THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Parkersburg - 2024 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Things to Do in Parkersburg

Things to Do in Parkersburg, WV - Parkersburg Attractions

Things to Do in Parkersburg

Traveler rating
Good for
28 places sorted by traveler favorites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

What travelers are saying

  • Carol G
    West Virginia55 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Took the ferry over (on a warm sunny day, remember to wear sunscreen! It was about. 20 minute ride in the heat) You can buy tickets for the mansion tour and carriage rides on the island, the staff were very helpful. We enjoyed both tours we took (mansion tour and the horse carriage tour) and just walking around the island. We also started a tour of one of the other buildings which was very interesting and much less crowded, but had to cut it short to get back to the ferry. It was a fun trip after living in WV for years without much knowledge of the island!
    Written January 11, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • foody798
    Chardon, OH155 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We started our trip here with a picnic lunch. Beautiful views of the Ohio & Little Kanawha Rivers along with Belpre, OH and downtown Parkersburg, WV. Historic Fort with canons and paved walkways to go down. Got a glimpse of the Island Belle sternwheeler in action!
    Clean restrooms.
    Written August 15, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rita K
    4 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice bible collection and the history of the devastating floods to the area. Plethora of Indian artifacts and wonderful collection of time period furniture.
    Written October 9, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Global03572396333
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oh my goodness. Such a great experience. Thank you Craig and Candy. Craig, I could listen to you for hours. So passionate and knowledgeable. Thank you for a great experience. We will definitely be back
    Written February 10, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • James C
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    1972 played baseball for Parkersburg Catholic.played The Big Reds. Went swimming at The city pool . Threw some horseshoes on the corner. Next day took a date to play some Goofy Golf miniature golf. Rode the Ferris wheel too.
    Next day Corning Glass had their company picnic . NOTHING but burgers ,hot dogs sodas and games all day.
    Those were days when the whole city went to the park! Miss those grand days .City Park was a huge part of my life as a kid growing up in the late 60,s early 70,s.
    Written April 25, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Linder24
    Ridgeley, WV208 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We enjoyed a lovely performance of The Nutcracker. Nice little theatre, with comfortable seating. The staff really did their best to make sure everyone had a nice time.
    Written January 5, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 76desert
    West Virginia335 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    The best part of our visit was the introductory video (about 10 -15 minutes or so) about oil and gas; it was nicely done and very informative. Although there's tons (literally) of various equipment and items throughout this museum, the more we wandered around--and there are various rooms and floors--the more I longed for signage explaining just what I was looking at, and their function(s). To be sure, there are some displays that are self-evident--such as the Civil War room, the general store, and the toys--but a sizeable amount of the displays featured heavy machinery (especially the basement; we constantly watched our feet to stay on the path to not bump into anything) that we were absolutely clueless as to their purposes/functions; hence the more we looked, the more quickly we sped through. I felt this museum is more of a depository of used but valuable equipment, and less of an educational opportunity to learn about their roles. This was desperately lacking for us. But isn't that a critical purpose of a museum--to educate the visitors? Informative signs/plaques throughout, and the use of 3-5 minute videos would greatly enhance the experience. For example, upstairs is a display about the rayon industry, and true, there are pictures of several women who worked in that industry. But adding a video actually showing the manufacturing of it, and also discussing its history and uses, etc. would be extremely beneficial. Another example is the marble display: nowhere is it mentioned that WV is known for their manufacture; we learned this when visiting Moundsville's (WV) mound museum. Ditto for Marx toys; WV was a key player for that company. None of this is mentioned; you just see the items, but don't LEARN about them. As heavy industry played a huge role in this area, did the workers make enough to pay cash for their items from the stores (were they private or company?) or did they have to buy on credit? There are 2 old gasoline pumps; perhaps many visitors have never seen them--talk about the types of gasoline and its prices. What was the average price of a car back then? How many miles per gallon was average for cars? Etc, etc, etc. I walked away seeing many items, but LEARNING about them was very much lacking.
    Written July 18, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Susan P
    Putnam, CT813 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We went to this park as it was where the stern wheeler to Blennerhassett Island departed. We observed many people sitting on benches, enjoying the river and others walking. There is plenty of parking along the river, including handicap. The walkway is paved and fairly wide. Trash cans are located nearer the parking area.
    Written August 4, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Terry M
    Vienna, WV68 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    this museum focuses on the local story that goes along with the many displays. Often a docent can tell you additional stories. The museum has far more displays than can be put out in the museum and they work hard to preserve them at national museum standards. This museum constantly searches for funding to keep open and display the military stories of the Mid Ohio Valley. The Director is fully dedicated to the people the museum supports. Give it a look and drop a little something in the bucket if you can. Its worth it.
    Written January 29, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tom C
    Great Falls, VA45 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An amazing collection of photographs of early Parkersburg. Photos of notable visitors including Amelia Earhart. The curator is a very interesting man who is brimming with stories of old Parkersburg. Copies of photos are available for purchase. Just be sure to call ahead to be sure the site is open.
    Written August 6, 2016
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ken N
    Toms River, NJ380 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It is not a huge place, but it is a nice place to stop in if you are in the area and see the different art works from local artist.
    Written July 9, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ladykjv
    Parkersburg, WV7 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    There is a great little skate park here for those who want to try hills and jumps! There is a large pond and the Elite Sports Center is on the same road if you want to exercise!
    Written July 10, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Parkersburg



© 2024 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.