Day 1
Start your day with some caffeine from Mea Cuppa coffee bar inside the Capitol Market while you browse the shops within. Work your way down Capitol Street to browse nearby boutiques, and art galleries. Taylor Books is the local go-to for a quiet, hip atmosphere. Enjoy a fresh baked good in the cafe, then take a stroll through the art gallery. Before you head out, pick up some tickets for the next film screening at the Underground Cinema!
In the afternoon, head to Elk City to pick up apparel, accessories and gifts at Kin Ship Goods, many of which are West Virginia themed. Neighboring shop Base Camp Printing Co. whips up posters, greeting cards and more on an old letterpress, all with fun and quirky themes. For lunch, nearby Mi Cocina De Amor serves up authentic Mexican cuisine.
An evening in Charleston is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the dining and nightlife scene. Find comfort food with Appalachian flair at Bluegrass Kitchen; keep it casual at Pies & Pints or Black Sheep Burrito & Brews downtown; or go more upscale with The Block and Celsius, both of which offer delicious food and cocktails to match.
Charleston prides itself on offering live music every night of the week, whether it’s a cafe, bar, event, or a theater. Catch local music at The Empty Glass or at The Boulevard Tavern. If you time your visit right, you’ll catch emerging artists and national acts at The Clay Center, a FestivALL event, or at Mountain Stage, a popular radio show aired weekly on NPR.
Day 2
Charleston’s historic East End district is also home to the Brass Pineapple B&B. Wake up to a warm breakfast, then venture out once more into Charleston. Stroll over to the grounds of the West Virginia State Capitol into the Culture Center and State Museum for a thorough overview of the state’s history, from prehistoric times to the present,
Nearby Tricky Fish is a great lunch spot, offering surf and turf options, with an outdoor patio to spruce up your experience. Next, a tour at J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works in neighboring town of Malden will have you wondering how you ever lived without this bold Appalachian salt, which is sourced from an ancient ocean beneath the mountains. Before you head to Huntington, visit the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau for tips on how best to explore this charming county full of fun dining experiences and unique shops.
You’ll head to Huntington in the evening for a casual dinner at Bahnhof WVrsthaus & Biergarten, which serves German cuisine and a great selection of local brews. On your way to Huntington, stop in Milton at Blenko Glass to watch glass blower demonstrations or simply check out the gift shop. Or visit the beautiful and fun Beech Fork State Park, which is the perfect getaway to watch birds, fish or take a boat out on Beech Fork Lake. After dinner, walk off your meal by browsing the shops at Pullman Square.
Day 3
Begin your morning by stopping by River and Rail Bakery, conveniently located with the Cabell-Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau at Heritage Station. Ask them about their “We Are Marshall Tour” and get whisked around the city to see film locations from the 2007 film.
Ritter Park is not to be missed, with picturesque walking trails and recreational amenities, all in the heart of a quaint neighborhood designated as national historic district. Spend what’s left of your afternoon at the Huntington Museum of Art, which hosts various collections, educational programs, innovative exhibitions and even a tropical plant conservatory and nature trails.
Day 4
If you have kids tagging along, they’ll appreciate a whole day filled with kid-friendly fun. Take them to Heritage Farm Museum & Village,where you’ll be able to grab both breakfast and lunch at Our Daily Bread Cafe. Heritage Farm is a delight for kids and adults alike; it’s a Smithsonian affiliate and a National Geographic Traveler Prime Destination, so you know it’s pretty darn good.
Don’t leave Huntington without visiting West Virginia’s only amusement park— Camden Park. Watch the kids’ faces fill with surprise as they twist and turn through the park’s vintage haunted house— one of only a handful like it still in existence.
End your Metro Valley journey on a high note in Point Pleasant. Today, it has more than enough local flavor for visitors, great festivals, museums, restaurants, and more. The Village Pizza Inn or Harris Steakhouse will fill you up before you unravel the mystery of the legendary Mothman.
At the Mothman Museum, peruse the vast collection of news clippings and police reports about the sightings, watch a “Search for the Mothman” documentary and see a collection of props and memorabilia from the Richard Gere movie – parts of which were filmed in town. After your folklore fix, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park overlooks the junction of the Ohio and Kanawha rivers and is a great way to conclude your getaway.
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