Parkersburg, WV Road Trips

1 Blennerhassett Island, 137 Juliana St, ☏ +1 304-420-4800. 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). 2 Oil and Gas Museum, 119 3rd St, ☏ +1 304 485-5446, +1 304-428-8015. M-F 11AM-4PM; Sa 11AM-5PM; Su noon-5PM. 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. (updated Nov 2016) 3 Julia-Ann Square, ☏ +1 304-428-0124. 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. 4 Henry Cooper House (in City Park).

1 Parkersburg Art Center, 725 Market St, ☏ +1 304-485-3859. Art exhibits, classes and workshops, and guided tours. On-site gift shop. 2 Smoot Theatre, 213 Fifth St, ☏ +1 304-422-PLAY (7529). A restored 1926 vaudeville house, hosting films, concerts, plays, ballets and comedy shows. Dessert tours available. 3 City Park, 1920 Park Ave. Municipal park; largest in the city (46.6 acres), with swimming pool, sports facilities, picnic shelters, playgrounds & regular events. Free. 4 Fort Boreman Park, Fort Boreman Dr, ☏ +1 304 424-1976. Daily 9AM-5PM. Here some spectacular views await of the Ohio River and Parkersburg from this bluff, along with trails and historical exhibits. 5 North Bend State Park, ☏ +1 304-643-2931. 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. 6 Point Park, 113 Ann St. Open 24 hours. This park will enable you to walk along the water's edge of the Ohio River and take in such things as the Parkersburg Bridge, Parkersburg flood wall, and various ships like paddlewheelers and tallship replicas, etc. Great if you are looking for a stroll. (updated Sep 2021) 7 Haunted Parkersburg Ghost Tours, 320 Market St, ☏ +1 304-428-7978. Operating from mid-September through Halloween.

1 da Vinci's Italian Restaurant, 215 Highland Ave, Williamstown, ☏ +1 304-375-3633. 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. 2 North End Tavern, 3500 Emerson Ave, ☏ +1 304-428-5854. One of Parkersburgs only functioning microbreweries the "NET" is famous for its enormous NET Burgers and beer battered onion rings. Affordable prices. Bar ambiance. 3 The Pizza Place, 2208 Dudley Ave, ☏ +1 304-485-5601. Locally owned and operated the unique Sicilian style crust is a local favorite.

1 J. P. Henry's, 5106 Emerson Ave, ☏ +1 304 485-9390. Restaurant and pub with casual dining and sports bar. Salads, sandwiches, burgers and hot entrees. $6-$20. 2 North End Tavern & Brewery, 3500 Emerson Ave, ☏ +1 304 428-5854. 8AM-midnight Monday through Saturday, and 1-7PM on Sunday. Ales, pilsners, porters and lagers brewed on-site. Also serving appetizers, salads and grilled items. $4-$9. (updated Nov 2016)

Microtel Inn, 104 Nicolette Rd, ☏ +1 304 489 1234, toll-free: +1-888-771-7171. In Mineral Wells. 53 rooms. Complimentary continental breakfast. $45 - 80. Motel 6, 6333 Emerson Ave, ☏ +1 304-485-1851, toll-free: +1-800-251-1962. 46 rooms. Jacuzzi. Complimentary coffee and doughnuts. $32 - 57, $72 - 99 (suites). Quality Inn Parkersburg North-Vienna, 401 37th St, ☏ +1 304 699-1681. 78 rooms. Indoor heated pool, whirlpool, exercise room. Whirlpool suites available. Complimentary continental breakfast. $76. 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. Wingate Inn Vienna, 1502 Grand Central Ave, ☏ +1 304 699-1041. In Vienna. 76 rooms. Indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center. Complimentary hot breakfast. 1 The Blennerhassett Hotel, 320 Market St, ☏ +1 304-422-3131, toll-free: +1-800-262-2536. 89 rooms. A historic hotel since 1889. Fitness center, plush bathrobes. Complimentary pass to the Parkersburg YMCA, valet service, airport shuttle and daily paper. On-site restaurant called Spats Restaurant and Lounge, and a Starbucks coffee bar. Log House Homestead Bed & Breakfast, 647 Homestead Cove Ln, Cairo, WV, ☏ +1 304-628-3249. Homestead Cove Lane off route 31 in Cairo. 2-bedroom unit. Hand-hewn replica log house from the 1820s. Jacuzzi, fireplace.

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. 1 Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport (PKB IATA) (The nearest airport, route 31 off route 2 N), ☏ +1 304-464-5113. United has nonstop service to Cleveland. Greyhound. Has once daily service from the state capital Charleston. (updated Mar 2022)

Easy Rider Bus System, 520 Juliana St, ☏ +1-304-422-4100. Buses run 5:50AM to 6PM Monday through Saturday; no service on Sundays. Operated by the Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority, serving the Parkersburg and Vienna area. Base fare is 50 cents, with 30-day passes available for $20. (updated Mar 2022) yellow taxi, ☏ +1-304-422-4000. (updated Mar 2022)