"Wheeling, West Virginia" Wheeling by mikelisaanna

Wheeling Travel Guide: 23 reviews and 75 photos

Wheeling is small city on the Onio River in northern West Virginia that has a lot to offer the passing tourist. Over the years, Wheeling's economy benefited greatly from its location on the Ohio River, access to local coal mines, and the fact that the first major US highway (the National Road) and railroad (the Baltimore and Ohio) ran through it. Steel mills, glass manufacturing plants, and other industries sprang up in Wheeling and the surrounding area in the 1800s and early 1900s. Unfortunately, much of the city's industrial base is now shut down, and the city's economy is not as strong as it used to be. However, despite it current economic struggles, Wheeling is still worth a visit, and makes for a nice day trip from Pittsburgh, which is about 50 miles northeast of Wheeling.

The highlight of Wheeling, from a tourist standpoint, is the Oglebay Park complex, which is an amazing city-owned park that features a historic mansion, a glass museum (Wheeling was one of the leading glass manufacturing cities in America at one point), a planetarium, a small zoo, golf courses, and a nice resort hotel and conference center.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Oglebay Park, friendly people
Cons:Depressed local economy
In a nutshell:A small city with plenty to see and do

Last visit to Wheeling: Dec 2006
Intro Updated Feb 12, 2007
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Reviews (5)

The entrance to Carriage House Glass - Wheeling

Our favorite glass store Shopping (1)

Carriage House Glass is a store that carries a broad and beautiful selection of decorative and artistic glass objects,... more travel advice

Exhibits at the Oglebay Glass Museum - Wheeling

Oglebay Glass Museum Things to Do (4)

The glass museum at Oglebay features exhibits of glassware, porcelain, and decorative glass items that were manufactured... more travel advice

The Oglebay Mansion Museum Things to Do (4)

The Oglebay Mansion is the former home of Earl Oglebay, who founded the Oglebay Norton company. When he died in 1926,... more travel advice

The Good Zoo at Oglebay Things to Do (4)

The Good Zoo (named after Philip Good) is Wheeling's zoo. It is located in the Oglebay park/resort complex just outside... more travel advice

Comments (3)

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Yaqui Jun 13, 2009 at 10:59 PM

The glass museum looks wonderful. That would be on my list of places to see. Nice page!
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BillNJ Jun 30, 2008 at 7:19 PM

Wheeling looks like a very nice town. Thanks for the great tips and photos!
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Stephen-KarenConn Jul 13, 2006 at 9:44 AM

Good tips on another town I need to explore more thoroughly. Karen would love the glass museum.