Wheeling
Around Wheeling
Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · West Virginia · 135k people
Wheeling
Locals say The Ohio Valley · “The Friendly City”, “Nail City”
Where the river bends and the hills hold stories.
WVU GoldWVU BlueNailers Red
Welcome to the Ohio Valley! Whether you're here for the riverfront views or the friendly local spots, you'll find a warm community that loves its history and outdoor life. Come say hi and share what you love about this place.
Clubs for Wheeling
No clubs for Wheeling yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Wheeling. 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
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Wheeling. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Wheeling Suspension Bridge Historic bridge spanning the Ohio River, once the longest in the world.
- Oglebay Park Large public park with golf, gardens, and a zoo.
- Wheeling Park City park with a pool, carousel, and picnic areas.
- West Virginia Independence Hall Where West Virginia became a state; now a historic museum.
- The Capitol Theatre Historic performing arts theater in downtown Wheeling.
- Heritage Port Riverfront park and amphitheater along the Ohio River.
- Outdoors Hike the Wheeling Heritage Trail
- Outdoors Golf at Oglebay Park
- With kids Visit the Oglebay Good Zoo
- With kids Ride the carousel at Wheeling Park
- Evenings Catch a show at The Capitol Theatre
- Evenings Bar hop in Centre Market
- Locals love Riverfront trails
- Locals love Hilltop overlooks
Through the year
- Barnesville Pumpkin Festival September Huge pumpkin-themed festival with contests and parade.
- Oglebayfest September Fall festival at Oglebay Park with crafts, music, and food.
- Winter Festival of Lights November-December Drive-through holiday light display at Oglebay Park.
- Ohio County Fair July Traditional county fair with livestock, rides, and games.
- Wheeling Heritage Port Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts on the Ohio River waterfront.
The Ohio Valley has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, springs are mild and wet, summers are hot and humid, and falls are crisp and colorful. The best time to be out is late spring or early fall. Best: Late spring and early fall offer the most pleasant temperatures and clear skies.
Getaways
- Pittsburgh, PA Big-city museums, sports, and nightlife.
- Morgantown, WV Home of WVU, lively college town with outdoor activities.
- Weirton, WV Steel town heritage and nearby state parks.
- New Philadelphia, OH Amish country and historic canal towns.
Local flavour
Teams
- Wheeling Nailers ECHL
Also rooting for West Virginia Mountaineers (NCAA), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Pepperoni rolls A West Virginia staple, often eaten on the go
- West Virginia-style hot dogs Topped with chili, mustard, and coleslaw
- Ramps Wild leeks foraged in the Appalachian hills
- Buckwheat cakes A hearty Appalachian breakfast tradition
Where people go
- Ohio River waterfront The river defines the region's geography and history
- Historic suspension bridges The Wheeling Suspension Bridge is a landmark
- Victorian-era downtown districts Wheeling's old town has preserved architecture
- Hillside neighborhoods with steep staircases A unique feature of the river town's topography
Heritage and traditions
The Ohio Valley takes pride in its rugged Appalachian heritage, industrial might, and the resilience of its riverfront communities, from the glassworks and steel mills to the Italian and Eastern European traditions that shaped its neighborhoods.
This time of year in Wheeling
- Moundsville Prison Ghost Tours October Spooky evening tours of the old prison, especially popular in October.
- Moundsville Prison Ghost Tours October Spooky tours of the historic West Virginia Penitentiary, especially popular around Halloween.
Say it like a local: “pop” — Soda (soft drink).
Festivals
- Wheeling Italian Festival (Festa Italiana) June Celebrates the city's Italian roots with food, music, and religious processions.
- Jamboree in the Hills July A major country music festival held in nearby Belmont County, drawing thousands of fans.
- Bellaire Tomato Festival August A small-town celebration of the tomato harvest with contests, parades, and local foods.
- Moundsville Prison Ghost Tours October Spooky tours of the historic West Virginia Penitentiary, especially popular around Halloween.
Landmarks with a story
- West Virginia Penitentiary A Gothic-style prison that operated from 1876 to 1995, now a museum and popular tour destination.
- Scottish Rite Cathedral A grand Masonic temple in Wheeling, used for events and ceremonies, known for its architecture.
- St. Joseph's Cathedral The seat of the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, with beautiful stained glass and a historic organ.
- Wheeling Island Historic District A residential island in the Ohio River with many Victorian-era homes and a unique neighborhood feel.
- The National Road The first federal highway, which passed through Wheeling and is lined with historic inns and markers.
Food traditions
- Italian sausage and pasta dinners From the large Italian immigrant community, Sunday dinners and festivals feature homemade sausage, gnocchi, and 'gravy' (tomato sauce).
- Pierogies Eastern European influence, especially Polish and Slovak, with pierogi-making traditions passed down through families.
- Lenten fish fries Many churches and fire halls host Friday fish fries during Lent, a community staple.
Music and arts
- Wheeling Symphony Orchestra A professional orchestra performing at the Capitol Theatre and other venues.
- Jamboree in the Hills A major country music festival that has brought national acts to the region since the 1970s.
- Glassmaking craft The area's glass factories produced intricate cut glass and art glass, a proud local craft.
- Appalachian folk music Traditional string band music and bluegrass influences remain alive in local jam sessions.
A little history
- 1861-1863 Wheeling Conventions
- 1870s-1920s Industrial boom
- 1818 National Road reaches Wheeling
- 1853 B&O Railroad arrival
- 1876 West Virginia Penitentiary opens
Rivalries
- West Virginia Mountaineers vs Pittsburgh Panthers The Backyard Brawl, a passionate college football rivalry.
- Game day OVAC high school football rivalries
- Game day Wheeling Nailers hockey games
- Outdoors Walk the Wheeling Heritage Trail
- Outdoors Go sledding at Oglebay
- With kids Visit the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum
- With kids Go to the sprayground at Wheeling Park
Locals speak with a blend of Appalachian and Midland accents, with some Pittsburgh-area influences. You'll hear 'pop' for soda, 'youse' for you all, and 'redd up' for cleaning.
Only here
- The Wheeling Suspension Bridge was the first long-span suspension bridge in the US.
- West Virginia Independence Hall is the birthplace of the state of West Virginia.
- Grave Creek Mound in Moundsville is the largest conical burial mound in North America.
- Jamboree in the Hills is one of the largest country music festivals in the world.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for steep hills and many stairs; wear comfortable shoes.
- Try a pepperoni roll from a local bakery or gas station—it's a regional staple.
- Learn about the area's industrial history at the museums and historic sites.
- The weather can be extreme: hot, humid summers and snowy, cold winters.
- Many locals are passionate about high school football and the Wheeling Nailers.
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Nearby
Every areaHarrison CountyOhioRooted in the hills, open to the sky.WeirtonWest VirginiaWhere the river bends and the hills hold stories.WoodsfieldOhioRugged hills, warm welcomesNew MartinsvilleWest VirginiaWhere the river bends and the hills roll on.WaynesburgPennsylvaniaWhere the hills hold stories and the people know your name.CambridgeOhioWhere Appalachian hills meet the art of glass.PittsburghPennsylvaniaThree rivers, endless bridges, and a big heartNew PhiladelphiaOhioLocal rooms for Twin Cities.
Wheeling, WV-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.