Wheeling Island Casino and Racetrack is located in a historic area of Wheeling known for its top-notch casinos. Wheeling is home to 8 hotels and other accommodations, so you can find something with the amenities you're looking for. Staying Near Wheeling Island Casino and Racetrack. Wheeling is home to Wheeling Island Casino and Racetrack. Wheeling is a historic city well known for its great selection of restaurants. If you want to find things to see and do in the area, you may want to check out Oglebay Park and WesBanco Arena. The State of West-Virginia (WV) is located in the West of the United-States. It shares borders with the States of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. Its official capital and most populous city is Charlestown. There is no gaming establishment in activity within the territory of West Virginia (WV).

If you’re heading off to Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack and hope to take a day off from the casino, you’re in for a treat even if we’re dealing with “just” the Upper Ohio Valley.

Trust me when I tell you this area is nothing short of nearby attractions that can even make Wheeling, West Virginia a top vacation destination. Even if you previously thought you were just on board for visiting the Island’s tropical-themed casino.

If you’re a paranormal enthusiast as well as a casino enthusiast, circle this area in red given the nearby Bellaire House and West Virginia State Penitentiary. But, if you’re into history, the Grave Creek Mound and Independence Hall will pique your interest.

Need something fit for the family? Oglebay Park is never short on the action. Let’s look closer at the hottest attractions to visit when taking a break from gambling in West Virginia.

The Bellaire House

If you’ve watched the Travel Channel, Lifetime, or Destination America, you may find yourself familiar with the Bellaire House. This ancient, three-story house located across the Ohio River in Bellaire, Ohio is the perfect place to experience the perfect fright night.

And we ain’t talking about those fake haunted attractions, either.

Reviewers say it’s a place you should pray before entering the home, as many who’ve visited this location claim it is one of the most haunted in the world. Many claim this house sits on an unusual amount of energy spirits can use to their advantage.

Others say it’s haunted because of its proximity to ancient Native American burial grounds in the surrounding woods. It’s also connected with nearby caves and stories persist the spirits are restless souls of those who have, for reasons unknown, perished within the caves.

Locals insist persistent negative energy that surrounds the place caused such tragedies.

Whether you’re an enthusiast or a skeptic, it’s more than worth booking a tour, staying the night, or even an entire weekend. It’d be a great way to catch a few thrills after a hard day at the casino, right?

So if the paranormal is your thing, perhaps take a night off from the casino games and your overnight stay at the hotel and opt for a night you’re bound to never forget.

West Virginia State Penitentiary

I should have mentioned the Upper Ohio Valley is full of dozens of abandoned mills, towns (seriously), and locations of a time long since lost. Fortunately for you, the thrills are just beginning because many of the ghosts have remained behind.

One such place is a good half-hour down the road in nearby Marshall County. The West Virginia State Penitentiary, from its gothic exterior to its rotting cells, is yet another hot attraction that brings people to Moundsville, West Virginia from all over the world.

Having operated from 1876 to 1995, the penitentiary operated as a maximum-security prison for the state’s most volatile inmates. It was the site of a massive prison outbreak in 1979 and a riot in 1986. The latter scraped national headlines and is perhaps the most infamous prison riot in American history.

Today, the prison is empty and open to all-night tours for those who dare to enter its gates. Tourists have reported shadow figures, footsteps, and blurs from the corners of their eyes.

Tour guides who’ve walked the prison in solitary have also reported the feeling of being watched or followed. Others have seen full-blown apparitions of past inmates and other, inhuman beings.

Mass media has featured the prison in many novels, TV shows, movies, and even video games. Surely, you’ve heard of it. Well, if you hit up Wheeling Island Casino and are looking to take a break, drive 30 minutes south and into Moundsville.

Your experiences will keep you awake so you can get a few more hours of gaming in when you return from the tour.

Grave Creek Mound

Like the penitentiary, the Grave Creek Mound draws tourists from all over the world and is one of the largest burial mounds in America, standing at a staggering 62 feet high and 240 feet in diameter.

Think about those dimensions. 240 feet equals 80 yards, nearly as long as an American football field.

The Adena people who lived in a region that stretched from modern-day Indiana to Southwest Pennsylvania moved over 60,000 tons of dirt onto the site between 250 and 150 BC.

Not as high or as wide as the Great Pyramid in Egypt, but nonetheless impressive.

The Delf Norona Museum sits at the mound’s base and interprets the culture of the ancient Adena people and theories on how they created the mound (If you’re an Ancient Aliens enthusiast, you may have your theories).

Anyway, the US Army Corps of Engineers agreed to transfer nearly a half-million artifacts uncovered in the 1990s along the Kanawha River to the museum.

The artifacts represent 10,000 years of varying cultures that include tools dating back to the Stone Age. If you’re an enthusiast for ancient cultures, it’s definitely worth taking a day off the gaming floor on the Island to experience this firsthand.

West Virginia Independence Hall

If you’re a United States history enthusiast, the Penitentiary and the Grave Creek Mounds aren’t the only two places to explore if you’re at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack.

If you don’t want to drive a half-hour down the river into Moundsville, Wheeling itself boasts a good deal of history. One such place is West Virginia Independence Hall, which was the home of the Wheeling Convention in 1861 and the West Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1863.

During that year, the counties in Northwest Virginia seceded from Virginia to form a new state accepted into the Union. And from 1861 to 1863, West Virginia Independence Hall operated as the operating location for the Restored Government of Virginia, where Francis H. Pierpont served as the Restored Government’s governor.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and in 1988, designated as a National Historic Landmark. The building operates as a state-run museum featuring exhibits of West Virginia’s rich, wild, and wonderful history.

You’re looking at a quick tour with a short distance from the Island. So if you’re just taking a quick break from the gaming floor and wish to experience the City of Wheeling, West Virginia Independence Hall is your calling.

Oglebay Park

Perhaps you’re not into the paranormal nor history. And that’s okay because I saved the best and most diverse attraction for last: Oglebay Park. This self-supporting public park is one-of-a-kind in West Virginia, and it sits on 1,650 acres of land just outside the city.

If you’re looking for a day off from the casino loaded with fun at every corner and something to do regardless of the time of year, then Oglebay Park is your answer.

But if golf isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty to do here when you’re taking a day off from the gaming at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack. You got tennis courts, an outdoor pool, several hiking trails, the Good Zoo, the Mansion Museum, the greenhouse, and surrounding gardens, and more.

If you’re looking for a place to stay other than the casino, check out the 271-room Wilson Lodge or one of the 54 cottages in the area.

If you’re into nature, the Good Zoo isn’t the only place you’ll find. The Schrader Center and a planetarium are also located on the property.

The outdoor enthusiast in you will love Camp Russel, Schenk Lake, and its nightly fountain shows.

And if you’re in town during specific times of the year, there is always something going on at Oglebay. It hosts shows like Oglebayfest, The Winter Festival of Lights, the Ohio County Fair, West Virginia Open, Springfest, and Fort Henry Days.

There is something for everybody to do at this park, and I can tell you from experience it’ll be a day (or a few) to remember.

Conclusion

Even in the Upper Ohio Valley, Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has plenty located around it to get excited about. From the paranormal entities that roam the Bellaire House and West Virginia State Penitentiary to historical sites like Grave Creek Mound and West Virginia Independence Hall.

Oglebay Park, though, is definitely where it’s at and you can’t get through all of its activities in just one day or even in one week. There is literally something for everyone in the entire family to get excited about at the park, and it’s the perfect rest day from the casino.

So if you’re in the area and are looking for activities and attractions that go beyond casino gaming, Wheeling, West Virginia and the surrounding area have you covered. You don’t want to miss these attractions.

Have you been to Wheeling Island Casino-Hotel-Racetrack and its attractions? Let us know.

Located in Wheeling, West Virginia lies the tropical-themed Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack on the not-so-tropical Wheeling Island. But this river island is anything but a passing glance when you’re traveling down Interstate-70.

The casino formerly known as Wheeling Downs offers a variety of gaming experiences you don’t want to miss out on. From video lotteries (slots), live greyhound racing, off-track betting, table gaming, poker games, horse racing, and more, the Island has you covered.

So, if the casino is your thing and you’re traveling north to nearby Pittsburgh or on your way west to Columbus, discover why the West Virginia gambling scene is more than worth checking out.

Casino History

The site’s racing days began even before the American Civil War and the racetrack itself was completed shortly thereafter in 1866.

The Wheeling Downs name was adopted in 1937 and because of additions and renovations in the 1940s, was given the nickname ‘mini Churchill Downs.’

In 1962, a fire severely damaged the property to the point nothing was salvageable. It took five long years to rebuild the property. In the early 1970s, Wheeling Downs reopened. However, legislation drastically reduced the size of winner’s purses and the site nearly closed down again.

During this time, Ogden Corporation bought Wheeling Downs and in 1976, it transitioned from horse to greyhound racing.

Delaware North acquired the hotel-casino-racetrack in 1988 and co-owned the location with Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel from 1994 to 2001. When Delaware North purchased the property, they put it under a vast expansion project featuring a new clubhouse and entertainment accommodations.

In 1994, Wheeling Downs expanded to off-track betting and video slot games before “reel” slot games arrived in 1999. Also in 1999, the gaming center expanded to 34,000 feet and the Islander Buffet was also opened during this time.

Casino table gaming came along in 2008 along with yet another name change to Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack.

Today, the property is the home of a 151-room hotel, 1,100 slot machines, showroom and meeting banquet services that accommodate 1,000 people, and 2,800 parking spaces.

It has become one of the most attractive venues in the Ohio Valley and as you can see from this section, owns a rich history that dates back over 150 years.

Casino Games Offered

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As mentioned, Wheeling Island Casino’s games include over 1,100 slot machines with a variety of themes and titles. Some of the most popular themed games include Treasure Ball, Quick Hit Blitz, and Heidi and Hannah’s.

High Limit games allow you to raise the stakes a bit and what they call the Wheeling Feeling. The casino features 47 High Limit slot machines along with a smoking and non-smoking section for guests.

Some of the most popular games offered on the Island include real money craps, blackjack, roulette, and others.

The state-of-the-art poker room includes a large variety of games, including Texas Hold ‘em, Omaha and Omaha Hi/Low Split, and Seven Card Stud.

Of course, Wheeling Island is known better than most casinos for its greyhound racing and it remains arguably the most popular attraction. Unlike most casino rooms or sections, the racetrack is welcome to people of all ages.

And as with many casinos, sports betting is the thing here on the Island, with the Betly Sportsbook providing a fast and easy way for you to make your next bet on the sports betting scene.

Just talk with the staff on hand or head over to their kiosks conveniently located throughout the sportsbook. Wheeling Island’s Sportsbook’s hours vary, so always check the website for the latest hours and for a full rundown on house rules and start placing your sports bets.

Dining Options

The city of Wheeling itself is known for its dining and the casino is in the center of the action. So, if you need a break from the games, this section is for you. Wheeling Island Casino’s dining options are among the best in the food-rich area. At the time of this writing, some of the options may be limited, so be sure to check out the Wheeling Island website for updated details of what is available.

In the afternoon and evening, be sure to try The Food Court’s deli options, burgers, and Americo’s Pizzeria. The afternoon menu is open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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Since Wheeling Island hosts an active racetrack, you can always count on its trackside concessions located on the casino’s second floor. The concession area is open from 12:30 p.m. until the second-to-last post time from Wednesday to Saturday.

West Virginia Casinos Wheeling Island

If you’re looking for monthly drink specials and live entertainment, then hit up the Waves Bar. Specials are available on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m.

If you’re looking for more variety regarding specials, the Castaways Bar and The Sandbar are also solid options.

If you’re staying for an extended period, don’t forget to grab a quick breakfast at the Crescent Moon Coffee Bar. The bar offers a variety of coffee and espresso, as well as iced Frappuccino, pastries, spreads, cakes, etc.

Finally, if fine dining is your thing, you don’t have to go far. Checkout The Pointe and it will satisfy all your needs for a night out.

Promotions and Entertainment

The casino offers daily jackpots worth thousands of dollars promotion-wise and some of their daily promos include the Change is Good Promo. So if you have jars of coins laying around the house—or filling up the console in your car, feel free to trade those in for stacks of dollar bills. Why not, right?

As the casino continues its reopening phase in the coming months you can expect even greater promos and entertainment.

Lucky North Club

Perhaps it’s the most notable promotion Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has to offer. The Lucky North Club allows you to earn points that are redeemable for same-day cashback, casino comps, and other promotional benefits.

Through the club, you’ll also receive exclusive event-related promotions and bonuses. The five-level membership structure allows you to automatically move up once you accumulate enough points.

Best yet, membership is free. So, if you’re in the Wheeling area often or if you pass through regularly, this is a special promotion you’ll want to check out.

Nearby Attractions

Local lingo tells the myth that there’s nothing to see in the Ohio Valley, but it’s just that. A myth. Speaking of myths and legends, if you want to take a break from the action there are a few nearby attractions you’ll want to check out.

The first is the world-famous West Virginia State Penitentiary located in nearby Moundsville. After closing its doors in 1995, the Penitentiary has been a focal point of paranormal activity and restless souls of those who died within the prison’s walls.

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Some of the most popular TV shows such as ‘Most Terrifying Places in America.’ It was also the filming site of Hulu original series Castle Rock, based on the original work of Stephen King.

Another popular attraction Moundsville offers is the Grave Creek Mound, built by the Adena People between 250 and 100 B.C. Hence the name ‘Moundsville.’

And across the Ohio River in nearby Bellaire, a trip to the Bellaire House is always worth a visit. Said to be the sight of a dark entity that terrorized a former homeowner and her pets, the house will definitely give you the thrill you’re seeking. Especially in the fall.

While heading in for an all-nighter or weekend stay isn’t cheap, it’s a great place to spend some of your winnings if you’re up experiencing some good old paranormal activity for yourself.

And of course, Wheeling isn’t located too far from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. So if you’re passing by on I-70 and turning onto Route 7 North, definitely check out all the city of Pittsburgh has to offer.

And don’t forget to check out The Meadows Racetrack & Casino (Washington County) and Rivers Casino (Pittsburgh), which are also located in proximity to the Island.

Conclusion

Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack embraces a rich history from humble beginnings as a horse racing track. And through various purchases, it has expanded to greyhound racing, slots, table games, and poker rooms.

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The casino now offers a sportsbook along with an accommodating hotel, entertainment, and dining options.

Wheeling Island Casino Reopening

After all that the city of Wheeling, West Virginia, and the Ohio Valley has gone through with the crash of the steel industry, this storied location has literally made it through thick and thin.

Wheeling Island Racetrack Schedule

Now that you know a little about this historic landmark it’s your turn to come to the Valley and check it out. Have you made a trip to the Island? And if so, how was the experience? Let us know.