Originally established as a humble frontier town, Charleston is the cosmopolitan capital of West Virginia, and it's a great place to visit if you want to get a taste of the state's history and culture.
The impressive gold-domed state capitol building should be your first stop; not only is it the most beautiful building in the city, but it's also where many of the Charleston's other major attractions can be found, including the outdoor Capitol Market, the Cultural Center, and the historic Capitol Street. Seven miles outside town is the Kanawha State Forest, where visitors can hike, bike, and birdwatch to their heart's content.