Visitors can stroll along Capitol Street where brick sidewalks are lit by modern street lights that replicate gas-powered ones of an earlier era. Quaint book stores, shops and restaurants line the street. Farther down, the Capitol Market combines Charleston's outdoor farmers' market with indoor shops in a converted rail freight station built in 1905. For more traditional shopping, Charleston Town Center Mall is one of the largest downtown malls east of the Mississippi with 160 specialty stores, four department stores and several specialty restaurants. You can stay here and venture out to view scenery, attractions and activities in surrounding areas.
Recreational opportunities are a major draw to the region.
Nine miles from downtown, the 9,300-acre Kanawha State Forest offers horseback riding, swimming, camping, hiking and mountain biking. And the Coal River Livery also offers canoeing and float trips just outside the city. Whitewater rafting on the Gauley and New Rivers, both within an easy drive, attract whitewater enthusiasts from throughout the world. More than 100,000 adventurous rafters and kayakers go down these rivers each year. Everyone was so nice and helpful.