McMechen West VirginiaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near McMechen, West Virginia.
1. Grand Vue Adventures
OUTDOOR RECREATION AND FUN
Grand Vue Adventures offers exciting outdoor activities and recreational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Travelers can enjoy ziplines, aerial adventures, and stunning views of the surrounding West Virginia landscape. The park provides a perfect blend of adventure and natural beauty for families and thrill-seekers alike.
2. Palace of Gold
ORNATE SPIRITUAL MONUMENT
The Palace of Gold is a stunning ornate temple and cultural center that showcases intricate architecture and beautiful gardens. Visitors can experience the peaceful atmosphere while admiring gold-leafed domes, stained glass, crystal chandeliers, and marble floors that make this site a hidden gem in West Virginia. The palace offers guided tours that explain the spiritual significance and fascinating history behind this unexpected treasure.
3. West Virginia Penitentiary
HISTORIC PRISON TOURS
The West Virginia Penitentiary offers immersive tours of a historic prison that operated from 1876 to 1995. Visitors can explore the Gothic-style architecture while learning about the facility's dark past and the lives of inmates and guards who spent time within its imposing stone walls. The penitentiary also offers paranormal tours for those interested in the reported supernatural occurrences at this haunting historical site.
4. Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN SITE
Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex features one of the largest and most significant burial mounds built by the Adena people approximately 2,000 years ago. Visitors can climb to the top of the 69-foot tall mound and visit the museum that houses artifacts and exhibits explaining the history and culture of the prehistoric people who once inhabited the Ohio Valley. The complex offers educational programs that bring to life the ancient history of the region through interactive displays and knowledgeable staff.
5. New Vrindaban Temple
SPIRITUAL RETREAT CENTER
New Vrindaban Temple serves as a spiritual retreat center offering visitors a glimpse into Hindu traditions and practices. The peaceful grounds feature beautiful gardens, sacred shrines, and opportunities for meditation and reflection away from the bustle of everyday life. Visitors can partake in cultural events, vegetarian meals, and educational programs that showcase the community's devotion and spiritual practices.
6. Fostoria Glass Museum
HISTORIC GLASSWARE COLLECTION
The Fostoria Glass Museum houses an impressive collection of glassware produced by the renowned Fostoria Glass Company that operated from 1887 to 1986. Visitors can admire thousands of elegant glass pieces ranging from delicate stemware to ornate decorative items that showcase the craftsmanship and artistry of West Virginia's glass industry. The museum preserves the heritage of this important local industry through displays that tell the story of glass manufacturing and its significance to the region's economic history.
7. Grand Vue Park
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
Grand Vue Park offers 650 acres of scenic outdoor recreation with breathtaking views of the Ohio Valley. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, disc golf, zip lining, and staying in luxury cabins nestled among the wooded hills. The park provides year-round entertainment with seasonal festivals, concerts, and special events that celebrate the natural beauty of West Virginia.
8. Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum
NOSTALGIC TOY COLLECTION
The Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum houses an extensive collection of vintage toys, model trains, and childhood memorabilia that spans generations. Visitors can experience waves of nostalgia as they explore rooms filled with carefully preserved items from different eras, including elaborate train layouts that captivate both children and adults. The museum, located in a renovated 1906 school building, offers interactive exhibits that allow guests to connect with toys and games that shaped American childhood through the decades.
9. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
HISTORIC STREETCAR COLLECTION
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum showcases the history of street railway transportation through its collection of restored vintage trolleys and streetcars. Visitors can take nostalgic rides on functioning streetcars along a scenic track that recreates the experience of early 20th century urban transportation. The museum features educational exhibits about the technological innovations and social impact of trolley systems that were once the backbone of American city transportation.
10. Historic Fort Steuben
18TH CENTURY MILITARY OUTPOST
Historic Fort Steuben is a reconstructed 18th-century military outpost that offers visitors a glimpse into frontier life during America's early days. Visitors can explore the blockhouse, officers' quarters, and various exhibits that showcase military strategies and daily routines of soldiers who protected surveyors mapping the Northwest Territory. The fort hosts educational programs, living history demonstrations, and special events that bring to life the challenges and triumphs of America's westward expansion.
11. Wheeling Suspension Bridge
HISTORIC ENGINEERING MARVEL
The Wheeling Suspension Bridge stands as the oldest operating suspension bridge in the United States, spanning the Ohio River since its completion in 1849. Visitors can walk across this National Historic Landmark and appreciate its innovative engineering that revolutionized bridge construction and transportation in America. The bridge offers spectacular views of Wheeling and the river valley while connecting visitors to the rich industrial and transportation history of the Ohio Valley region.
12. Oglebay Park
EXPANSIVE RECREATIONAL COMPLEX
Oglebay Park encompasses 1,700 acres of recreational space featuring gardens, golf courses, a zoo, and the popular winter Festival of Lights. Visitors can enjoy activities ranging from swimming and tennis to hiking and horseback riding across the park's diverse landscape. The Mansion Museum and Glass Museum on the grounds offer cultural experiences that complement the outdoor adventures available throughout this expansive public park.
13. Capitol Theatre
HISTORIC PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
The Capitol Theatre is a beautifully restored 1928 vaudeville house that now hosts concerts, Broadway shows, and the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. Visitors can admire the ornate architecture, including the grand marquee, decorative plasterwork, and elegant chandeliers that transport audiences to a bygone era of entertainment. The theater serves as a cultural centerpiece for the region, continuing its long tradition of bringing world-class performances to West Virginia.
14. Prabhupada's Palace of Gold
GILDED SPIRITUAL WONDER
Prabhupada's Palace of Gold is an elaborate memorial featuring marble floors, crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows, and gold-leafed domes constructed by devotees without professional building experience. Visitors are amazed by the ornate craftsmanship of this unexpected architectural masterpiece nestled in the hills of West Virginia. The surrounding rose gardens and peaceful lotus ponds complement this spiritual site often called 'America's Taj Mahal' for its beauty and devotional significance.
15. West Virginia Independence Hall
BIRTHPLACE OF WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia Independence Hall serves as a National Historic Landmark commemorating the birthplace of West Virginia during the Civil War. Visitors can explore the restored 1859 custom house where the state's constitution was drafted and the movement to separate from Virginia was organized. The museum features period rooms, Civil War artifacts, and interactive exhibits that tell the compelling story of West Virginia's path to statehood during one of America's most turbulent periods.