The capital-adjacent city of St. Albans is rife with history, culture, and good food.
EAt
The River’s Edge Cafe—or just “The Cafe,” to locals—is a favorite among St. Albans residents. Wash down your sweet confections from Lil’ Bit of Heaven Cupcakes with a steaming cup of joe from Coal River Coffee. Enjoy a pint and some live music at The Tap, Olde Main’s newest eatery, or stop by Shuckers on Saturdays to linger over brunch or belt out some tunes at open mic night. Crafts of the Coal ice cream shop is the perfect treat for a hot day exploring the city.
Explore
St. Albans takes its history seriously, with 13 buildings and districts on the National Register and dozens of historic homes to tour. The St. Albans Historical Society holds events throughout the year, including an open house the first Saturday of each month with hundreds of photos and displays. Rosie the Riveter Park celebrates the Rosies of West Virginia and their legacy to the nation. Visit Morgan’s Kitchen Museum, built in 1846 and used to feed and treat wounded Union soldiers during the nearby Battle of Scary Creek.
Annual Fun
St. Albans is a hub for river fun during the warmer months. Check out Yak Fest hosted on Olde Main Street, the kick-off festival for the annual Tour de Coal that welcomes kayakers from all over the region with food, music, and time on the water. And what is a small West Virginia town without its Founder’s Day celebration? The yearly Carnival takes over Roadside Park each summer with nostalgic rides and games. And in the fall, make your way to MacCorkle Avenue for the annual Morgan’s Kitchen Fall Festival, where craft vendors display their goods and apple butter is made.
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S SUMMER 2022 ISSUE
Such a great town for growing up!
It’s wonderful to see the town come back to life to a quaint little town to be proud of!