Overview
Parkersburg is a city of 30,000 people (as of 2018) in West Virginia. It was known as "Newport" when it was founded, later to be renamed Parkersburg in 1810. The city sits where the Little Kanawha River meets the Ohio river; the town of Belpre lies just across the river in Ohio. Among Parkersburg's more famous residents is Morgan Spurlock, director of the 2004 film Super Size Me; the city's film connections continued with the 2006 film Bubble, which was filmed in the area and starred local residents. The area also has a long history with oil drilling, and is the home of the first documented commercial use of oil in the US.
4 sights · 12 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Parkersburg
Blennerhassett Island
Island open from May to October, museum open year-round; check website for hours. An Irish aristocrat built a mansion here in 1798, before being accused of treason and briefly imprisoned. The original mansion burned down…
Oil and Gas Museum
Covering the history of the oil and gas industry in West Virginia and Ohio with videos, pictures, interactive displays and artifacts - from manufacturing and transportation, to its effects on local wealth and culture, an…
Julia-Ann Square
A district of historic homes being preserved and restored. You can take a self-guided walking tour of the area, or a guided tour in mid-October and early December.
Henry Cooper House
A reconstructed cabin that originally dates back to 1804, believed to be the oldest in the county, a few years prior to the founding of Parkersburg.
Smoot Theatre
A restored 1926 vaudeville house, hosting films, concerts, plays, ballets and comedy shows. Dessert tours available.
City Park
Municipal park; largest in the city (46.6 acres), with swimming pool, sports facilities, picnic shelters, playgrounds & regular events.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Columbus)
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.
- PKB Mid Ohio Valley Regional Airport, Parkersburg (Williamstown) — 9 mi away. Directions
- CRW Yeager Airport, Charleston — 62 mi away. Directions
- CMH John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Columbus — 87 mi away (major hub). Directions
Parkersburg is on I-77 between Charleston and Akron, Ohio. US-50 also enters the city from Athens, Ohio on the west and Clarksburg on the east, and OH-7 passes through Belpre, between the Point Pleasant area and Marietta, Ohio.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $32–$95 a night (typical $74), from 6 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$80, mid-range ~$150, comfortable ~$260.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge, Bed and Breakfasts in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Oil and Gas Museum, Haunted Parkersburg Ghost Tours, Smoot Theatre
- Lunch The Pizza Place
- Afternoon Parkersburg Art Center, Julia-Ann Square
- Dinner North End Tavern
- Evening North End Tavern & Brewery
Day 2
- Morning Blennerhassett Island
- Lunch da Vinci's Italian Restaurant
- Afternoon Volcano Days Festival
- Evening J. P. Henry's
Day 3
- Morning North Bend State Park
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
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.
Get in
Parkersburg is on I-77 between Charleston and Akron, Ohio. US-50 also enters the city from Athens, Ohio on the west and Clarksburg on the east, and OH-7 passes through Belpre, between the Point Pleasant area and Marietta, Ohio.
By plane
By bus
Get around
Go yellow taxi
See
See Blennerhassett Island
Island open from May to October, museum open year-round; check website for hours. An Irish aristocrat built a mansion here in 1798, before being accused of treason and briefly imprisoned. The original mansion burned down in 1811, but the foundation was rediscovered in 1973 and has been carefully reconstructed. The brick edifice at 137 Juliana features a museum with an orientation video and three floors of archaeological and historical exhibits, horse-drawn wagon rides, and tours of Blennerhasset Mansion. Visitors can also go picnicking, bike riding, or take nature walks. Allow three hours for a complete tour, including the 20-minute sternwheeler ride to and from the island. Adult admission prices are $2 (museum), $8 (boat ride), $3 (mansion tour) and $5 (wagon ride).
See Oil and Gas Museum
Covering the history of the oil and gas industry in West Virginia and Ohio with videos, pictures, interactive displays and artifacts - from manufacturing and transportation, to its effects on local wealth and culture, and the resulting impact on state founding and the Civil War.
See Henry Cooper House
A reconstructed cabin that originally dates back to 1804, believed to be the oldest in the county, a few years prior to the founding of Parkersburg.
Do
Do North Bend State Park
Off WV-31 near Cairo. Fishing streams, swimming pool, mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking trails, including the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail. The park has a 305-acre lake for fishing and boating, as well as carriage rides on weekends from May until October. Lodge with on-site restaurant, cabins and campground accommodations available. On-site gift shop.
Events
Do Mid-Ohio Valley Multicultural Festival
Held every June in City Park. Three days of entertainment, cuisine, education and artistic expressions from many cultures.
Do Harvest Moon Arts and Crafts Festival
Held every September in City Park. Quality food, entertainment and approximately 200 booths displaying wares from local and regional artists and craftsmen.
Do West Virginia Honey Festival
Held every September in City ark to educate the public on beekeeping, honey and the uses of honey. Baking contest and auction, entertainment, concessions, arts and crafts and a beard of live bees.
Do Volcano Days Festival
Route 50 in Waverly. Held the fourth weekend in September on the site of the extinct oil town of Volcano, West Virginia, which was once like a gold-rush town until it was utterly destroyed by fire in 1879. Historical lectures, flea market, arts and crafts, races, live entertainment and the "Almost Famous" chicken dinner.
Learn
- The area newspaper is the Parkersburg News and Sentinel, 519 Juliana Street, +1 304-485-1891 or +1-800-642-1997.
- West Virginia University at Parkersburg, 300 Campus Drive, +1 304-424-8000 or +1-800-WVA-WVUP. A regional campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown, founded in 1961 and offering a blend of certificate and associate programs as well as select bachelor's degrees in applied technology, elementary education, business education, bachelor of arts, nursing, criminal justice and social work.
Buy
Shop Berdine's Five and Dime
In Harrisville. Closed Sundays. America's oldest operating five-and-dime store, selling tin toys, bulk candies, practical and unusual items from yesteryear since 1908.
Shop R. C. Marshall Hardware Co.
Now closed, but this 1902 oil-boom store with original tin ceilings and attractive brick facade used to have an immense array of vintage showcases of 1890s supplies such as oil lamps and cast iron ware.
Malls
Eat
Eat da Vinci's Italian Restaurant
In Williamstown. Open 10:30AM to 10PM Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30AM to 11PM Friday and Saturday, and 11AM to 9PM on Sundays, in summer; closes half an hour earlier in winter. A family-owned business since 1980, serving salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizza and calzones. Specialties include the German Pizza (with corned beef, sauerkraut and horseradish sauce) and the Spaghetti Mona Lisa (baked vermicelli with meat sauce, topped with cheese, vegetables and pepperoni). $4 - 18.
Eat North End Tavern
One of Parkersburgs only functioning microbreweries the "NET" is famous for its enormous NET Burgers and beer battered onion rings. Affordable prices. Bar ambiance.
Eat The Pizza Place
Locally owned and operated the unique Sicilian style crust is a local favorite.
Drink
Drink J. P. Henry's
Restaurant and pub with casual dining and sports bar. Salads, sandwiches, burgers and hot entrees.
Drink North End Tavern & Brewery
Ales, pilsners, porters and lagers brewed on-site. Also serving appetizers, salads and grilled items.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
- Comfort Suites, 167 Elizabeth Pike in Mineral Wells, +1 304-489-9600. 116 rooms. Indoor and outdoor pool, jacuzzi, exercise room, sauna. Complimentary breakfast. $77 - $150.
- Hampton Inn Parkersburg, I-77 and WV-14 (exit 170) in Mineral Wells, +1 304-489-2900 or +1-800-426-7866). 68 rooms. Outdoor pool, exercise room. Complimentary continental breakfast.
Splurge
Bed and Breakfasts
Go next
- Marietta, Ohio is about 20 minutes north on OH-7.
- Point Pleasant is a little over 1 hour south on US-50 / OH-7.
- Charleston is a little over 1 hour south on I-77.
- Columbus, Ohio is a little over 2 hours northwest on I-77 / I-70.
Nearby
Marietta
City / town · 36 listings · 12 mi away
Athens
City / town · 59 listings · 29 mi away
Wayne National Forest
Park · 15 listings · 31 mi away
Caldwell
City / town · 8 listings · 34 mi away
Spencer
City / town · 8 listings · 34 mi away
Nelsonville
City / town · 14 listings · 38 mi away
Point Pleasant
City / town · 11 listings · 42 mi away
Glenville
City / town · 2 listings · 45 mi away
My experience
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