22 Inside Fun Things To Do in Huntington West Virginia Today

Published April 16, 2025

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Huntington, West Virginia's second-biggest city, offers a lot of fun activities that you would anticipate in an urban area.

It's a rising city along Ohio River, and it features an enchanting historic center and an intriguing past.

In fact, there are numerous fascinating activities to enjoy in Huntington that will introduce you to the city's natural surrounding beauty.

Discover 22 inside fun things to do in Huntington, West Virginia today!

1. Visit Jolly Pirate Donut

To begin your Huntington tour on a delightful note, visit this spot located in the East Huntington area.

A beloved spot in the community, Jolly Pirates offers various delectable goodies ranging from French crullers to yeast doughnuts and cake donuts.

Their donuts are fluffy and crunchy, and prepared fresh daily in-house using the identical recipe passed down for more than 40 years.

2. Explore Museum of Radio and Technology

This museum serves as the most intriguing Huntington museum.

A collective of radio tans acquired a vintage school in 1991 and gradually built collections of military communication devices, vintage radios, and broadcasting transmission equipment.

Former classrooms became occupied by console radios rather than desks, and the walls were adorned using circuit boards rather than chalkboards.

Also, the shelves are stocked with radio communication gear rather than books,

In fact, radio equipment is piled from floor to ceiling, tables adorned with all types of radios and corridors lined with console radios, the most advanced technology ever employed.

It is indeed a very intriguing stroll through the past of these informal radio communications.

3. Eat at Bombshells, Burgers and BBQ

A former police officer established an indoor shooting range inside Huntington and his spouse, Christy, established an eatery adjacent.

Launched in 2018, it's among the city's most unique spots for an excellent meal.

The eatery is inspired by traditional diners from the ‘40s.

Its WWII-themed seating space evokes the charm of traditional diners, featuring white and red stalls, rock tunes booming from speakers, and illustrated pinup women adorning the walls.

Their menu features a selection of American dishes such as wings, sandwiches, pizza, and barbecue, and their burgers remain the finest.

They begin with their All American Burger – an Angus Beef burger of 1/3 pounds accompanied by your selection of toppings.

Then, their Flamethrower Burger is crowned with jack pepper cheese, jalapeños, and “explosive sauce”.

This burger received its name after Williams Hershel, a Marine awarded the WWII Medal of Recognition for his role as a flame thrower.

4. Explore Kenova Pumpkin House

In case you're seeking an entertaining and unique activity in Huntington this Halloween, make sure to visit this pumpkin house.

It is a landmark structure that showcases thousands of decoratively carved pumpkins for celebration and is a section of the yearly CK Autumn Fest inside the Kenova and Ceredo communities.

Beginning with just five carved pumpkins over forty years ago, this occasion currently draws in 30000 annual visitors and showcases more than 3000 carved pumpkins.

5. Stop at The Market

In 2017, when this shopping center was inaugurated, it became an immediate favorite among the residents.

The Market swiftly turned into a gathering center, offering excellent cuisine and live performances.

It’s a place that everyone should visit while in Huntington, whether in the evening or morning.

Here, you will find Wildflower Boutique, which provides an assortment of home decorations and collectible pieces that will urge you to take them home.

They began in Ceredo but as soon as The Market launched, they seized the opportunity to relocate to the city center.

Everything in the ice cream they offer is made from scratch and showcases rich tastes.

So, ensure you request two or one scoop, and quickly locate a spot to sit down before it dissolves.

6. Take a Hike in Beech Fork Park

Situated just 12m from the Huntington region, Beech Fork spans a State Park of 3144 acres that provides a diverse range of outdoor activities.

The park offers numerous campsites in addition to miles of hiking paths at Beech Fork and a lake spanning 720 acres.

Common pastimes here include fishing, boating, cycling, trekking, camping, geocaching, swimming, and other additional activities.

7. Discover Harris River Front Park

The sole route to reach this park is traveling by car through the soaring concrete barrier shielding Huntington from Ohio River.

In 1937, after days of continuous rainfall, this Ohio River overflowed its banks and rushed across the city.

Then, by the year 1943, the US Army Corps Engineers had finished a flood barrier of 11 miles to guard against this natural calamity in the upcoming years.

However, beyond the floodwall, Harris Riverfront is quite remarkable.

Trails wind their way under the cover of trees and at the conclusion of this park, a cemented area is a common spot for fishing at the stream.

Also, in the background, the Robert Byrd Bridge spans the Ohio River, linking Ohio and West Virginia.

8. Visit Heritage Farm Museum and Village

Following two decades of gathering, constructing, and organizing, Henriella and Mike Perry established this museum and village.

Then, by the year 2006, they set up regular operating hours for guests to discover their inventions.

So, Heritage Farm & Museum stands as a reconstructed Appalachian site from the 19th-century hamlet that honors regional creativity and tradition.

The site boasts several museums filled with historic objects, together with a treehouse, petting farm, and wildlife center.

Seven museums here explore subjects such as early pioneer life, transit, and technology.

One of them, The MakerSpace showcases regional crafts and arts.

Then, Critter Corner stands as an excellent spot to spend time with animals and Treehouse Trek provides thrilling adventures.

In Heritage Farm and Museum, local craftsmen operate on location to finish daily tasks from earlier times like printing and blacksmithing.

After you have completed your visit to the museums, proceed to the neighboring Adventure Park.

The new venue includes rope courses, zip lines, mountain biking, and rock climbing facilities.

Accommodation is also offered on location for those seeking a genuine Appalachian experience.

9. Check Out Pullman Square

This place was inaugurated in 2004, concluding years of development in the downtown area.

The two-level, outdoor shopping center showcases intriguing retailers such as Inner Geek Bookshop and OldNorth Arcade, a place to have fun, and enjoy cuisine and beer alongside classic arcade games.

Pullman Square also serves as the location for yearly special events such as live music and live performances.

Throughout the day, it is an ideal spot to take a pause from the busyness of discovering the city.

10. Visit Hillbilly Hot Dog

For an enjoyable twist on the traditional West Virginia's hot dog, take a trip to this place.

Their hot dog rustic-themed stand showcases a selection of hot dogs complete with every one of the toppings, along with their renowned 1-pound homewrecker sausage.

Also, if you're ready for a fun challenge, see if you can consume the homewrecker more quickly than the existing record holder.

Additionally, make sure to have your camera with you as this restaurant is full of humorous trinkets and rustic-themed ornaments that are bound to bring a smile to your face.

11. Stroll in Ritter Park

This is Huntington’s favorite spot for outdoor activities.

It is located at the foundation of a low mountain ridge. Here, the city's layout of straight streets starts with wavy ascents.

It’s a serene retreat from urban sounds and an excellent area for tourists to extend their legs and relax.

A gravel trail of 0.6 miles meanders through this park, linking the different appeals.

The park's Rose Garden boasts well-maintained gardens encircled by clay tiles.

Also, almost twelve tennis courts are ready here for enthusiastic participants and their amphitheater is encircled by the shadows of lofty trees.

Next, there's the playground that has received many awards.

12. Tune In to the McElroy Brothers Podcast

If you like tuning into podcasts, think about checking out an MSMSAI episode.

Produced by McElroy's siblings, Justin, Gri"n, and Travis, MBMBAM has always been delivering funny suggestions and various random remarks for more than a decade.

The McElroy siblings, children of Huntington local radio figure Cli, were brought up and grew up inside Huntington.

They even produced a brief MBMBAM TV Show derived from the podcast. It was completely filmed around and in Huntington.

Also, if you appreciate their eccentric humor style, you might likewise be intrigued by Adventure Zone.

It's a fortnightly podcast featuring the brothers engaged in Dungeons and Dragons, and various games of role-playing with their father Clint.

13. Discover Touma Museum

In the year 2017, Dr. B. Joseph Touma together with his spouse, Omayma Touma, offered their assortment of medical artifacts and tools to the School of Medicine at Marshall University.

So, the college commenced a medical museum of 4000 square feet at the center of the city, showcasing the collection across numerous exhibits.

Strolling through this museum feels as if you are entering a medical historical textbook chapter.

Obsolete medical tools, old volumes, and vintage artifacts show the progress medicine has made in a brief period.

Note that the museum allows visits strictly by appointment.

Indeed, it’s an essential trip that everyone ought to take when visiting Huntington.

14. Embark on a Marshall Walking Tour

The realm of college athletics and the whole of Huntington City were astonished in 1970 when a sad plane accident took the lives of 75 football players, personnel, and team members of Marshall University.

When the director McG decided to produce a film of the event from 2005, he chose to record the film in Huntington.

Certain scenes were recorded at private residences and businesses, although the majority were recorded at the campus of Marshall University.

Stroll around the campus – accessible to everyone – and discover the shooting sites of the movie at the Buskirk Field, Morrow Library, Memorial Fountain, and Hodges Hall.

15. Explore Heritage Station

Collis Huntington founded the Huntington & Big Sandy Rail road in 1887, constructing a 2-story passenger station and expanding his valuable C&O Railroad.

In the following four decades, the brick building was expanded multiple times to accommodate increasing freight.

However, by the beginning of the 20th century,

Besides a brief period as Greyhound Station, the structure remained vacant for many years.

Then, following upgrades and refurbishments, the old freight and passenger terminal resumed operations as the Heritage Station.

In front of the depot, an authentic steam train and coal wagon are set up.

Then within, refurbished wooden floors and freight antique scales welcome visitors to this historic structure.

The center is situated within the historic transit center and tourists can collect the regional tourist guide, review pamphlets on activities to engage in, and receive advice from their welcoming personnel.

Also, at The Scarlet Train Car, visitors can explore rows of shelves of local artisan crafts and artworks, apparel, keepsakes, and Blenko glass containers.

16. Visit Huntington Museum of Art

This museum, established in 1952, showcases a remarkable assortment of exhibitions.

Discover its ten exhibition areas, including the Portrait Gallery & Glass Collection, along with the background of weaponry.

Also, participate in a gathering in its 287-seat amphitheater before strolling through the sole West Virginia tropical conservatory.

Then, allocate approximately two to three hours to discover the 16000 items in its exhibition hall.

Another most captivating activity at this museum is exploring its outdoor activities.

The land of 52 acres includes 2 miles of walking paths and two sculpture gardens in outdoor settings.

17. Discover Cicada Books and Coffee

This is a neighborhood coffee shop located within a secondhand bookstore.

When proprietors Katie Norman and Dawn Hylbert launched the shop, they chose this name based on the cicada, which is an insect recognized for renewal.

Here, secondhand books are arranged on shelves reaching from the ground to ceiling.

Also, the retail store offers so much more including local art, indoor plants, and distinctive concepts.

You can place an order for freshly ground coffee before taking a look at the secondhand books - grab one table to savor the coffee as you browse through the available books prior to bringing them home.

18. Taste West Virginia's Hot Dogs

You likely haven't heard of West Virginia's Hot Dog originating from the West Virginia region.

Its formula is straightforward and foolproof: bun, sausage, chili, cabbage, mustard, and onions.

Luckily, Huntington offers two excellent spots to enjoy this satisfying meal.

One of them is a small orange structure inside of 5th Avenue which is Huntington’s inaugural drive-in diner.

Their menu features hot dogs topped with Gertrude’s special chili sauce.

Then, John Jr, in 2005, established West Virginia HotDog Festival.

This festival takes place in Huntington during July final weekend and includes carnival attractions, live performances, and numerous vendors making the famous hot dog.

Also, in 1926, LS Harvey inaugurated the initial Springfield, Ohio's Fro-stop Root Beer and in the following thirty years, the franchise expanded throughout the nation.

Their fries, sandwiches, burgers, and grilled cheese are made fresh upon request and are among the most delicious dishes in Huntington.

However, their West Virginia's Hot Dog remains the highlight of the menu.

The warm hot dog pairs so wonderfully with a cold root beer and crispy onion rings.

19. Take Some Coffee in Grindstone Coffeeology

You can discover Huntington with Grindstone Coffeeology's Baristas' freshly ground coffee beans.

For each coffee served, their menu features all the usual essentials such as espresso, drip, and chilled.

Also, their brunch menu available all day features croissants, subs, tarts, and morning wraps.

So, go ahead and sit at a cozy table within this little coffee spot, or go to their rooftop lounge area featuring chairs and tables under shaded sails.

20. Embark on a Food Tour

Huntington remains a culinary hotspot and you'll discover all sorts of options here, ranging from a seafood bar to a steak home.

You may begin with a meal at any of the restaurants in the downtown area.

CalamityJ Grill and Bar offers a fusion of spirit and southwest, and their options consist of chicken, burritos, and pasta with a zesty flair.

Then, Huntington Ale House treats meat with seriousness, offering burgers that are so stacked you will require a knife and fork to consume them.

Also, there is Jim's Steak and Pasta House, which has been one of the beloved local spots since the year 1938.

The owner's daughter currently manages the restaurant, where you can discover large segments of each dish.

Then, there is 21 at Frederick which was launched at the historical and closed Frederick Hotel in 2015.

Their tables are draped in white fabrics and their intricate design will evoke feelings in you as if it's the 1930s.

On their menu, you’ll discover filet mignon, lamb chops, and an expanding wine selection.

Another restaurant is Le Bistro which offers a great dining experience with new seasonal produce for the most imaginative dining adventure of Huntington.

Also, there is The Peddler which merges artisanal beer from the 10-barrel setup with hearty burgers and buttermilk-battered chicken sandwiches.

Lastly, you will find Backyard Pizza & Raw Bar, which has been preparing an assortment of wood-fired gourmet pizzas since 2012, and you can additionally request fresh seafood here.

21. Enjoy Camden Park's Carnival Attractions

For more than a century, this timeless spot has been enchanting adventurers of every age, making it one of Huntington’s top activities to experience.

Key attractions here include the Rattler, Log Flume, Big Dipper, Tilt-a-Spin, and Catapult among others.

Also, when you feel prepared for a mild heart-exciting journey, think about hiring a boat to enjoy a spin near Swan Lake.

22. Visit Jim’s Steak & Spaghetti House

Explore this eatery, a top family-run establishment in Huntington.

Although there are numerous meals available on Jim’s menu, the most popular by a wide margin is their meat sauce with pasta.

Also, you will really love the eatery’s renowned homemade dessert.

Even, the eatery has welcomed numerous renowned visitors throughout the years such as John Kennedy, Billy Joel, and Muhammed Ali.

Don't forget to spend a moment looking through the numerous images of stars that are displayed on this cherished Huntington establishment wall.