|

Things To Do In Marietta Ohio

This post contains links to affiliate websites, such as Amazon, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you using these links.

byCindy

Whether you would like to visit a museum, go for a drink, or grab a bite to eat, the small city of Marietta has something for everyone. We can provide tips on things to do in Marietta Ohio!

vertical image with a photo of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption and a photo of Marietta Castle. A white area across the top contains the text Things to Do in Marietta Ohio

About Marietta

Marietta is the county seat of Washington County in southeast Ohio. It is located at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers. Marietta was home to the first settlement in Ohio and it was named after the French queen Marie Antoinette.

The annual Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, founded in 1976, is a big attraction in the Marietta calendar.

Map of Things to Do in Marietta

Cindy’s Insider Ohio Tips!

When I’m in Marietta, I always make it a point to take a scenic stroll along the Ohio Riverfront. The views are spectacular, and it’s a great way to soak in the town’s charm.

Trolley Tours

This is the very best way to start your day in Marietta! Take the 90-minute narrated trolley tour to learn about Marietta’s museums, architecture, historic churches, Native American history, and river history. The tour begins and ends at the Armory on Front Street in Marietta. Tours run from July to the end of October, Tuesday to Saturday at either 10 am or 10.30 am – check the Facebook page for up-to-date details.

Campus Martius Museum

This museum will transport you back in time to the early settlers in Marietta. View historic documents and the remains of ancient civilizations discovered by the settlers.

The museum experience includes tours of the two oldest buildings in Ohio: The Rufus Putnam House and The Ohio Company Land Office.

The city of Marietta was the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory. The name was chosen in honor of Marie Antoinette as she supplied French backing for the Colonies in the Revolutionary War. The Campus Martius Museum is located on the corner of Washington and Second Streets in Marietta. This building was erected in 1928.

The Campus Martius Museum was built on the site of the original stockade that was built by the Ohio Company between 1788 and 1791. The name Campus Martius was chosen by the Ohio Company and comes from the Latin for “Field of Mars”. It was known by the early settlers as Stockade or Campus Martius. 

The original fortification was built to house members of the Ohio Company during the Ohio Indian Wars of 1790 to 1794. In 1795 a treaty was signed and the stockade was no longer required. The buildings were dismantled and the wood from this was used for the construction of some of the new homes.

The Rufus Putnam House was part of the original stockade and it is enclosed inside the museum. Rufus Putnam and his wife remained in the house until their deaths. The Ohio Historical Society restored the house between 1966 and 1972. 

A Short Video Walkthrough Of A Day In Marietta:

Fun Fact!

Did you know that Marietta is a college town? It sure is! It is home to Marietta College and is a wonderful college town. We’ve been busy with college visits in and out of Ohio! Recently we visited Louisiana for a visit, if you are headed that way you might want to check out what to do in New Orleans!

horizontal photo of the entrance gates of Mound Cemetery in Marietta Ohio
Photo credit: Chrispainter1966, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mound Cemetery

Mound Cemetery in Marietta was developed around the base of a prehistoric Adena burial mound. The City Fathers preserved the great mound from destruction by establishing the city cemetery in 1801.

The cemetery is open between the hours of 9 am to 5 pm.

The City of Marietta was developed in 1788 soon after the Revolutionary War. Many of its founders were Officers from the Revolutionary War who had received federal grants for their service. High-ranking officers who are buried at this cemetery include Rufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper, who were the founders of the Ohio Company of Associates. The cemetery has the highest number of burials of American Revolutionary War officers in the country.

  • Address: 514 Cutler St, Marietta, Ohio 45750
  • Phone: 740-373-4180

A Short Video Of Mound Cemetery:

horizontal photo of the castle at marietta with a lawn in the foreground. Image courtesy of the castle at marietta
Image courtesy of The Castle at Marietta

The Castle Marietta

Marietta Castle is a historic, fully renovated Gothic-Revival style home that has operated as a museum since 1994. Tours and educational programs are available.  

The castle was home to some of the most influential citizens who lived in Marietta. The property was first leased back in 1808 to a potter. The Gothic Revival House was built in 1855 and a carriage house was built three years later.

The Castle was known as a site where business and functions took place. Five families lived in The Castle between the years 1808 and 1974.

When the last resident of The Castle died, the property was purchased at auction by Bertlyn and Stewart Bosley in 1974. The brother and sister team spent seventeen years restoring the property. Although they did restore the property, they never lived in it. When brother and sister passed away, the property was donated to the Betsey Mills Corporation, which completed the final repairs.

The Castle opened for tours in 1994. At this time, the house was furnished with antiques, provided by the Bosleys. There were also donations by other families that lived in Marietta.

Children’s Toy and Doll Museum

The Children’s Toy And Doll Museum offers a glimpse into the past of children’s entertainment in the 1800s and the early 1900s. The Museum has nine rooms that display both vintage and antique dolls and toys. Some of the vintage dolls that are on display include Barbie dolls, GI Joe model dolls, Kewpie dolls, and Madame Alexander dolls.

There are miniature houses and larger models of houses. There is also a large Hansel and Gretel Gingerbread House. Visitors will also find handmade scale models of circus wagons, city landmarks, plus antique games from back in the day. Visitors may also wish to take part in a tour of the Museum.

Free parking is available at the Museum.

horizontal photo of the inside of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta Ohio
RohnDesign, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption

Catholic worship on this site dates back to 1749. In the 1830s, a priest administered rights for Catholics in Marietta. The priest would conduct mass in ‘the little brick house of one Felix McGuire’ at the corner of South Fifth and Hart Streets. By 1838, the catholic population was large enough that the Bishop of Cincinnati appointed a full-time priest in Washington County.

Self-guided tours of the Basilica are available as long as they don’t conflict with any church event, such as mass or weddings.

In 1837, the Bishop purchased two lots and constructed a small structure. The lower floor of the building was used to conduct mass until 1853. After a while, the building was condemned as unsafe. The roof was too heavy for the walls of the building and it was collapsing. The Parish did look at moving away from the site.  However, the parish decided to rebuild this site by strengthening the walls and adding roof supports. 

During the next decade, a spire was added and three bells were placed in the tower. After some serious flooding, the congregation decided that they needed to move to another location. The congregation approved the move to Fourth and Wooster Street.

The Church served the population from those days until now. The most dramatic episode in the church’s history came in 2013. Pope Francis approved the Church’s elevation to a Basilica. As a Basilica, St. Mary’s shares the same standing and relationship with the Holy See (AKA the See of Rome). The Basilica is entitled to use the Papal symbols. The Basilica was inaugurated at a solemn Mass on November 5, 2014.

More Things to Do in Marietta

  • Historic Harmar Village | Website
  • Marietta River Trail
  • Valley Gem Sternwheeler
  • Peoples Bank Theater

Places to Eat in Marietta

Places to Stay in Marietta

Shopping in Marietta

  • Antique Mall of Marietta | 135 2nd St, Marietta | Website | Facebook
  • Rinky Dink Flea Market | 404 Ft Harbar Dr, Marietta | Facebook
  • McKenna’s Market (Deli) | 200 Front St, Marietta | Website | Facebook
  • Smith & Company Vintage Market | 1301 Colegate Dr, Marietta | Facebook
  • Wit and Whimzy (Gifts) | 154 Front St, Marietta | Website | Facebook

Let’s Go to Marietta Ohio!

Have you visited Marietta Ohio? What was your favorite thing to do?

We are always building on our posts, so if we have not mentioned something you know about, please be sure to let us know about it in the comments!

If you love finding out about new things to do in Ohio, we have lots of suggestions, including Things To Do In Sandusky, Things To Do In Dublin, Things To Do In Findlay, Things to Do in Berlin, and Things To Do In Sugarcreek.

We also love to find new Ohio adventures – you can check out some of our favorites right here!

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at [email protected], and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

Cindy Gordon, the owner of VisitOhioToday.com, is a passionate Ohioan with a deep love for her state's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Her mission is to showcase Ohio's hidden gems and major tourist attractions through her website, offering visitors a comprehensive guide to all the wonders the Buckeye State has to offer. With a wealth of experience as a seasoned small business owner in the media industry, Cindy also manages four other websites in the food space, demonstrating her commitment to sharing her expertise and enthusiasm with a wider audience. Through her dedication, Cindy has become a trusted source for anyone looking to explore Ohio's diverse and vibrant offerings.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *