Location: Wheeling
Top Things to do in Wheeling
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10 Things to Do in Wheeling That You Shouldn't Miss
Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia. Located almost entirely in Ohio County, of which it is the county seat, it lies along the Ohio River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Wheeling was originally a settlement in the British colony of Virginia and later an important city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Wheeling was the first state capital of West Virginia. Due to its location along major transportation routes, including the Ohio River, National Road, and the B&O Railroad, Wheeling became a manufacturing center in the late nineteenth century. After experiencing the closing of factories and substantial population loss following World War II, Wheeling's major industries now include healthcare, education, law and legal services, entertainment and tourism, and energy.
Restaurants in Wheeling
1. Suspension Bridge
2. Oglebay Institute Glass Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
The museum displays glass items and has a demonstration area for glass blowers, cutters, and decorators.
Reviewed By Ben_Theretoo406 - Chevy Chase, Maryland
Ben and Mrs Too stopped here last week, and spent an enjoyable morning BUT. We entered the glass museum through the front door, which actually opens into the gift shop, where some very beautiful glass objects are for sale. We were directed to the rear of the building where an elevator or staircase takes one down one flight to the museum proper. When we emerged, we were confronted by a large sign which is repeated as the title of this review. It develops that the glass furnace is temporarily on the disabled list. Furthermore, there appears to be some uncertainty as to just when the glass furnace doctor intends to come make it well.
Ben knows from his own disappointment and from the comments of many posted reviews that this detracts considerably from the value of the visit to many people. For the present, the attendant at the museum admission desk cannot budge on the price of admission, but he will offer tickets to the glass museum and the nearby mansion for ten dollars a head
We truly enjoyed viewing the unbelievably extensive display of glass art, all produced right in Wheeling, which was, as it turns out, quite the center of blown, or blown and cut, glass in the country at one time. Many of the pieces, and the vivid colors in which they are rendered are simply stunning.
Glass blower or none, this is a very interesting collection. Just be advised that if you really want to watch an artist produce a beautiful and useful piece right before your eyes, you might want to query the museum through the Q&A feature. Ben will try to keep up with the health of the glass furnace and will delete or, more likely, revise this review.
3. Oglebay Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 671 reviews
A 1,500-acre municipal park with a hotel, a petting zoo, swimming pools, a planetarium and museums.
Reviewed By Ruth H - Uniontown, Pennsylvania
I took a bus trip to the Festival of Lights just before Christmas. The gift shop seemed super expensive. The Lazer Light show was nice but I almost missed the whole thing because we were just dropped of at the gift shop and no one explained the light show was in the basement. There were some signs but no announcement. That was true about the Good Zoo too. It wasn't very big and some of it is closed off at night. The six miles of light was nice and I appreciate the work that went into all the different designs. The light show has grown since I saw it 30 years ago. I was told by the tour guide on the bus that the lines can get really long in the beginning of the season. It is free -the drive through the light display - but they would appreciate a donation..
4. Oglebay Park Good Zoo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By vacamom3 - Latrobe, Pennsylvania
We had a great time at this little zoo! We booked and animal encounter with the lemurs and we loved every second of it. Our guide, Sharon, was so kind and knowledgeable, and the lemurs were so entertaining. It was definitely worth the extra money! Now the laser show, on the other hand, was not worth it. It was very short and very basic, for lack of a better word. We would return to this zoo!
5. The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Housed in a restored Victorian school, The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum boasts an impressive collection of tens of thousands toys and trains.
Reviewed By somernaut - Erie, Pennsylvania
Fun way to share games the adults in the group played when they were younger with the teens in our group. Some nice opportunities to try out some of the exhibits. I like the wide variety of things on exhibit. It was a nice break on our trip home. I would recommend it to friends going through the Wheeling area.
6. Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 419 reviews
Reviewed By Saff522
I have been to Wheeling Island several times. I do enjoy playing the dogs and gambling at the casino. It's good entertainment for a day or two. I was disappointed in several areas. First the track area, they eliminated the lower level where you could make bets and see the dogs before the next race. This made it more congested on the second and third level. Plus the 3rd level is for smokers, pretty nasty up there if you don't smoke. The staff seems short handed at the windows. Looks like they're replacing with machines to do your betting. Second, the casino seemed short staffed too. If you had a problem or needed a question answered it was almost impossible to find someone. You had to go to the service area and stand inline. It also seemed like most of the casino was filled with smoke from smokers. They had a small area for gambling for non-smokers. You would think in this day and age it would be the other way around. The casino usually has good entertainment in the way of bands scheduled. They do a good job with that. This weekend was Tom Petty tribute. We didn't eat anything there so I can't review the food. We spent probably 6-7 hours gambling in the casino. We didn't have any luck. I didn't see anyone around me doing much winning either. This day the machines were very stingy. This place is good fun if you can stand the smoke and going home broke....haha.
7. West Virginia Independence Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By BBailey182 - Buffalo, New York
The road to statehood for West Virginia more or less began here, at a former customs house in downtown Wheeling.
When the Civil War was about to get started, those in the eastern part of Virginia were ready to leave the Union in order to keep slavery going in their part of the world. But some people in the western part of the state didn't particularly like that idea. Therefore, they called a meeting in his particular building (third floor). It authorized the counties to start the process to form a new state.
Based on the information passed along here, it sounds like the idea was more or less railroaded through by all concerned. Votes weren't taken in public, and that probably depressed the vote of the losing side. Once the idea was passed along to Washington, President Lincoln was rather anxious to figure out a way to get West Virginia into the union and weaken the South. There were all sorts of Constitutional issues involved, but they were overlooked under the circumstances. Thus, West Virginia became a new state.
The second floor has a Governor's office as well as a large collection of flags from the Civil War. The first floor has more displays to go with some post office boxes (one of many former uses of the building) and some souvenirs. A statue of Francis Pierpont, who is called "the father of West Virginia" because he led the initial "rebellion," is right outside. Next door has a mural of the June 20, 1861 meeting.
Admission is free, and the staff member there seemed quite happy to see us. Based on the guestbook, I'm not sure how much company she's had lately.
Wheeling is not exactly loaded with tourist attractions, as downtown has seen better days. I don't think a lot of people know the story about West Virginia's birth, and it's free. So this is worth a stop for history buffs.
8. Wheeling Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Abby G - Cincinnati, Ohio
The park looked nice enough and was pretty busy the day I visited. I give it an average rating because the parking seemed limited to non-existent. The parking I saw was pretty far away from where I wanted to be.
9. Wheeling Artisan Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Mountaineer2015 - West Virginia
Visited recently with my wife to do some Christmas shopping. It's very similar to the shopping offered at Tamarack in Beckley, WV but with a Wheeling spin. Lots of Wheeling-centric books, crafts, and art, but with other goodies from all over the state. Worth a stop if you're in the area.
10. WesBanco Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By Michael M - Painesville, Ohio
My son and I drove down from Pittsburgh where he had a hockey tournament. The staff here is very friendly! The will call line was zig zagged and confusing. There was only 1 will call lane open and 4 others with no customers to purchase tickets. Aside from that, this is a great throw back arena. It's not a large venue and you feel like you are part of the action the entire game. My son and I enjoyed the game; it was our first ECHL game we had ever attended. Concession prices are relatively cheap compared to most arenas we have traveled to. Parking around the arena is also cheap ($5). We would definitely attend another game here if we are in town.
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