Plan a weekend visit to Charleston, West Virginia three ways: On a budget, spending a bit more, or when the getaway calls for a splurge.
BUDGET:
Getting there: It's a three-hour road trip from Columbus, Ohio (163 miles northwest) to Charleston, but huge savings on airfare starting from $59 each way during AirTran (nonstop) sale periods.
Stay: Sleep Inn offers stylish and contemporary guest rooms with coffee makers, work desks and large walk-in showers. Complimentary amenities include continental breakfast, coffee and newspaper. Rates from $74 with advance purchase. Larger efficiency suites with separate living area and kitchen are priced slightly higher; 2772 Pennsylvania Ave., 304-345-5111, www.choicehotels.com.
Eat: Nautical-themed Wheelhouse is the go-to spot while browsing the Bridge Road shops and boutiques (just over the South Side Bridge from downtown). Go for the fresh-to-order sandwiches, salads and house-made soups. Save room for ice cream. Choices priced from $1.79-$7.25; 908 Walnut Road, 304-720-2477.
Experience: During a self-guided walking tour of the eclectic East End, stop in to the Cultural Center and State Museum. The newly renovated museum features displays of the state's history, culture, art, paleontology, archaeology and geology and artifacts such as George Washington's telescope and Daniel Boone's rifle. Free admission; 1900 Kanawha Blvd., 304-558-0220. From Nov. 18-20, view exhibits, crafts and arts fashioned in the Appalachia tradition by more than 160 regional artisans; $5 entrance; www.charlestonwvciviccenter.com.
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MODERATE:
Getting there: Two-week advance purchase rates start from $492 to Roanoke, Va., just under 100 miles southeast of Charleston. Valid on Delta, nonstop.
Stay: The Queen Anne-style 28 Bradford Street Bed & Breakfast was built in 1889 and is located in the historic East End and near the Kanewha River, downtown attractions and dining. Stay in the spacious Teddy Roosevelt Suite (so-called because it's believed Teddy spent a night in the room), a circular tower room with a sitting room, fireplace, private bathroom and a small balcony. From $125, including a full breakfast; 304-344-0228, www.28bradfordstreet.com.
Eat: Lola's isn't your typical pizza joint, but a great date night spot for five-star specialty and seasonal pizzas (or build your own), salads, beer and Sangria. Pies are $13 small; $17 large (pricier for DIY-style). Look for the little white house at 1038 Bridge Road, 304-343-5652.
Experience: There's enjoyment for all ages at the Avampato Discovery Museum at Clay Center, featuring a variety of arts and sciences under one roof. Crawl though an indoor tree house, discover hands-on earth and science activities, catch giant-screen films and planetarium shows at the ElectricSky Theater or enjoy the art collection of nearly 800 objects from the 19th through 21st century American art. Admission to the museum galleries, planetarium and films is $14.50 adults; $12 children; 300 Leon Sullivan Way, 304-561-3570, www.theclaycenter.org.
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SPLURGE:
Getting there: Two-week advance purchase rates start from $690 to Charleston; nonstop on Delta.
Stay: Embassy Suites Charleston, located in the heart of downtown (and ranked in the top 10 percent of all Embassy Suites hotels), offers spacious two-room suites from $144 per night (from $164 for a King Corner suite). Hotel amenities include a welcome beverage, evening reception and cooked-to-order breakfast; 300 Court St., 304-347-8700, www.embassysuites.hilton.com.
Eat: Laury's is an elegant dining establishment located in the old C&O Railroad Depot, a National Register of Historic Places. Find classic and contemporary American cuisine touched with a French flair. Appetizers $11-$14; entrees $19-$40; 350 MacCorkle Ave., 304-343-0055, www.laurysrestaurant.com.
Experience: Sights along the 180-plus mile Midland Trail (www.midlandtrail.com, Scenic Highway 60) are magnificent year-round. This state border-to-border road winds through 41 towns and to the New River Gorge National Park (MM 111). The New River is one of the oldest in the world and offers spectacular vistas, rock climbing, biking and hiking. Head further east into beautiful Greenbriar Valley (MM 172) and stop at The Greenbriar Resort for a 90-minute tour of its Cold War Bunker -- once a top secret U.S. government relocation facility for Congress. Go behind scenes of this declassified shelter carved deep into a mountainside. Tour participants must be age 10 or older; $30 adults; $15 children age 10-18. Several resort restaurants are open to day visitors; 300 W. Main St., White Sulphur Springs, 304-536-1110, www.greenbrier.com.
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Clara Bosonetto is a retired travel consultant.
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