Hello, autumn! That nip in the air is calling, and it’s saying it’s time for a trip where the colors are breathtaking and the fun is festive.

Parkersburg, West Virginia, is your destination for an affordable getaway, close to home but away from the crowds and all about you. Slow down your days and step into a world where fall is bursting with stunning scenery, world-class hiking and biking, enchanting festivals, craft beer, great food, and spooky hauntings for everyone to enjoy.

Classic Fall Fun

Parkersburg sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers, where the scenery is breathtaking and the air is fresh. There in the western region of West Virginia, Parkersburg hits every note on the checklist of everything you love about fall.

• Fall foliage: Cruise the beautiful Ohio River on the Valley Gem Sternwheeler. Taste life in the slow lane on a genuine paddle-wheeler while you peek at mountainsides and hills adorned in their fall splendor. Pick your pleasure – a leisurely themed cruise devoted to fall foliage and fun, pumpkin or apple harvest, friendsgiving, or a special kids’ cruise featuring Spookley the Pumpkin or Monsters, Inc.
• Rollin’ on the River: There are riverboats galore at the world-famous Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, celebrating its 50^th anniversary, Sept. 11, 12, and 13. Marvel at 35 authentic sternwheel boats and free, quality family-oriented entertainment and kids’ activities. Ride a paddle-wheeler, check out the Rolling’ Oldies Car Show, and don’t miss the best fireworks anywhere!
• Haunted October: When darkness starts to fall early, venture – if you dare – into the afterworld with Hidden Marietta Tour Company (hiddenmarietta.com). Take a haunted history tour, or book your own private ghost hunt in the notoriously eerie Anchorage Mansion. For family-friendly Halloween thrills, join the fun of the Downtown PKB Monster Mash, Oct. 16. Ghouls and goblins of all ages celebrate the season in not-too-scary fashion.
• Haunted Parkersburg Tours: Uncover the city’s eerie past on a guided Haunted Parkersburg walking tour through downtown. Hear chilling tales of unexplained happenings, local legends, and historic hauntings as you explore some of Parkersburg’s most haunted locations. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, it’s a spine-tingling way to experience the season. All tours meet in the lobby of the Blennerhassett Hotel.

Outdoor Adventure

Pedal. Paddle. Hike. The mountains, rivers, and trails converging in scenic Greater Parkersburg make it the perfect spot for your active fall getaway.

• Biking and rail trails: Greater Parkersburg is a world-renowned hub for mountain biking, where more than 225 miles of single-track trails offer adventure and challenge. The top-rated Mountwood Park trail system surrounds a beautiful lake. Wayne National Forest is rugged and ready. Bikers and hikers of all skill levels can find 17 trails through tunnels, countryside, and historic sites, including a former stage coach inn, at North Bend State Park & Rail Trail, with stays at your choice of campground, deluxe cabin, or lodge. 
• Walk or float: Fort Boreman Historical Park, with scenic views of the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers and a partially reconstructed Union Civil War fortification, is ideal for beginning hikers. A hike through McDonough Wildlife Refuge offers encounters with duck marshes and a scenic overlook. Plan a paddling trip around the region’s waterways, from the serene, 50-acre lake of Mountwood Park to the gentle river currents of the Ohio River Water Trail. River stops for exploration include Blennerhassett, Neal, and Buckley Islands – all part of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

Festival fun

Fall and festivals go together like pumpkins and spice, especially in Greater Parkersburg – a land of artisans, music, and farm-fresh food.

• A toast to Oktoberfest: The House of Wines beer garden welcomes October with its annual Oktoberfest, Sept. 27. Sample specialty brews and a menu crafted just for the occasion, accompanied by live music.
• Crafty shopping: The unique Minted Vintage Fall Market, Oct. 3 in Mineral Wells, WV, takes you into a retro past of unique handmade goods and vintage finds. Make a day of it with food trucks, live music, and photo ops in a rustic barn and farm.
• Step back in time: Experience life as it was 200 years ago, with Mansion by Candlelight on Blennerhassett Island, Oct. 9 and 10. Travel by sternwheeler to Blennerhassett Island Historical Park, where Aaron Burr and Harman Blennerhassett allegedly plotted to establish a southwest empire. The island is illuminated by candles and lantern boxes, with 18^th-century dances, horse-drawn wagon rides, and a spirited servants’ party at the bonfire – because they knew how to have all the fun.

At the table

When you’re hungry and thirsty after a day of festivals, biking, or shopping, settle into a snug pub or a fine dining experience with enticing, West Virginia-proud selections of beer, wine, and food.

The North End Tavern and Brewery, West Virginia’s oldest restaurant and brewery, is a Parkersburg tradition since 1899. If you can’t decide between the flagship Roedy’s Red made with caramel mal and Cascade hops, the rich Dawk’s Porter, or the Blackberry Wheat made from native West Virginia blackberries, order a flight!

Parkersburg Brewing Co. presents a beer for every taste, including its World Beer Cup gold medal-winning Cell Block 304 American Brown Ale. Collabs might include the JR’s McDunk This, a chocolate donut coffee milk stout – you read that right – concocted in partnership with JR’s Donut Castle.

Whether you’re in the mood for casual or fine dining, Greater Parkersburg delivers. The legendary DaVinci’s Italian Restaurant is the place for a hearty toasted sub or a heaping dish of DaVinci’s famous pasta. For a celebratory evening or an elegant night just because, Huffman’s Prime Steakhouse offers chilled and raw seafood, sushi rolls, pasta, sirloin burgers, and prime steak that makes an unforgettable meal. The cool and comfortable escape you’ve dreamed of is beckoning, with affordable seasonal rates in a region just made for the delights of autumn.