Ashland feels like a compact riverfront city with a surprisingly lively downtown — think a restored Paramount Arts Center, the interactive Highlands Museum, local breweries, coffee shops and riverside parks, so multi-week stays can feel buzzy and full of easy weekend options.
You’re about 15 miles from Huntington (bigger dining, Marshall University events and more nightlife) and roughly 65–66 miles from Charleston for occasional big‑city escapes, which makes Ashland a quiet, friendly home base with regular nearby options for variety.