Charleston, West Virginia Things To Do

Tamarack Handmade Crafts. Get a real feel for what West Virginia has to offer at Tamarack in Beckley, which is just one hour south of Charleston. Explore an amazing array of handcrafts, art, food and live theatre. Tamarack is known for featuring the “Best of West Virginia” and you can experience it in person or online where virtual shopping is available. For more information, visit www.tamarackwv.com/.

Clay Center. Enjoy live music and theatre along with art and science exhibits at the Clay Center in Charleston. With an eclectic collection of things, the Clay Center is a great place to bring the kids, especially since they have the opportunity to tackle hands-on projects. For more information, visit www.theclaycenter.org/default.aspx.

Ona Speedway. Discover non-stop racing entertainment at Ona Speedway, located about 35 miles west of Charleston. The 3/8 mile asphalt track (the only asphalt track in West Virginia) features a variety of racing categories, including Late Model, Hobby Stock and U-Car. For more information, visit www.onaspeedway.net/index.asp.  [Top]

Charleston Civic Center. It’s pretty much all happening at the Charleston Civic Center. Catch concerts, sporting events, music, dance and theatre at this very versatile venue, which also plays hosts to trade shows and other corporate programs. For more information, visit http://www.charlestonwvciviccenter.com/.

Scary Creek Paintball. Experience a full day of outdoor fun at Scary Creek Paintball. It’s a great time out for families or company get-togethers. Referees are available on each of the three fields to make sure that the rules are followed. Plus, there’s a picnic area for those who bring their lunch and a snack bar for those who don’t. For more information, visit www.scarycreek.com/.   [Top]

Mountain Stage. Come hear Mountain Stage, a live music radio program featuring such top name performers as Phish, Sarah McLachlan, the Neville Brothers, the Kronos Quartet and Randy Newman. This two-hour public broadcasting show is performed in front of an audience each week at the Cultural Center Theater at the Capitol Complex in Charleston-except for the few times during the year when it goes on the road. For more information, visit www.mountainstage.org/.

Camden Amusement Park. Thrill rides for big kids run the gamut from the Big Dipper to the Paratrooper to the Log Flume. Little ones can enjoy Kiddie Boats, Handcars and the Carousel. Traditional amusement park food abounds along with an arcade where a good time-and perhaps even some prizes-will be had by all. For more information, visit www.camdenpark.com/index.html.   [Top]

Charleston Town Center. Great shops and great food in a great location-that’s Charleston Town Center. Situated downtown next to the Charleston Civic Center, this top-notch mall features more than 130 specialty stores and a fabulous food court highlighted by a 3-story atrium. Family entertainment, including appearances by Disney characters, is also a staple of Charleston Town Center. For more information, visit www.charlestontowncenter.com/.

Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center. Fans of greyhound racing will find the Tri-State Racetrack & Gaming Center right up their alley. And it’s conveniently located just 13 miles north of Charleston in Cross Lanes, West Virginia. In addition to the dog track, there’s a 90,000-square-foot casino and five restaurants. For more information, visit http://tristategreyhound.casinocity.com/.   [Top]

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. Currently being given an extreme makeover, the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine (which will reopen in April 2008) gives visitors a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the inner workings of a real coal mine. Learn about the history of coal mining and other inside information from several new exhibits. For more information, visit www.beckleymine.com/.

Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia. Right next door to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia. The Museum generally features three exhibits each year that cover a wide variety of topics-everything from dinosaurs to bats to presentations from children’s authors. For more information, visit www.beckleymine.com/ym/ym-overview.cfm.   [Top]