(WTRF) – What if 7News told you that you could live in America’s least fun state?
If you’re in West Virginia, a new study says you are.
However, 7News is running this and decided there is no way it could be true. While the fun is different for everyone, we believe there is definitely something to keep anyone entertained in Mountain State.
I would say throw this study out first. It’s wrong.
Bob Peckenpaugh, President and CEO, Wheeling Park Commission
How could you not think West Virginia is fun? Obviously they haven’t been to West Virginia if you can’t find something fun here!
Ashley Wear, Office Manager, Grand Vue Park
West Virginia as the least fun state? We beg to differ. In the Northern Panhandle alone, there are plenty of destinations to keep you entertained, like Oglebay.
I would say they are crazy. With everything we have, all the activities we do in a community like Wheeling and across the state and our new national park and the trails that have been laid out, there’s no way they’ll do their research. . People go up to the top of a hill here and they just look at this beautiful wide view and the rolling hills and we just tell them, this is Oglebay.
Bob Peckenpaugh, President and CEO, Wheeling Park Commission
Where else in West Virginia are you going to find 36 holes of championship golf, hikes, 17 different types of boats, historic attractions and even a zoo with 300 animals in one place?
Of course there is also Grand Vue Park, where you can test your bravery on the aerial park zipline, swim, listen to live music with two concert halls and a live band every Friday, play a mini game. -golf or even camping in the treetops.
They stay here and the problem is we want to keep them here. Obviously there is so much to see in our neighboring West Virginia counties, but we want them to have everything they need here at Grand Vue Park.
Ashley Wear, Office Manager, Grand Vue Park
If that’s not your idea of ​​fun, how about a gig at the Capitol Theater in Wheeling or the regatta in New Martinsville? There are too many places to name!
As West Virginia tries not to take the latter to heart, let’s take a closer look at the study.
WalletHub used several metrics to compile its list, including the number of restaurants, golf courses, and ski trails per capita, access to national parks, and how much individuals and states spend on recreation.
WalletHub also found West Virginia to be near the bottom when it comes to the variety of arts, entertainment and recreation establishments.
It made us wonder if they really count all the treasured places West Virginia loves?
Like the county fairs and festivals that are centuries-old traditions every summer, or the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. What about waterfront amphitheatres that showcase crowd favorites like Live on the Levee in Charleston, or small town retreats like Berkeley Springs?
It’s not just summer fun in the Mountain State, with the beauty of fall foliage and the myriad of ski resorts and festive vacation destinations.
Not to mention some of our favorite sporting pastimes like a crowded Milan Puskar stadium cheering on mountaineers, spending a Saturday with the Thundering Herd or watching the Wheeling Nailers take to the ice.
I have lived in several places in the United States and obviously something brought me back to my roots in West Virginia and that is because we are fun, we are exciting and there is so much to do.
Ashley Wear, Office Manager, Grand Vue Park
While 7News is sure that WalletHub reviewed a lot of data for its study and didn’t mean to offend; West Virginia natives and those of us who have moved here from other places do not agree with their findings.
Less fun or not, we have a lot of fun here.
In case you were wondering where the surrounding states ranked. Pennsylvania was number 10 on the list of Least Fun States. Ohio was 13 years old. Virginia arrived at age 20 and Kentucky was also near bottom at number 42.
