Marietta
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Marietta is a city of 13,000 people (2019) in Southeast Ohio. It is at the confluence of the Muskingum River and Ohio River. Founded in 1788 it is the oldest city in Ohio. From the beginning it was one of Ohio's more important Ohio River ports. It is adjacent to part of the Wayne National Forest.
Understand
Marietta, the county seat of Washington County, the first organized settlement of the Northwest Territory, is a small town that has maintained its small-town charm due to having been left off of the rail lines and having had no connection to a highway until 1967. Since the construction of Route 7 and the new bridge across the river, Marietta has been on a slow path to resurrection. It has grown to extend from the Ohio Riverfront to the intersection of Interstate 77. The historic downtown has gone through several renovation phases, with a streetscape program being the crowning touch. The town's name is derived from Marie Antoinette, the French Queen, who supported the American Revolution. It is now one of the Ohio Valley and Southeastern Ohio's favorite destinations.
Get in
Interstate 77 connects Marietta with central Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Or by boat, at the Ohio Riverfront. It is on the State line with West Virginia. The Ohio River separates the two states. Directly across the river bridge on Ohio Route 6 is Williamstown. Parkersburg, West Virginia is a short distance south with access to I-77.
- 1 Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport (PKB IATA) (south of Marietta, take I-77 South, WV Route 31 East; it is north of WV Route 2), ☏ +1 304-464-5113. The nearest airport, it is south of Marietta on I-77 just east of Parkersburg, WV.
Get around
Marietta is a small town on the banks of the Ohio River. The historic downtown is easy to walk, except everything is uphill from the river. There is a public boat ramp. Exploring the river with a guide should not be too difficult.
Harmar is a historic district of Marietta, found across the Muskingum River from downtown Marietta. Once connected by the Historic Harmar bridge a railroad bridge converted to a pedestrian crossing. The next closest crossing is the Putnam Street Bridge which includes historical information signs at stopping points along the crossing.
See
Marietta is rich in history as is made visible by a scattering of Ohio Historic Markers as well as markers placed by the Rotary Club in front of historic buildings. Walking along the streets and through the parks you will encounter dozens or more. In addition to these there are a variety of specific locations to see including the following.
- 1 Ohio River Museum, 601 Front Street, toll-free: +1-800-860-0145.
- 2 Campus Martius Museum, 601 Second St, ☏ +1 740-373-3750, toll-free: +1-800-860-0145.
- 3 Marietta Earthworks (Mound Cemetery). A once large number of Indigenous North American earthworks that was partially destroyed by local construction. The remaining mound survived due to its location in Mound Cemetery, which is home to the highest number of American Revolutionary War officer burials in the country.
- 4 Marietta College, 215 Fifth St, toll-free: +1-800-331-7896. A private college that was founded in 1835.
- 5 Washington State Community College, 710 Colegate Dr, ☏ +1 740-374-8716.
- 6 Children's Toy and Doll Museum, 206 Gilman Ave. Sa Su 1-4PM. A wide collection of toys from around the US. You might find something from the 1800s or see something you played with as a child.
- 7 The Castle Historic House Museum (The Castle), 418 4th St, ☏ +1 740-373 4180, info@mariettacastle.org.
- 8 Peoples Mortuary Museum, 408 Front St, ☏ +1 740-373 1111. Requires calling ahead to setup a tour and ensuring someone will be there to open the door. Large variety of hearses to be seen.
- 9 Start Westward Memorial, Muskingum Park. 1938 sculpture designed by Gutzon Borglum, commemorating the westward expansion of the United States, and the sesquicentennial of the establishment of Marietta in 1788. It stands on purpose-designed esplanade designed by Borglum and the architect John Schooley.
Do
- 1 Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, Ohio Riverfront Park. Ohio River Levee on the corner of Front and Greene St, downtown, always the weekend after Labor Day. Sa 7:30PM/10PM. "Harry J. Robinson" Fireworks. They anchor barges in the middle of the Ohio River and produce one of Ohio's outstanding fireworks displays, from the barges, reflected in the water, with illumination of the bridges, by fireworks. Quite a display. Excellent event!
- 2 Marietta Aquatic Center, 233 Pennsylvania Ave, ☏ +1 740-373-2445. Jun 3-Sep 4: daily noon-8PM. Marietta Aquatic Center is a large water park. Adult $6, youth (up to 17) $5.
- 3 Washington County Fair, 922 Front St (Washington County Fairgrounds), ☏ +1 740-373-1347. early September.
- Fourth of July celebration. early July.
- 4 People's Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam Street, ☏ +1 740-371-5152, tickets@peoplesbanktheatre.com.
- 5 Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre, 229 Putnam Street, ☏ +1 740-374-9434.
- 6 Valley Gem Sternwheeler cruise (Valley Gem), 601 Front St, ☏ +1 740-373-7862. Take a ride on the Valley Gem to Blennerhassett Island, lunch or dinner cruise, or an expedition through the locks of the Muskingum River. Check the schedule for what trips are available. $7-78.
- 7 Kroger Wetlands. Wetland nature reserve with one-mile circular trail and interpretive boards. Park off Acme Street. free.
Buy
- 1 Fenton Art Glass, 700 Elizabeth Street, Williamstown (in Williamstown, across the Ohio River). The largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the United States. Each piece of glass is an artistic creation by skilled glassworkers and decorators. (Note: the Fenton Art Glass Factory nearly closed 2007, adding to the collectability. The factory stores are still open.)
- 2 Lafayette Shopping Center, 464 Pike St.
- 3 The River City Farmer's Market (Marietta Farmer's Market), Butler Street between Front and Second, ☏ +1 740-516-6253, rivercityfarmersmarketmarietta@gmail.com. 8AM-noon. Saturday mornings the farmers market takes over the street of downtown Marietta and you can find local crafts, meats, dairy, plants, mushrooms, honey, and more.
- 4 Wit & Whimzy, 152 Front St, ☏ +1 742-371-5022, witnwhimzy@gmail.com. An eclectic selection of Marietta local and unique gifts.
Eat
- 1 Napolis Pizza, 335 Pike St, ☏ +1 740-423-1111, napolispizz@gmail.com. Su-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight. Homemade pizza, pasta and subs. All breads, including for sandwiches and subs, are baked from scratch that very morning. Dine in, carry out and delivery. $10 and under.
- 2 Smitty's Pizza, 500 Front Street, ☏ +1 740-374-2280. Locally-owned pizzeria with a wide menu of pizzas, subs, soups, and desserts. Delivery, dine-in, and carry-out all available.
- Las Trancas (in the Lafayette Plaza off of Pike Street), ☏ +1 740-373-9508. Mexican restaurant with a huge menu of traditional fare. Snack on chips and salsa while waiting for your meal, or try one of the many margarita flavors. Great family atmosphere with plenty of seating.
- 3 Levee House Bistro, 127 Ohio St, ☏ +1 740-371-7035. Great view of the Ohio river from the outside patio and the chef is outstanding.
- 4 Busy Bee Restaurant, 226 Gilman Ave, ☏ +1 740-373-3755, info@busybeerestaurant.com. M-Sa 6:30AM-2PM, Su 8AM-2PM. This is a cozy place is a local favorite for breakfast and sources ingredients from local farms. A solid choice for breakfast or brunch.
- 5 The Original Pizza Place, ☏ +1 740-374-4333. This pizzeria was founded in 1976 by a Brooklyn, NY native and in addition to this Marietta location, there is another in Vienna, WV. This Marietta location has a Gluten Free crust available and a couple other specialty exclusives. Buy your pizza (or cake) by the slice or get your party a entire sheet or hand tossed pizza to share. The fresh made dough and ingredients make this a great choice for a meal.
- 6 The Cozy Kitchen, 114 Putnam St, ☏ +1 740-371-7100. M-Sa 8AM-2:30PM. Solid breakfast and brunch spot on Putnam that will keep your taste buds happy.
Drink
- 1 Marietta Brewing Company, 167 Front St, ☏ +1 740-373-2739, mariettabrewingco@gmail.com. Good brews and food. Live entertainment on the weekends.
- 2 Jeremiah's Coffee House, 175 Front St, ☏ +1 740-374-2639, jeremiahscoffeehouse@gmail.com. Discover the coffee and gluten free baked goods.
- 3 740 Social, Front St, ☏ +1 740-336 7422. A speak-easy like restaurant with outdoor patio seating, great cocktails at reasonable prices, but no craft beer selection.
Sleep
- 1 Baymont by Wyndham Marietta, 701 Pike St, ☏ +1 740-374-9660. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- 2 The Lafayette Hotel, 101 Front St, toll-free: +1-800-331-9336. Located at the confluence of the Muskingham and Ohio Rivers, is the focal point of the downtown district. The hotel, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and has a spectacular view and top-notch service.
- 3 The Hackett Hotel, 203 2nd St, ☏ +1 740-374-8278.
Connect
- 1 Marietta Public Library, 615 Fifth St, ☏ +1 740-373-1057. A Carnegie library built on top of an Indian mound. Offers computers and Wi-Fi.
- 2 Local History & Genealogy Archives, 418 Washington St, ☏ +1 740-376-2172. If you're a history buff or interested in genealogy and are looking to dig into Marietta's resident history, this is the stop for your. There are volumes to explore curated by the librarians, historical society, and local families.
Go next
| Routes through Marietta |
| Canton ← Caldwell ← | N  S |
→ Parkersburg → Charleston |
| Steubenville ← | N  S |
→ Belpre → END |