The Film festival is held twice a year at the WVSU Capitol Center Theater, every spring and fall. The festival features top caliber films from the United States and around the world. Films of various genres are presented in the festival, ranging from comedy to drama and science fiction to documentaries.
Some of the films included in last year’s festival are Le Scaphandre et le Papillon (France) directed by Julian Schnabel, Se, Jie (Taiwan/China/USA) directed by Ang Lee, 4 Luni, 3 Sapatamani si 2 Zile (Romania) directed by Cristian Mungiu, Persepolis …

When you’re hankering for some rip-roaring fun while in Charleston, head on down to the Ramada Plaza Hotel in South Charleston to catch the show at the Comedy Zone.
The Comedy Zone features the country’s best and funniest comedians, while serving great meals and drinks to enjoy before, during and after the show. The club opens at 6 o’clock in the evening, and shows typically start at 8 o’clock. After the show, you can continue enjoying the evening at the Lounge located right next to the Zone.
The Comedy Zone is fully …

One of the biggest draws of the Clay Center, is its ElectricSky™ Theater. This huge theater is equipped with a giant screen in its dome, making it the perfect venue for viewing wide format videos and planetarium shows. It is powered by the latest generation of desktop graphics and video production tools. It utilizes ImmersaVision™ Video Panorama and ancillary equipment to accommodate a broad array of exciting performances and attractions.
The theater can seat 175 guests on specially crafted seats for comfortable viewing. The domed screen measures 61 feet in diameter, …

When you’ve had your fill of Charleston’s magnificent architecture and lush outdoors, how about trying some of the rides over at Camden Park? Only an hour’s drive from Charleston, the park features two roller coasters (Big Dipper and Little Dipper), the Paratrooper ride, bumper cars, carousel, haunted house, train, Kite Flyer and the Log Flume. There are also children’s rides, as well as paddleboats and mini-golf.
Visitors who would like to stay near the park can stay in a heritage farm, where they can rent a farm cottage with a full …

Located 35 miles outside Charleston, about halfway to Huntington is the Ona Speedway, West Virginia’s only asphalt racing track. Measuring 3/8th of a mile, it is an official Nascar Members Club Headquarters.
Like the races that happen in the tracks, the Ona Speedway has an exciting history. It has passed under different ownership since it opened in August 18, 1963 as the West Virginia International Speedway. Its first race was The Mountaineer 300, which was a NASCAR Grand National Race, and was attended by an estimated 16,000 spectators. The Ona …

An important artifact by the Adena culture, the Criel Mound in West Virginia is the second , WVlargest Native American burial mound in the state. Located in South Charleston, the mound originally 33 feet high and had a 137 feet diameter. It had a conical shape, but the top has been leveled off in 1840, when the locals built a judge’s stand on the summit, for it had the best view of the racetrack around the base of the mound.
Estimated to have been created in 250-150 BC, the mound was …

Charleston, West Virginia has a wealth of spectacular examples of early 20th century architecture. Thanks to the revitalization efforts of the city government, the rich history of these grand buildings are honored. Residents and tourists are treated to a taste of West Virginia’s early days each time they walk through Charleston’s streets. Most of these buildings have already been included in the National Register of Historic Places.
First in the list is the West Virginia Capitol Building, found at the capitol complex facing the Kanawha River. Made of buff limestone over …

Just a hundred yards from downtown Charleston, West Virginia lies the Sunrise Mansion and the Sunrise Carriage Trail. The estate provides a welcoming respite from city living with its natural forest and a gentle, meandering path from MacCorkle Avenue all the way to the mansion.
The estate used to be the home of William A. MacCorkle, West Virginia’s ninth Governor. MacCorkle had the mansion built in 1905, on a sprawling 16-acre woodland property. The mansion was to be built on top of the hill, and getting the construction materials from the …

There are several churches in Charleston, West Virginia, each one with a lively congregation and each with a beautiful historical architecture. A number of these places of worship are located in downtown Charleston, and are quite accessible if you’re in town.
The Episcopal church of St. John’s boasts of an active community centered on faith, service and worship. The historical church has been serving Charleston since 1822, and follows the tradition of the Episcopal church and excels worship, music and preaching.
For Presbyterians, there’s the Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, whose first minister …

Located at Kanawha Boulevard is Holly Grove Mansion, also known as Holly Grove Inn or the Ruffner Mansion. Originally the home of Daniel Ruffner, the fifth son of Joseph Ruffner, and the grandson of the first Joseph Ruffner who came into the Kanawha from Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Brothers Joseph and David are the pioneers of the salt industry in the region, under the directive of their father who bough huge tracks of land in West Virginia.
Holly Grove was originally a plantation with its barns, shops, granary and other outbuildings …