West Virginia Penitentiary
West Virginia Penitentiary
5
10:45 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:45 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
10:45 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:45 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
10:45 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:45 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:45 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Built in 1866 and in operation until 1995, this prison offers 90-minute guided tours of the facility from April 1, through November 30. Day tours, Paranormal tours, October's haunted house, Event Center, are just a few of the events that take place at the facility on an annual basis.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

See what travelers are saying

  • Kendall M
    Columbiana, Ohio135 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great first visit!
    My husband and I booked a daytime tour and we were not disappointed! Almost 2 hours for $14 is a great deal. Our guide was very interesting and friendly and had a lot of good info to share. They even had a small gift shop where we could get some souvenirs (something I always enjoy). We got some good pics too. We really enjoyed our visit and would definitely recommend to others!
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 16, 2023
  • BRAD C
    Buckhannon, West Virginia1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Many tours in the eastern United States but Lee was tops
    Our guide, Lee was absolutely the best tour guide I’ve ever had the pleasure to have. Knowledgeable, answered any and all questions asked and had a very pleasant and funny personality. I was very impressed with his skill. We also went to another place afterwards and the tour guide was good but not close to Lee’s ability. He’s a class act
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written September 30, 2023
  • Kathryn M
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Paranormal flashlight tour
    We went on the north gate paranormal tour which was a flashlight 45 minute tour. First, they were short handed with guides so they added more people to our tour which unfortunately included about four seemingly drunk teenage girls who were loud and obnoxious the whole time . Secondly because our guide had to do more tours he had to rush through ours . They can't promise any paranormal activity which wasn't going to happen with the rude girls on our tour - can't pick your group but this is just ow society is now - no respect for others . The tour was informative but felt rushed ... disappointed we didn't experience anything although there are some strange images on some of my photos.. it was a fun experience for the most part.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 29, 2023
  • Sheena G
    Monroe, Louisiana9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The tour was informative, interesting and fun!
    I just took the tour today with Tina. She was amazing! Unfortunately, she had a little laryngitis, but that didn’t stop her one bit. She was knowledgeable and funny, an excellent tour guide! The tour was great and I learned a lot, definitely recommend!!
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written June 29, 2024
  • Funlife4ever
    Salem, Oregon230 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great tour!
    This was very interesting! Our guide had laryngitis, poor thing! She was very sweet and did her best, but some of it was really difficult to understand. She did a good job. It was fascinating to see this ancient building and hear some stories from the past. I want to find some literature and read more about it. Piqued my interest!
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 3, 2024
  • Lisa C
    Madison, Alabama117 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting historic site to visit
    Excellent tour of this historic prison with lots of good history and showing how miserable the conditions were (which is why it closed). The tour guide was informative and engaging. My only slightly negative comment is that it was extremely HOT (it is July I know) but it seems like the addition of several large floor fans could make a world of difference for the guests and guides. I highly recommend going on the tour but not in the summer unless they add some fans to at least keep the air moving,
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 10, 2024
  • Rachel
    Altoona, Pennsylvania63 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth the trip
    While the West Virginia State Penitentiary may not be your typical vacation spot, it definitely provided a one-of-a-kind experience. Greg, our guide, was a real character - he knew all the best hiding spots and escape routes (just kidding... maybe). The only downside was the constant aroma of musty old prison cells - it really added to the authenticity of the experience, but a scented candle wouldn't have hurt. Overall, a memorable trip that I'll be sure to share with all my friends...assuming I ever get out of here. Just kidding best experience
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 3, 2024
  • Pip C
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A FREAKING Blast (As usual...)
    FANTASTIC tour on a beautiful August afternoon! First time taking my Grandmother and she absolutely adored the entire experience. This place has never disappointed me, not once. Big shoutout to the wonderful tours guides (especially YOU JAY) and to the undead friends that followed us from time to time. 💀🖤💯👏🎉
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written August 11, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles1,304 reviews
Excellent
1,106
Very good
142
Average
39
Poor
13
Terrible
4

Traveler
5 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020
Scary, but not because of the ghosts that seem to haunt the place. Scary because 50% of the visitors in our group wore their masks on their chins or below their noses while we were in very small, confined spaces. We were trapped. Mask wearing was not enforced, and even our very knowledgeable guide took his off at one point. Save this 5 star tour for another time....or ask them to remind folks about simple life-saving measures. Hoping no more deaths come from West VA penitentiary!
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lois D
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Family
There are so many reasons that I love West Virginia, but Moundsville has to be one of the best, most unassuming places for history and culture. I emphatically recommend the WV Penitentiary, especially for those wanting to know a unique and disturbing part of America’s past. The history of the people and building are both informative and outrageous. Our tour guide, Tina, had excellent delivery and her knowledge of the prison was impressive. She was professional, witty, and smart. The tours are affordable and in the summer are offered multiple times on a daily basis. Check out the prison and spend a few days in the Moundsville region. You won’t regret it!
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Momof36890
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Family
We took a weekend to go to the Moundsville/Wheeling area to explore some history and tourist things they have here. The prison was first on our list. We had our 13, 11, and 6 year old girls with us. We did an escape room they have available at the penitentiary. It was very fun but one of the more difficult ones we’ve done. We took the 10am tour of the prison and since it was July this was wise as most of the building is not heated or cooled. Our tour guide was very informative and my older girls found the information very interesting as did my husband and I. There were lots of things to take pictures of and so many facts. My younger daughter enjoyed exploring a jail and seeing the artwork completed by some of the inmates. She remembers facts as well but enjoyed when they showed us the way the slam bar works by locking us in a cell. This was by choice and very neat. All around great visit!
Written August 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Adena B
Ripley, WV82 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
This was one of the best tours I've ever experienced! Our tour guide Becky was extremely knowledgeable and has a passion for preserving the prison's history. The tours are supposed to be only 90 minutes but Becky held our entire group's rapt attention for over 2 hours. She answered all of our questions and kept both the adults and kids on the trip enthralled.

I hope to bring my students back for a tour since I'm a WV History Teacher. You better believe I will be requesting that Becky gives our tour!

Thank you to everyone at the pentientary for the great experience! We will be back!
Written July 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ann O
Irmo, SC58 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Couples
We took the guided day tour and found it fascinating! Our tour guide, Jason, was pleasant, knowledgeable, and well versed on the history of the prison. He patiently answered everyone's questions. He told interesting stories about escape attempts and drew a visual picture of what life was like for both the prisoners and the guards. The prison is an impressive work of architecture. I would highly recommend taking a tour if you're every in the area!
Written September 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travelmunky16
West Virginia82 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Family
Having been in our own lockdown for 4 months our family decided to travel to the Penitentiary just to get out of the house. We arrived just prior to last tour of the day and decided to take the tour. No regrets! Our tour guide Jason was extremely well versed on the history of the prison, funny, and entertaining.
I highly recommend visiting and taking the tour and you can enjoy day tours, overnights, escape rooms, as well as the Halloween haunt in October.
Written July 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maureen D
Pittsburgh, United States2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
A group of us took the evening 90 minute tour then was able to walk around the grounds for an additional 90 minutes. Our tour guide, Lori, was knowledgeable and entertaining. Although we did not experience any "unnatural" episodes, it was quite scary walking alone (well 2 of us) in areas with only flashlights. I have been on the daylight tour previously which I also highly recommend but if you can swing an evening tour...DO IT!
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kookie Coopers
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Family
This was a surprise birthday trip for our 17yo daughter and was a huge hit. Our tour guide Tina was phenomenal due to her charisma, knowledge & overall excitement. She encouraged questions & spoke to the entire group. It was fun & educational. Definitely be mindful of weather & dress accordingly..it was hot & humid. We want to go back for the evening tour to be frightened...it can be a little unnerving during the day.
Written September 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Julie R
16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Couples
My boyfriend is really into history and he had wanted to see the mound and also check out the architecture of the prison. We did not know they offered tours until we got there. (We are from out of state) We decide to take the tour and really found it to be a lot more interesting and informative than what we expected. Austin was our tour guide and he did a fantastic job of teaching us all about the history of the building, prisoners, and “events” that went on there. He encourages you to take all the pictures and videos that you would like, which was a big plus for me! By the end of the tour Austin even “locked us up” which was cool so you could imagine spending 23 hours in these LITTLE cells! We did not experience any paranormal activity. (I was hoping for something)!! I would recommend this tour and I would go back as a “repeat offender” to explore some more!!
Written August 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian S
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
This place is fascinating—if only just to see the sheer inhumanity of how prisoners were treated. Lee was a great guide, humorous, insightful and knowledgeable about the prison, the town, and the local indigenous people. We did the historic tour but might consider the “haunted tour” (even though we’re not interested in the paranormal) just to get to see some other parts of this vast and creepy building—like solitary confinement, the psych ward, and the hospital ward…
Written September 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

…
Showing results 1-10 of 1,296
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

West Virginia Penitentiary - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

All things to do in Moundsville
RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars