Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort which features live horse racking, slot machines, and new tables games is only 20 minutes north of Weirton. Within 30 minutes south of Wheeling, Oglebay Park – a unique resort of abundant beauty - features riding stables, 2 golf courses, skiing, a Children's Good Zoo, a planetarium, paddle boating, a swimming pool, miniature golf, and more! Oglebay’s Festival of Lights attracts millions of people every year, November through January.

Weirton is blessed with a variety of quality recreation and sports facilities. Weirton is home of eight neighborhood parks offering playground equipment, tennis and basketball courts, and baseball, softball, football and soccer fields. Weirton is served by two outdoor pools, large playground areas, basketball courts, volleyball courts, tennis courts, a horseshoe pit, and bocce courts.

• Post Gazette Pavilion – The brightest names in music and entertainment appear all summer long at the Post Gazette Pavilion, from country to pop, from classical to rhythm and blues, from rock to alternative. Approximately 40 shows will be presented this summer at Post-Gazette Pavilion, rain or shine. Located 25 miles due west from downtown Pittsburgh on Route 18 south in Burgettstown, PA, the Pavilion is conveniently located for concert-goers from West Virginia, Ohio Pennsylvania and Maryland. The popular amphitheater has a seating capacity of 22,683 for most shows, with 7,183 seats in the pavilion and 15,500 for lawn seating. Blankets are welcome on the lawn and lawn chairs are available for a fee. Accessible seating can be accommodated in an elevated section of the pavilion. There is plenty of secure, well-lit parking located adjacent to the Pavilion for a fee of $10.00 per car. Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations, or on the night of the show at the Pavilion's box office (except for sold-out events). For upcoming shows, call the Pavilion's concert information line at (724) 947-7400 or visit www.post-gazettepavilion.com.

• Pepsi-Cola Roadhouse – See and hear the hottest musical entertainment, from area favorites to national headliners - Gary Allan, Lonestar, Montgomery Gentry, Dwight Yoakam, Willie Nelson, Don Williams, Collin Ray, Keith Urban and many, many more. A state-of-the-art sound system means great live music has never sounded better, and a fully computerized lighting set-up and digital video system, with multiple high-resolution projection video screens, make every live show at the Pepsi-Cola Roadhouse a total sensory experience. A comfortable, casual, intimate setting, there's no seat farther than 65 feet from the stage, so you're up close to the action without ever leaving the chair at your table. The venue also serves great food and drinks. Visit www.pepsiroadhouse.com for more information.

• Jamboree In The Hills – Established in 1977, the Jamboree in the Hills is a 4-day outdoor country music festival held in Morristown, Belmont County, Ohio. For the past 28 years, over a 100,000 fans a year have flocked to the rolling hills of Eastern Ohio to catch the hottest country acts in the nation. JITH has established itself as the biggest and best run festival of its kind. Year after year thousands of veteran fans return to bask in the sun or brave the elements and party to 25 hours of awesome country music performed by the top acts in the business. For more information or tickets, call (800) 624-5456 or (304) 234-0050, or visit www.jamboreeinthehills.com.  [Top]

• Wheeling Downs Racetrack & Gaming Center – Wheeling Island is West Virginia's premiere Racetrack and Gaming Center. From the fast-paced action of over 2,400 slot machines to the one-of-a-kind thrill of live greyhound racing, and new table games Wheeling Island is where everyone comes to catch that winning feeling. Wheeling Island houses slot favorites like Wheel of Fortune, Double Diamond, Double Diamond Deluxe, Triple Double Diamond, Hot Peppers, Leopard Spots, and Red White and Blue. Multi-line nickel games, such as Instant Winner, Jackpot Party and Little Green men, are also available as well as a selection of video lottery games including the popular Keno games. Game denominations range from nickel to five dollars with jackpots up to $50,000. Wheeling Island features live greyhound racing seven days a week year-round. Whether you prefer deluxe dining in the Terrace Room overlooking the finish line, lounging in reserved seating, or just hanging out near the finish line, Wheeling Island racing has it all. Relax in the new simulcast parlor while wagering on the greyhound, thoroughbred and harness racing from across the country. Visit www.wheelingdowns.com.

• Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort – Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains where beauty runs deep, the Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort in Chester, West Virginia, features 3,200 slot machines, four gaming saloons, new table games, live horseracing, including the West Virginia Derby, simulcast racing, a concert and entertainment venue, two hotels, a golf course, restaurants and cafes, lounges with live music, and a gift shop. The upscale Grande Hotel features 258 elegant rooms, including 20 suites, and The Lodge offers 101 rooms. Mountaineer’s Woodview Golf Course is a scenic and challenging 18-hole, par 72 golf course located just minutes away. The Clubhouse offers a PGA Professional Pro Shop and practice facilities. Unwind on the deck of the Clubhouse Snack Shop, which provides a panoramic view of the Mountaineer Resort. Pamper yourself at The Spa at Mountaineer, located in the Grande Hotel. Let spa professionals design the perfect prescription for your personal lifestyle and enjoy a distinctive menu of personal care amenities. For more information, visit www.mtrgaming.com.  [Top]

• Panhandle Trail – The Panhandle trail spans 29 miles from Walkers Mill in Colliers Township traversing through the northern sector of Washington County to the city of Weirton, which is the former Conrail line known as the Panhandle Railroad. This railroad network once connected Pittsburgh to Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis. Today this same corridor is being converted into a multi-use, non-motorized, recreation and health trail that will link Colliers Township to Oakdale, Burgettstown, Midway and McDonald and eventually to Weirton, WV.

• Palace of Gold – Experience the beauty and mystique of the Far East revealed without leaving America at Prabupada’s palace of Gold. The palace is a monument to Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who brought Hare Krishna to the US from India. In 1968, he founded the New Vrindaban Community in West Virginia to fulfill Prabhupada's dream of an ideal society based on Krishna consciousness, or love of God. It is believed that a spiritual force was involved in the seven-year construction and is infused in the palace. Guided tours, which take about 35 minutes, of the Palace of Gold are available year round: April - August: 10am - 8pm; September - March: 10am - 5 pm. Tour of the "Outstanding Rose Garden in North America,” as it has been awarded for the last decade. Visit www.palaceofgold.com for more information.  [Top]

• Oglebay Resort & Conference Center – Oglebay Resort is a unique 1650-acre resort of exceptional beauty and abundant recreational activities nestled in the hills surrounding Wheeling, West Virginia. A golfer's paradise, Oglebay offers 36 holes of championship golf at the new modern links course designed by Arnold Palmer and the classic Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed course. Bissonnette Gardens features seasonal floral displays from April through October and the Winter Festival of Lights at Oglebay is America's largest light show with a million lights in November and December. Wilson Lodge at Oglebay has overnight accommodations and cottages with fine dining, an indoor pool, a fitness room, and massage therapy. There are also seven specialty shops, featuring unique gifts, clothes and collectibles. Experience the Oglebay Zoo with 85 species of animals nestled in 30 acres of flowers, trees, hills, and valleys. Watch the native North American animals in their natural habitats or meerkats and naked molerats from Africa. A walk through the Wonders of the Wetlands will introduce you to a crane, bald eagles and various plants and animals that inhabit these fragile areas. The indoor Discovery Lab features a variety of hands-on activities and animal exhibits, and the barn is filled with friendly domestic animals where you can feed the goats. Watch an exciting show in the Benedum Planetarium where the big screen pulls you into the action. Oglebay also features fishing, pedal boating, horseback riding, swimming, tennis, picnic areas and the Mansion Museum. For more information, visit www.oglebay-resort.com.

• Winter Festival of Lights – In 1985 a holiday tradition - the Winter Festival of Lights/City of Light celebration - began at Oglebay Resort and spread throughout the city of Wheeling, WV. The first year, displays and landscape lighting covered about 125 acres over a three-mile drive throughout the resort. Since then, the show has grown into the nation's largest light show, covering more than 300 acres over a six mile drive throughout the resort with more than a million lights. Downtown Wheeling features dozens of homes, shops and business establishments ablaze in lights. The Winter Festival of Lights/City of Lights has earned a permanent spot on the American Bus Association's Top International Events.  [Top]

• Tomlinson Run State Park – Located at the extreme tip of West Virginia's northern panhandle, 19 miles north of Weirton on WV Rt. 2, Tomlinson Run provides a wide range of recreational opportunities to a large number of local and out-of-state visitors. The park's 1,398 acres extend along the stream from which it gets its name, both of which are named for a family of early settlers, to within a mile of the stream's confluence with the Ohio River. Roughly divided into two sections, the park offers a wilderness area of heavily forested hills, overhanging cliffs of sandstone and shale, and a profusion of wildflowers and fauna. Featured within the developed areas of the park are picnicking, boating, miniature golf, basketball and volleyball courts, swimming, horseshow pits, playground equipment, a snack bar, and a campground. Over 33 acres of various ponds and lakes offer excellent fishing for bass, catfish, bluegill and trout. Rowboats and paddleboats are rented at the boat docks. Popular among Tomlinson Run's recreational facilities are the swimming pool, which boasts a 182 foot, figure eight-shaped waterslide (open Memorial Day to Labor Day). A network of hiking trails round out the recreational possibilities. For information, go to www.tomlinsonrunsp.org.

• Steubenville "City of Murals” – Steubenville "City of Murals" is one of the region's most unique tour destinations, nestled in a valley along the banks of the Ohio River in Eastern Ohio. Here you will find the city's rich history painted on outside walls in larger-than-life proportions. Instead of turning the pages of a book, you need only turn a corner to come face to face with stories of the past. See all 25 murals painted in Downtown Steubenville and Hollywood Plaza, including the mural of Steubenville celebrity, Dean Martin. Tour maps are available at the Steubenville CVB office. As the seat of Jefferson County, Steubenville has something for everyone, including its outdoor art gallery of murals, animated characters, a mansion museum, and historic sites.  [Top]

• Old Fort Steuben Festival – The Old Fort Steuben Festival, makes history come alive as you experience life in 18th century Ohio. Enjoy live entertainment, period demonstrations, craft booths, and great food. The First American Regiment from Springfield, Ohio is encamped at the fort and presents live reenactments. Settlers and Indians erect their tents and lodgings and demonstrate the challenges and fun of early American life. Candle makers, quilters, blacksmiths, weavers, spinners and other craftsmen are ready to demonstrate their skills. It’s fun and educational for the whole family. Historic Fort Steuben was built along the Ohio River in 1786 by the First American Regiment for the protection of surveyors who had been sent by the Continental Congress to map the Northwest Territory. Today, the reconstructed fort includes a park with the Veterans Memorial Fountain and a Visitors Center which houses a Museum Shop and Exhibition Hall. The blockhouses for the enlisted men, the officers’ quarters, the quartermaster and the artificer’s shops, and the newly-opened hospital depict the daily lives of the men who opened up the territories to settlement. Construction of the Louis Berkman Amphitheater, which will host concerts and plays, will begin in the near future. For festival information, call (740) 283-1787, or visit www.oldfortsteuben.com.

• Creegan Animation Factory – Tourists love to visit the Creegan Animation Factory where you can see first hand how they make the animated characters, costume mascots, audio –animatractions. Witness theme displays and décor, photo operations, Christmas and Easter displays, visit their Year round Christmas shop. Creegans has something for every one including Craft supplies, candy and cake making supplies, Grandma Jo’s Sweet Shoppe and Bridal and party supplies and consultants. www.creegans.com

• Capitol Music Hall – The Capitol Music Hall, considered the jewel of downtown Wheeling, is a full entertainment complex that presents live country music shows, theater, comedy and the famous Jamboree USA on Saturday night. Built in 1928, Capitol Music Hall is the oldest theatre in West Virginia, and one of the largest and best examples of architectural beauty in the nation. Its rich brocade and red velvet decor, ornate statuary and ceilings capture an era gone-by, while offering the latest in fine acoustics and professional lighting. The Capitol Music Hall, praised by stars and fans alike for its warmth and beauty, compliments the fine entertainment of the weekly Jamboree USA, as well as The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, touring Broadway productions, and various other musical and theatrical productions. The Capitol Music Hall's doors still open every Saturday night to thousands of country music fans who come to enjoy Jamboree USA’s brightest country music stars. For further information and tickets, visit www.jamboreeusa.com.

• Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh – In 1895, Pittsburgh industrialist Andrew Carnegie established Carnegie Institute to help people improve their lives through educational and cultural experiences. His founding ideals are now embodied in a collective of four distinctive museums —Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum—that serve more than 1.6 million people each year. Individually, each of the Carnegie museums displays and interprets the world through its own unique lens of art, science, and natural history.  [Top]

• Carnegie Museum of Art – The preeminent art museum in the region, the Carnegie Museum of Art boasts a distinguished collection of American Art from the mid-thirteenth century to present, French Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings, European and American decorative arts from the late seventeenth century to the present, and late 20th century works, including film and video. The Heinz Architectural Center, opened as part of the Museum in 1993, is dedicated to the collection, study, and exhibition of architectural drawings and models. The Hall of Architecture contains the largest collection of plaster casts of architectural masterpieces in America and one of the three largest in the world. The marble Hall of Sculpture replicates the interior of the Parthenon. The Museum presents a stimulating array of tours, lectures, classes, and special events for adults and children. CMOA is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit cmoa.org.

• Carnegie Science Center – An amusement park for the mind, the Carnegie Science Center, consists of 204,000 sq. ft. of space, with 72,000 sq. ft. of interactive exhibits, and is devoted to public understanding of science and technology through hands-on exhibits, theater presentations, demonstrations, classes, workshops, science fairs and special events. Located on Pittsburgh's North Shore by the banks of the Ohio River, CMOA provides visitors of all ages with the opportunity to experience UPMC SportsWorks, the world’s largest science and sport exhibition, travel the world in the four-story Rangos Omnimax Theater, explore the universe in Buhl Planetarium, take a tour aboard a WWII submarine and interact with more than 300 hands-on exhibits. Feel an earthquake, eat a science experiment or play in a sea of clouds. Journey down to SeaScape, a new permanent interactive exhibit featuring aquatic life, including starfish from the Pacific Coral Reef, mysterious sunken treasure and the inside of a yellow submarine. The Science Center is an exciting, interactive facility that recognizes the critical role science plays in our technological world. It remains committed to presenting science that is entertaining, accessible, relevant and understandable in order to foster the interests of both children and adults in the region. For more information, visit www.carnegiesciencecenter.org.  [Top]

• Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium – Located approximately five miles east of downtown Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a 77-acre facility that is home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of diverse species. Committed to education, research and wildlife conservation, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is actively involved in 25 Species Survival Plans and proudly exhibits 32 threatened or endangered species. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is one of only six major zoo and aquarium combinations in the country. The new PPG Aquarium, which opened in June of 2000, features state-of-the-art exhibits such as a crawl-through stingray tunnel, a two-story shark tank and unique revolving tanks (the first of their kind to be exhibited publicly). An array of aquatic species is on exhibit, including penguins, sharks, a Pacific giant octopus, jellyfish, potbellied sea horses, an electric eel, live coral and much more. Major naturalistic habitats at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium include: The Asian Forest, The African Savanna, The Tropical Forest Complex, Cheetah Valley, Bears, The PPG Aquarium: Niches of the World, and Kids Kingdom. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day! Visit www.zoo.pgh.pa.us/.  

• The Homer Laughlin China Company – Founded in 1871 by Homer Laughlin, the Homer Laughlin China Company has been a leader in the design and manufacture of food service and retail china products for over 120 years. Specializing in high-fired, lead-free glazes with an Alpha Alumina added body, Homer Laughlin remains the largest domestic pottery company employing 1,100 skilled workers in a 37-acre facility Newel, West Virginia. Computerized kilns, state-of-the-art production facilities and decorating equipment, and the timeless style and elegance of the designs provide the perfect combination that is the hallmark of the company’s tradition and innovation. Important beyond all factors are the skills of the ancient craft and the integrity of the potter. Homer Laughlin’s Fiesta, designed in 1936, is now among the most collected china products in the world. As originally designed, the line featured art deco styling and bold, bright colors. Discontinued in 1973, Fiesta was reissued in 1986 with contemporary colors to mark its 50th anniversary. For more information, visit www.hlcoutlet@hlchina.com.

• The Official Marx Toy Museum – From Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots to the Big Wheel introduced in 1969, Marx Toys has been putting smiles on children's faces across America since the early 1900s. Today, the Marx Toy Museum in Glen Dale, WV features classic Marx memorabilia. After World War II, Marx Toys emerged as the world's largest toy maker. During the 1950s, Marx produced over 20 percent of America's toys. The Official Marx Toy Museum was recently featured on John Ratzenberger's Made in America! For more information, visit www.marxtoymuseum.com.  [Top]

• Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum – Located in beautiful Wheeling, WV, the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum is a truly unique place. In a restored Victorian-era schoolhouse, the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum features a guided tour, interactive displays, an operating O gauge train layout, a gift shop, and a restored railroad caboose. Come and relive your childhood, bring back good memories, and share them with your friends, family or tour group. Then Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum was the winner of the 2000 Grand Victorian Award for Victorian building restoration, presented by the Victorian Wheeling Society. Since 1999, the Toy & Train Museum has also been the host site of the Annual Marx Toy & Train Collectors National Convention, held in June each year. For more information, visit www.toyandtrain.com.

• Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame – The Lou Holtz/Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame was established to showcase individuals and communities throughout the region stretching from Western Beaver County in Pennsylvania to Wheeling, WV for their outstanding contributions in commerce, medicine, politics, sports, entertainment and community enrichment. Visitors can see exhibits Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.louholtzhalloffame.com.

• Dean Martin Festival – Steubenville, Ohio celebrates its favorite son, Dean Martin, who was born there in 1917. The Dean Martin Festival, celebrated annually in Steubenville, is a four-day event held in June that includes the Dean Martin Tribute Show at the Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort, the Dean Martin Film Festival at Jefferson Community College, the Dean Martin Tribute Show, the Dean Martin Memorabilia Show, Dean Martin Mass at St. Anthony's in Steubenville, the Dean Martin Celebrity Parade, and the Dean Martin Horse Race at Mountaineer Race Track. Experience great music, food and the songs that made Dean Martin a music, film and TV icon. For more information, visit www.deanmartin.com.  [Top]

Colleges/Universities

• Franciscan University of Steubenville – Franciscan University offers a uniquely unified academic and faith life that helps students develop their gifts and knowledge while following Jesus Christ. Inspired by the teaching of St. Francis of Assisi, its dynamic Catholic educational environment prepares students spiritually and intellectually to transform the culture through their future vocations and careers. At Franciscan University, the academic curriculum emphasizes a personalized approach from professors who truly care about educational and individual successes. In addition, professors make it a priority to keep flexible office hours to accommodate even the tightest class schedules. In the spirit of higher learning in the Catholic tradition, their curriculum integrates the intellectual and spiritual dimensions of education, challenging students to reason, communicate more effectively and to see their professional goals from a new and exciting perspective. For information or admissions, visit www.franciscan.edu.

• Bethany College – Founded in 1840, Bethany College is a contemporary, four-year, private liberal arts institution affiliated with the Christian Church. The College offers a wide array of studies, awarding bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees in more than 30 fields of study. The College's program of liberal education prepares students for a lifetime of work and a life of significance. Bethany places particular emphasis on leadership and incorporates pre-professional education in dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, physical therapy, public administration, theology, and veterinary medicine. Bethany's 1600-acre campus is located in the northern panhandle of West Virginia in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. With approximately 825 students, Bethany is an academic community that emphasizes the close interaction of students and faculty in the educational process. The Historic Bethany Office at Bethany College manages two National Landmark sites: The Alexander Campbell Mansion and Old Main, as well as other properties listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks and Places. For information and admissions, visit www.bethanywv.edu.

• West Liberty State College – Located in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, West Liberty State College is a four-year traditional college offering a variety of programs. The 290-acre campus is located north of Wheeling on State Route 88. West Liberty is an excellent choice for a challenging academic environment with attention to individual student needs. In addition to pre-professional programs in dentistry, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, optometry and speech pathology/audiology, West Liberty offers a comprehensive range of academic studies within its schools of Liberal Arts, Sciences, Business Administration and Education. A new Business Information Systems degree program is available through the School of Business Administration. A 167-year tradition of academic excellence, combined with pervasive technology enhancements and other innovations, make West Liberty an excellent educational resource. An average class size of fewer than 30 provides individual interaction and instruction from experienced faculty members. West Liberty State College students enjoy a stately, tree-shaded campus that provides a safe and beautiful environment. For more information, visit www.wlsc.edu/home.htm.  [Top]

  
  
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Visitors Information

• Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce – www.weirtonchamber.com
• Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce – www.wheelingchamber.com
• Wheeling Convention & Visitors Bureau – www.wheelingcvb.com
• Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce – www.wellsburgchamber.com
• Steubenville Convention & Visitors Bureau – www.steubenvilleoh.com
• Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce – www.jeffersoncountychamber.com
• Hancock County Convention & Visitors Bureau – www.hancockcvb.com
• Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce – www.paacc.com
• East Liverpool Chamber of Commerce – www.elchamber.com.  [Top]