The Coolest Neighborhoods In Charleston West Virginia

Charleston, West Virginia is a small city, with a population just under 50,000, which means that no matter where you’re living or staying while visiting, nothing is too far away. There are also areas outside the city that offer easy access to everything Charleston has to offer. Here are some of the best areas to explore.

City Center / Historic District

Extending up from the Kanawha River along Capitol Street is the center of Charleston and the historic district. On the river, you’ll find the Haddad Riverfront Park, home to the Live on the Levee concert series and other family-friendly events. Along Capitol Street you can stop into Taylor Books, the best and only independent bookstore in the city, and galleries that feature local artists. City Center also has lots of bars and restaurants for a fun night out. Check out Black Sheep Burrito for a West Virginia twist on Tex-Mex, Sam’s Uptown Cafe for late-night eats, or Pies & Pints Pizzeria for, what else, beer and pizza.

East End

West Side

Across the Elk River from the City Center is the West Side of Charleston, also a mostly residential area. Magic Island Park is a favorite destination for families, featuring a new splash pad, grassy areas for picnics or sports, and walking trails. The West Side also includes the Luna Park Historic District, 444 homes that are on the National Register of Historic Places. The best place to grab a bite to eat on the West Side is Dem 2 Brothers & a Grill, a venture that started with Adrian “Bay” Wright grilling at pop-up locations around town. Wright has been featured on The Food Network, and owns two restaurants and two food trucks serving up home-cooked Southern Favorites such as ribs, pulled pork, coleslaw and mac and cheese. It’s worth visiting the West Side for this food experience alone.

South Hills

Charleston is surrounded by mountains, and just across the Kanawha River from the city center is South Hills. Just above the city’s train station, the quiet neighborhood evokes the relaxation of the great outdoors in the state. The mix of older and newer homes on winding streets are anchored by a shopping area that has the only gelato shop in Charleston, plus some restaurants that offer good takes on American cuisine including the casual South Hills Market & Cafe and the slightly more upscale Bridge Road Bistro.

South Charleston and Dunbar

While technically not part of the city of Charleston, South Charleston and Dunbar, West Virginia are only minutes outside the city limits, and you might not even realize you’ve left the city. In South Charleston, which is south and west from the city center, you’ll find the Adena Native American burial mound known as the Criel Mound. These earthen structures are found in the West Virginia and Ohio area, and date back to around 200 BC. South Charleston also has the only Vietnamese restaurant in the area. Ten minutes driving farther west and on the north side of the Kanawha River is Dunbar, West Virginia where you’ll find the picturesque Wine Cellar Park.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.