Dec 5, 2017 5 min read

With the holidays approaching, many of us will be making plans for traditional family outings, including shopping for a live Christmas tree, ice skating, going to see “The Nutcracker” ballet or perhaps taking in the annual Oglebay Festival of Lights in Wheeling, W.Va. The short jaunt down Interstate 70 to Oglebay Park makes for an evening of fun, but why not turn it into an entire day of sightseeing or even an overnight trip? We’ve got you covered for ideas to explore Wheeling beyond the Festival of Lights.

Wheeling lies along the Ohio River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and started as a settlement in the British colony of Virginia. Later, Wheeling became the first state capital of West Virginia. Its location along the Ohio River and major transportation routes like the National Road played an important role in making it a manufacturing hub until the end of World War II. Major industries now include health care, education, energy and tourism. More than 147,000 people live in the Wheeling metropolitan area, with more than 28,000 people calling the city itself home.

The motto of “Wild, Wonderful West Virginia” is in full play here, as you can find everything from a casino to nightlife, historical landmarks, an outdoor ice rink and music and culinary offerings to please anyone.

“Oglebay’s Festival of Lights season is a family tradition for many of us in the tri-state area,” says Frank O’Brien, executive director of Visit Wheeling, WV. “In fact, more than 275,000 visitors make the six-mile trip through nearly a million twinkling lights every year. When thousands of people come to visit us here in Wheeling, they contribute to our economy in a huge way.”

That means the city is bustling with entertainment opportunities this time of year, including special holiday shows and shopping.

Aside from the Festival of Lights, you’ll find plenty to do on Oglebay Park grounds during the day. Fresh-cut Christmas trees are for sale, and wagon and holiday train rides will delight the kids at Crispin Center. There’s also a straw maze and a festival of holiday trees to enjoy. At the nearby Good Zoo, you can visit Santa’s Reindeer Training School. Wilson Lodge provides dining and accommodations, but you’ll also find plenty of hotels and restaurants around and outside the city.

Heading outside of Oglebay, there’s plenty to explore. Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack is a fun stop with greyhound racing and casino gambling, or head to a show at the historic Capitol Theatre, which opened in 1928 and is the largest theater in the state. The landmark building is in the national historic district downtown and serves as home for Jamboree USA and the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. During this year’s holiday season, the theater is featuring shows including “The Sound of Music,” “The Nutcracker” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” as well as the historical tours during the day.

If you’re looking for more history, you’ll appreciate seeing landmarks from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars around Wheeling. Visit where West Virginia officially became a state in 1863 at Independence Hall and check out the picturesque Suspension Bridge, which was the largest in the world when it went up in 1849. Victorian architecture is on display here as well, and Eckhart Guided Tours offers tours of the Eckhart House, plus three grand Victorian homes owned by the Victorian Wheeling Landmarks Foundation.

You’ll find unique gift ideas at Wheeling Centre Market, which boasts an eclectic mix of shops and eateries. Handcrafted gifts and keepsakes, paintings by local artists, handmade jewelry and pottery can all be found here. When you’re hungry, stop for a bite of lunch at one of the eateries featuring homemade soup, Amish meats, cheese and deli sandwiches or the famous fish sandwich at Coleman’s Fish Market.

If the kids are still looking for something fun to do and the weather cooperates, why not spend an afternoon ice skating at Wheeling Park? The Memorial Skating Rink offers the opportunity to skate from mid-October to mid-March, and you can warm up with a cup of hot cocoa following your skate.

As for the Festival of Lights itself, there’s something new every year, and the extravaganza generates nearly $14 million for the local economy.

“Gas stations, restaurants, hotels and hundreds of other Wheeling area businesses see increases directly related to Oglebay’s Festival of Lights season,” O’Brien says. “Oglebay consistently drives visitors to our area by creating new and exciting displays each year, including some displays synchronized to music. So if you haven’t toured the lights in a while, please come back. We think the new displays will create new memories for you and your family to help you create your own family tradition.”

For more information, visit www.wheelingcvb.com.