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Ohio River Museum

4.7

·175 reviews·Parkersburg, United States

Four floors of interactive fun for all ages, from toddlers to teens, with engaging exhibits and hands-on activities.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more space to play

CrowdLow

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Ohio River Museum

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more space to play

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Four floors of interactive fun for all ages, from toddlers to teens, with engaging exhibits and hands-on activities.

4.7

(175 reviews)

"This place is amazing! My kids could stay here all day! 4 open floors full of activities for all ages."

TIP

🎯 Plan for a Full Day

Kids can easily spend all day here; re-entry is allowed with a wristband!

✨ Hidden Gem Alert!

A wonderful surprise in Parkersburg, though not always well-advertised.

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 175 reviews

Type

Museum

Address

900 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101, USA

Website

dwonmarket.org

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Four Floors of Interactive Fun

Engaging exhibits for all ages, from toddlers to teens, ensuring hours of exploration and discovery.

The Ball Factory

A perennial favorite where kids can experiment with gravity and engineering, sparking endless fascination.

Third Floor Design Area

Unleash creativity with incredible design options, offering a stimulating space for imaginative play.

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Planning Your Visit

Plan Your Visit to Discovery World

Discovery World on Market offers four floors of interactive fun for all ages. Consider visiting on a weekday to avoid crowds, especially if you have young children. Re-entry is allowed with a wristband, so you can plan for breaks or meals at their cafe.

Maximize Your Fun at Discovery World

This museum is a hidden gem in Parkersburg, WV, packed with engaging exhibits. Plan for at least a few hours, as kids can easily spend all day exploring. Don't miss the ball factory and the design areas on the third floor.

Best Times

When

Weekday mornings

Why

Fewer crowds, more space to play

Crowd

Low

When

Thursday afternoons

Why

Still busy but manageable

Crowd

Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

We are rocking Parkersburg, West Virginia this Saturday September 6th at @Discovery World on Market for their Backyard Concert Series. If you like rock and metal, and helping Discovery World continue to bring their amazing museum and fun to the Mid Ohio Valley, then come party with us. Attending this show helps fundraise, and you get to rock with us! 🤘🏻 #westvirginia #metalhead #metalband #metalfa...

@truckstopband

159 likes • 2.6K views

🎯 Plan for a Full Day

Kids can easily spend all day here; re-entry is allowed with a wristband!

✨ Hidden Gem Alert!

A wonderful surprise in Parkersburg, though not always well-advertised.

An inflatable night club? Yeah we went there 🎸. Introducing our backyard concert series! Next concert is 9/6/25, featuring the band “Truckstop”!! More info on our website, you won’t wanna miss it!! 🪩🎤✨ #concert #discoveryworldonmarket #music #band #livemusic

@discoveryworldwv

7 likes • 128 views

👶 Nursing Pods Available

Private spaces for nursing mothers on select floors for comfort and privacy.

🎶 Backyard Concerts

Check for special events like the Backyard Concert Series featuring live bands. +1

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Plan for a Full Day

Kids can easily spend all day here; re-entry is allowed with a wristband!

✨ Hidden Gem Alert!

A wonderful surprise in Parkersburg, though not always well-advertised.

👶 Nursing Pods Available

Private spaces for nursing mothers on select floors for comfort and privacy.

🎶 Backyard Concerts

Check for special events like the Backyard Concert Series featuring live bands. +1

☕ Cafe On-Site

Grab snacks and drinks at the cafe with good food options at reasonable prices. +1

What Travellers Say

4.7

(175 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Discovery World on Market is a highly praised, interactive museum in Parkersburg, WV, offering four floors of engaging activities for all ages. Visitors rave about the hands-on exhibits, especially the ball factory and design areas, and appreciate the family-friendly amenities like nursing pods and an on-site cafe. While it's a fantastic hidden gem, some note it could be better advertised.

"I wish we would have checked this out sooner. This is one of the best things Parkersburg has ever done. 4 floors of pure joy for kids. They are even setting up an area for teens 15+ with 3d printing and other activities. You can spend an entire day here. The few pictures I have dont even come close to doing justice to this place. Its awesome."

Nicholas Byrd

"Had a wonderful morning here with my 2 and 5 year old while visiting from out of town. Spent two hours, could have easily been entertained all day long. Didn't even make it to the water portion before nap time. Particularly enjoyed the 3rd floor area with all the incredible design options and also the ball factory never got old! Very reasonable priced for the amount of entertainment and re entry allowed with the wrist band. Very clean, plenty of restrooms, and areas for nursing. Also love the café for snack and drink options. What a gem of Parkersburg!"

Kati Holland

"Kids loved the trip. A wonderful hidden surprise in the city of Parkersburg. Not very well advertised or location labeled but once found was well worth the trip."

Jen Mounts

What People Like

Four floors of fun

Interactive exhibits

Family-friendly atmosphere

What People Dislike

Could be better advertised

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Discovery World is located in Parkersburg, West Virginia. While some reviewers mention it's not always well-advertised, it's a key attraction in the city. Check local maps or GPS for the most direct route to 700 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101.

While the provided information doesn't explicitly detail parking for Discovery World on Market, most attractions in downtown areas offer nearby street parking or public lots. It's advisable to check their official website or call ahead for specific parking instructions.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Discovery World on Market is described as reasonably priced for the amount of entertainment offered. While exact prices aren't listed, reviewers indicate it's a good value.

Yes, re-entry is allowed with a wristband, making it convenient to take breaks or grab a meal off-site if desired.

The reviews highlight the reasonable pricing as a key benefit. For specific discounts, it's best to check the official Discovery World on Market website or inquire directly.

Operating hours can vary, but reviewers mention visiting on weekdays and Thursdays. It's recommended to check the official Discovery World on Market website for the most up-to-date hours of operation.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Discovery World is designed for all ages, with four open floors offering activities for toddlers, young children, and even teens. +1

Visitors rave about the 'ball factory' and the 'third floor area with all the incredible design options.' The open plan also allows parents to keep an eye on multiple children. +1

Yes, toddlers have a great time exploring the various levels and interactive exhibits. The museum is described as having plenty for them to discover. +1

Discovery World provides nursing pods on some floors, offering privacy for mothers who are nursing.

It can get busy, especially on Thursdays, but weekday mornings are generally less crowded, offering more space for exploration.

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there is a small cafe on-site that offers great food options at good prices, perfect for snacks and drinks. +1

The reviews mention an on-site cafe, suggesting that outside food might not be permitted. It's best to confirm their policy directly if you plan to bring your own food. +1

📸 📸 Photography

While reviewers mention taking pictures, it's always a good idea to be mindful of other visitors and any posted photography policies. The sheer joy of the exhibits is often hard to capture in a single photo.