by Thomas West

Created on: August 07, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Hugging the banks of the Ohio River, the city of Wheeling is one of the jewels in the crown of West Virginia. As the scene of notable historical events, Wheeling offers an enormous amount of historically significant places to visit, as well as shopping, dining, museums, and much more. Located right on I-70, Wheeling is an ideal place to visit for a day, a couple of days, or even a couple of weeks. Trust me, there are lots of things to do.

In terms of history, Wheeling can't be beat. Located in the heart of downtown, Independence Hall was the focal point of the movement to declare West Virginia its own state. Currently, it is home to a museum, where an audio tour and informational video is also available. If you're interested in Victorian history, then be sure to visit the Eckhart House, which still features many of the elegant furnishings it originally possessed in the 1800s. It is open for guided tours and tea May through December. The gift shop is open year-round.

For a unique shopping experience, be sure to visit the Wheeling Centre Market, which was once the home of Wheeling's Market House. Here you will find a number of unique dining and shopping experiences, including the famous Coleman's Fish. You will also find the used bookstore Paradox Books (featuring used and rare books,) Centre Cup Coffee (featuring a number of unique blends,) the Lebanese Bakery, and numerous antique and gift shops. Be sure to devote an entire day just to the market, as it can be very easy to lose track of time.

Wheeling is also home to a number of museums and special attractions. Located just outside of the city limits, Oglebay Resort and Conference Center is home to several museums, beautiful gardens, and the only zoo in West Virginia. The Mansion Museum, housed in the original Oglebay house, features a number of different exhibits, including pioneer artifacts and items from the Victorian Age of Wheeling. Just next door is the Glass Museum, home to an extensive collections of glass works produced in Wheeling. The museum is home to largest piece of cut glass ever made, the famous Sweeney Punch Bowl. The museum also houses the Northwood Gallery, which displays the finest pieces of china made in local factories (Wheeling was once home to three different china makers.)

The park also houses a magnificent series of gardens, which often feature prize-winning exhibits of flowers and vegetables. Other features include a garden center (where you can purchase items for the gardener in the

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>