Many people say that West Virginia’s capital city feels more like a small town, with its easy access to nature and downtown full of independently-owned businesses. And while Charleston does have a friendly, laid-back feel, there’s no lack of things to do. From outdoor adventures like hiking the Kanawah State Forest or rafting in the New River Gorge, to seeing art exhibits and hearing live music, to shopping at unique boutiques, Charleston has big-city options that are easy to enjoy over a long weekend. Read on for the best things to do here. 

The city is located at the intersection of two rivers, the Elk and the Kanawha. So whether your sense of adventure is wild or mild, there is fun to be had on the water in Charleston. Bold types will like rafting the nearby New River Gorge. River Expeditions offers a variety of trip lengths and skill levels, or you can take it easy with a scenic floating trip instead. Explore the Kanawha River via kayak or pontoon boat with Charleston Riverfront Watersports. Daniel Boone Park has a boat ramp, and is known for being a good fishing spot as well.

Chartered back in 1794 and officially named the capitol in 1885, Charleston is rich in history. To learn more, start at the West Virginia State Museum & Culture Center, which contains artifacts and information about nearly every aspect of the state, from geology to cultural traditions. The center (which offers free admission) has a Show Path that guides visitors through 28 rooms beginning with West Virginia’s prehistory to the modern day. Whether you go inside for a tour (reservations are recommended), or just admire the architecture from outside, the State Capitol Complex is also worth a stop. The main building, which was completed in 1932, has a magnificent 293-foot dome covered in real gold leaf.

No trip to Charleston is complete without a visit to Capitol Market. The indoor-outdoor shopping center is heaven for food lovers seeking local produce, plants, and products like Holl’s Swiss Chocolates. There are restaurants here as well, like the popular Soho’s Italian Restaurant. Shop for new releases, check out local art, and get a great cup of coffee at local favorite Taylor Street Books. Find Appalachia-inspired apparel, home goods, and other creative finds at Buck & Bette and Kin Ship Goods. Base Camp Printing Company specializes in original letterpress items, like cards and prints.

If you love all things vintage, Charleston has several spots where you can search for old treasures, like Stray Dog Antiques or The Purple Moon, which specializes in mid-century modern pieces. In nearby South Charleston, check out its namesake antique mall, which is an 18,000 square foot shop filled with items that go back generations.

Just walking around the city, you'll encounter art in the form of vibrant murals, like the one above. At Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences, the Juliet Art Museum hosts national traveling exhibitions several times a year and has a wide-ranging permanent collection of 19th and 20th century American art. (While you’re there, do some star gazing at Caperton Planetarium & Theater. And kids will love the hands-on exhibits at the Avampato Discovery Museum.) Browse works in a variety of mediums by area artists at Gallery Eleven—all pieces are available for purchase. Interested in theater? Check out a show at the Alban Arts Center, which showcases community-run productions, as well as live music. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema is the home of the state’s International Film Festival and a great place to watch independent and international movies.

Pick a genre of music, and you’ll likely be able to hear it live in Charleston. Live music venues are all over the city. The most famous one is likely Mountain Stage, which has aired performances by musicians of all genres on public radio since 1983. Be a part of the live audience and check out a show in person. The Charleston Coliseum is the city’s largest concert space and it attracts national touring acts like Luke Bryan and Styx. In the summer, enjoy free concerts on the waterfront with the Live on the Levee series at Haddad Riverfront Park. And that’s just for starters; the city’s CVB has a comprehensive list of more music venues.

Kanawah State Forest, located just outside of Charleston, is a vast and peaceful place to commune with nature, especially if you like birding, or hiking or biking—there are 60 miles of trails to explore. Likewise, Wallace Hartman Nature Preserve is 52 acres of protected land with scenic trails for hiking.

Enjoy the fresh air and views of the city and the river with a walk along Kanawha Boulevard or Haddad Riverfront Walk, which also has a park, an amphitheater for concerts, and food trucks on certain days. Also located right off of the Kanawha is Magic Island Park, a five-acre island with a walking trail, a splash pad for kids, plus other amenities like volleyball courts.

West Virginia may not have professional major league sports teams, but you can still root for the home teams in Charleston. Spring through summer, you can catch the Dirty Birds, the city’s minor league baseball team, at GoMart Ballpark. And in the fall, you can cheer for the University of Charleston’s Golden Eagles football team. Love to golf? There are several local courses, including one in Cato Park and another in Coonskin Park, and Little Creek Public Golf Course in South Charleston.

Charleston’s biggest event is FestivALL, a multidisciplinary—music, theater, dance, and more— celebration of the arts that includes hundreds of performances across the city. Held every summer, it draws about 30,000 attendees, according to the organization. In June, Foam at the Dome is a popular festival centered around craft beer. July brings the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta with boating-related activities, a carnival, live music, and more.