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City in West Virginia, US
Photo: Wv funnyman, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Huntington is the second-largest city in West Virginia. Along the banks of the Ohio River, Huntington is home to Marshall University, a state-supported public university and the second largest in the state, as well as Huntington Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the state. Claiming to be the origin of the West Virginia-style hot dog, and home to the world's largest rotating root beer mug, Huntington, nicknamed the "Jewel City" is a historic, walkable small city that offers the intrepid traveler several unique cultural diversions, with an excellent music and restaurant scene for its size.
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Most of the Huntington's best shops, restaurants, and bars are in the area north of the railroad tracks, between the campus of Marshall University and the Civic Arena.
Marshall University is a regionally-ranked public university, and the second-largest in West Virginia. Founded in 1837, this institution takes its name from former Supreme Court Justice John Marshall. Marshall's picturesque main campus sits on the east side of downtown Huntington, the historic Old Main building prominently constructed on a small rise overlooking 4th Av. towards downtown. In 1970, Marshall University lost most of its football team in a tragic plane crash. Built in their honor is the now-iconic fountain in the plaza in front of the Memorial Student Center. The 2006 film We Are Marshall dramatizes this story and includes footage of areas around campus. Marshall University's math department has the only publicly accessible mechanical differential analyzer in the United States.
The commercial heart of the West End neighborhood; the self-proclaimed "antiques capital of West Virginia." About ten antique stores line 14th St. West. There's also a locally-owned cafe, used bookstore, a historic market building hosting a farmers market; and a gazebo that hosts occasional outdoor performances.
A redeveloped retail area designed to pay homage to Huntington's railroad past. With its benches, fountain, and nice landscaping, this area functions as Huntington's de-facto town square.
When it opened in 1928, the Keith Albee was the second-largest theater in the United States. It hosts off-Broadway shows and various performers, most notably those associated with the Marshall Artist Series.
Visitors center and several local businesses built into a repurposed train depot complex.
A 52-acre site featuring exhibits on glass, Appalachian folk art, 19th- and 20th-century American and European paintings, Middle Eastern art and Islamic prayer rugs, sculptures, and a large collection of flint firearms and carved powder horns. Also contains a small conservatory with tropical plants and a Dale Chihuly glass sculpture.
A tour of this quirky, anachronistic attraction includes a guided tour through the Progress Museum and Transportation Museum (the latter of which includes a 1908 electric truck and a miniature steam engine exhibit) as well as a visit to the country store museum.
This museum houses the largest collection of vintage radios in the U.S.A.
Marshall University's Art Department operates this small commercial gallery.
9th St. This private museum houses fascinating and somewhat creepy medical artifacts, including a display case full of extracted teeth and a tonsil guillotine.
A pleasant city park that overlooks the Ohio River and offers a view of Huntington's signature suspension bridge.
The crowning jewel of Huntington's park system and an immense point of local pride. Fourpole Creek separates a flat portion from a hilly portion. Has a walking track, short hiking trail, tennis courts, picnic tables, and an excellent playground. In the summer, the amphitheater hosts outdoor dramas and festivals. Ritter Park's rose garden boasts over a thousand roses.
This 132-acre city park offers several miles of hiking trails as well as a challenging 36-hole disc golf course. There are also a couple overlooks over the Highlawn, Guyandotte and Altizer neighborhoods, also visible is the East End bridge crossing the river to Ohio at the point where the Guyandotte River flows into the Ohio River. Also an observation tower, though the best views are found when the leaves fall from the trees.
The highlight of this park is the Veterans Memorial Arch. The arch is illuminated by floodlights at night. Connects to Ritter Park along a path following Fourpole Creek through the neighborhood.
Small neighborhood park with a playground and small pavilion.
At the narrow east end of the long Beech Fork Lake, camping, cabins, an outdoor pool, hiking trails. Despite being on the same lake, it's a long drive from the Army Corps of Engineers/dam side.
Operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, the dam side of Beech Fork Lake has a small swimming beach, hiking trails, picnic pavillion, playground and a marina. Although on the same lake, Beech Fork State Park is a considerable drive away.
A small man-made lake, athletic fields, hiking trails, an amphitheater.
Three states are visible from this pleasant riverfront park where the Big Sandy River empties into the Ohio River at the point where West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio meet.
Hiking in riverfront wetland habitats on the grounds of the former plantation of confederate general Albert G Jenkins. The former plantation house stands mothballed.
A unit of Wayne National Forest, contains a long, narrow man-made lake with a marina and a small beach locally popular for hiking and backpacking, kayaking, fishing, camping.
A run-down amusement park featuring two very old roller-coasters, worth seeing.
The sports teams of Marshall University, members of the Sun Belt Conference since 2022, are a huge part of Huntington culture. Seeing the movie We Are Marshall before your trip may help you get an idea of the Herd's importance; the film, named after Marshall's signature cheer, is a slightly embellished retelling of the aftermath of the 1970 plane crash that killed the entire football team. A memorial fountain to the crash victims is located on the Marshall campus; every November 14 at 7:35PM, the time and date of the crash, the fountain is turned off and not restarted until spring. Most venues are on campus, with the most prominent being Joan C. Edwards Stadium (football) and the Cam Henderson Center (basketball), although the baseball team plays many of its home games 50 miles away in Charleston and some even farther away in Beckley. A new on-campus baseball park is set to open in 2024, and a new basketball arena is being planned.
Jeff's Bike Shop arranges and leads several rides throughout the week.
The Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society organizes several train trips every year. Their most popular is the annual New River Gorge Scenic Train.
Most Saturday nights, the Mountaineer Opry House in nearby Milton, WV hosts excellent local and national bluegrass acts in a smoke-and-alcohol-free venue.
At St. George Greek Orthodox Church, late September. A festival with Greek food, music, and dancing.
Downtown district – 4th Avenue and Plaza, September 15–17. State championship is held every year, with chili cooks coming from West Virginia and other states to compete for a berth in the national competition.
Thunder in the Village
In Guyandotte, early November. This festival features arts and crafts, food, and entertainment.
Pullman Square district – 3rd Avenue, downtown Huntington, Last Saturday in July. The WV Hot Dog Festival celebrates the unique hot dog variations of local/regional hot dogs
Celebrated in Ceredo and Kenova. Features the Pumpkin House, which is a house with over 3000 hand-carved pumpkins.
This quirky restaurant serves hotdogs topped with things like bacon, ground beef, sauteed onions, and more. Hillbilly Hot Dogs was once featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. If you have a choice, visit the original location in Lesage. Learn the weenie song for free ice cream.
A local favorite for Chinese-American classics made with fresh ingredients. Quick, no-fuss service.
This hot dog drive-in is topped by the purported largest root beer mug in the world.
A local institution, simple, classic drive in food; hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. Well-made with quality ingredients
Pho and Banh Mi, some other menu items. Near campus, popular with students.
Intimate cafe with Louisiana classics, including Gumbo.
Sushi, teriyaki, etc.
Donuts and a small deli counter with Greek gyros.
Drive-in style hot dog restaurant in downtown Huntington.
Very close to the University, popular with students. Cheap little hole-in-the-wall place with good food in a casual atmosphere.
Excellent coffee, roasted in-house. Also has a location in the Huntington Mall
Authentic German food.
Southwestern and southern-themed, directly across from campus.
Overpriced pub grub with a great selection of Marshall memorabilia.
An incredible selection of southern style seafood. Good service, quaint, nice.
Burgers with a wide variety of toppings.
Jim's is an excellent choice for a nice family meal. Try to make it for strawberry pie week.
The lunch buffet is excellent.
Mexican-American with a few regional Mexican dishes.
Upscale Italian restaurant in an old mansion.
(formerly V-Club)
One of the best small-to-mid size live music venues in town, the V-Club has pool tables, booths, and good drink specials. Rock posters line the walls, and the party frequently spills over onto the outdoor patio.
This pub and grill is a favorite student (and frat) hangout. Wednesday night is trivia night.
Across from the Kieth Albee Theater, this quiet two-level dive has darts and vintage Pac Man.
This cozy neighborhood pub serves beer and excellent hamburgers.
A really yummy bubble tea shop. Also sells poke bowls.
The upper floors offer a magnificent view of Huntington and the Ohio River.
Clean, basic room for 2 (2 beds) for $66+ tax. Free, but slow "High Speed Internet."
20 minutes from Huntington, this fine state park offers plenty of tent and RV camping as well as cabins.
Home to several locally owned shops, including the Red Caboose, a shop that specializes in goods made and developed by West Virginia artisans. A steam engine stands sentinel at the entrance.
Several shops and restaurants occupy this space, including the downtown location of Austin's Ice Cream.
Sporting goods
Occupies the front, indoor portion of the historic Central City Market building; locally grown seasonal produce and locally made gourmet groceries.
The largest mall in the state, the Huntington Mall features roughly 150 stores; anchors are Elder-Beerman, Dick's Sporting Goods, JCPenney, Macy's, Sears, and a Cinemark multiplex. The immediate area includes many other major "big box" stores, and the usual selection of fast food and chain restaurants.
Making handmade glass since 1921. The visitors' center features a factory outlet, a designers' corner, a museum and an observation deck from which visitors can observe the various steps in handcrafting glass.
WV's largest flea market is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, though Fridays can be a little quiet. Unique goods include ironware and crockery, livestock, leather products, Amish goods, local produce, and a primitives.
By plane
The next closest airport is in Charleston (CRW), about an hour east in I-64. American Airlines has non-stop service from Charlotte.
By train
By bus
By bus
By taxi or rideshare
By bicycle
Downtown Huntington is reasonably flat and bicycle friendly. Bike lanes exist on 4th Av. between 8th St. and Hal Greer Blvd. and separated bike lanes on Hal Greer Blvd. between 3rd Av.
On foot
With its several pubs, restaurants, and shops, the downtown area between Marshall University and the Civic Arena/Riverfront is ideal for walking.
Neighborhoods
Suburbs
Further afield
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Huntington · Regional · HTS
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