Marshall University students plan to go out of the country and down south for spring break, but there are nearby attractions and activities in the tri-state area to give students something to do.

Heritage Station is blocks from campus and offers various local vicinities for a day of shopping and dining.

One Heritage Station attraction is Sip, Huntington’s only wine bar.

Sip offers a wide selection of more than 40 types of wine from different parts of the world and food to complement the tastes.

“Sip gives you the feeling that you’re not in Huntington, like you’re in a bigger city,” said Mason Bartlett, Marshall student. “It has the small business feel but also has a classy atmosphere which gives it a good balance.”

Heritage Station offers multiple shops including Brown Dog Yoga, Finds & Designs, The Red Caboose, Bottle & Wedge and many other stores and dining venues.

The Red River Gorge and The New River Gorge are attractions for people who enjoy outdoor activities.

The Red River Gorge, located in Slade, Kentucky, and the New River Gorge, located in Fayetteville, West Virginia, offer multiple activities.

The Red River Gorge and New River Gorge include cabins, camping, multiple places to hike and fish, scenic drives, scenic overlooks, rock climbing, zip-lines and different places to eat and relax.

“The views at The Red River Gorge are absolutely breath-taking,” said Jacob Heller, student at Berea College. “The scenic hikes are only matched in beauty by the people you’re with reveling in the simplicity of untouched nature.”

An alternative to the outdoors is in Columbus, Ohio. Easton Town Center is located right in the middle of town and offers something for everyone. The town center is the home to Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Tiffany & Co., Apple and many other big-name stores not available in West Virginia.

“My favorite part about Easton is just being able to go in stores that aren’t located anywhere nearby,” said Marshall student Hannah Clay. “You feel like you’re in a big city, but you can leave Huntington by 9 a.m. and be back before dark.”

These attractions are open to anyone, especially students staying in Huntington during their spring break.

Karima Neghmouche can be contacted at [email protected].