A woman enjoying an evening of axe throwing.

Fun Things to do in Belmont County to Beat the Winter Blahs

If the winter weather has you feeling cooped up and stir crazy, check out these fun things to do in Belmont County to beat the winter blahs. Get outdoors, curl up with a good book, learn something new, or plan your spring or summer adventure.

Learn something new. Learn more about local and national history by attending the 10th Annual Great Stone Viaduct Historical Education Society’s Winter Lecture Series. These free events are held at the Bellaire Public Library each Wednesday from February 2-March 25 at 6 p.m.

The Underground Railroad Museum – Ohio Valley in Flushing is hosting a Black History Month program on February 5 from 12-3pm. The event will include video presentations and speakers, followed by Q&A sessions covering slavery, the Underground Railroad, the struggle for equality, and the Civil Rights Movement. There will be refreshments followed by a tour of the museum. No reservations are needed, and the recommended donation is $5 per person or $10 per family.

At Ready, Aim, Fire Ceramics Studio, 415 Hanover St. in Martins Ferry, you can create your own, one-of-a-kind painted and glazed ceramic item. They offer classes and parties at their place or yours!

Channel your inner lumberjack and learn to throw an axe at Route 40 Lumberjaxe, 41761 National Rd., Belmont or The Axe Hole, 419 Hanover St. in Martins Ferry. Both also offer pool, darts, games, and music. Route 40 recently added an escape room for more entertainment.

If escape rooms are your thing, be sure to check out Escape Zone Ohio, 2011 Belmont St., Bellaire. Work together with friends, family, even coworkers to find clues and solve the puzzles in one of four themed rooms to escape in 60 minutes.

Take a winter hike. Belmont County offers many great places to take a winter hike such as Barkcamp State Park, Dysart Woods, Egypt Valley Wildlife Area, Captina Creek Birding Trail, Zion Retreat & RV Park, Barnesville Memorial Park, National Road Bikeway, Newlin Falls Nature Trail, Piedmont Lake, Raven Rocks, and Rock River Refuge.

Captina Conservancy is hosting a Winter Walk at Raven Rocks on February 19 from 1-4 p.m. Raven Rocks is located at 54167 Crum Rd., Beallsville. Free snacks and hot drinks will be offered. Participants should come prepared for cold and slippery conditions as they tour the beauty of the ravines in winter. The length will be approximately two miles, with an option for a longer hike.

Curl up with a good book and escape the weather for a time. Belmont County has nine public libraries. They include the Belmont County District Library locations of Martins Ferry, Bethesda, Bridgeport, Powhatan, Shadyside, and Victoria Read Public Library in Flushing, as well as St. Clairsville Public Library, Barnesville Hutton Memorial Library, and Bellaire Public Library.

The Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville also has BAM! Books A Million bookstore and New Dimension Comics.

Pair your book with a great glass of wine or a hot cup of coffee. Vino di Piccin Winery & Tasting House is a family-owned winery in Lansing. Aquila Coffee is located inside Three Labs Mercantile on Main, 142 W. Main St. and Giacinta’s Gelato & Cafe is located at the other end of town at 166 E. Main St. both in St. Clairsville. Beeology Coffee & Bakery Company is located at 629 E. Main St, in Barnesville. All three coffee shops offer a variety of coffee, tea, and bakery items.

Complete a Virtual Puzzle: Being stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t experience your favorite Belmont County attractions and places. Explore the beauty of Belmont County, Ohio through our new virtual puzzles! Simply click one of the images to start your puzzle digitally from your phone or desktop. Drag and drop the pieces to complete the puzzle. Send to your friends and compete to see who can complete their puzzle first!

Take an exercise class: Work up a sweat and de-stress at one of Belmont County’s many fitness facilities where you can find a variety of ways to exercise, have fun, and meet new people.

Plan a trip. Plan a trip to one of Belmont County’s 18 museums and historic attractions. Stay in one of our 18 lodging facilities. Have a blast at one of 40 annual events. Travel one of our three scenic byways. Request a free copy of our 56-page, 2022 Travel Guide by calling 740-695-4359 or at visitbelmontcounty.com.

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