Plan to arrive mid/late afternoon in the area. Once you’ve unpacked and refreshed at a great hotel, make a beeline for downtown Parkersburg for dinner. You’ll discover some of the best foodie finds in the Mountain State as you explore Greater Parkersburg.
Chams Lebanese Cuisine offers authentic Middle Eastern food with a Lebanese accent. Chams (pronounced CH-AAH-MS) and Rizkallah own and manage the family-oriented restaurant. The shish kabobs and the tabouli salad are divine.
Once your belly is full, leave your car parked and walk a block to enjoy a live performance at either the Historic Smoot Theatre or Actors Guild of Parkersburg.
Parkersburg’s legendary Smoot Theatre was originally built as a Vaudeville playhouse in 1926. It has been restored to its original splendor and continues to wow audiences with live performances. The Actors Guild of Parkersburg entertains with incredible productions by local talent.
DAY 2
Sleeping in; it’s what the weekends are for. Once you’re on your feet, plan to stop by Holl’s Swiss Chocolatier in Vienna, WV. The moment you step through the door of Holl’s the smell of chocolate surrounds you. Create a custom box of mixed chocolates to carry home. Free samples of the truffle of the month are offered upon checkout.
Back in downtown Parkerburg stop by the Parkersburg Art Center. The center’s dynamic, contemporary gallery showcases year-round exhibits, guided tours, and special events.
Round out your afternoon by shopping downtown Parkersburg antique stores or visiting the Point Park Marketplace.
For dinner, make the short drive north to Williamstown, WV to daVinci’s Italian Restaurant. Enjoy a traditional dish like spaghetti. Or try something more original like daVinci’s very own “German Pizza,” which is a fresh baked pizza crust topped with their signature horseradish sauce, tender corned beef, sauerkraut and mozzarella cheese.
SMOOT THEATRE FUN FACT
Silent and talking films came to the Smoot when Warner Brothers took over in 1930. During a screening of ‘‘Frankenstein,’’ in 1931 an ambulance and nurses were stationed outside for patrons feeling faint.
DAY 3
Cap off your weekend of art and theater with a visit just across the river in Marietta, OH. Visit boutique shops like the Riverside Artists Gallery for inspiration and treasures. The gallery showcases one-of-a-kind fine art by local artists, ranging from stained glass and ceramics to jewelry and ornamental ironwork. Also, visit Rossi Pasta which has been a landmark for gourmet pasta enthusiasts since 1981.
Complete your visit with a performance at the Peoples Bank Theatre. Beautifully renovated and painstakingly restored to its early 20th-century splendor, the theater features a full calendar of national headline entertainers, movies, and theatrical productions.