Moundsville, West Virginia travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Moundsville, West Virginia, is a city in Ohio Valley. It is the county seat of Marshall County.

8 sights · 2 things to do · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Moundsville

Grave Creek Mound

Archeology Complex, Jefferson Ave. One of the largest and most famous conical burial mounds built by the Adena Indians, built between 250 to 150 BC. It is measured 69 feet high and 295 feet in diameter at its base.

Delf Nora Museum

Explains aspects of Adena Native American culture.

Fostoria Glass Museum

Dedicated to the products of Fostoria Glass, which moved to Moundsville in 1891 until it was forced to close in 1986.

Prabhupada's Palace of Gold

West Virginia Penitentiary Tours

Completed in 1876 and operating as a maximum-security prison until 1995, the penitentiary has a violent and bloody history, as well as reportedly one of the highest levels of paranormal activity in the United States.

Marshall County Courthouse

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Pittsburgh)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
PIT Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh — 48 mi away (major hub). Directions
MGW Morgantown Municipal Airport Walter L. (Bill) Hart Field, Morgantown — 48 mi away. Directions

Located on WV Route 2, very close to the Ohio River.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Grave Creek Mound, Delf Nora Museum, West Virginia Penitentiary Tours
Afternoon Fostoria Glass Museum, Prabhupada's Palace of Gold

Day 2

Morning Marshall County Courthouse, Grand Vue Park
Afternoon West Virginia Penitentiary, Elizabethtown Festival

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

It was originally chartered in 1832. It is the location of Grave Creek Mound and three other Adena Indian Mounds. Moundsville is located in a very historic part of West Virginia and has a beautiful downtown and parks.

Visitor Information

Place Greater Moundsville Convention & Visitors Bureau (Visit Moundsville)

📍 801 Jefferson Ave☎ +1 304-810-4435⚠ Last checked Mar 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Get in

By car

Located on WV Route 2, very close to the Ohio River.

Go Moundsville Bridge

The closest bridge in the area that cross the Ohio river.

⚠ Last checked Mar 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps

See

See Grave Creek Mound

📍 801 Jefferson AveAdjacent to the Delf Nora Museum.🕒 24/7☎ +1 304-843-4128⚠ Last checked Mar 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps

See Delf Nora Museum

Explains aspects of Adena Native American culture.

📍 Jefferson AveAdjacent to the Grave Creek Mound.⚠ Last checked Mar 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps

See Marshall County Courthouse

⚠ Last checked Mar 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps

See Fostoria Glass Museum

Dedicated to the products of Fostoria Glass, which moved to Moundsville in 1891 until it was forced to close in 1986.

6th Street at Tomlinson Avenue🕒 Open 1 to 4PM Wed through Sat; closed December through February.☎ +1 304-845-9188

Maps Website

See Grand Vue Park

📍 250 Trail Drive☎ +1 304 845-9810 (ext. 403)⚠ Last checked Nov 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Prabhupada's Palace of Gold

Guided tours available from 10AM to 8PM April through August, and 10AM to 5PM September through March. Located in a community called New Vrindaban, founded in 1968, which is a replica of Vrindaban in India. The Palace of Gold has been called "America's Taj Mahal". Gift shop, organic vegetable garden, snack bar, health shop, and award-winning rose garden on-site. Guest lodge and cottages available.

📍 3759 McCreary's Ridge RdPalace Rd, off Route 250💲 $12 (Feb 2025)☎ +1 304-843-1812

Maps Website

See West Virginia Penitentiary

📍 818 Jefferson Ave☎ +1 304 845-6200⚠ Last checked Nov 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Strand Theatre

📍 811 5th St⚠ Last checked Nov 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Do

Do West Virginia Penitentiary Tours (Moundsville State Penitentiary)

📍 818 Jefferson Ave🕒 April through NovemberTu-Sun 10AM-4PM. Day tours offered hourly (arrive 15 minutes early), night tours available from midnight to 6AM for groups of 20 people or more, and ghost hunts with a qualified paranormal investigator available periodically from 8PM to 6AM.💲 $50 for ghost tours, $15 for dungeon of horrors. Admission $500 for group night tours. Ghost hunting classes also available.☎ +1 304-845-6200

Maps Website

Do Elizabethtown Festival

W Jefferson Avenue in Moundsville, +1 304-845-6200. Held in mid-May. Celebrating the traditions and customs of the 1800s, with turn-of-the-century crafts, educational exhibits, live entertainment, cook-offs, children's activities and a talent show.

📍 est Virginia Penitentiary, 818

Maps Website