A Top Family Getaway Near Pittsburgh

Every family vacation starts with the same question: Where can we go that everyone will enjoy?

Parents want a destination that's easy to reach and packed with activities. Kids want adventure, animals, swimming and plenty of room to play. Grandparents want opportunities to relax while making memories with the people they love.

That's why so many families choose Oglebay Park Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Located just an hour from Pittsburgh and within easy driving distance of Columbus and Cleveland, Oglebay offers something increasingly difficult to find: a place where families can slow down, reconnect and enjoy multiple experiences without spending their entire trip in the car.

At many destinations, the hotel is simply where you sleep. At Oglebay, the resort itself is part of the adventure.

Families can choose from comfortable lodge accommodations, spacious cottages and scenic views that place them in the heart of more than 2,000 acres of outdoor recreation. Once you arrive, there's no need to constantly drive from attraction to attraction. Activities, dining and entertainment are all located within the resort.

That convenience allows families to spend less time planning and more time enjoying each other's company.

One of the biggest reasons families visit Oglebay is the Good Zoo.

As West Virginia's only AZA-accredited zoo, the Good Zoo offers unique opportunities to learn about wildlife while getting up close to fascinating animals. Guests can observe red pandas, kangaroos, sloths, cheetahs and many other species while discovering the zoo's commitment to conservation and education.

Animal encounters provide memorable experiences that often become the highlight of a family's visit, especially for younger guests who may be meeting some of these animals for the first time.

Summer at Oglebay means there's always another adventure waiting around the corner.

Families can cool off in the outdoor pool, splash through the Fountains of Fun area, navigate inflatables, explore the lake on swan boats and aqua cycles or challenge themselves on the aerial adventure course.

Nature trails wind throughout the property, offering opportunities to explore the outdoors together. Golfers can enjoy championship courses while younger players can introduce themselves to the game on the Par 3 course or miniature golf course.

Whether your family prefers active adventures or leisurely afternoons, Oglebay makes it easy to create your own pace.

Throughout the year, Oglebay hosts festivals, concerts, holiday celebrations and family-friendly events that give guests even more reasons to visit.

From summer entertainment and seasonal festivals to the nationally recognized Festival of Lights during the holidays, many families return year after year to continue traditions that began generations ago.

For some, it's a summer getaway. For others, it's an annual reunion. For many, it's simply a place filled with memories.

Perhaps the greatest strength of Oglebay is its ability to appeal to every age group.

Children can spend the day meeting animals, splashing in the pool and exploring playgrounds. Parents can relax knowing there's always another activity nearby. Grandparents can enjoy the scenery, gardens, dining and time spent with family.

It's not often that a destination successfully serves everyone from toddlers to grandparents, but that's part of what makes Oglebay special.

Families don't always remember every detail of a vacation. They remember the moments.

The first time a child feeds a goat. The excitement of spotting a red panda. The laughter shared on a swan boat. The family photo taken before heading home.

Those moments happen every day at Oglebay.

That's why families continue to visit year after year. Not simply because of the activities, but because Oglebay provides something even more valuable: the opportunity to spend meaningful time together.

Whether you’re planning a day trip or a weekend stay, Oglebay Park Resort makes it easy to create meaningful summer memories close to home.

Plan Your Stay

Traveling from another area? Explore family trips near Cleveland, OH or Columbus, OH, or plan your full summer vacation in West Virginia.