The second largest city in West Virginia was planned and laid out by its name-sake, the millionaire president of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, Collis Huntington. Once a rail terminus, Huntington today is an industrial city on the banks of the Ohio River on the extreme western edge of the state. Huntington has tree-lined avenues dotted with Victorian mansions, bordered on one side by the Ohio River and on the other by Ritter Park, a city park which extends almost the entire length of the town. From the arts to industry, outdoor recreation to history, there's plenty to see in this river town.
Huntington has maintained its historical sites for generations to enjoy. In the downtown, Heritage Village is a restored Victorian B & O railroad yard and includes a restored locomotive and Pullman car as well as the Station Restaurant. Huntington Museum of Art presents a large display of American and European paintings as well as Appalachian folk art. Visit Old Central City to see historic homes, an antique district and Central City Market.
Blenko Glass Company offers factory tours to see glass being hand-blown, an important industry to Huntington. Heritage Farm Museum and Village, outside town, preserves Appalachian culture in a village of log homes, shops, museums and zoo. Camden Park is an historic amusement park built in 1903 and features a variety of rides, miniature golf, boat and train rides and picnicking. Try a stroll through the Rose Garden at Ritter Park, a nationally-recognized municipal garden with over 1,000 plants.
Outdoor recreation includes Beech Fork State Park, fifteen miles southeast, featuring a 720-acre lake, fishing, boating with marina, hiking, tennis and camping. East Lynn Wildlife Management Area, also fifteen miles southeast, has almost 23,000 acres used mainly by sportsmen with trails and primitive camping.
Other entertainment options include presentations, concerts and exhibits at Marshall University or a trip on the Mountain State Rails to River and Trails Train. Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center is located at nearby Cross Lanes.
Dining options range from casual chain restaurants to fine Italian dining at Rocco's Ristorante. Marshall Hall of Fame Caf‚ features steaks and seafood while Buddy's Bar-B-Que offers "killer wings".
Huntington is located in southwestern West Virginia, about one hour west of Charleston, WV on I 64 west.
