Moundsville is a scenic city in West Virginia and the county seat of Marshall County.

Many of the activities in Moundsville do not only revolve around its superb location in the northern panhandle along the Ohio River.

Moundsville also has a fascinating history that created astonishing points of interest in the city.

Its name was notably derived from the Native American burial mounds built over 2,000 years ago.

English settlers first came to the area in 1771.

As the place grew, its citizens named it Elizabethtown when it was incorporated in 1830.

In 1865, the town was merged with Mound City, created in 1832, eventually forming the Moundsville of today.

Discover the best things to do in Moundsville, West Virginia!

Tour the West Virginia Penitentiary

The West Virginia Penitentiary was a state prison from 1866 to 1995.

Then, it was turned into a tourist destination after it was decommissioned.

The building follows a striking 19th-century Gothic architecture.

Likewise, this vintage facility on Jefferson Avenue hosts informative and fun day tours.

The points of interest during ordinary 90-minute tours include “The Alamo” section, where the most notorious inmates were kept.

A summer visit to the West Virginia Penitentiary unlocks the opportunity for its unique History Mystery Monday Tour focusing on the facility’s historical and paranormal aspects.

These summer tours open visits to the prison’s Psych Ward/Infirmary or Boiler Room off-limits during ordinary day tours.

Escape games and seasonal Halloween events likewise excite a visit to this decommissioned Civil War-era penitentiary.

Marvel at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex

The Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex, located on Jefferson Avenue, is one of the significant landmarks in West Virginia.

The ancient Native American Adena tribe constructed this ceremonial burial mound in stages from 250 to 150 B.C.

It is the biggest burial mound in North America.

Standing 62 feet high and with a 240-foot diameter, the mound makes for an exciting photo backdrop.

You can climb to the top of the mound through a stone stairway and enjoy its panoramic views.

This stairway cuts a gentle incline around the mound, so it’s a relatively easy way to its top.

In the Delf Norona Museum adjacent to the mound, you can view exhibits and artifacts on the culture of the Adena mound builders.

The museum also keeps…