Charleston, West Virginia Self-Guided Driving Tour: Capitol, Culture & Downtown Gems
Places: 19 POIs
Distance: 10.37 mi
Duration: 50m
GPS-guided narration through
Your Smartphone
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Tour #2648
About this English self-guided 50m driving tour in Charleston
Welcome to Charleston, the charming capital city of West Virginia, where mountain spirit meets riverfront beauty. This is a place where the pace is easy, the history runs deep, and every bend in the road seems to reveal another story.
As we drive along the Kanawha River, you’ll discover a city that’s as proud of its past as it is hopeful about its future. Charleston began as a rugged frontier settlement back in the late 1700s, when pioneers like Daniel Boone carved out homes along these hillsides. Over time, salt, coal, and glass transformed this valley into a center of industry — and with that prosperity came grand architecture, art, and culture that still define the city today.
Along the way, we’ll pass the gold-domed State Capitol, elegant historic mansions, and lively spots like the Capitol Market and Slack Plaza, where locals gather to eat, shop, and catch up. You’ll also see the Craik-Patton House, the Holly Grove Mansion, and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart — each with its own fascinating place in Charleston’s story.
But this isn’t just a tour of buildings and monuments — it’s a journey through the heart of West Virginia, a place of resilience, creativity, and community. Whether you’re here for a quick visit or an extended stay, this drive will give you a glimpse of what makes Charleston special: friendly faces, deep roots, and views that never get old.
So buckle up and get ready to explore Charleston’s Wild and Wonderful side — a city that proves you don’t have to be big to have a big heart.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
- Category
- Language
- Mode
- Region
- Country
- City
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
Daniel Boone Park, 2901 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV 25311, USA
Daniel Boone Park and Craik-Patton House
On your left is Daniel Boone Park, a peaceful green stretch along the Kanawha River that’s named after the legendary frontiersman himself. Boone actually lived right here in the Kanawha Valley back in the late 1700s, serving as a surveyor, militia officer, and even a member of the Virginia legislature before heading further west. The park today is a favorite local picnic and fishing spot, with boat launches and a walking trail that follows the river’s edge — a reminder that this was once a true frontier outpost.
Just up ahead, also on your left, is the Craik-Patton House, one of Charleston’s finest historic treasures. This elegant Greek Revival home was built in 1834 and has quite a story. It was once the residence of James Craik, whose grandfather was George Washington’s personal physician, and later owned by George S. Patton — the grandfather of World War II’s famous General Patton. The house was actually moved here piece by piece in the 1970s to save it from demolition, and today it’s beautifully restored with period furnishings that show what life was like for Charleston’s early elite.
Just up ahead, also on your left, is the Craik-Patton House, one of Charleston’s finest historic treasures. This elegant Greek Revival home was built in 1834 and has quite a story. It was once the residence of James Craik, whose grandfather was George Washington’s personal physician, and later owned by George S. Patton — the grandfather of World War II’s famous General Patton. The house was actually moved here piece by piece in the 1970s to save it from demolition, and today it’s beautifully restored with period furnishings that show what life was like for Charleston’s early elite.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.89mi
, Attraction : Government Building, Landmark (Recommended selfie spot).
1652-1630 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV 25305, USA
West Virginia State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion
On your right is the stunning West Virginia State Capitol, one of the crown jewels of Charleston. That magnificent gold dome rising above the trees is hard to miss — it’s covered in real 23-and-a-half karat gold leaf, and it actually stands taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The Capitol was designed by the legendary architect Cass Gilbert, who also designed the U.S. Supreme Court building. Construction stretched through the Roaring Twenties and into the Great Depression, finally wrapping up in 1932. Step inside, and you’ll find gleaming marble from around the world, grand staircases, and a two-ton crystal chandelier hanging beneath that dome — all meant to remind visitors that this little mountain state has big pride.
Just next door — and also on your right — is the elegant Governor’s Mansion, home to West Virginia’s governors and their families since 1925. It was designed in the Colonial Revival style to complement the Capitol’s grandeur, with red brick, white columns, and a stately front lawn that looks straight out of a storybook. Inside are crystal chandeliers, antique furniture, and even a ballroom that hosts state dinners and holiday celebrations.
Every Christmas season, the mansion glows with lights and decorations from all 55 counties of West Virginia, each sending ornaments that represent their unique heritage — from coal mining and glassblowing to fiddle festivals and mountain crafts.
Together, the Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion form the symbolic heart of West Virginia — where government, history, and hospitality all meet on the banks of the Kanawha River. As you drive by, take one last look at that golden dome shining in the sun — it’s Charleston’s way of reminding you that even in the hills, there’s a touch of grandeur.
The Capitol was designed by the legendary architect Cass Gilbert, who also designed the U.S. Supreme Court building. Construction stretched through the Roaring Twenties and into the Great Depression, finally wrapping up in 1932. Step inside, and you’ll find gleaming marble from around the world, grand staircases, and a two-ton crystal chandelier hanging beneath that dome — all meant to remind visitors that this little mountain state has big pride.
Just next door — and also on your right — is the elegant Governor’s Mansion, home to West Virginia’s governors and their families since 1925. It was designed in the Colonial Revival style to complement the Capitol’s grandeur, with red brick, white columns, and a stately front lawn that looks straight out of a storybook. Inside are crystal chandeliers, antique furniture, and even a ballroom that hosts state dinners and holiday celebrations.
Every Christmas season, the mansion glows with lights and decorations from all 55 counties of West Virginia, each sending ornaments that represent their unique heritage — from coal mining and glassblowing to fiddle festivals and mountain crafts.
Together, the Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion form the symbolic heart of West Virginia — where government, history, and hospitality all meet on the banks of the Kanawha River. As you drive by, take one last look at that golden dome shining in the sun — it’s Charleston’s way of reminding you that even in the hills, there’s a touch of grandeur.
Read More
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Daniel Boone Park and Craik-Patton House
Place 2
West Virginia State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion
Place 3
Holly Grove Mansion
Place 4
West Virginia State Museum
Place 5
Ruffner Memorial Presbyterian Church
Place 6
Ruffner Memorial Park and the Thomas Bullitt Cenotaph
Place 7
The Ruffner
Place 8
Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC)
Place 9
Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences
Place 10
Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
Place 11
Capitol Market
Place 12
Slack Plaza and the Charleston Transit Mall
Place 13
South Side Bridge and the Kanawha River
Place 14
Sunrise (MacCorkle Mansion)
Place 15
Charleston Overlook
Place 16
Farewell — Charleston’s Riverfront View
Click below for full access to this tour
Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 0.5 to 1 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 19 stops, covering top attractions such as Daniel Boone Park and Craik-Patton House, West Virginia State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion, Holly Grove Mansion, West Virginia State Museum, Ruffner Memorial Presbyterian Church.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Daniel Boone Park and Craik-Patton House (Address: Daniel Boone Park, 2901 Kanawha Blvd E, Charleston, WV 25311, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!