Charleston
Around Charleston
Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · West Virginia · 202k people
Charleston
Locals say Kanawha Valley · “The Capital City”
Friendly faces and rolling hills
Old GoldWVU Blue
Welcome to the Kanawha Valley, where the river meets the hills and the capital city hums with small-town warmth. You'll find friendly folks, hearty food, and plenty of outdoor adventures right outside your door. Make yourself at home and ask around—there's always something happening.
Clubs for Charleston
No clubs for Charleston yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Charleston. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Charleston. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- West Virginia State Capitol Iconic gold-domed capitol on the Kanawha River
- Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences Science museum, art gallery, and concert hall
- Appalachian Power Park Home of the Charleston Dirty Birds baseball team
- Kanawha State Forest Public forest with hiking and mountain biking trails
- Coonskin Park Recreation area with golf, pool, and lake
- Haddad Riverfront Park Riverside park and outdoor concert venue
- Outdoors Hiking in Kanawha State Forest
- Outdoors Fishing in the Kanawha River
- With kids Visit the Clay Center
- With kids Explore the West Virginia State Museum
- Evenings Live on the Levee
- Evenings Charleston Coliseum concerts
- Locals love Mom-and-pop diners
- Locals love Riverfront parks
Through the year
- Charleston Sternwheel Regatta July Riverfront festival with sternwheelers, music, and food
- FestivALL June Citywide arts and music festival
- Live on the Levee Summer Free Friday night concerts at Haddad Riverfront Park
- Charleston Distance Run September Road race through the city
- Kanawha County Fair August County fair with rides and exhibits
Charleston has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, winters are cold with occasional snow, and spring and fall are mild and beautiful. Best: Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) for mild temps and foliage.
Talk like a local
- “holler”
- a small valley or hollow
- “crick”
- a creek
- “pop”
- soda
- “fixin' to”
- about to
Getaways
- Gallipolis, OH Historic river town with antique shops
- Beckley, WV Gateway to the New River Gorge
- Huntington, WV Home of Marshall University and the Keith-Albee Theatre
- Parkersburg, WV Victorian architecture and the Blennerhassett Island
Local flavour
Teams
- Charleston Dirty Birds Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Also rooting for West Virginia Mountaineers (NCAA), Marshall Thundering Herd (NCAA), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)
Eat and drink
- Pepperoni rolls A West Virginia staple, often found in gas stations and bakeries.
- Slaw dogs Hot dogs topped with chili and creamy coleslaw, a regional favorite.
- Ramps Wild leeks foraged from the Appalachian hills, celebrated in spring festivals.
- Tudor's Biscuit World A beloved local chain known for its hearty biscuits and gravy.
Where people go
- Kanawha River The central waterway that shapes the valley and provides recreation and scenery.
- West Virginia State Capitol The iconic gold-domed building, a symbol of the state and city.
- Appalachian hills and hollers The rolling, forested hills and narrow hollows that define the landscape.
- Mom-and-pop diners Family-owned eateries serving comfort food and local specialties.
Heritage and traditions
Charleston is proud of its Appalachian heritage, its role as the state capital, and the scenic Kanawha River that winds through the city, along with a strong sense of community and resilience.
This time of year in Charleston
- Apple butter making Fall Families gather to make apple butter in copper kettles.
Say it like a local: “I'm fixin' to go” — About to do something.
Festivals
- Vandalia Gathering May Celebrates West Virginia's folk culture with music, dance, and crafts.
- West Virginia Day June 20 Commemorates the state's 1863 birth with events at the Capitol.
- Charleston Christmas Parade December A festive parade through downtown with floats and lights.
Landmarks with a story
- Cathedral of St. Joseph Historic Catholic cathedral in downtown Charleston.
- Craik-Patton House One of the oldest homes in the area, dating to the 1830s.
- Governor's Mansion Official residence of West Virginia's governor, located near the Capitol.
- Kanawha County Courthouse A grand 19th-century building with a distinctive clock tower.
Food traditions
- Soup beans and cornbread A hearty Appalachian dish of pinto beans simmered with ham hock, served with cornbread.
- Apple butter Families make apple butter in large copper kettles during autumn.
- Sorghum molasses Made from sorghum cane, used as a sweetener on biscuits and pancakes.
- Fried morel mushrooms Foraged in the spring woods, a prized delicacy often fried in butter.
- Black walnut cake Uses the rich, wild black walnuts found in the region.
Music and arts
- Old-time and bluegrass music A strong tradition of Appalachian folk music with fiddles and banjos.
- Mountain Stage radio show A live music radio program recorded at the Culture Center since 1983.
- West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Based in Charleston, performing classical and pops concerts.
- Folk arts like quilting and woodcarving Appalachian crafts celebrated at Vandalia Gathering.
A little history
- 1794 Charleston founded as Fort Lee
- 1863 West Virginia becomes a state
- 1877 Charleston chosen as permanent state capital
- 1800s Kanawha Valley becomes a major salt producer
- 20th century Chemical industry boom earns the nickname 'Chemical Valley'
Rivalries
- West Virginia Mountaineers vs Marshall Thundering Herd The 'Friends of Coal Bowl' in college football
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Charleston Dirty Birds baseball
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Kanawha River
- Outdoors Biking the riverfront trail
- With kids Visit the Capitol's Christmas tree
- With kids Attend Vandalia Gathering
Appalachian English with a Southern drawl; locals say 'y'all', 'fixin' to', and drop the 'g' in -ing words. The word 'holler' means a hollow, and 'crick' means creek.
Only here
- The gold-domed State Capitol is a landmark visible from the river.
- The Kanawha River is the largest river entirely within West Virginia.
- The city is known as the 'Chemical Valley' due to its industrial history.
- The Mountain Stage radio show has been recorded here since 1983.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for winding, hilly roads and occasional snow in winter.
- Try a pepperoni roll and a slaw dog – local staples.
- Learn to navigate downtown's one-way streets.
- The river is a focal point for recreation; explore the riverfront trail.
- People are friendly and say 'y'all' – don't be surprised.
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Part of Huntington area
Nearby
Every areaLoganWest VirginiaWhere the mountains hold you close.RipleyWest VirginiaHills, hollers, and homeSummersvilleWest VirginiaBig mountains, wild rivers, small‑town heart.Point PleasantWest VirginiaRiver town warmth with a legendary twist.GallipolisOhioWhere the river bends and the hills roll.BeckleyWest VirginiaWhere the hills are steep and the welcome is warmHuntingtonWest VirginiaWhere the hills meet the OhioParkersburgWest VirginiaWhere two rivers meet and the hills hold you close
Charleston, WV. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.