Charleston Area Travel Planner • Charleston Area Travel Planner 2019 • Neighborhoods

As you explore this pocket-sized city, you’ll see firsthand all the charms of yesteryear blended with a vibrancy so many young creatives have brought to the city. Charleston’s greatest appeal is its people: friendly, witty and ever so eager to make visitors feel at home. You can find them in the many distinct districts – a tapestry of neighborhoods, each with its own flair.

Downtown Charleston is a hub of social activity all year long. Dozens of local eateries and boutiques dot the area, which is anchored by the newly renovated Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, park-like West Virginia State Capitol Complex, indoor-outdoor Capitol Market and world-class Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences. Appalachian Power Park, Spa Bliss and Yoga Power can be found in the Warehouse District. During the summer, free Live on the Levee concerts rock the riverfront every Friday night. Other free events include downtown Charleston’s ArtWalk, a self-guided tour of the local arts scene, and FestivALL and FestivALL Fall, where the city becomes a work of art. Sunrise Carriage Trail, with its historic landmarks and ornamental plantings, is a favorite walk among locals and winds through the historic South Hills community.

At the top of the Carriage Trail is the impressive and historic home of Governor MacCorkle, which is a short walk to the posh South Hills Bridge Road Shops. This intimate and walkable shopping district offers unique boutiques, such as Geraniums, Charlie, Ooh La Lucy and Yarid’s, offering designer clothing and stylish home decor to complement your style. You’ll delight in delicious casual dining at Lola’s Pizza and Wheelhouse, and elegant fare at The Market and Bridge Road Bistro. Health enthusiasts will be impressed with Zynergy, a high-energy boutique indoor cycling studio, and Folded Leaf Yoga Studio.

Charleston’s West Side is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, with new businesses and beautification projects popping up everywhere. Also known as “Elk City” (its original name) the area boasts three historic districts, dozens of locally-owned shops and restaurants, eye-catching public art and eye-pleasing greenspace for public gatherings. Recreation options include Cato Park, which has a 9-hole golf course and public swimming pool, and Magic Island with a walking track and volleyball courts. Annual events include Ice Cream & the Arts, a FestivALL event, and OktoberWest, a craft beer and music festival.

Kanawha City is perfect for biking. Stretching roughly three miles, this area along the Kanawha River is one of Charleston’s most scenic districts. While exploring, don’t forget to visit Charleston Bike Center or take your frisbee and enjoy the view of the State Capitol from the landscaped lawn at the University of Charleston right across the river. Need a quirky gift? Visit Budget Tapes and Records, Charleston’s oldest record store and “lifestyle emporium” for music, bo-ho clothing, jewelry and interesting nostalgia. And don’t leave Kanawha City without an old-fashioned milkshake and burger at Trivillian’s Pharmacy and Soda Fountain.

Charleston’s historic East End is lined with stately homes and grand old churches, framed by the State Capitol on one end and Capitol Market on the other, making it an ideal place for an afternoon stroll. It’s also home to the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, a dog park and numerous local eateries, including Soho’s Italian Restaurant, Bluegrass Kitchen, Tricky Fish and Starlings Coffee & Provisions. Signature annual events include Foam at the Dome, a huge craft beer festival, and the East End Yard Sale, which attracts more than 200 sellers and thousands of visitors.

TURN TO PAGES 12-52 TO DISCOVER RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, HOTELS AND MORE IN EACH OF THE KANAWHA VALLEY’S TOWNS!

Charleston Area Travel Planner - Charleston Area Travel Planner 2019

Neighborhoods

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Charleston Area Travel Planner 2019