West Virginia is famous for its heart-pounding, raise-your-hair white-water rafting thrills, and Charleston is its gateway to rivers, parks and rocks where those wild and wonderful experiences churn. Yet there’s an even larger array of high and low adventure options beyond the waters just waiting for group relaxation or bonding.
If water is not your surface, there are landlubber options, including mountain biking or hiking through the hills of Kanawha State Forest. Adrenalin junkies have a lot of choices to raise the pulse, too. ATVs and dirt bikes get personal engines going along the Little Coal River Trail System near the city. That trail has mostly easy green trails, and is one of six systems in the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system that runs through several West Virginia counties.
During cold-weather months, 90 acres of slopes at Winterplace Ski Resort an hour outside the city will elevate the spirit, and there are opportunities to combine brain power and a sense of adventure on a paintball field like Scary Creek Paintball in Teays Valley.
Road trip adventures on the Midland Trail National Scenic Byway include stops such as the Malden historic district, where Booker T. Washington once lived.
The stunning scenery and challenging terrain around Charleston make golf a popular and worthy group activity, too, and players can try their game on the semi-private par-72 Scarlet Oaks course. Other 18-hole runs include the par-71 Big Bend Golf Course and the par-55 course at Coonskin Park, where tennis, pedal boating and biking are also available.
“Adventure is a major part of our city marketing,” says Patricia Bradley-Pitrolo, interim president & CEO of the Charleston CVB. “About 30 percent of our business groups engage in outdoor adventure of some type. Of course, it depends on the group makeup, but no matter what that is, there is really something adventurous here for everyone to enjoy.”
Pitrolo said the menu isn’t limited to outdoor recreation options. There is, for instance, the city arts scene that is the right adventure choice for some visitors.
“Our downtown arts walks are very popular,” she says. “People tour the galleries in a three-block district where they can see and buy all the crafts we are famous for, from quilting to handmade toys and musical instruments. We can arrange specific tours for groups to visit the famous Blenko glass factory, which offers hand-blown glass designs, both classic and contemporary. And about 45 minutes from the city is the Tamarack center, at which people can see artists at work.”
Performing arts are also in the mix, she points out. One of the most popular stops is Mountain Stage, a live radio show produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting in Charleston’s cultural center. Audiences enjoy programming similar to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, and diverse musical styles from traditional country to jazz. Mountain Stage celebrated its 25th season last December.
Concerts along the river downtown are in-season happenings, and the pinnacle event on the outdoor arts scene occurs during 10 days in June at FestivALL. Scores of concerts, exhibitions, dance and theater performances are on the docket, beginning June 19. Celebrities nationally and internationally known are in the lineup, as well as regional artists and performers. Booker T & The MG’s with special guest Eddie Floyd will headline a Stax 50th Celebration at one Clay Center concert this year.
“With all the adventure options Charleston offers, we are encouraging meetings groups to come early and stay late,” says Bradley-Pitrolo. “We are marketing particularly this year to regional groups, because we are an affordable destination that’s easy to get to for a significant portion of the U.S. population. And we have all these adventure choices that can be integrated into business programs or enjoyed before and afterwards.”
So while adventure may be West Virginia’s middle name, Charleston is where many groups spring into action, whatever their style.
