Parkersburg Travel Guide

Trek Zone

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Nestled in the picturesque region of West Virginia, Parkersburg is a charming city that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. With its stunning landscapes, historic sites, and a wide range of recreational activities, Parkersburg is the perfect destination for those seeking both relaxation and adventure.

One of the main attractions in Parkersburg is the beautiful Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park. Situated on an island in the Ohio River, this park provides a glimpse into the region's past. Visitors can take a ferry ride to the island and explore the historic Blennerhassett Mansion, built in the early 19th century. The mansion showcases elegant architecture and is surrounded by lush gardens, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll.

For nature enthusiasts, Parkersburg offers numerous outdoor activities. The North Bend Rail Trail, stretching over 70 miles, provides an opportunity for hiking, biking, and horseback riding through scenic landscapes. The trail also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and rivers, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the region.

History buffs will appreciate the Parkersburg Oil and Gas Museum, which showcases the city's rich petroleum heritage. Exhibits highlight the importance of the oil and gas industry in the development of Parkersburg and the entire region. Visitors can learn about the various drilling techniques, see vintage equipment, and gain a deeper understanding of the economic impact of this industry.

In addition to its natural and historical attractions, Parkersburg boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene. The Parkersburg Art Center showcases a diverse collection of local and regional artwork, while the Smoot Theatre hosts a variety of performances including plays, concerts, and dance recitals. Visitors can also explore the downtown area, which is dotted with unique boutiques, art galleries, and quaint cafes.

Alternative names: Population: 31 thous.Area: 12.32 mi²Elevation: 748 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 39°16'5"N, 81°33'9"W

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West VirginiaUnited States

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Parkersburg Top Attractions

Parkersburg Attractions - What to See and Explore

Parkersburg offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Smoot Theatre, Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, St. Francis Xavier Church, Henry Logan Memorial AME Church. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Concerts and shows • Theater
Smoot Theatre
The Smoot Theatre is a historic vaudeville house and movie theater located in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia. It was built in 1926, and is a brick and terra cotta building with a simple Classical style front. It features a Greek key cornice and a second story inset with four fluted columns in antis.
Regional park • History museum • Museum
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is a state park located on Blennerhassett Island, a small island in the Ohio River, located in Wood County, West Virginia, USA.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
St. Francis Xavier Church
St. Francis Xavier Church is a historic church at 532 Market Street in Parkersburg, West Virginia. This church was built in 1869 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. St. Francis Xavier is one of the four original churches of the Diocese of Wheeling. St. Xavier is also the oldest church building in Parkersburg.

Church • Romanesque architecture
Henry Logan Memorial AME Church
Henry Logan Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church is a historic African Methodist Episcopal church at Ann & 6th Streets in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia.
City hall
Smith Building
Smith Building was a historic commercial building located at Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia.
Bridge
Parkersburg Bridge
The Parkersburg Bridge crosses the Ohio River between Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Belpre, Ohio. Designed by Jacob Linville, the bridge has 46 spans: 25 deck plate girder, 14 deck truss, 6 through truss, and 1 through plate girder. 50,000 cubic yards of stone were used for the 53 piers.
Bridge
Memorial Bridge
The Memorial Bridge, locally known as the toll bridge, crosses the Ohio River connecting Belpre, Ohio and Parkersburg, West Virginia. The bridge is an alternate route to access U.S. Route 50 in Ohio from central Parkersburg.
Bridge
Parkersburg–Belpre Bridge
The Parkersburg–Belpre Bridge is a four-lane cantilever bridge that connects Parkersburg, West Virginia to Belpre, Ohio across the Ohio River. The bridge was completed in 1980. The bridge had been signed U.S.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
Bethel AME Church
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was a historic African Methodist Episcopal church located at 820 Clay Street in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia.
Greek Revival architecture
Oakland
"Oakland," also known as the James M. Stephenson House, is a home located in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia. Although a slaveholder and sympathizing with the Confederacy, Stephenson was also married to the sister of Unionist Arthur Boreman, and allowed then Union Army Col.
Neighbourhood
Julia-Ann Square Historic District
The Julia-Ann Square Historic District, is a national historic district located at Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia. It is to the west of the Avery Street Historic District.
Park
House at 10th and Avery Streets
House at 10th and Avery Streets is a historic home located at Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia. It was built between about 1860 and 1879, and is a two-story, frame house in the Eastlake / Carpenter Gothic style.
Romanesque architecture • Romanesque revival architecture
Wood County Courthouse
The Wood County Courthouse is a public building in downtown Parkersburg, West Virginia, in the United States. The courthouse was built in 1899 at a cost of $100,000 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style by local contractors Caldwell & Drake, according to the plans of architect L.
Church
First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church is a historic Baptist church at 813 Market Street in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia. It was built in 1871, and is a two-story, three by six-bay, brick church in the Italianate style, which was popular at the time.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church, also known as the Calvary Temple Evangelical Church, is a historic church at 946 Market Street in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia. It was built in 1894, and is a two-story, brick and stone church building in a combined Romanesque / Gothic Revival style. It features a corner bell tower.
Monuments and statues
Jackson Memorial Fountain
Jackson Memorial Fountain is a historic fountain located at the entrance to City Park at Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia. It was built in 1905 and is a cast iron structure that originally had three tiers. The second tier is topped by Parkersburg's Lady of the Lake statue.
Museum • History museum
Henry Cooper House
Henry Cooper House, also known as The Daughters of American Pioneers Museum and Cooper Cabin, is a historic home located at Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia.
Archaeological site
Fort Boreman
Fort Boreman is a historic archaeological site encompassing a Civil War fortification located near Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia. It was built in 1863, by Company A of the 11th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
39°15'59"N • 81°33'41"W
Trinity Episcopal Church
Trinity Episcopal Church is a historic Episcopal church located in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia. Records indicate that Episcopal services were conducted as early as 1815 by itinerant clergymen, but there was not a building so services were conducted in the county court.

Day trips

Parkersburg – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Parkersburg, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Mound Cemetery (Marietta), Tu-Endie-Wei State Park (Point Pleasant), Blennerhassett Island Bridge (Blennerhassett Island).

12 milesNE
Cemetery, Native American architecture
Mound Cemetery, Marietta
Mound Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio, is a historic cemetery developed around the base of a prehistoric Adena burial mound known as the Great Mound or Conus.
43 milesSW
Museum, State park, Regional park
Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, Point Pleasant
Tu-Endie-Wei State Park is located at the confluence of the Kanawha River and the Ohio River in downtown Point Pleasant, West Virginia.
5.1 miW
Bridge
Blennerhassett Island Bridge, Blennerhassett Island
Blennerhassett Island Bridge, with a network arch design, carries U.S. Route 50 over the Ohio River and the historic Blennerhassett Island between Belpre Township, Washington County, Ohio and Washington, West Virginia in the United States.
12 milesNE
Sacred and religious sites, Church, Spanish colonial revival architecture
Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, Marietta
The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption is a Minor Basilica of the Catholic Church located in Marietta, Ohio, United States. It is also a parish church of the Diocese of Steubenville.
24 milesE
National park
North Bend State Park
North Bend State Park sits on 2,459 acres along the North Fork of the Hughes River in Ritchie County near Cairo, West Virginia. The park is named after the sharp bend in the river that the formed three sides of the original park boundary.

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Best Time To Visit Parkersburg

Learn when is the best time to travel to Parkersburg weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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June and July are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in May and August.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in January, February and October. Most of it rains in July.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Parkersburg?

The top attractions to visit in Parkersburg are:

What is the best time to visit Parkersburg?

June and July are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in May and August. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.