Things to do in Marietta, Ohio By Matthew Caracciolo

Things to do in Marietta, Ohio
By Matthew Caracciolo

Marietta, OH was the first official settlement of the Northwest Territory, which was the first territorial expansion of the United States of America after winning its independence from Great Britain. Established in 1788—only five years after the end of the Revolutionary War—Marietta was founded by settlers from the Ohio Company of Associates; a good percentage of them veterans and officers of the Revolutionary War including the famed General Rufus Putnam. As such, it’s one of the most historical cities in Ohio and a premier destination in Southeast Ohio. On top of historic sites, the city boasts a distinct river town culture, excellent dining, and tons of recreation in the area. So what can you do in Marietta?

Learn about the Northwest Territory

As the first official settlement of the Northwest Territory, Marietta is a natural place to learn about this part of American history. Visit the Campus Martius Museum which is situated on the grounds of the former Campus Martius civilian fortification and features the only remaining part of that structure: the Rufus Putnam house. There’s a good deal of artifacts and information about the development of this part of Ohio, as well as an exhibit on Appalachian culture. Afterwards, visit the Mound Cemetery to see the final resting places of the names you saw in the museum. There are more Revolutionary War officers buried here than in any cemetery in the United States. The cemetery gets its name from a large, conical mound built by the Hopewell Culture that sits in the back of the grounds.

Explore the Ohio River and Muskingum River

Marietta sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers (and is thus prone to flooding). Hop on a tour with the Valley Gem Sternwheeler which does sightseeing and dinner tours on both rivers. Or paddle your way along the water with Marietta Adventure Company’s kayak rentals and tours.

Get out Marietta’s Trails

Surrounded on all sides by the Appalachian foothills, Marietta is in the center of a lot of hiking and biking opportunities. The Marietta segment of Wayne National Forest lies to the east and is one of the remotest corners of Ohio—perfect for backpacking. Marietta is also carving out a niche as a mountain biking mecca. The city itself has more than 30 miles of mountain bike trails within city limits. The Marietta Adventure Company is a good resource on the area’s mountain bike trails.

Eat Local

There’s plenty to eat in town, so plan accordingly. Many locals recommend the Marietta Brewing Company, a popular brewpub and a relaxed, family-friendly spot. For breakfast, longtime favorite Busy Bee was established in 1944 and is a bargain for the size of the pancakes and quality of the orange juice. For some fine dining, check out the Buckley House Restaurant in a historic mansion near downtown.

Visit a Castle

Ok, it’s generous to call this house a “castle,” but that’s the name it goes by. The gothic revival Castle Historic House Museum was completed in 1855 and is recognizable by its iconic bird’s nest. Tours start in the carriage house and cover the family history, the changes they made to the house over time, and the era-appropriate furnishings and gardens.

There are two independent hotels in downtown Marietta, including the historic Lafayette Hotel that transports guests to the steamboat era. The town is compact, set on a grid, and easily walkable—exactly what you need for an easy, relaxing weekend trip.

Have you been to Marietta? What did you see?
 
Matthew Caracciolo is a freelance writer and author of The Waygook Book: A Foreigner’s Guide to South Korea from Monday Creek Publishing. He also maintains his own travel blog, Travel is Fatal, on his website. To find out more about The Waygook Book or Travel is Fatal, please visit matthewcaracciolo.com.