ATTRACTIONS: The Tri-State is rich in great places to visit

Here are dozens of great places to visit and enjoy. For up-to-date listings on performances and events, check Entertainment Tri-State, available every Thursday in The Herald-Dispatch. Or visit us online at www.herald-dispatch.com.

WEST VIRGINIA

Blenko Glass: Located at Blenko Glass Company off of James River Turnpike in Milton. Historic museum on second floor of the Visitors Center features extensive stained glass display, history of the family-owned glass company, Country Music Award and U.S. Capitol lighting globe on display. Tours also available. Admission is free. Hours are: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call 304-743-9081.

Camden Park: Originally developed as a picnic area by the Camden Interstate Railway in 1903, Camden Park has survived into the 21st century as a thriving traditional amusement park. Today, it is the oldest amusement park in West Virginia with about 30 rides, including the classic wooden roller coaster, The Big Dipper. Located at U.S. 60 West, Huntington. General admission is $20.99 per person, $14.99 for children under 4 feet tall and for seniors 55 and older. Starlight rate (entering the park after 5 p.m.) is $10.99 or $7.99 depending on when the park closes. Hours vary, but the park typically is open on weekends in May, Wednesday through Sunday in June, Tuesday through Sunday in July before hours trail off through August and September. Call 304-429-4321. Go online at www.camdenpark.com.

Heritage Farm Museum and Village: Recreates turn of the century Appalachian life in restored log buildings, including a pioneer village with blacksmith shop, antique shop, church, petting zoo, bed and breakfasts, museums, community room, old school house and more. Guided tours available all year 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday (except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and, in the winter months, weather permitting). Admission: Guided two-hour tour, $8 (ages 13-64); $7 senior (ages 65 and older); and $6 (ages 3-12; age 2 and younger are free). Admission for guided one-hour tour, $6; $5 seniors and children. Admission for Petting Zoo/Nature Walk is $5. Groups of 15 or more qualify for special group rates when making advance reservations. Located at 3350 Harvey Road, Huntington. For more information, call 304-522-1244, or visit www.heritagefarmmuseum.com.

Huntington Museum of Art: Conservatory, silver and portraits, firearm collections, gallery, glass, museum shop and various changing exhibits. Located at 2033 McCoy Road, Huntington. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Call 304-529-2701. Go online at www.hmoa.org.

Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society Inc.: Located at 14th Street West at Memorial Boulevard, Huntington. Hours are by appointment only. Operated by the Collis P. Huntington Historical Society. Free admission, donations accepted. Call 304-736-7349.

Madie Carroll House: Located in the historic neighborhood of Guyandotte in Huntington. Tours of the historic house and small regional museum by appointment only. Call 304-522-0325.

Mountaineer Opry House: Located a stone's throw off of Milton Exit 28, the red-block building known as The Mountaineer Opry House, has been hosting national-act bluegrass most Saturday nights during most of the year. Everyone from the late, great Bill Monroe "The Father of Bluegrass Music," to Grammy Award-winning artist Alison Krauss has played The Opry House, a smoke-and-alcohol-free, all-ages venue. Concessions (hot dogs, BBQ's, soft drinks, coffee, hot chocolate, fresh popcorn, chips and candy) are available. Tickets can be bought the day of show. Tickets usual go on sale at 5 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. show times. Ticket prices are generally $12, $10 for seniors and $5 for children 12 and under. Prices can vary depending on the band. For more information, call Larry and Mary Stephens, who have been running the Opry House for 20 years, at 304-743-5749.

Spring Hill Cemetery: Located near the Fairfield West neighborhood of Huntington, this cemetery is the final resting place of many of the victims of the 1970 plane crash that killed 75 Marshall University football players, coaches and fans. It includes a monument to the lost team and the graves of several players who were never identified. Spring Hill is also the final resting place of many Civil War soldiers. Call 304-696-5516 or log onto cemetery@ghprd.org.

J Taylor Auto Collection: 14th Street West, Huntington. A growing collection of cars and automobile items, geared toward the car lover. Free admission. Call 304-522-2864 for times.

Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences: Clay Center houses the performing arts, visual arts and the sciences under one roof. The facility is home to the Avampato Discovery Museum, with rotating exhibits and hands-on activities for children. The Clay Center also houses the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the 1,883-seat Maier Foundation Performance Hall, the black-box Walker Theater, the large-format film ElectricSky Theater and more. Located at 1 Clay Square, Charleston. For information, visit www.theclaycenter.org or call 304-561-3500 or 888-241-6376.

Museum of Radio and Technology: Located at 1640 Florence Ave., Huntington. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission by donation. Call 304-525-8890.

Jenkins Plantation: Located off of W.Va. 2, or Ohio River Road, about nine miles from Huntington. Located adjacent to the Greenbottom Wildlife Management Area. Historic home of Brigadier General Albert Gallatin Jenkins, C.S.A. Currently closed to the public for renovations. Call 304-762-1059.

Ceredo Historical Society: Located at 501 Main St., Ceredo. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. For appointments, call 304-453-3025.

West Virginia State Museum: Located in the Cultural Center, State Capitol, Charleston. Doors are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call 304-558-0220. Library is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and the archives department is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Renaissance Art Gallery: This non-profit co-op of tri-state artists is located at 900 8th St., Huntington. It features various changing exhibits, ongoing art classes and the National Miniature Exhibition each November. Hours are: Tuesday - Saturday 12-4 pm. Sunday, 1-4 pm. 304- 525-3235. For appointments call 304-453-3187.

Silver Bridge Memorials: Located in Point Pleasant, Mason County, at 6th and Main streets and north of Kanauga at the State Route 7 rest area. On Dec. 15, 1967, during rush hour, the Silver Bridge, connecting Point Pleasant to Kanauga, Ohio, fell into the icy Ohio River. Forty-six people lost their lives when the bridge fell. Two memorials have been erected in their memory.

Tu-Endie-Wei: Located at the meeting point of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers in Mason County, this park commemorates the first battle of the American Revolution on Oct. 10, 1774. Congress proclaimed it as the official first battle in 1908. On site are a commemorative 85-foot granite obelisk, the graves of battle combatants and the Mansion House, a restored 1796 tavern and inn that serves as a museum. Also interred in the park are Chief Cornstalk, battle leader, and Ann Bailey, frontier scout.

Mothman Statue: Was it a real monster or just an elaborate hoax? The winged creature with the glowing red eyes was first sited in Mason County in 1967, and now a statue of the Mothman is located near Gunn Park. Don't miss the annual Mothman Festival, which will be held Sept. 15 and 16 on Main Street in Point Pleasant.

Mothman Museum: Main Street in Point Pleasant. Located in the heart of Mothman country, this museum is the world's only museum about the infamous Mothman. Visitors can experience multimedia presentations, rare Mothman archives and movie props. Don't miss the gift shop. Call 304- 675-6788 or log onto www.mothmanlives.com.

OHIO

The John Campbell Home at North Fifth Street in Ironton: John Campbell was the founder of Ironton who also served to help runaway slaves. The slaves traveled through tunnels into the basement, up a back staircase and hid under the eves of the roof until Campbell could finalize plans for their move further north. The historic packed area can be found at North Fifth St. in downtown Ironton. For more information, contact Viviane Khounlavong at the Lawrence County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 740-377-4550.

Scottown Covered Bridge: In 1991, this historic timber frame covered bridge was preserved and is located on State Route 217 in Scottown, Ohio. A map of the historic location can be found at the Lawrence County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Floodwall Murals: The artwork along side the Ohio River on Second Street in Ironton, Ohio, depicts the history and achievements in Lawrence County. The floodwall can be found in the Center St. area of Ironton.

Shawnee State Park, Portsmouth: Nestled in the hills and hollows of the 63,000-acre Shawnee Forest, you will find Shawnee Resort & Conference Center. They offer a range of vacation attractions and amenities from golfing along the banks of the Ohio River to taking a dip in the indoor or outdoor pool. There are 65 miles of adjacent hiking trails, ideal for avid hikers or photographer looking to capture wildlife and wildflowers. Call 740-858-6621 or log on to www.shawneelodgeresort.com.

Portsmouth Murals: More than 2,000 feet of floodwall space is dedicated to the colorful depiction of the Portsmouth area's history by internationally known muralist Robert Dafford. The Portsmouth Murals are viewed along Front Street, within walking distance of many shops, stores and dining in the historic Boneyfiddle District. More information and tours are available by calling the Portsmouth Convention and Visitors Bureau, 740-353-1116.

The Boneyfiddle Historic District of Portsmouth: This district has been refurbished to express intriguing architecture of Portsmouth's past. It is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, offering visitors a glimpse of history in both structure and service. Antique shops and retail outlets embrace the historic significance of these century-old buildings. Whether looking for that special treasure or a quaint place to eat, you can relax and enjoy the hospitality.

Shawnee State University in Portsmouth: Offers more than 80 bachelor's and associate degree programs. It sports a beautifully landscaped campus featuring 20 buildings including the Advanced Technology Center that features one of only 50 Digistar II planetariums in the worlds. For more info about SSU call 740-351-2221 or toll free 800-959-2778.

Southern Ohio Museum: Located at 825 Gallia Street in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. You'll find the museum galleries and gift shop open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday but Monday, and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is voluntary. Call 740-354-5629 or log on to www.somacc.com.

KENTUCKY

Ashland Area Art Gallery: Located at 1516 Winchester Ave., Ashland. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Other hours can be scheduled by appointment. Admission is free. Donations accepted. Call 606-329-1826 or e-mail questions to ashlandartgallery@yahoo.com.

Highlands Museum and Discovery Center: History center with hands-on interaction for children. Located at 1620 Winchester Ave., Ashland. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.Mondays scheduled by appointment. Admission is $4 and $3.50 for children and senior citizens. Call 606-329-8888.

Paramount Arts Center: Located at 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed Saturday and Sunday. Call 606-324-3175.

Exxon Marketplace at Falls Creek: Located right on U.S. 23 in Louisa. This super-sized stone gas station/restaurant/souvenir stand that looks more like a castle, hosts some live music on the weekends and its store is filled with items from a dozen stars of the Country Music Highway. Call 606- 638-9999, www.lawrencecokytourism.com.

The Country Music Highway Museum: Located just off of U.S. 23 in Paintsville, Ky., The Country Music Highway Museum opened in spring 2005, and is already a must-stop for country music fans. Enjoy the interactive exhibits featuring the memorabilia of Eastern Kentucky born and raised stars such as Tom T. Hall, Loretta Lynn, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ricky Skaggs and others. Call 800-542-5790 or go online at www.paintsville.org.

Jenny Wiley Theatre: Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is located outside Prestonsburg, Ky., about 90 miles from Huntington. Located off of U.S. 23/460 on KY 3, Jenny Wiley Theatre is one of the oldest regional outdoor theater companies. The park is named after legendary pioneer Jenny Wiley, who was captured in 1790 by Indians who killed her brother and five of her children. Wiley escaped after 11 months of captivity and walked a couple hundred miles back home from near South Shore, Ky. to southwestern Virginia. In 1800, Jenny Sellards Wiley and her husband Tom moved to the banks of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. After returning from captivity, she bore five more children. Call JWT at 877-CALL-JWT or 877-225-5598. For more info on the park, call 800-325-0142.

McDonald's in Prestonsburg: Everybody gets in the act of celebrating Eastern Kentucky's country music heritage, even the mega chain McDonald's. At the McDonald's in Prestonsburg you can find a nice nod to the often overlooked great bluegrass and country singer, the late, great Hylo Brown. One of Brown's stage jackets hangs between the men's and women's restrooms. In the dining area, there is a nice Country Music Highway collection of memorabilia, including one of the brown signs and some rare 45s, such as Letcher County native Gary Stewart's "Life's a Game" from 1984 on Red Ash Records.

Appalshop: Located at 91 Madison Ave., in Whitesburg, Ky. Appalshop is one of the most important media centers in Appalachia. Birthed in 1969 as an economic development project of the War on Poverty, Appalshop is a multi-disciplinary arts and education center producing original films, video, theater, music and spoken-word recordings, radio, photography, multimedia, and books in the heart of Appalachia. Call 606-424-4074 or go online at www.appalshop.org.

The Herald-Dispatch

Blenko Glass in Milton.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch Stephanie Stapleton and Cody Wheeler, 5, of Louisa ride the Paratrooper on Monday, Sept. 4, 2007, at Camden Park.

Mark Webb/The Herald-Dispatch

Heritage Farm Museum and Village