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Photo: Nyttend, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Called the "birthplace of West Virginia" because the Wheeling Convention was held here in 1861, during which 32 counties in Virginia voted to secede and join the Union. Restored interiors, an interpretive video, audio tours, authentically-costumed guided tours, and an exhibition on West Virginia's statehood featuring dramatic displays with period artifacts.
West Virginia Independence Hall is a historic government building at 1528 Market Street in downtown Wheeling, West Virginia, United States. It was built in 1860 under the supervision of architect Ammi B. Young for the federal government as a custom house, post office and courthouse. It is architecturally significant for its innovative uses of wrought iron as a framing material, and is historically significant for its role in the American Civil War. It housed the Wheeling Convention (1861), as well as the West Virginia Constitutional Convention (1863), which resulted in the separation of Unionist West Virginia from Confederate Virginia. This made it the only state to secede from a Confederate state during the war. The building was originally built as the custom house for the Western District of Virginia, and later became the center of government for the Restored Government of Virginia from 1861 to 1863, with Francis H. Pierpont serving as its governor. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1988. The building is now a state-run museum, housing exhibits on West Virginia history.
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In the Artisan Center. Open 11AM to 7PM Monday through Thursday, 11AM to 9PM Friday and Saturday, and Sunday by appointment. General store representing the 1800s to the present, with items made in Wheeling. Gift shop on-site.
Part of the East Coast Hockey League, the Nailers play October through April at the WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling. The Nailers are the AA minor league affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers. Tickets start at only $10.
Shows begin at 7PM on Saturday. Variety shows provided by local talent - including the Ohio City Revue, the Friendly City Band, and Elvis impersonator Earl Brown - in the restored Victoria Theatre.
Established in 1929, and today offering 11 concerts annually in their Masterworks series, Pops series, Symphony on Ice concert and free outdoor summer concerts. Tickets are $12-56 (student price $5), subscriptions are $93-218 (student price $15-218).
A 1928 movie theatre - the oldest and largest in West Virginia - which is home to the second-oldest country music program in the country, Jamboree USA. Weekly country music shows on Saturday night, touring Broadway musicals. Dinner show packages available.
On Wheeling Island, +1-877-WIN-HERE (946-4373; gaming center) or +1-877-WHEELING (943-3546; hotel reservations). Open 7AM to 4AM. Over 2,400 slot machines, multi-line nickel games, video lottery games including Keno, 20 poker tables, and greyhound racing. Four restaurants and hotel on-site.