Charleston is the State Capital and largest city in West Virginia. The population of Charleston is a little over 57,000. The heyday for the city was during the late 40's when the city population was nearly 90,000. Today, Charleston is famous for Mountain Stage which is aired nationally on Public Radio. Charleston is also known in the eastern part of the United States for it's yearly SternWheel Regatta and Vandalia Festivals that attract over one million visitors to the city during the times of the Festivals. There actually is a tremendous amount of activities for a visitor to Charleston to enjoy. Due to it's central location, Charleston has easy access to the best skiing in the Eastern United States, some of the best White Water Rafting in the Untied States and plenty of surrounding features for the nature enthusiast. For those interested in history, there is the historic district of the East End of Charleston where there are historic housing and South Hills features many large historic Mansions. Historic buildings are also all over downtown Charleston. Downtown Capital Street features many Specialty Shops in a historic setting and is a good section of the downtown to visit after an event at the Charleston Civic Center or Charleston Town Center Mall, in easy walking distance of the two. Also, within walking distance from the Town Center Mall and Civic Center, is the Transit Park Mall which is an outdoor location where many of the cities residents relax and enjoy the day. It's in a historic setting with brick walkways, covers of trees and numerous shops. Great places to visit would be Sunrise Museum in South Hills, the Cultural Center at the Capital and of course, the many places in the city featuring live music. Charleston will soon have more to offer once the West Virginia Center of Arts and Sciences opens in the Eastern Part of the Downtown Charleston. This Center will be a world class facility with a Science and Art Museum, Planetarium and a Stage designed with perfection of acoustics in mind. The center will be the new home of the West Virginia Symphony. There are the Charleston Town Center Mall, Kanawha Mall, Southridge Shopping Center, Capitol Street Farmers Market and the many specialty shops downtown featuring some of the friendliest service around. Charleston offers plenty to the Sports Enthusiast as well. Charleston is home to the Alley Cats which play at Watt Powell Park in Kanawha City, a suburb of Charleston. The University of Charleston Teams also play at Watt Powell Park as well. Laidley Field also offers plentiful Sporting Events as well as the at Charleston Civic Center. Charleston, WV will soon be the home of numerous Soccer Tournaments as well with building of new Soccer Facilities within the city. There is plentiful Golfing in and around Charleston as well. Many of the hotels are quite large and feature restaurants, banks, and shops right in the hotel. Some of the most notable are the Charleston House Holiday Inn, The Marriott, and the new Embassy Suites. There is also an abundance of fine dining in Charleston and many hotels feature fine restaurants as well as numerous fine dining restaurants located in the Downtown area of Charleston. There is something for everyone in Charleston to see and enjoy. That is why it is often called the city of contrasts. The Charleston Civic Center brings in Auto Shows, televised events such as wrestling events, and concerts. There is also plentiful golfing available in and around Charleston. The Charleston Municipal Auditorium features shows by the West Virginia Symphony, Charleston Community Music Association and other local organizations.