Discover Ohio: Wheeling, Culture and the River
Accommodation in Ohio
Wheeling offers travelers interested in culture and nature a variety of ways to explore: historic sites, changing art exhibitions and waterfront recreation sit alongside walking and cycling routes. The city was designated a National Heritage Area in 1996. Wheeling Heritage Trails and historic markers help visitors get to know Wheeling and its past.
Discover History at Sites and Along Trails
The first West Virginia constitutional convention was held at West Virginia Independence Hall. The Capitol Theatre also tells a story of the city’s history: it opened on November 29, 1928. Those interested in historic sites will find another notable landmark at Mt. Wood Cemetery. It is the oldest surviving cemetery in Wheeling, lies within the city limits and was the first cemetery in the city to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From there, you can take in views of both the Wheeling Creek Valley and the Ohio River Valley.
For a different view of Wheeling, the Public Art Trail leads to public art in downtown. It is designed as a walking tour, giving it a distinct focus alongside the Wheeling Heritage Trails. The latter include more than 18 miles of paved paths for walking and cycling and run along the eastern bank of the Ohio River. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Art and Learning in Wheeling
The Stifel Fine Arts Center presents changing exhibitions featuring works by local, regional and national artists. The center also hosts dozens of arts and entertainment events each year. If you’d like to include a visit in your travel plans, check the event schedule.
Museums also offer a variety of experiences: the Oglebay Mansion Museum is West Virginia’s first accredited museum. Interactive exhibits at the Schrader Environmental Education Center focus on native wildlife and West Virginia’s habitats. The Oglebay Good Zoo is the only zoo in West Virginia accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is home to more than 68 animal species, including rare and endangered animals; the number of species may change. Visitors can also experience the animals up close.
The Ohio River and Outdoor Recreation
Heritage Port is a waterfront park that reconnects Wheeling with the Ohio River. The Lewis and Clark Expedition made its first multi-day stop at Wheeling Wharf. Today, the wharf offers historical and interpretive exhibits, as well as a lookout point and a photo spot. Both places give the river a different role: Heritage Port is described as a park, while Wheeling Wharf combines historical interpretation with views.
A distinctive link between road and history can be found along the section of the Historic National Road in West Virginia: it crosses the Wheeling Suspension Bridge and continues onto Wheeling Island. The bridge is 1,307 feet long. You can reach the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum in Wheeling by car, bus or RV.
The 406-acre Wheeling Park offers recreation year-round. Its facilities include the interactive Spray & Splash Pad, with water play features and jets; it operates seasonally. Check operating conditions in advance. The historic Bloch Memorial Golf Course is a 9-hole, par-34 executive golf course. Play is weather-dependent. No fishing license is required to fish at Schenk Lake; check current visitor information before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Triadelphia, Bethlehem, Wheeling.
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