25305
304-558-0230 Ext. 168
West Virginia State Archives is a historical and genealogical research library that contains such items as maps, manuscripts, state and county records, special collections, yearbooks, Civil War medals, naturalization records, and newspapers. more... map
Museums & Galleries
Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences
One Clay Square • Charleston, WV 25301
304-561-3500
Home to the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the 240,000 square foot Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences includes the Maier Foundation Performance Hall, an 1,883-seat theater; Walker Theater, a black-box theater; and the state-of-the-art Avampato Discovery Museum which features two floors of interactive science exhibits, an art gallery featuring permanent collections and traveling exhibitions, The ElectricSky™ Theater which presents planetarium shows and large format films, the Douglas V. Reynolds Intermezzo Cafe, and the BB&T Little Shop of Wonders Gift Shop. more... mapHeritage Towers
612 Virginia Street East • Charleston, WV 25301
304-343-3250, 866-401-5181
Heritage Towers "provides a series of exhibits, lectures, concerts, cultural celebrations, festivals and programs designed to preserve the past and strengthen the future." Heritage Towers is closed on Sundays and Mondays. more... mapSouth Charleston Museum
311 D Street • South Charleston, WV 25303
304-744-9711
Within walking distance of the Adena/Hopewell Native American burial mound, the South Charleston Museum features changing exhibitions, children's activities, workshops and more. All exhibitions, programming and operations take place inside the historic Art Deco-era LaBelle Theatre, which houses both the museum and the South Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau. Archives are available by appointment only. The exhibitions are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. more... mapTrain Depot Museum
2029 Benedict Circle • St. Albans, WV 25177
Located 10 Miles West
304-727-3084
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this museum features high ceilings and tall windows making it one of West Virginia's most architecturally detailed depots. The museum is filled with railroad photos, artifacts, and displays. mapWest Virginia of Culture and History
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East • Charleston, WV 25305-0300
Located at the Capitol Complex
304-558-0220
The West Virginia Cultural Center showcases West Virginia's artistic, cultural and historic heritage. The Cultural Center houses the offices of the Commission on the Arts, the State Historic Preservation Office, State Museum, State Archives, and other administrative staff. The Cultural Center is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday noon to 6:00 p.m. The Archives and History Library is closed on Sunday. more... map
National Parks & Natural Wonders
New River Gorge National River
P.O. Box 246 • Glen Jean, WV304-465-0508
New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The New River Gorge National River includes over 70,000 acres of land along the New River. Visitors enjoy such recreational activities as climbing, mountain biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, camping, horseback riding, and picnicking while at the New River Gorge National River. more...
Parks, Gardens & Zoos
Daniel Boone Roadside Park
Located East of Charleston on US Route 60
304-348-6860
A historic area along Kanawha Boulevard East, Daniel Boone Roadside Park offers a boat ramp, picnic area, the Ruffner Log Cabin, and the Craik-Patton House. mapMagic Island
Located West of Kanawha Boulevard
304-348-6860
Situated at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers, Magic Island features a walking track, sand volleyball courts, and picnic areas.Nitro City Park
Located on Park Avenue
304-755-0705
Enjoy picnic shelters, a children's playground, and baseball fields while at this scenic park that also offers swimming opportunities right across the street. mapSt. Albans Roadside Park
Route 60 West • St. Albans, WV 25177
Located 10 Miles West
304-722-4625
St. Albans Roadside Park features a picnic area, playground, and a boat ramp. Limited camping is available.
Science & Technology
Clay Center's Avampato Discovery Museum
One Clay Square • Charleston, WV 25301
Located at Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences
304-561-3500
Explore two floors of interactive science exhibits that are sure to entertain the whole family while at this science museum. The Gizmo Factory is made up of more than 30 exhibits exploring physical science with a particular emphasis on creativity and engineering; sound, light and color; and energy and magnetism. Milton Gardner’s Earth City features hands-on exhibits that explore the story behind West Virginia’s geology with locks and dams, waterfalls, tornados, geysers and more. Offering a unique approach to health science, Health Royale features a larger than life animatronic game show, which allows visitors to play along while testing their knowledge of basic health issues. Kidspace is designed to cater to the needs, cognitive growth and interests of young children. more... map
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