Oglebay Resort & Festival of Lights Wheeling

Once home to wealthy industrialist and philanthropist Earl W. Oglebay and family, this 750-acre estate is now a museum and is lavishly decorated for the holidays! Here you will journey into the past, entering a virtual treasure house of antiques and history that is dressed in all its holiday glory. The trip includes 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, and 1 lunch. We will depart Woodbridge at 6:15 a.m. and Manassas at 7 a.m. (There is a considerable amount walking on the grounds of the resort if you choose to do so)

Day One:

We will stop for lunch on your own before arrival at Oglebay. Once we arrive, we will start with a tour of the Mansion Museum, once home to Mr. Oglebay, dressed for the holidays! We then check into our rooms at the Oglebay Resort, where you have some downtime to rest and freshen up for dinner and enjoy the lively, heartwarming festive production that will be put on. We then board our coach to enjoy a guided drive-through experience along the six-mile Festival of Lights Tour.

Day Two:

After breakfast, we will visit Oglebay’s Institute of Glass Museum and witness the largest piece of cut lead crystal ever made. “The Sweeny Punch Bowl.” standing 5 feet tall and weighing over 225 pounds, this remarkable piece of Victorian artistry is world- renowned. The museum has over 3,000 examples of Wheeling glass made from 1829-1939. Farmhouse Sweets & Treats is right next door to find your next favorite Christmas decoration and indulge in a sweet treat. We will then head downtown to visit the Center Market for lunch on your own. The upper market house was built in 1853, the oldest cast iron market house in the country. The lower market house was added in 1890. The two structures still function as market houses and the entire neighborhood is enjoying a renaissance as a hub of activity and is brimming with food, artwork, antiques, and more! We return to the resort for dinner at The Wilson Lodge and then enjoy entertainment in the Hickman Lounge

Day Three:

After breakfast at the hotel and check out we visit the Winter Fantasy Good Zoo for the Christmas light show. This attraction includes an exciting animated music and LED light show on the patio, all of which is choreographed to beloved holiday music. As we head home, we will stop at Cracker Barrel for lunch ($20 gift card included). Approximate arrival back will be 8:00 p.m.