text: Have you ever visited a town so charming you think to yourself, “Why haven’t I been here before?” That’s exactly what I thought when I visited Marietta, Ohio. Brick streets, gorgeous restored Victorian buildings and homes, centuries of history, outdoor adventures and welcoming locals whose pride in their community is contagious, makes Marietta one of my favorite towns in Ohio! Keep reading for the best things to do in Marietta, Ohio.
  Looking for more about Marietta, Ohio? Read Discovering Marietta, Ohio’s Historical Past.
  Things To Do In Marietta Ohio
  With a rich historical past, charming downtown and fun outdoor adventures, there’s plenty of fun things to do in Marietta Ohio!
  1. Explore Marietta’s History
  Sitting at the confluence of two rivers (Muskingum and Ohio) Marietta has been an important river town for centuries. Established in 1788 and the first American settlement in the Northwest Territory, Marietta is Ohio’s oldest city. While settlers may not have arrived until the late 1700’s, Native Americans have been living in the area since the approximately 100 BC. Marietta has taken great pride to preserve its history. Historical gems can be found throughout the town in numerous museums and restored historical homes and buildings.
  The Castle
  Historical Places to Visit:
  Campus Martius Museum, Ohio River Museum, The Castle, Historic Harmar Village, Mound Cemetery and the Blennerhassett Museum and Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park (a short drive to Parkersburg, West Virginia)
  2. Ghost Encounters
  With its location along the two rivers, Marietta became a popular stop for migrants, workers and families. Brothels, saloons, merchants, hospitals and schools have seen thousands of people come and go, but some never leave this river town. Ghosts or spirits have been known to haunt Marietta. Many locals swear to have seen at least one ghost lurking around town or felt some sort of supernatural experience.
  Mound Cemetery
  Haunted Places to Visit:
  Hidden Marietta offers Ghost Treks and Tours, Historic Lafayette Hotel claims to have numerous spirits living in the hotel, also visit Mound Cemetery and the Peoples Mortuary Museum
  3. Marietta Outdoor Adventures
  Marietta’s river location and nearby Wayne National Forest make nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers flock to this river town. From boating, kayaking and paddle boarding on the rivers, hiking, mountain biking and riding atv’s, Segway tours, taking a ride on a historic Sternwheeler or cruising the winding backroads roads on a motorcycle, outdoor adventures are abundant in Marietta!
  Riding the Valley Gem Sternwheeler
  Try these outdoor adventures:
  Scott’s Super Adventures Segway Tours, Marietta Adventure Company, and ride the Valley Gem Sternwheeler
  4. Explore Downtown Marietta
  There’s just something special about Downtown Marietta. With its charming brick streets, historic Victorian buildings, boutique and specialty shops, restaurants and taverns, I found myself strolling this historic main street community with a permanent smile.
  Downtown Marietta
  Shop:
  Green Acres, Wit & Whimzy, Terri Ann’s, A Unique Flower & Gift Shop, Dad’s Primitive Workbench, Antique Mall of Marietta
  Eat:
  Marietta Brewing Co., The Galley, Austyn’s, Buckley House Restaurant, a short stroll across the river to Harmar Village to dine at Spagna’s Italian Restaurant, Busy Bee Restaurant and Harmar Tavern
  5. Visit With Welcoming Locals
  It’s nice to visit a town that not only preserves its history, but also has a palpable sense of community spirit. Locals are warm and welcoming, provide visitors with recommendations and directions and almost every conversation led to how much they love this community. A welcoming spirit and community pride will lure you back to explore more of Marietta’s charms!
  Places To Stay In Marietta Ohio
  Make the most of your visit by staying in the heart of Downtown Marietta at the historic Lafayette Hotel. Established in 1918, the Lafayette Hotel is one of the last riverboat-era hotels. The Victorian era décor throughout the lobby and guest rooms will transform you back in time!
  Lafayette Hotel
  To learn more about Marietta, please visit www.mariettaohio.org.
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  A special thanks to the Marietta-Washington County CVB! I was an invited guest of Marietta-Washington County CVB. As always on Ohio Girl Travels, all opinions are my own.
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  Hi! I’m Heather, the traveler and storyteller behind Ohio Girl Travels. As an Ohio-based freelance writer and full-time travel blogger, my goal is to encourage you to travel more.
  To learn more about me and my passion for travel, click here to read my story.
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