If you are visiting Charleston, West Virginia, the Clay Center is a premier destination that brings together performing arts, visual arts, and interactive sciences all under one roof. Opened in 2003 and named after philanthropists Buckner and Lyell Clay, this impressive 240,000-square-foot facility offers something engaging for travelers of all ages. When you visit, you can explore two full floors of interactive science exhibits inside the Avampato Discovery Museum.
Dive into hands-on themes covering creativity and engineering, sound, light, color, energy, magnetism, earth science, and health and wellness, alongside a dedicated play space for children aged five and under. While at the museum, you can catch planetarium shows and large-format films on the giant domed screen at the Caperton Planetarium and Theater. Art lovers will appreciate the Juliet Art Museum, which showcases work from its permanent collection alongside changing traveling exhibitions from artists nationwide, providing a fresh experience every few months.
You can also participate in educational workshops and gallery tours. Finally, the center hosts incredible live events across two venues: the 1,883-seat Maier Foundation Performance Hall, known for exceptional acoustics and sight lines, and the intimate 150 to 200-seat Walker Theater black-box space.
What to see at Clay Center
- Two floors of interactive science exhibits at the Avampato Discovery Museum
- Giant domed screen shows at the Caperton Planetarium and Theater
- Rotating exhibits and gallery tours at the Juliet Art Museum
- Live shows in the 1,883-seat Maier Foundation Performance Hall
- Intimate events at the versatile Walker Theater black-box venue
Visiting tips
Keep in mind that admission to the Caperton Planetarium and Theater requires an extra fee beyond the regular museum ticket.
How long: 2-4 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Clay Center is easy to reach on Charleston’s public transport, and pairs naturally with West Virginia State Museum and African Zion Baptist Church. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Charleston travel guide.
See the full Charleston travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.