Home Marietta-Washington County, Ohio

Marietta-Washington County, Ohio

by ShanaCorbin

Visitors to Marietta, Ohio find a welcoming community, a walkable downtown and an indelible sense of place. This was Ohio’s first permanent settlement and as the oldest city in the state, it is a destination that holds its history in high esteem while fostering a contemporary energy.

Approximately a two-hour drive via I-70 and I-77 from Columbus, Ohio or Pittsburgh, Pa., Marietta is located at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. Known for its brick streets, historic buildings, horse-drawn carriage rides, trolley tours and riverboat rides, Marietta’s downtown is an escape into an authentic mid-Ohio Valley lifestyle. It is also a regional hub, with more than 70 locally owned retail shops and restaurants. Dining options range from fine dining to pub fare, with options from brunch to late night and every hour in between. A stroll through the streets reveals women’s fashion, kitchen gadgets, antiques, art and more.

In addition to the diverse shopping and dining options, music lovers find much to enjoy here, whether at the beautifully renovated historic Peoples Bank Theatre or at one of a variety of other music venues. From a music hall to open mic nights, a dance club and more, live music adds to nightlife in Marietta. There is also a diverse mix of attractions to fill the days here. Families can explore Discovery World children’s museum or the Children’s Toy & Doll Museum while those who are drawn to the weird and wonderful can enjoy the Peoples Mortuary Museum, an eclectic collection of early funeral customs, horse drawn and motorized vehicles and more. Historic sites include the three-story Campus Martius Museum, the Castle Museum Victorian home and the famed Mound Cemetery.

This is also the perfect home base for venturing out into the region. Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is just a ferry ride away and visitors will step off the boat into an earlier time. Once here, visitors discover the reconstructed Blennerhassett Mansion and Putnam-Houser House. Favorite activities on the island include guided tours, wagon rides, hiking and picnicking.

Paddlers can push off onto the river on their own, rent gear from a local outfitter or enjoy a guided kayak tour. Hiking and cycling are popular here, too. Seven miles of the regional North Country National Scenic Trail wind through Marietta as does the Rivertrail Bike and Pedestrian Path, which connects many parks and scenic attractions, ending at the Marietta Aquatic Center. The nearby Wayne National Forest has miles of popular mountain bike trails as well as equestrian and hiking trails.

Fast Facts

  • Founded in 1788, Marietta was the first permanent American settlement in the Northwest Territory, marking the beginning of organized U.S. expansion west of the Appalachian Mountains.
  • Marietta has one of the best-preserved historic downtowns in Ohio, with blocks of 19th-century brick buildings filled with locally owned shops, restaurants, galleries and small businesses. The district features more brick streets than any town in Ohio, and visitors can explore downtown by horse-drawn carriage. Highlights include Schafer Leather Store (est. 1867) and the historic Lafayette Hotel.
  • Marietta sits where the Muskingum River meets the Ohio River, creating a scenic riverfront and deep ties to America’s river transportation history. The Muskingum River also features the world’s last hand-operated lock and dam system, built in the 1800s and still operating today. Unlike many river communities, Marietta chose not to build a floodwall, preserving its historic connection to the river and its sweeping waterfront views.
  • The Marietta Trolley offers guided tours through historic neighborhoods and downtown, giving visitors an easy way to explore the city’s architecture and early American history.
  • Marietta and Washington County offer an impressive variety of museums, including Campus Martius Museum, The Castle Historic House Museum, Children’s Toy & Doll Museum, Henry Fearing House, The Peoples Mortuary Museum, Farmers Castle Museum in Belpre, Oliver Tucker Museum in Beverly, Historical Society Museum in New Matamoras, The Anchorage and the new Ohio River Museum scheduled to open in 2027.
  • Marietta has a strong culinary reputation with chef-driven restaurants, craft breweries, bakeries and locally owned eateries concentrated in the historic downtown district.
  • Located on the edge of the Appalachian foothills, Marietta serves as a gateway to Wayne National Forest and Ohio’s Appalachian Country, offering hiking, mountain biking, paddling, scenic drives, camping and outdoor recreation.
  • The city has a vibrant arts and entertainment scene with venues including Peoples Bank Theatre, Adelphia Music Hall, The Tower Event Center, Ohio Valley Opry and Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre.
  • Marietta contains Hopewell-era earthworks more than 2,000 years old, including the ceremonial Sacra Via, reflecting the area’s importance long before European settlement. The city is also home to Mound Cemetery, built around a preserved Native American burial mound and notable for having more Revolutionary War officers and generals buried there than any other cemetery in the United States.
  • Marietta celebrates its river heritage with vessels such as the Valley Gem Sternwheeler and the Major/Riviera riverboats, offering cruises along the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers.

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