Weirton

Hospitality and good food go hand in hand in this northern city. To truly feel like a local, stop by DiCarlo’s Pizza. This pizza joint adds cheese after the crust and sauce are baked, making it lightly bubble and melt overtop. Nearby Drover’s Inn, in Wellsburg, was built in 1848 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The three-story inn has 16 rooms with vintage décor and historical fireplaces. The downstairs tavern, an old fruit and coal cellar, serves a wide variety of beers and mixed drinks. Smoked baby back ribs, broiled haddock filet and a local favorite, jumbo wings top their menu. To get your sweet tooth fix, visit Gus’s Goodies. This local institution serves up just-baked cookies, fresh donuts and warm pies. 

A trip to Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort will never disappoint. The riverside casino proudly offers over 1,100 slot machines, 32 table games, a live 10 table poker room, and sports wagering. But that’s not all. You can also catch live thoroughbred racing, enjoy a day at their spa, tee off on the Woodview Golf Course or eat at one of four on-site restaurants. Visit the Striplight Community Theater at the Ashley Marie Performing Arts Center for a live performance. You might even be able to catch dinner and a show with their dinner theater tickets.

No visit to this area would be complete without stopping at the Homer Laughlin China Company in Newell. Known for their brightly colored Fiesta Dinnerware, this company has been around since 1871. More local shops can be found in and around Weirton. SerenDipity Boutique is a specialty, neighborhood boutique bringing classy and casual styles. The Prime Weirton Book Company is a unique place that sells books, ice cream, candies and essentials. 

Take in some of the beautiful scenery at Tomlinson Run State Park, a favorite for hiking, fishing and more. The park’s 1,398 acres are divided into two sections: a wilderness area with heavily forested hills, overhanging cliffs of sandstone and shale, with many wildflowers and fauna, and a developed area with traditional park offerings. Visit the World’s Largest Teapot in Chester to snap a photo of this 14-foot-tall by 14-foot-wide homage to the area’s pottery industry.

Pioneers first settled the area of Weirton in the 1700s but driving through town today you’ll find remnants of the rich industry once dotting the Ohio River. Weirton was a steel producing hub in the 20th century. Due to its location on the river, the area was able to ship steel for relatively cheap. Young industrialist Ernest Tener Weir purchased land in 1909 and created the Weirton Steel Corporation, once one of the country’s leading steel producers. The influx of workers created a boomtown and as Weirton Steel grew so did the community. By 1970, over 28,000 residents called Weirton home. Today, you can learn more about the area’s history at the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center.

Tomlinson Run State Park is a popular place to stay among outdoor enthusiasts. With a 55-site campground, camper cabins, and yurts, visitors will have a lot to choose from for a great camping getaway. The Barn With Inn, a peaceful place for animals and people, is a local bed and breakfast tucked away from the busy city. Along with welcoming innkeepers, you’ll find their extended “farmily” which includes a potbelly pig, a rooster, a donkey, a cat, a goat and a terrier. Enjoy farm-to-table food with local flair. To be close to all the entertainment, Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort also offer comfortable lodging options.