Charleston, WV Facts: Read This Guide Before You Visit!
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Charleston is the capital of West Virginia and is also the most populous city of the US state of West Virginia.
Charleston easily gets confused with Charles Town but both of these places are different. Charleston is located where the Elk River and Kanawha River meet and it is also the center of government, shopping, and industry for Kanawha County.
West Virginia's capital city is a scenic beauty with a riverfront that is perfect for weekend plans. The Virginia General Assembly designated Clendenin's 40 acres (o.2 sq.
km) of land as Charleston. This city has many attractions which can help tourists to understand the history of the United States better.
Charleston is a city that is rich in culture, history, excellent dining, various outdoor sports, and the perfect atmosphere to spend time with family and friends for a quick getaway. Charleston is home to the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
The Yeager Airport and the University of Charleston are also located in the city, while the West Virginia State University, West Virginia University, and Marshall University, are located in the surrounding areas. The WV Junior College is also situated in Kanawha County.
Travel Facts About Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is situated between the Appalachian Mountains and Kanawha City. Pioneers who moved after the Revolution chose to settle in Charleston and the first settlement area constructed was Fort Lee. Daniel Boone was a member of the Kanawha County Assembly, in 1791.
There are three major highways that converge into Charleston and all of them can be used to travel to the city. There are also several airports near the city which can be another way of getting to the city if the drive is too long.
The Yeager Airport is the nearest and it is located about 2.7 mi (4.3 km) northeast of Charleston.
The Raleigh County Memorial Airport is located about 47.8 mi (76.9 km) away from Charleston. After landing in either of these airports, tourists can hire cars in order to reach the city.
If someone wants to visit the city during the months of August through November, it is important to remember that it is hurricane season. This region is prone to hurricanes in this period. Before visiting the city, visitors should keep in mind to take sunscreen and umbrellas with them as the heat can be quite scorching.
The international airport near Charleston, West Virginia makes it easier for people in both international and domestic regions to visit the city. The best time to visit is during January and February when it's winter as it provides relief from the scorching heat.
Fantastic Facts About Charleston, West Virginia
Throughout the year, there are lots of events in Charleston. This city celebrates lots of different events and is a delight to tourists. These events even start in January and continue throughout the year.
In January when the weather is cold, tourists can go to oyster roasts and see Camellias bloom. The Charleston Restaurant Week attracts lots of visitors as well.
In February, the excitement continues as the city prepares for the Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition, which is a weekend full of outdoor activities. The peak of the tourist season starts from mid-March thanks to the Charleston Food and Wine Festival.
As spring begins, visitors start coming more to experience the beach weather and the warm season. December is a magical time in the city as the streets are decorated with beautiful lights and it is quite a family-friendly place.
Charleston has several attractions that can be experienced by visitors. The West Virginia State Capitol complex is the most famous building in West Virginia and it rises over Kanawha County.
The dome of the State Capitol building is 5 ft (1.5 m) higher than the US capitol in Washington and is covered in tiny sheets of gold.
The West Virginia State Museum has all the historical trails of West Virginia. There are several archeological artifacts, an original settler's cabin where pictures can be taken, and a realistic trip to simulated coal mines.
The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences is home to the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. There are several performances that cover a wide variety of musical genres and there are also visual arts in the Clay Center. The Avampato Discovery Museum in the Clay Center of Arts and Sciences has interactive science exhibits.
Capitol Street and Capitol Market are also attractions in this city. There are several cafés, bookstores, and boutiques along the tree-covered sidewalks that are perfect for family fun.
The Capitol Market at the end of Capitol Street has West Virginia's indoor and outdoor farmers market with a supply of fresh produce which is perfect for a slow day of shopping and enjoying the atmosphere with family.
The East End Historic District is the neighborhood around the Clay Center and the State Capitol. It is one of the city's oldest commercial districts and has been renovated by public artworks to historic statues.
This district is enlisted in the National Register of Historic Places and there are dozens of architectural wonders that represent architectural styles from Gregorian styles to Greek and Bungalow.
The Governor's Mansion is a symbol of West Virginia's past as the architectural structure of the mansion is Georgian-Revival style. This beautiful mansion is the official residence of the Governor.
The Craik Patton house is also made in the Georgian-Revival style and is enlisted in the National Register of Historic Places. Both these buildings have splendid decor and are perfect for some 19th century inspired picture backdrops.
The West Virginia Veterans Memorial is quite impressive with its structure and oval features. There is also a reflecting pool that surrounds the monument.
There are sculptures of four figures that represent the major service branches and the conflicts. The statues are a representation of the World War I doughboy, World War II sailor, Korean Aviator, and a Vietnam marine.
The Ruffner Cabin and Daniel Boone Park is a peaceful riverfront park that has quite a unique history. The park commemorates the first Charleston resident, John Ruffner and some of his furniture is still in the park.
The Hadad riverfront park faces the Kanawha River and also the mountains up ahead.
It is one of the many famous locations for outdoor events in Charleston and has several activities that can be enjoyed with friends and family. The Kanawha County Public Library is located downtown in Capitol Street which is a good option for a quiet day.
The Heritage Towers Museum and Culture Center has unknown chapters of the history of West Virginia. This museum contains the accomplishments and contributions of the citizens of Virginia. There are also basic amenities in the city such as the Supreme Court and the Highland Hospital for the improvement of mental health.
Lodging In Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia is a tourist attraction and therefore has plenty of lodging areas. As most of the attractions are in the downtown area, this is where most luxury hotels are located. The mid-range hotels can be found near the Charleston Civic Center and Charleston Town Center Mall.
The Marriott Town Center is located downtown and is one of the luxury hotels in the city. Another luxury hotel located near the Kanawha River is the Four Points by Sheraton.
Some mid-range hotels in the area are Hampton Inn Charleston and the Embassy Suites by Hilton. Budget hotels in the city are quite rare but there are a few such as Capitol Hotel and Sleep Inn.
Facts About Law And Order In Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston has several attractions but it's still a small city with progressive ideas. This West Virginia city has laws that have been established in order to ensure the safety of both the locals and visitors.
The laws that need to be followed as a visitor in Charlestown are tax laws mentioned in the Sec 110-271, which states that a hotel operator should collect tax from the customer upon a credit sale within 30 days.
Sec 110-272 states that the customer has to pay the hotel operator the full amount of tax that is stated by the city.
Besides this, there are several codes of the city which implies different sections on alcoholic beverages, animals, administration, buildings and building administration, businesses, cemeteries, charitable associations, courts, environment, fire prevention and protection, health and sanitation, community development, consumer protection, human rights, land reuse agency, manufactured homes and trailers, parks and recreation, zoning, railroads, and natural resources.
There are several criminal laws in the city that intend to punish anyone who breaks the law or performs any criminal act. There are other protective laws as well to keep the order in Kanawha County and Charleston as well.
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