Daltono Seperator.png

Putting AI to the test 🤖🤔

First off, I want to say that the idea for this post was inspired by @ericvancewalton's post titled "Meet My New (AI) Travel Agent". In that blog, Eric asked ChatGPT to ^{Build me a seven-day itinerary for Ireland in September.} The results were pretty astonishing for someone like me who couldn't even fathom planning a trip to Ireland.

That post of his got me thinking about where I live here in Charleston, West Virginia. I have lived here my entire life and it is a place that I know very well after 30 years here. I thought it would be a great idea to see just how good AI is at creating a useful itinerary. I would notice any incorrect information right away and I know all of the best places in town that it should be telling potential visitors about.

Daltono Seperator.png

I gave ChatGPT the following prompt:

Build me a seven-day itinerary for visiting Charleston, WV

The AI results were as follows:

^{* The red text will be my personal input on what the AI recommended for that day.}

Here's a seven-day itinerary for visiting Charleston, WV:

Day 1:

• Arrive in Charleston and check into your hotel.
• Take a stroll around the Capitol Market, a local indoor market featuring fresh produce, baked goods, and artisanal products.
• Visit the West Virginia State Museum, located on the Capitol Complex, to learn about the state's history and culture.
• Enjoy dinner at Bluegrass Kitchen, a farm-to-table restaurant that offers Southern-inspired cuisine.

I'm surprised that it didn't recommend a specific hotel. The Capitol Market is a very cool place and there is usually stuff going on there on the weekends or during the summer. The WV State Museum is a very boring place to me, but for somebody new to the area it would be a good way to learn some of the history of this place. Bluegrass Kitchen is no longer open and hasn't been for a few years now. Although at one time it was one of my favorite restaurants in town.

Day 2:

• Take a morning hike at Kanawha State Forest, a 9,300-acre park located just outside of Charleston.
• Stop by the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences to explore its art galleries, planetarium, and interactive science exhibits.
• Visit the East End district, which features eclectic boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants.
• Have dinner at Tricky Fish, a seafood restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere.

Kanawha State Forest is one of the better places to hike here in Charleston. There are many places superior within an hour from here though. The Clay Center is one of the main attractions in terms of entertaining kids or seeing live music. The East End really isn't that special to me. I think most of the shops over there are kind of dirty, but maybe some people would still enjoy it. Tricky Fish is at least still open and their food is not bad. They have a nice outdoor dining area.

Day 3:

• Start the day with a visit to the Sunrise Carriage Trail, a 1.5-mile hiking trail that offers beautiful views of the city.
• Check out the State Capitol Building, a stunning example of neoclassical architecture.
• Visit the Cultural Center, a museum and performing arts center that showcases the state's diverse heritage.
• Enjoy dinner at Pies & Pints, a popular pizza restaurant with a wide selection of craft beers.

Sunrise Carriage Trail is a very simple and totally uphill walk. It won't be for everyone, but it does have a great view of the city at the top. There isn't much to do at the State Capitol building besides taking some pictures of the golden dome. The Cultural Center reminds me a lot of the WV State Museum. They both are pretty lame for somebody like me who has lived here forever. Pies & Pints is certainly one of the best pizza places in town. It is located in the most central part of Charleston and they have great food and drinks.

Day 4:

• Take a drive out to the New River Gorge, a scenic area known for its rugged terrain and outdoor activities.
• Go whitewater rafting, zip-lining, or hiking in the gorge.
• Return to Charleston in the evening and have dinner at Soho's Italian Restaurant, a cozy spot known for its homemade pasta and sauces.

New River Gorge is a must-visit location if you are in the area. This is where all of the best outdoor activities are. Hikes and some of the best whitewater rafting in the world. Soho's is an over-priced fine dining spot located in the Capitol Market. If you are on a budget you won't want to go there. However, if you have plenty of spending money the food and atmosphere are very good.

Day 5:

• Visit the Charleston Town Center Mall, a three-story shopping complex with over 130 stores.
• Take a tour of the West Virginia State Capitol, a National Historic Landmark that offers stunning views of the city.
• Visit the Avampato Discovery Museum, a hands-on children's museum located in the Clay Center.
• Have dinner at Bricks & Barrels, a gastropub with a relaxed vibe and a diverse menu.

This one made me laugh a bit. The Charleston Town Center Mall has been dying for many years. It is now to the point that the place doesn't even have two dozen stores and it feels like a ghost town when you are walking around. I wouldn't recommend anybody go visit there honestly, so this is the worst recommendation from AI so far. I've honestly never heard it called the Avampato Discovery Museum, but this one was basically already recommended when AI said to go visit the Clay Center. Bricks & Barrels is indeed a great restaurant. My brother used to work there and that is actually where he met his fiancé.

Day 6:

• Take a day trip to the historic town of Lewisburg, located about 90 minutes south of Charleston.
• Explore the shops, galleries, and restaurants in downtown Lewisburg.
• Visit the Greenbrier Resort, a luxurious hotel that has hosted presidents and celebrities.
• Return to Charleston in the evening and have dinner at The Block, a hip eatery that features small plates and creative cocktails.

Lewisburg is one of the most unique small towns in the USA. I went there and explored a bunch last year and I loved it. It's less than two hours from Charleston and well worth the drive. The Greenbrier is a very historic place and usually, people who stay there are just blowing tons of money on luxury things. I've personally never been, but I know a lot of rich people who love it. The Block is a restaurant that closed down during Covid, so AI needs to update their info. It has since been turned into a new restaurant called DT Prime. I have not been there because meals are close to $50/per person and I think that is ridiculous.

Day 7:

• Visit the West Virginia State Wildlife Center, a 338-acre wildlife sanctuary that is home to native species such as black bears, bobcats, and elk.
• Take a scenic drive through the countryside to see the fall foliage (if visiting in the autumn).
• Have a farewell dinner at Leonoro's Italian Restaurant, a family-owned restaurant that offers traditional Italian dishes and homemade desserts.

I've actually never been to the WV State Wildlife Center. It's located in a place called French Creek which is slightly less than two hours from Charleston. There is wildlife all over this state, so I'm not sure if driving there is worth it or not. Driving on our country roads is an absolute must. If you have a car that you love to drive, this is one of the best places to do it. Leonoro's is a very popular Italian spot and I think it is a solid final recommendation from AI.

Enjoy your trip to Charleston, WV!

Daltono Seperator.png

Would I let AI plan my next trip❓🗺️

It actually did a pretty good job of coming up with some good ideas. There are a few things that I think it failed to mention though. There is the brand new Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, which is where they have all sorts of huge events. Then there is Brewers Row along Summers St. in downtown Charleston, which now has three different craft beer breweries. The only major sporting teams we have in town are the Charleston Dirty Birds minor league baseball team. We also now have the WV Grind semi-pro basketball team. There are a few colleges around such as WV State, University of Charleston, and Marshall, which all have teams you can go watch.

So although AI is already very helpful with planning trips, I don't think it's perfected yet. It would be a great tool to get some ideas, but ultimately it will still be up to you to find the best things the place you are visiting has to offer.

Do you have a trip coming up? If so, why don't you see what https://chat.openai.com/ has to offer you in terms of potential activities while you are visiting? You never know, you might learn something really cool.