Complete Guide to Clarksburg, WV
Start Your Visit at the Clarksburg History Museum & Welcome Center
The best place to begin exploring Clarksburg and Harrison County is the Clarksburg History Museum & Welcome Center, located in the heart of downtown Clarksburg.
Museum staff and volunteers can help point you toward attractions, dining, shopping, events, and historic sites throughout the county. While you're there, take time to tour the museum's exhibits, which tell the story of Clarksburg and Harrison County through photographs, artifacts, and interactive displays. Visitors can also explore the archives and collections of the Harrison County Historical Society, which shares archive space with the museum and works to preserve the region's rich history.
Whether you're visiting for a few hours or a few days, the museum is the perfect first stop.
Goff Building - Downtown Clarksburg, West Virginia Looking West
Explore History on Foot and By Car
One of the best ways to discover Clarksburg is through its self-guided Downtown Walking Tour. The tour follows a series of interpretive markers throughout downtown and introduces visitors to many of the city's most significant locations.
Along the route you'll encounter sites connected to Clarksburg's growth, industry, architecture, and notable residents, including:
The Stealey-Goff-Vance House
Historic Waldomore
The Waldo Hotel
The former St. Mary's Hospital site
Moore's Opera House site
Veterans Memorial Park and Louis A. Johnson Veterans Hospital
Downtown's historic commercial district
And many other landmarks that shaped the city's story
Visitors looking to explore beyond downtown can continue their journey with the Passport to Harrison County, a free guide featuring dozens of historic, cultural, and scenic destinations throughout the county. The passport includes maps, site information. Some sites are drive by, but afford photo opportunities.
Request a Passport to Harrison County at the Clarksburg History Museum or online.
Passport to Harrison County provided by the Clarksburg History Museum
Festivals and Events Throughout the Year
No matter when you visit, there's usually something happening in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival
Each Labor Day weekend, downtown Clarksburg hosts the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, one of the state's largest and longest-running cultural celebrations.
Founded in 1979, the festival honors the thousands of Italian immigrants and their descendants who helped build North Central West Virginia. Main Street comes alive with authentic Italian food, live music, cultural exhibits, entertainment, a colorful parade, religious traditions, and family activities that attract visitors from across the region.
For many families, the festival is both a homecoming and a celebration of the traditions that continue to shape Clarksburg's identity today.
St. Spyridon Greek Food Festival
Another local favorite is the annual Greek Food Festival at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church.
The event celebrates Harrison County's vibrant Greek heritage through traditional foods, pastries, music, and hospitality. The church itself stands as an important reminder of the Greek immigrant community that settled in Clarksburg more than a century ago.
For many years, the surrounding neighborhood was home to a thriving Greek community, including a private religious school where children learned both English and Greek. That heritage remains visible today, with many local families still maintaining strong cultural traditions and even speaking Greek across generations.
Visitors interested in learning more about Clarksburg's Greek history can listen to the Clarksburg History Museum Podcast, which explores the stories of the people and communities that shaped Harrison County.
St. Spyridon Church • Clarksburg, West Virginia
Downtown Clarksburg Attractions
Clarksburg Area Model Railroad Club
Train enthusiasts of all ages should visit the Clarksburg Area Model Railroad Club. The club features impressive operating layouts, detailed scenery, and exhibits that celebrate the region's railroad heritage.
Open houses and special events throughout the year provide opportunities to see the layouts in operation and learn more about the important role railroads played in Harrison County's development.
Looking Glass Consignment
Part antique mall, part thrift store, and part treasure hunt, Looking Glass Consignment has become a destination for shoppers seeking unique finds.
Visitors can spend hours browsing antiques, vintage clothing, furniture, books, record albums, collectibles, jewelry, vintage electronics, home décor, and seasonal merchandise. The store's dedicated furniture space and year-round Christmas section make it a favorite stop for both locals and visitors.
The Art Gallery at James & Law
Located in a beautifully restored downtown storefront, The Art Gallery at James & Law combines local history, contemporary art, and artisan products under one roof.
The front of the gallery features historic photographs that showcase Clarksburg's past, while rotating exhibits in the rear gallery space highlight the work of local and regional artists. Visitors will also find locally produced goods, including honey, pottery, handcrafted items, and gifts.
The gallery serves as a centerpiece during First Fridays, Clarksburg's monthly downtown celebration featuring extended business hours, art, music, shopping, and family activities.
James & Law is also home to Harrison County's America 250 Mural, part of West Virginia Tourism's statewide America 250 Mural Trail. Created by artist Amber Penland, the mural celebrates Harrison County's history while looking toward its future and has quickly become one of downtown's newest attractions.
Discover More
From historic homes and museums to festivals, food, art, and outdoor recreation, Harrison County offers visitors a surprising variety of experiences. Whether you're tracing the stories of the past, shopping downtown, attending a community festival, or exploring scenic country roads, you'll find that Clarksburg serves as the perfect gateway to North Central West Virginia.
And no matter where your journey takes you, start at the Clarksburg History Museum & Welcome Center. The stories of Harrison County begin there.
Harrison County’s America 250 Mural • Artist Amber Penland
