Today Saturday was a Beautiful Day! Extremely Windy, but warm and sunny! I took Noel, Deacon & Kayla to the Capitol Complex and Cultural Center in Charleston. We walked around outside and took some pictures. Deacon and Kayla had never been here. We went in to the West Virginia History Museum (Free to enjoy) and spent about 2 hrs walk around. They gave a sheet of paper to do a scavenger hunt to find 12 items and we found 10 of them. It was a very lovely day outing that we all enjoyed. read more

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**April 2025: Midweek Morning Visit** The Capitol Building itself is really impressive (5 stars for the building itself). It's super grand and beautiful; however, the start of my visit was really rocky, so hopefully this review can make your experience more streamlined. Parking There were many spots for patrons to park; however, you need to scan the QR code to pay for parking and it asks you which parking lot (which there were no signs). We asked a someone who passed by what the lot was called and she directed us to the parking attendant on the other side of the lot. He informed us we were in the DMV lot (which wasn't clearly posted anywhere). After about 15 minutes of trying to figure it out we finally paid. Capitol Building The Capitol Dome is very prominent, but after walking up maybe 50 stairs we found out that visitors cannot enter from the front. There were a lot of buildings so we didn't know where to enter. As we walked around we saw a group of kids from buses and followed them to a side building. There was a small temporary picket sign on the ground that pointed guests to the side building, but even that side building didn't have any markings. All guests go through security and all belongings needed to go through the machine. Tours I did my research on the website and it stated that parties smaller than 10 can come up for a tour. They offer them every half hour from 9am-12pm and 1pm to 3pm. However, on my visit there were at least 300 students visiting that day for a conference/field trip and no tour guides were available. My recommendation is during the week of your visit to give them a call and ask if they have scheduled visitors. I was kind of bummed that we had to miss it, so my friend and I did our own tour. bround 45 minutes later when we were ready to leave, one of the capitol's workers was giving a tour and asked if we'd like to join so that was a plus! Gift Shop The capitol doesn't have a designated gift shop or Capitol merch - which was a bummer. The info desk representative pointed us to the Culture Center Gift shop. I was looking for some memorabilia to bring home to my family and settled on a magnet. I think when I went to the Alaska capitol they had a good assortment so I was kinda bummed. Summary The place is beautiful and I hope on your visit it'll be a smoother process than mine. Cheers! read more

I travel frequently, but I have never been inside a state capital. They have tours or you can just walk around common areas. This was one of the most beautiful buildings that I have been in. West Virginia also has a State History Museum that is a one minute walk away. read more

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We didn't go in we just were passing by and you could see the capitol building from the road. I'm not knowledgeable about the architectural terms but I called it a doom. It looked lovely and regel and on the way home the sun was setting and it was striking. We were doing a day trip from Ohio to West Virginia and back .. long day but it's left me with a admiration of the scenic beauty that is right next door. I can't wait to return. read more

West Virginia State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charleston, West Virginia

This beautiful domed Capitol was designed by Cass Gilbert, the famed architect. Visitors may walk about the first floor and explore the gallery of state governors, and then the second floor with the stunning legislative chambers and impressive chandelier with crystals from former Czechoslovakia. read more

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USE CAUTION BOOKING WITH TORI EDENS! Ask for someone else! We had my wedding here and our paperwork was never turned in! The rental company we used for our chairs had issues getting in and almost didn't get to set up. The bathrooms were locked and security..also maintenance could not unlock it. This is very inconvenient for elderly/handicapped people that attended our wedding. Not to mention we hardly got any "getting ready" photos for our wedding due to the limited space. read more

My family and I visited the Charleston Capitol building while we were in Charleston looking for some things to do in the sightseeing explore. So we walked around the capital building took a few photos they had Abraham Lincoln statue out there and just an overall pretty cool experience overall. I like to look at different sites and scenes of different cities and states that I I have not been to so this was rather enjoyable read more

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Very pretty campus and monuments. Everything was well maintained and clean. Loved the statues. read more

West Virginia State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charleston, West Virginia

Just passing through the area and decided to stop in real quick for a visit and some photos. I always have enjoyed taking photos of the capitol buildings. The history is amazing. read more

West Virginia State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charleston, West Virginia

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One of the nicest capital buildings and the free tour was fantastic! Great for kids and families. Our family could have spent hours there and just ate lunch on the grass. Lots of squirrels and grounds were well kept. The draw backs were trying to find parking and that nothing was labeled as to where to go. There is meter parking to the left of the building if you're facing the front. Heads up, staff shared that they don't check the meters on the weekend so parking is free. They also have a great craft/entertainment type room which we spent a lot of time in with my kiddos. If you're capital hoping this is a beautiful location with lots of great history. read more

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In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful capital buildings in the US. I've seen that gorgeous golden dome from 77 for years, driving through and I finally decided to stop. I am glad I did. I didn't tour the building, because I didn't have much time, but I did walk around the grounds and over to the governor's mansion (on the same complex). There is a WV history museum just across the way, also part of the state capital complex. It is closed on Mondays, otherwise I would have loved to have done a quick walk-through. This is going to be a stop for me next time I'm "passing through". It is too good and too beautiful to pass up. read more

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Ahh, the Capital building! One of the new places that I am truly in love with! The Gold Dome is EVERYTHING! Considered one of the world's outstanding examples of Italian Renaissance architecture! Designed by the most influential architect, Cass Gilbert, this building is known as the highest capital Dome in the US and open to the public for tours! There is a beautiful majestic entrance that leads to tons of stairs. Once you look up at the building, you quickly notice the beautiful Gold Dome that many people go crazy about; it is absolutely beautiful! From the outside, you can't help but see all that sparkly gold that was used to decorate the top. This is absolutely beautiful when the sun is glinting off of it! The gold dome is amazing and provides a great backdrop for any type of photo. I am delighted that I had the opportunity to check this building out during my recent trip to West Virginia. I was surprised to see that my friend and I could walk right into the building but was grateful to be able to see what they offered inside. We were able to walk around the whole outside of the building and take pictures in the back of the Capital building which offers the Bell that states "West Virginia". Also, be sure to stop by the Culture Center and see the New Museum in the basement. This place is a great place to stop, especially if you are from out of town! Visitors are free to view the area inside, up and down the marble stairs. You can tour the interior on a guided tour, or grab one of the brochures and lead yourself around. The grounds are always well maintained and colorful. Inside, you can see the courtroom and painting of past mayors, which are pretty cool. The outside has a lot of history and outstanding monuments as well. WV State Capital will truly give you a new found appreciation for our men and women who go in there and make our laws and protect our rights. read more

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West Virginia was the 35th state to join the Union, after splitting out from Virginia during the Civil War. Slavery, donchaknow. Today, it is the 38th largest in terms of population and 41st in terms of land area. The capital, of course, is Charleston and the landmark Capitol building sits along the riverbanks. You can't miss it, because the entire dome is covered in gold. Quite literally, it is gilded in 23 karat gold. An absolutely stunning building. If you're in town, or just zipping past on I-64, I-77 or I-79, stop for a picture at least! read more

West Virginia State Capitol - West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charleston, West Virginia

A beautiful State Capitol to visit This is not only easy to find, it is hard to miss. It is the State Capitol and dominated the skyline along the river. It is the building with the large dome in the middle of the state capitol complex located Kanawha Blvd E. There is street parking and a parking garage off of Greenbrier street. It is a short walk past the Veteran's memorial and the West Virginia State Museum. I would highly recommend paying your respects to the former and spending a good amount of time visiting the latter. We entered through the West entrance. You go through a security checkpoint and then can go to see both chambers or the various offices of the building. It is a beautiful building in the style of many state capitals. We were lucky to arrive when the crystal light for the central rotunda was at ground level and the chandeliers in both chambers were being replaced. Around the rotunda are several display cases showing sights for the various places in the state. There was an information booth on the north side of the rotunda. If you are new to the area, they can give you ideas of things to do and see for the state. The staff was very friendly and it is a wonderful working capitol building. read more

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If you are a WV resident, you can get married here for free. I did. It was so beautiful. The only catch is that you have to work around the local government's schedule. The state senate can't be having a meeting while you are having your vows in the rotunda. Also, I have traveled a bit, and as a history nerd, I have been to other state capitals. WV has one of the pretties! read more

I just walked right in and helped myself. I have never been to a capitol in which there was no one to greet visitors, show what is available for viewing, or at the very least, scan you for weapons. Of course the highlight is the gold dome. But also, on the outside, memorials to coal miners and war veterans of WV is also available. Pretty trees. read more

West Virginia State Capitol - Rotunda - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charleston, West Virginia

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The Capitol Building is accessible by public transportation. We took the bus there because it was so close (about 2 miles, but we didn't want to walk) to our hotel. The building is beautiful inside and outside and it is located inside the historic "West Virginia Capitol Complex", which is on the edge of the Kanawha River. The building, in all its majesty, is best seen from the freeway (I-64). While it can be seen nicely from the freeway, it is not so prominent (when approaching it) from non-freeway roads (from the Northwest) because of the other buildings in the Capitol Complex. Highway 60 (Kanawha Blvd) runs between the Capitol building and the River. There are limited parking spaces along this highway to stop and take pictures of the building. The Capitol building is made of beautiful "buff" marble, has a separate wing (which has multiple floors) for each legislative branch, and . The most outstanding part from the exterior is the large blue and gold dome. The background is blue with 24 karat (actually 23.5 karat) gold leaves interspersed throughout the dome. I'm sure it is just a coincidence, but I find it very interesting that the colors of the dome are the same colors of the West Virginia University Mountaineers. LOL. Anyway, the Capitol Complex contains 6 buildings: the Capitol building, the Governor's Mansion, The State Museum & Gift Shop, The Department of Agriculture, the Department of Education and the Division of Highways. The "Capitol Complex" is a totally pedestrian area and no motor vehicles are allowed. Also in the complex, is a War Memorial monument to honor West Virginians who died in 4 wars. Inside the Capitol building there was a wealth of information about the history of the state of West Virginia and the history of the capitol building. I found the self-guided tour very enjoyable. Though, there were tours offered by guides, we missed the last one on that day (Saturday). Surprisingly, there was security for the wedding reception, but seemingly no security for the Capitol building. Go Figure. Because there was a wedding reception in the large area right off the rotunda, we were able to wonder and look into areas of the building that ....I think....should have been inaccessible to the public. Anyway, the interior was a wonderful backdrop for the reception and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. This complex is definitely worth a tour during your visit to West Virginia (or Charleston). read more

Small, but attractive building that is worthwhile seeing. Tours are brief and must be scheduled a day in advance, so be mindful of that if you want to be escorted. Self guided tours are available as well and you can observe the House and Senate when they are in session. Helpful and courteous employees. read more

So beautiful as we drove thru Charleston mid-morning with the sun shining on the gold dome. Very regal. Every Capital should look like this.

We went to the cultural Center lower level to the West Virginia State Museum. Not in the Capital building but next door. Wonderful museum with so very much history and lots to see and learn. A must see if in the Charleston area. read more

A stunning golden dome towers over the other buildings in the area as you approach on the freeway. Beautiful indeed. I entered the grounds to see what monuments, museums and historical points of interest I could discover. What a wonerful gold mine of history for all. The people of West Virginia must be very proud of this capitol. I will cover the monuments and museum and governors mansion in other reviews. For now lets look at just the capitol. Lucky me, just happened to come in on Golden Horseshoe day. A special event honoring the top academics in the eighth grade. Youths and their parents had come from all over the state to participate. Wow1 sSo the State Senate room and the State Assmebly room was open for tours, However I get ahead of myself. The front of the building and the plaza are so beautiful. The steps leading into the capital are reagal in quality, and it has the same feeling as the Capitol Building in Washington DC. Incredible. The Main lobby and dome are elegant and spacious and really define the era when this building was created. The halls are adorned with past governors and important historical figures, from the West Virginia viewpoint. In the State assembly room the Clerk of the House was there to meet and greet everyone, and he was most charming and full of stories and more. Thank You Stephen J. Harrison. Now because there was a bid party going on tours were everwhere and big buffet lunch for all. Now I can't guaranttee that you will come upon such a wonderful event, however the building and its fixtures are a joy to see. Be sure to go out the other side of the building along the river and see the Lincoln Statue. On the grounds are memorials for women veterans, West Virginians lost in war, the Civil War, the Governors Mansion, Booker T Washington, and the Cultural Center Museum, and probably a few things I missed. Enjoy the facility, and be sure to stop whence you come to Charleston. read more

I have been to the Capitol many times but never thought about writing a review. My family had a wonderful visit over the weekend while we were in town for a visit. The grounds are well manicured and the huge mature oak trees provide plenty of shade to walk around and check out the sites. The squirrels are very tame and scurry about feasting on the acorns. The gold dome of the capitol attracts a lot of attention but the ornate details of the architecture on the inside and outside should not be missed. Check out the hand carved designs at the top of each of the stone columns. Do not miss the view of the Kanawha River from the front of the capitol and you can even cross the street to access some steps that will take you down one level to the Riverwalk Trail and then another level down to the water. While at the front check out the Abraham Lincoln statue. On the opposite side of the building is a beautiful large fountain and a Liberty Bell replica. The War Memorial is also not to be missed. The statues capture the look of the service members well and the reflecting pool gives you a chance to do just that, reflect on the sacrifice of our service members. Another statue is dedicated to the life of the WV coal miner. The capitol is a great place to visit and we will continue to return. The only downside to the capitol grounds, not just inside the buildings but anywhere on the grounds, and the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is that they are not gun carry friendly, even for concealed carry permit holders. read more