Huntington
Around Huntington
Photo: Wv funnyman · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · West Virginia · 366k people
Huntington
Locals say Tri-State · “The River City”, “The Tri-State”
Huntington · Ashland
Where the hills meet the Ohio
Marshall Green
Welcome to the Tri-State, where the Ohio River ties three states together and Marshall pride runs deep. Whether you're here for the hills, the hollers, or the pepperoni rolls, you'll find a friendly wave and a good story.
Clubs for Huntington
No clubs for Huntington yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Huntington. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Huntington. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Marshall University Home of the Thundering Herd
- Joan C. Edwards Stadium Marshall football game days
- Ritter Park Historic park with rose garden and walking trails
- Heritage Farm Museum & Village Living history of Appalachian life
- Huntington Museum of Art Regional art and glass collection
- Harris Riverfront Park Riverfront space with concerts and views
- Outdoors Hike at Beech Fork State Park
- Outdoors Kayak or paddleboard on the Ohio River
- With kids Heritage Farm Museum & Village
- With kids Camden Park amusement park
- Evenings Bars near Marshall's campus
- Evenings Live music at The V Club
- Locals love Riverfront walking trails
- Locals love Family-owned diners
Through the year
- Marshall Thundering Herd football games Fall Fall Saturdays at Joan C. Edwards Stadium
- Tri-State Fair and Regatta September Riverfront carnival and boat races
- Ashland Summer Motion July Multi-day music festival on the river
- Portsmouth River Days September Community celebration with parade and fireworks
- Ritter Park Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts in the park
Humid continental with four distinct seasons. Spring and fall are best for being outside. Summers are hot and humid, winters cold with occasional snow. Best: Spring and fall are the sweet spots—mild and colorful.
Talk like a local
- “holler”
- a small valley
- “the Herd”
- Marshall's sports teams
- “Tri-State”
- the region spanning WV, KY, OH
- “crick”
- a creek
Getaways
- Portsmouth Floodwall murals and riverfront
- Charleston State capital with Capitol Market
- Athens College town with vibrant uptown
- Pikeville Mountain scenery and Breaks Interstate Park
Local flavour
Teams
- Marshall Thundering Herd NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Pepperoni rolls A West Virginia staple, invented in the state's coal camps.
- West Virginia hot dogs Topped with chili, slaw, and mustard – a local twist.
- Tudor's Biscuit World A regional chain known for oversized biscuits and gravy.
Where people go
- Ohio River waterfronts Parks and riverfront areas in Huntington, Ashland, and Portsmouth.
- Hollers and hillsides The Appalachian hollows and ridges that define the terrain.
- Beech Fork State Park Lake and hiking trails
Heritage and traditions
The Tri-State is proud of its Appalachian and Ohio River heritage, a mix of coal-mining grit, river-town history, and fierce Marshall University loyalty. Locals cherish the hills, the hollers, and the simple traditions of food, faith, and community that have endured for generations.
This time of year in Huntington
- Apple butter making Fall Autumn community gatherings to stir apple butter.
- Marshall football tailgating Fall Game days in fall bring cookouts and camaraderie.
Say it like a local: “Holler” — A hollow or small valley, often with a creek.
Festivals
- West Virginia Hot Dog Festival August Celebrates the state's iconic hot dog with eating contests, vendors, and live music.
- Poage Landing Days September Ashland's heritage festival with reenactments, crafts, and music, named after the city's founding family.
- Greek Festival June Hosted by St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Huntington, featuring Greek food, dancing, and culture.
- Marshall University International Festival Spring A campus event with global food, performances, and displays from international student groups.
- Lawrence County Fair July A traditional county fair in Ironton with livestock shows, rides, and fair food.
- Scioto County Fair July/August Portsmouth's county fair with agricultural exhibits, demolition derby, and carnival rides.
Landmarks with a story
- Keith-Albee Theatre A restored 1920s movie palace in Huntington, now a performing arts venue.
- Boneyfiddle Historic District Portsmouth's 19th-century riverfront neighborhood with brick streets and old commercial buildings.
- Lawrence County Courthouse An 1850s Greek Revival courthouse in Ironton, still in use.
- St. George Greek Orthodox Church A historic Greek Orthodox church in Huntington, center of the local Greek community.
- St. Joseph Catholic Church A historic Catholic church in Ironton, known for its stained glass and architecture.
- Cabell County Courthouse A grand 1901 courthouse in Huntington with a distinctive clock tower.
Food traditions
- Ramps and morels In spring, locals forage for wild leeks (ramps) and morel mushrooms, often frying them with eggs or potatoes.
- Soup beans and cornbread A hearty Appalachian staple—pinto beans slow-cooked with ham hock, served with skillet cornbread.
- Lenten fish fries Many churches and fire stations host Friday fish fries during Lent, serving fried cod or catfish with coleslaw.
- Apple butter making In autumn, communities gather to stir apple butter in copper kettles over open fires, a social and culinary tradition.
- Buckeyes Peanut butter and chocolate candies shaped like the buckeye nut, popular at gatherings and holidays, reflecting Ohio influence.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and old-time music Rooted in Appalachian tradition, with jam sessions and festivals celebrating banjos, fiddles, and harmonies.
- Gospel music Strong church-based gospel choirs and quartets, especially in African American and rural communities.
- Appalachian folk art Quilting, woodcarving, and basket weaving are preserved in local craft fairs and museums.
- Historic theaters The Keith-Albee and Paramount Arts Center host a variety of performances, keeping vaudeville and cinema history alive.
A little history
- 1837 Marshall University founded
- 1871 City of Huntington founded by railroad magnate Collis P. Huntington
- 1854 Ashland founded by the Poage family
- 1800s Steamboat era on the Ohio River brings trade and growth to Portsmouth and Ironton
- 1861-1865 Civil War border state tensions and occasional raids
Rivalries
- Marshall vs WVU Friendly in-state football rivalry
- Marshall vs Ohio University Regional college matchup
- Ashland vs Ironton high school football Local gridiron bragging rights
- Game day Marshall Thundering Herd football tailgates
- Game day High school football rivalries
- Outdoors Hunting for morel mushrooms
- Outdoors Fishing from the Ohio River bank
- With kids Visiting the Portsmouth floodwall murals
- With kids Attending the West Virginia Hot Dog Festival
The accent blends Appalachian and Midland features: a bit of Southern drawl, 'y'all' or 'you'uns' for plural, and a tendency to drop 'g' in words like 'huntin'. The 'a' in 'wash' often becomes 'warsh', and 'creek' is often 'crick'.
Only here
- Portsmouth's floodwall murals depict 200 years of local history—the largest outdoor mural project in the state.
- Marshall University's memorial to the 1970 plane crash that claimed the football team is a somber but proud landmark.
- Camden Park, an old amusement park in Huntington, has operated since 1903 and still has a wooden roller coaster.
- The West Virginia Hot Dog Festival is the only festival dedicated to the state's signature food.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the three-state identity: you'll often cross state lines without noticing, and locals are proud of the Tri-State label.
- Get ready for humid summers and chilly winters; spring and fall are gorgeous but unpredictable.
- Try a pepperoni roll from a local bakery and a slaw dog at a ballgame—both are musts.
- Learn to love Marshall University football; game days bring the whole region together.
- Drive carefully on winding country roads, especially after rain or snow.
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Part of Huntington area
Nearby
Every areaPortsmouthOhioWhere the river paints the townGallipolisOhioWhere the river bends and the hills roll.PaintsvilleKentuckyHome of coal camps and country musicMoreheadKentuckyWhere the hills hold you close.Point PleasantWest VirginiaRiver town warmth with a legendary twist.JacksonOhioRugged hills, warm heartsCharlestonWest VirginiaFriendly faces and rolling hillsChillicotheOhioWhere the Scioto flows through history
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.