The Ohio Valley covers a large area including acreage in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky facing the Ohio River. The valley has five large population centers: Pittsburg, Wheeling, Cincinnati, Louisville and Evansville. Each of these metropolitan areas offer many opportunities for fitness activities and sports.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Ride the streets and trails of Pittsburgh, a bicycle friendly city. Participate in BikeFest, an annual bike event each August featuring 10 days of bike-related activities such as a bike swap, outdoor family film night, kids triathlon and bike rides for all levels of riders from easy to a 95-mile endurance ride. Kayak or canoe on Pittsburgh's three rivers, Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela. The locks help you navigate around the dams and make for a still water outing.
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling hosts an active trail system for hiking, walking, jogging and biking. Trails are converted railroad beds. Take the Ohio River trail north or south, it skirts the river with scenic views. Pause at Pike Island to watch barge traffic maneuver through the locks. Take a side trip at 10th Street to walk across the river on the oldest auto suspension bridge still in use in the country. It was built in 1849 as a railroad bridge. Wheeling's public skate park attracts skateboarders and inline skaters to try their skills in the 10,000-square-foot park. More than half the park is dedicated to bowls. The other part is street elements such as grind boxes and rails. The park never closes; it's open 24 hours a day everyday.
Cincinnati, Ohio
The Ohio River has another interesting bridge in the Purple People Bridge that connects Cincinnati to Newport, Kentucky. Another railroad bridge conversion, this bridge is now open to pedestrians and climbers only. Wear safety gear to ascend superstructure. Cross the bridge climbing across the superstructure. It is legal and allowed. Cincy city parks have fitness trails also known as parcours trails. These feature workout stations along a course. Bike, walk, run or jog between fitness stops.
Louisville, Kentucky
Baseball fans head to Louisville Slugger for a factory and museum tour to see how Major League Baseball's bats are made. The interactive museum lets you take a few swings in the batting cage or view a movie featuring batting tips from leaders in the sport. Kids can climb on the giant baseball glove sculpture. Visit the Speed Art Museum, the innovative interactive art experience. Kids can make their own creations in the Hands-On Art Room. Admission is free.
Evansville, Indiana
The American Discovery Trail passes through Evansville. Hike west toward Illinois for 33 miles or east to Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home near Lincoln City then on to St. Meinrad. The ADT is a recreation trail across the United States for foot and bike traffic from San Francisco to Delaware. The southern Indiana portion travels through Evansville's greenbelt, wooded forests using public lands, private lands with owner permission and gravel roads to connect trail sections. Evansville has an active waterfront with a casino, restaurants, museums and a World War II Landing Ship Tank (LST 325). Explore this entertainment area along the Ohio River.
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