Things to Do in Parkersburg West Virginia: My Haunted Hotel Experience, Hidden Gems & Best Food Spots

If you’re searching for unique things to do in Parkersburg, let me just say this… I did NOT expect this small town to leave such a lasting impression on me. What started as a quick graduation trip for my goddaughter attending school in nearby Athens, Ohio turned into one of the most unexpected travel experiences I’ve had in a long time — complete with ghost stories, a haunted historic hotel, a hidden speakeasy, incredible food, and luxury vintage charm. And yes… I may or may not have had a paranormal experience.

Celebrating my goddaughter’s graduation weekend before our unexpected hidden gem experience in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

Why I Ended Up in Parkersburg, West Virginia

Originally, my friends and I planned to stay in Athens, Ohio for my goddaughter’s graduation weekend. Unfortunately, every hotel was completely sold out, so we started searching nearby cities and stumbled across Parkersburg. Now if you know me, you know I love:

• boutique hotels

• historic luxury

• aesthetic travel experiences

• hidden gems with personality

That’s exactly how I discovered The Blennerhassett Hotel & Spa.

The photos online immediately caught my attention. The hotel looked elegant, historic, and full of character. But right before my trip, one of my friends casually informed me:

“You know that hotel is haunted… right? ”Excuse me?!

My Stay at The Blennerhassett Hotel

Despite being a scary person, I still decided to stay at the hotel because honestly… it was just too beautiful to pass up. When I arrived, I immediately asked the front desk if my room had any paranormal activity attached to it. Thankfully, she told me no, which gave me a little comfort. Then I met Adam, the concierge, who showed me the famous JFK room inside the hotel. And WOW. The room looked exactly how you would imagine a vintage presidential suite to feel:

• historic

• elegant

• rich wood details

• classic decor

• framed JFK photos

• deep blue presidential walls

• vintage furniture

The historic charm inside The Blennerhassett Hotel & Spa felt timeless, elegant, and full of charact

The famous JFK room inside The Blennerhassett Hotel featured vintage luxury details, presidential hi

The beautiful exterior of The Blennerhassett Hotel — the historic and allegedly haunted hotel that c

There was even a famous rocking chair tied to JFK’s visits because yes — President John F. Kennedy actually stayed at this hotel twice. The hotel itself has an incredible history. After a devastating fire years ago, the property underwent a major renovation in 1983, and you can still feel that timeless vintage luxury throughout the building today.

The Hidden Speakeasy & Ghost Stories

One thing I quickly learned while researching things to do in Parkersburg WV is that the city has deep historical roots and plenty of ghost stories West Virginia visitors love to talk about. Apparently, much of the paranormal activity connected to the hotel is said to happen in the basement. And guess what’s in the basement? A speakeasy. Of course I had to go. To enter, you actually use a telephone to call for a secret code before entering through the door. The experience immediately gave prohibition-era vibes with dark lighting, vintage ambiance, and a mysterious atmosphere. It honestly felt like stepping into another time period.

The Haunted Experience That Terrified Me

Now let’s talk about the moment that almost took me OUT. At around 4:15 in the morning, I suddenly woke up to knocking sounds coming from the wall. Not constant knocking. Not loud banging. Just 2 or 3 distinct knocks. I immediately became terrified. But because I had heard my neighboring guests earlier in the evening, I tried to rationalize it and convince myself it was probably just them. So I went back to sleep. Then around 5-something in the morning… IT HAPPENED AGAIN. At this point, every light in the room was already on, the TV was running, and I literally said out loud: “You not gonna get me today Satan.” Then I threw the covers over my head and tried to survive until sunrise. When I tell you I felt DELIVERED when the sun finally came up… I was SO happy to see daylight. If you enjoy haunted experiences, paranormal hotels, or creepy travel stories, this may honestly be one of the most memorable haunted hotel in West Virginia experiences to check out.

Breakfast & Hospitality

The next morning, I decided not to stay another night and headed downstairs for breakfast before checkout. The restaurant inside the hotel had a beautiful patio area, although it was too chilly to sit outside. One of the hotel owners was even working downstairs, which made the experience feel warm and welcoming. During prom season, the hotel also became a beautiful backdrop for local students taking photos, which added another charming layer to the weekend.

Huffman’s Prime Steakhouse Was 12/10

Now THIS was one of the best surprises of the trip. Right across the street from the hotel is Huffman’s Prime Steakhouse and let me tell you… This restaurant deserves every bit of praise. From the chandeliers and dark vintage ambiance to the brick walls and incredible service, everything felt upscale and intimate. But the real star? Dottie — the maître d’. Her customer service was phenomenal. We had a group of 10 people and she handled everything beautifully while making us feel welcomed the entire evening. The food? Absolutely incredible.

Some of my favorite items included:

• smoked salmon deviled eggs

• cheeseburger soup

• shrimp cocktail

• filet cooked medium

• sweet potato lotus

• crab cakes

Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and elevated.

Honestly, this dining experience alone made my trip to Parkersburg West Virginia worth it.

The ambiance at Huffman’s Prime Steakhouse gave glamorous vintage luxury with chandeliers, brick wal

Aesthetic mocktails, dark ambiance, and luxury vintage vibes made Huffman’s Prime Steakhouse one of

These smoked salmon deviled eggs from Huffman’s Prime Steakhouse were absolutely unforgettable. One

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Parkersburg West Virginia

Although I only spent one day in Parkersburg, this small town completely surprised me.

Between:

• historic hotels

• haunted experiences

• hidden speakeasies

• amazing hospitality

• incredible food

• and beautiful local charm

there’s far more to experience here than I expected. I also learned about nearby Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, which can only be reached by boat and is another popular historical attraction in the area.

So if you’re looking for:

• things to do in Parkersburg WV

• hidden gems in West Virginia

• haunted experiences

• historic hotels in West Virginia

• or an unforgettable weekend getaway

  
  

Watch The Full Experience On YouTube

Watch the full experience unfold on YouTube and travel with me through every moment, hidden gem, food spot, and unexpected twist from this Parkersburg, West Virginia adventure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFaqvG5MCIg

Add Parkersburg to your list.

Just maybe don’t ask me to stay with the ghosts again.

Your Travel Bestie

- Nequa