Located along the Kanawha River, Charleston is the state capital and largest city in West Virginia. The city features a revitalized downtown, the iconic gold-domed State Capitol, and a growing arts and dining scene. It also serves as a gateway to the beautiful natural landscapes found throughout West Virginia.
- West Virginia State Capitol
- Charleston Downtown
- New River Gorge Bridge
West Virginia State Capitol – is the seat of government for the state of West Virginia, and houses the West Virginia Legislatures and the office of the Governor. Built in 1932 and located on the banks of Kanawha River, the capitol building is the tallest building in West Virginia, standing at a height of 292 feet (89 m).
West Virginia State Capitol grounds include a statue of Abraham Lincoln on the front plaza. The Lincoln statue, known as Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight, depicts the President, who was in office at the time of the state’s incorporation, walking at midnight, head bowed, wearing a robe over his clothes. The grounds also has a memorial for coal minors, designed by Burl Jones in 2002 to honor the men and women who have dedicated their lives to mining coal in West Virginia.
West Virginia State Capitol, Gilded Dome – Originally gilded in 1931, the dome is gilded with 23.5-karat gold leaf and is topped with a golden eagle on a bronze staff. At 292 feet, it’s taller than the U.S. Capitol dome.
West Virginia State Capitol, Rotunda – The vast central space under the dome, is filled with natural light and grand marble columns. The rotunda walls and floors are adorned with luxurious marbles.
Charleston Downtown – Downtown Charleston is a lively hub of the city, offering shops, restaurants, and historic architecture along the Kanawha River. Haddad Riverfront Park is a highlight of the area, providing scenic river views, walking paths, and a popular amphitheater that hosts concerts and festivals throughout the year.
New River Gorge Bridge – Located 60 miles south of Charleston, the soaring New River Gorge Bridge is one of the most photographed sights in West Virginia. This iconic steel arch bridge spanning the New River Gorge in the Appalachian Mountains, is 3,030 feet long with a 1,700-foot arch, and was the world’s longest single-span arch bridge for 26 years and remains the longest outside of China. Carrying U.S. Route 19, the bridge stands 876 feet above the river, making it one of the highest vehicular bridges in the world and the third highest in the United States. Opened in 1977, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
To get a view of the bridge, we parked at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center parking lot off U.S. Route 19 in Lansing. A trail leads to a well maintained boardwalk that offers scenic views of the gorge and the bridge.
