Spend a winter weekend in Wheeling.
It’s easy to pack a winter weekend with outdoor fun and sightseeing in Wheeling. Once an Ohio River transportation and industry powerhouse, West Virginia’s first capital city has traded its rust belt grit for historical charm—and it’s never more charming than in winter. Wheeling has the feel of a small city, plus big-city perks like pro hockey, a symphony orchestra, and a casino and dog track.
Book a room in the lodge at Oglebay Park Resort, or reserve one of the resort’s cabins, cottages, or homes if you’re taking the whole crew. If gaming is on your agenda, make Wheeling Island Hotel–Casino–Racetrack your home base. Major-name hotels can also be found at The Highlands.
Then the city’s your playground. Find snowy fun at Oglebay, where winter activities include skiing and snowboarding at the Nutting Winter Sports Complex, or explore the dozen miles of paved and unpaved trails for a quieter trek. For ice skating, the J.B. Chambers Memorial Ice Rink at Wheeling Park is the best of both worlds: It’s under roof, but with walls open to the fresh mountain air.
Hockey fans need to catch a game of the Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena—the state’s only professional hockey team drops the puck on its 2025–26 season November 1. And the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra performs every couple weeks through May. Time your visit to catch the orchestra or another show at the restored Beaux Arts 1928 Capitol Theatre, where you can also find holiday concerts, tribute bands, comedy sets, and more. For nightclub fun, head to historic Waterfront Hall. And if you like history, don’t miss the tour of Independence Hall, the birthplace of West Virginia.
Food is half of the fun in Wheeling, starting with biscuits and gravy at Rachel’s on 16th or crepes at Later Alligator. Grab a fresh-baked baguette sandwich for lunch at Good Mansion Wines, or go for the famous fish sandwich at Coleman’s Fish Market or a burger at Avenue Eats. Figaretti’s serves up Old World specialties, and Elle&Jack’s is an all-around special experience. For Sunday brunch, you can’t beat Vagabond Kitchen. Get your craft beer fix at Brew Keepers.
Shopping in Wheeling has to include the Centre Market—it’s historic, eclectic, and full of finds. Get handmade products at the Wheeling Artisan Center Shop and East Wheeling Clayworks. And you’ll find everything from chocolates to glassware at the shops at Oglebay and all of your favorite chain stores at The Highlands.
Wheeling proves winter weekends don’t have to be sleepy. From ice rinks and ski runs to symphony nights, fish sandwiches, and craft beer, the city mixes charm with just enough edge to keep things interesting. Pack your coat—and your appetite.
Wheeling’s Crown Jewel
Oglebay Park Resort turns quietly beautiful in winter, its rolling hills and manicured gardens tucked under a layer of snow. The historic Wilson Lodge glows against the frosty backdrop, all crackling fireplaces and wide-open countryside views.
Outdoors, the Nutting Winter Sports Complex keeps the action moving with skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing—snowmaking kicks in once temps dip into the 20s. Take it slower with a contemplative walk or a bracing cross-country ski along the trails that wind through the woodlands. After dark, the Festival of Lights steals the show, with 100 dazzling displays stretching for miles—a spectacle best taken in on a slow drive through the park. Inside, the West Spa warms you back up, and dining rooms serve hearty winter meals. The Good Zoo, Mansion and Glass museums, and art galleries are open for exploration, too.
Go for the lights, the lodge, or the landscapes—Oglebay in winter mixes charm, tradition, and natural beauty into a retreat that feels restorative and timeless, an Appalachian classic best savored in the slower months.
Hometown Hockey
Hockey is a winter ritual in Wheeling, and the Wheeling Nailers are at the heart of it. As the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Nailers bring slapshot action to WesBanco Arena. Fans in black and gold pack the stands for edge-of-your-seat competition, hometown pride, and family-friendly fun. Between goals, the energy spills onto the concourse, where hot pretzels, cold drinks, and smiling faces keep the mood lively: small-city magic wrapped in the thrill of professional hockey.
READ MORE STORIES FROM OUR WINTER 2025 ISSUE
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