Going east to the capital city

West Virginia's capital city boasts unique architecture, rich history, culture, and a love for the arts. 

 Overlooking the Kanawha River, the West Virginia State Capitol is home to the West Virginia Legislature. The capitol building's aesthetic is influenced by Greek and Roman architecture and was designed by Cass Gilbert, an architect who also designed the U.S. Supreme Court Building, said Ashlee Burgess, West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau employee.

The inside of the capitol is comprised of mostly marble from Italy, Vermont and Tennessee, Burgess said.  The exterior is constructed of buffed Indiana limestone.  The capitol's dome reaches 293 feet high and is made out of 23-karat gold.

Charleston's Capitol Market is a partially outdoor facility that includes specialty shops, a gourmet restaurant, fresh produce and fish market, a butcher, wine shop, bakery, cafes and many different activities and seasonal promotions, said Regina McBride, Capitol Market employee.

"Each season brings something new to the market," McBride sad. "Sold in the spring, we offer plants for gardening.  In the summer, we have fresh-cut flowers and locally-grown vegetables and fruits.  The fall brings people in for pumpkins, and in winter, we sell Christmas trees and seasonal plants."  

Affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the West Virginia Power minor league baseball team has become a staple in Charleston.  The season begins on Thursday, April 8, and  continues through September, said Kristin Call, director of marketing for West Virginia Power Baseball. 

"Promotions are huge at the park," Call said. 

Although no promotions are concrete for this year, last year Two for Tuesdays promotion was very popular:  Buy one item in the park and get the second one free, Call said.  Last year was also the debut of Yuengs and Wings, which is Yuengling beer and chicken wings sold together as a promotional event.

"The Charleston Town Center is located in the heart of downtown and is comprised of more than 130 stores," said Frank Gessel, Charleston Town Center employee. Stores range from men and women's apparel, shoes, jewelry, toys, coffee, candles and more.

The town center also features a food court with fast food favorites and several restaurants, including Outback, Chili's, The Chop House and others, Gessel said.

The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia is one of the largest additions to the capital city, opening its doors on July 12, 2003. Katie Wooten, marketing coordinator for the Clay Center said the Clay Center features music, theater, performing and visual arts and sciences.  It houses the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Avampato Discovery Museum.

The Clay Center offers two stories of daily activities,  performances and interactive exhibits. "The ElectricSky Theater in the interior of the Clay Center features a giant screen on the dome of the ceiling," Wooten said.  "Planetarium shows and films take place in the theater and are the favorites among tourists."

   Kelly Crouch can be contacted at crouch16@marshall.edu.