Finding Fun

We expect you'll be busy on Saturday,
May 20 in the Bohemian Holler, but if you’re planning on being in Charleston, West Virginia for more than a day, we know where you can find some fun.

Charleytown is small. You can walk the downtown easily in 30 minutes, but you may find yourself lingering in several shops and restaurants on Capitol, Quarrier, Hale, Summers, and the little alley we still call Fife Street, but the signs say Brawley Walkway.

That’s downtown. The old city is in a valley. Everything else is up on a hill.

Photo: Rebecca Kimmons

Explore the Area

We’re excited to share a few of our favorite local spots with you

Taylor Books

One-stop entertainment in the heart of downtown Charleston. Coffee, tea, wine, art, books, underground cinema, gifts, and live music.

Mea Cuppa @ the downtown Charleston public library

Mea Cuppa has a location on Bigley in Elk City, at Capitol Market, and downtown Charleston public library.

Caffe Romeo

Caffe Romeo has been serving Charleston with Authentic Italian, fresh homemade Gelato (ice cream) since 2017. Our Gelato is made in an artisanal way with personalized recipes, prepared with the best ingredients on the market from Italy. All the equipment used is top of the line and our Carpigiani is truly the "Ferrari" of ice cream machines.

Food, Drink and Fun on Bridge Road

1010 Bridge Road is the hottest new restaurant, reputed to be the finest in West Virginia. You’ll need a reservation.
Other restaurants locals love include:
Bridge Road Bistro and
Lola’s Pizza.

It's worth a trip to Bridge Road Market
and a bunch of little specialty shops where you can spend a lot of money. 😊

Elk City District Food, Drink and Fun

Charleston’s Elk City district offers an eclectic assortment of shopping, restaurants, and even some signature events. Some local favorites include Kinship Goods and Basecamp Printing,
Bullock Distillery,
Mea Cuppa Coffee Lounge, Books and Brews, Kinship Goods, Dancing Dog Ice Cream, Vandalia Co., and
Charly’s Wonder Wall on Charly Jupiter Street. Charly Hamilton's Wonder Wall mural is the icon of Elk City on Charleston's West Side.

Downtown Charleston, Capitol Street

Favorite downtown restaurants include:
Noah’s (reservation recommended), Black Sheep Burritos and Brews, Pies & Pints,
DTs Steak House, Hale House, Adelphia Sports Bar, Ichiban, First Watch,
Coco’s, Loopy Leaf (excellent vegan food)

Bars, Books, Coffee, Bread, Cookies, and Other Essentials

Downtown favorites include but are not limited to:
Bar 101
Fife Street Brewing Company
Taylor Books
Ellen’s Ice Cream
Art Emporium
Charleston Bread Company
Capitol Market
Rock City Bakery

South Charleston Food, Drink and Fun

South Charleston is a short ride west on I-64 to reach the cluster of shops and restaurants on 7th Avenue and D Streets where several Asian restaurants and an international grocery store are located.
Elephant Thai seems to be the favorite at the moment.

Yen’s Sandwiches features banh mi. Across D Street is Pho Vinh Long.

Two antique malls are located on D Street, offering several floors of antiques, collectables and stuff.

Further Afield

If you love history, you might want to take a ride on US 60, the Midland Trail, designated as a US. Scenic By-Way. Starting in Charleston at the WV State Capitol Complex, there’s the Culture Center, including the WV State Museum and tours of the magnificent Beaux Arts Capitol Building.

Holly Grove is the old mansion that stands on the corner of Greenbrier and Kanawha Boulevard. It’s empty at the moment, but it was once the scene of much merriment and action, beginning in the early 19th century when it was a stagecoach stop on the James River and Kanawha Turnpike, and the home of the wealthy Ruffner Family. The Ruffners were salt entrepreneurs and farmers.