Charleston Travel Guide: Things to Do, Best Time to Visit & Itinerary

Day 1: History and Heritage

• Morning: Start your day with coffee and a fresh pastry at Mea Cuppa Coffeebar ($15) before heading to the State Capitol Complex for a self-guided tour of the stunning rotunda and the West Virginia State Museum (Free admission). Allow at least two hours to walk through the chronological history exhibits at the Cultural Center.
• Afternoon: Drive five minutes to the Capitol Market for lunch at Soho’s Italian Restaurant ($35) located inside the renovated train station. Spend an hour browsing the outdoor farmers market stalls and the indoor specialty wine and cheese shops for local souvenirs.
• Evening: Enjoy a casual dinner at Black Sheep Burrito and Brews ($40) to taste their unique fusion burritos and house-brewed beers. End the night with a sunset walk along the Kanawha Boulevard to see the bridges light up the river.

Day 2: Art and River Views

• Morning: Head to the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences ($25 admission) to explore the Juliet Art Museum and the interactive science galleries. Afterward, take a short drive to the East End to admire the historic homes and vibrant street art murals along Washington Street.
• Afternoon: Grab a light lunch at Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream ($25), making sure to try their signature raspberry chocolate chip scoop. Drive across the river to hike the gentle 0.6-mile Sunrise Carriage Trail which winds up a hill to provide a panoramic view of downtown Charleston.
• Evening: Treat yourself to an upscale Appalachian dinner at 1010 Bridge ($120) featuring cast-iron cornbread and rainbow trout. Wrap up your trip with a drink at The Red Carpet Lounge ($20), a legendary local dive bar frequented by politicians and locals alike.

Day 1: Forest Trails and Local Ales

• Morning: Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at Swiftwater Café ($25) in the heart of downtown. Drive 20 minutes south to Kanawha State Forest for a morning hike on the Overlook Rock Trail (1.5 miles) to see deep forest hollows and rock formations.
• Afternoon: Return to town for a late lunch at Dem 2 Brothers And A Grill ($30), famous for their ribs and barbecue sauce featured on national food shows. Relax at Haddad Riverfront Park and watch the barge traffic on the Kanawha River.
• Evening: Explore the Elk City district on the West Side, stopping for dinner at The Grill ($35). Visit Kin Ship Goods to shop for trendy West Virginia apparel before grabbing a local craft beer at Fife Street Brewing ($15).

Day 2: Salt, Shops, and Science

• Morning: Drive 15 minutes east to Malden to tour J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works ($20), a 7th-generation salt-making facility, and learn about the region’s industrial history. Pick up a jar of their rare ramp salt as a keepsake.
• Afternoon: Head back to the Clay Center ($25) to catch a planetarium show in the Caperton Planetarium and Theater. For lunch, visit Recovery Sports Grill ($30) across the street for casual American fare and sports viewing.
• Evening: Dine at Noah’s Restaurant ($100), an intimate chef-owned spot in the Eclectic East End (reservations required). Take a twilight drive on the Midland Trail scenic byway just outside of town to see the river at dusk.

Day 3: The Urban Farewell

• Morning: Enjoy a leisurely brunch at First Watch ($35) with fresh juices and pancakes. Walk off the meal by crossing the South Side Bridge on foot to explore the boutique shops in the Bridge Road shops area.
• Afternoon: Visit the sweeping grounds of the University of Charleston for a different perspective of the Capitol dome from across the river. Grab a quick pepperoni roll, the unofficial state snack, from a local bakery like The Peanut Shoppe ($10) for the road.
• Evening: Conclude your trip with a casual dinner at Pies & Pints ($45) to share a specialty pizza. If it is Friday, check if Mountain Stage is recording a live radio show at the Culture Center ($50 tickets) for world-class live music.