Also located in the Daniel Boone Park in Charleston, West Virginia is the Joseph Ruffner Log Cabin. The Ruffner cabin wasn’t originally situated in the park though — it originally stood at 1538 Kanawha Boulevard. Built in 1803 by Joseph Ruffner for his family on a property that used to be called Rosedale, the log cabin is said to be one of the oldest extant house in Kanawha County.
The log cabin is actually a replica — the original Ruffner home was torn down in 1969. As part of the …

One of Charleston, West Virginia’s notable landmarks, the Craik-Patton house is a elegant structure that transports guests back to the 1800′s. Built in 1834 in the American Greek Revival style, Elm Grove, as the house is known in those day, it is the home to Rev. James Craik and his family. The house was originally built in a plot of land along the banks of the Kanawha river that Rev. Craik inherited from Dr. James Craik, the personal physician and close friend of George Washington.
The Craiks moved out of …

Should you ever find yourself in Charleston, do not fret because there are plenty of activities and attractions in this city of 50,000. The capitol city of West Virginia has a wealth of landmarks, architecture and natural resources that appeals to all kinds of travelers of all ages.
If you have limited time to spend in the city, here are the top six places you should see in Charleston:
 
 
West Virginia State Capitol
The stately building is Charleston’s top tourist attraction, with its elegant architecture and golden dome. The seat of West Virginia’s …

The Charleston City Hall is an impressive structure of symmetrically placed ornament and broad wall spaces. Designed by Charleston architect H. Rus Warne, the seemingly rectangular edifice is actually shaped like a “U” when viewed from the rear of the building.
Like most buildings in Charleston that was built in the 20′s, Warne designed the structure to reflect classic styles based on Renaissance and Beaux Arts traditions. The building is fronted by a grand flight of graninte steps, leading up to three massive arched doorways. Tall, evenly spaced wood windows …

The C&O Rail Depot, a beautifully restored building houses a museum filled with railroading photos and artifacts that is sure to appeal to all train enthusiasts.
The building used to be the depot for the Chesapeake & Ohio rail line that connects Richmond, Virginia and Huntington, West Virginia, and passes throug Charleston. The railway line follows pathways created by Native Americans, and main stagecoach routes. It enters West Virginia in Greenbrier County, and travels along the New River. It follows the Kanawha for several miles, then cuts across Huntington and …

A favorite recreational place in Charleston is the nearby Memorial Ice Arena in South Charleston. The facility offers an official-sized rink that is a great venue for hockey games, figure skating or just a place to spend time with friends and family. The state-of-the-art arena has a wide array of amenities, including an arcade and a heated seating area that can accommodate up to 500 spectators.
Located at the Shops of Trace Fork, along Corridor (US Route 119S), the Memorial Ice Area offers ample parking for all patrons. There is also …

What now marks West Virginia State’s presence in downtown Charleston is a building that has gone through a lot since it opened its doors in 1912. The Plaza Theatre was the home of high-class vaudeville entertainment and novel attractions in Charleston. It did not last long though, for after only seven years since it opened, it was sold to the United Theatre Enterprise in 1919.
The building was remodeled and redecorated, taking two years until it opened again in 1921 as the Capitol Theater. The theatre was installed with a Wurlitzer …

Students wishing to attend a college within West Virginia will find a variety of attractive optiosn in or around Charleston. Whether they’re looking for a university or a technical school, they’re sure to find what they need.
The University of Charleston, located on the beautiful Kanawah River, is a great option for students wanting to attend school in a downtown area. The school has a variety of specialized programs available, and more than 90 percent of students receive some sort of financial aid.
The University has a student population of …

Some people believe that a measure of how well a city is run is how many parks there are within the city limits. Many European city planners take that to heart, and build as much green space into their cities as possible. In typical American fashion, the city of Charleston doesn’t limit itself to parks within city limits. There are over 25 parks either within or surrounding the Charleston area. These include everything from ball fields to state operated wildlife management areas.
Most parks available to …

If you happen to be in the Charleston area around Labor Day, you have to check out the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta. A regatta is normally just a boat race, but the Charleston Regatta is more like a parade and a celebration of Charleston itself. Each year, thousands of people line Kanawha Boulevard to celebrate the official ending of the Summertime by watching boats pass by. Nationally recognized musical acts are featured often, including Jodee Messina and the band Puddle of Mudd, who performed at the 2008 Regatta. …