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B M & T ••• March/April 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 58 WEST VIRGINIA AREA GUIDES WHERE GREAT MEETINGS AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES MAGICALLY COMBINE BY SONYA STINSON The landscape of West Virginia, nick- named the Mountain State, is one of its most appealing visitor attractions. A gath- ering here might be ideal for a group looking for a scenic natural setting where they can view part of the statewide water- fall trail, hike or ski in the Appalachian range or go whitewater rafting on the New RIver Gorge. A portion of the Appalachian Trail passes through West Virginia's most famous historic site: Harpers Ferry, where abolitionist John Brown conducted his 1859 raid. At Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, visitors can take shuttle bus tours to see Brown's fort and other preserved structures from the town. CHARLESTON Meeting planners looking for a desti- nation that can attract lots of drive-in attendees will appreciate the fact that 60 percent of the U.S. population can reach West Virginia's capital within a one-day road trip. Charleston is also readily acces- sible by air, with direct flights to and from several major hubs. A wide variety of meeting and event venues can accommodate anything from small groups to conventioneers number- ing more than 2,500. The Charleston Convention Center, surrounded by more than 1,400 guest rooms within walking distance, contains more than 100,000 square feet of divisible meeting space, 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 25,000-square-foot ballroom, a 770-seat theater and an 8,000-square-foot recep- tion area overlooking the Elk River. The 352-room Charleston Marriott Town Center, the city's largest hotel, offers more than 17,000 square feet of meeting space and is conveniently located near the West Virginia State Capitol Complex, the site of some of Charleston's most notable landmarks. Visitors can take a guided tour of the capitol building, which was designed by the architect of the U.S. Supreme Court Building. With its gilded 292-foot-tall dome, the building is the tallest in the state. The West Virginia State Museum is also located in the complex. Just outside the city limits is West Virginia State University, a historically Black institution founded in 1890. Within the city, the Heritage Towers Museum & Cultural Center, whose creation was inspired by a traveling exhibit of the sal- vaged wreckage of the slave ship Henrietta Marie, showcases the history of Black people in West Virginia. The muse- um conducts bus tours of other local Black heritage sites. They include several located in the Charleston historic district known as "the Block," such as the Harden–Gilmore Home on Leon Sullivan Way, Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church, Garnet High School and the Sam Starks Home. HUNTINGTON Huntington, West Virginia's second largest city, boasts a lively, walkable down- town area that's just 15 minutes from the airport. Among a variety of accommoda- tions to suit small- to mid-sized meetings and events, the 86,000-square-foot Marshall Health Network Arena is the largest venue, featuring a newly renovated convention center with more than 15,000 square feet of meeting space. A number of downtown hotels also have significant event space. For smaller corporate events, the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center offers rentable space. Some of Huntington's most notable visitor attractions are those that pre- serve local history. The Ramsdell House, built by a New England abolitionist recruited to establish an anti-slavery colony on the Ohio River, was a last stop on the Underground Railroad before the crossover to freedom. The Museum of Radio & Technology, where admission is free, contains 10,000 square feet of exhibits ranging from a '50s-era radio and TV showroom to a collection of vintage radios. The muse- um also houses West Virginia's Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The Heritage Farm Museum & Village is the recre- ation of a 19th century Appalachian vil- lage, where visitors can observe artisans at work, explore a nature center and petting zoo and take part in several out- door adventures. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? West Virginia Department of Tourism (800) Call-WVA https://wvtourism.com/ West Virginia State Capitol Building in Charleston photo credit: West Virgina Depy. of Tourism