Things To Do In Marietta Ohio

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!

Campus Martius Museum

The city of Marietta was the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory. The name was chosen after 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. 

Various events do take place within the Museum. Guests can either phone ahead or go onto the website.

• Address: 601 Second Street, Marietta, OH 45750
• Phone: 740-373-3750 Website | Facebook.

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!

Mound Cemetery

Mound Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio 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 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 that 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.

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

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

A Short Video Of Mound Cemetery:

The Castle

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. Whilst 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, who 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. Tours are available to schools and colleges. If you would like to visit The Castle and go on a tour, you can either call them or pop them an email.

• Address: 418 4th Street, Marietta, OH 45750
• Phone: 740-373-4180 Website | Facebook

Ohio River Museum

In 1939, there was an idea to have an Ohio River Museum and this was for preserving the history of the inland rivers that was proposed by a group of rivermen and historians. On 16th March 1941, The Ohio Historical Society, (currently the Ohio History Connection), could see a vision of developing this area and offered the unfinished basement in the Campus Martius Museum. This space was soon filled with photographs, models, and items of historical interest. The collection continued to grow over the years, including the 179-foot sternwheel towboat, the W.P Snyder.  This boat was built in 1918.

The expansion of the Campus Martius Museum in 1957 allowed for the expansion of the River Museum collection. In turn, this also allowed for more exhibits and tours were started that allowed schools to visit.

As the visits for these displays continued, The Ohio Historical Society saw the need for a separate Ohio River museum in its own right. In the early 1970s, planning started and this ended up with a new facility. Construction of this facility began in 1971 and the museum opened in 1973. The Museum was built on the banks of the River and close to the Steamboat. 

Opening Hours:
April 1 through Labor Day:
Mon-Sat: 9:30am to 5pm
Sun: 12 Noon to 5pm

Labor Day through Oct 31:
Sat: 9:30am to 5pm
Sun: 12 Noon to 5pm.

• Address: 601 Front Street, Marietta, OH 45750
• Phone: 740-373-3750 | Website | Facebook

The Basilica Of St. Mary 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.

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.

• Address: 506 Fourth Street, Marietta, OH 45750
• Phone: 740-373-3643 | Website | Facebook

Children’s Toy And Doll Museum

The Children’s Toy And Doll Museum offers a glimpse of the past into 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
• Madame Alexander dolls

There are also 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 and this includes seeing different types of rooms.

Free parking is available at the Museum.

• Address: 206 Gilman Avenue, Marietta, OH 45750
• Phone: 740-373-5900 | Facebook

Are There Other Things To Do In Marietta Ohio?

Absolutely! There are plenty of other places to visit in this charming city:

• Historic Harmar Village
• Rinky Dink Flea Market
• Oak Grove Cemetery
• The Riverside Artists Gallery
• Marietta River Trail
• Valley Gem
• Peoples Bank Theater
• The Marietta Brewing Company

(The Castle, Marietta) A very interesting look into gothic revival architecture, Victorian era life in America, and the quirks and challenges of restoration of a historic building. Very friendly and accommodating staff who are passionate about the property and city.

Steven Hallmark (Google)

Where Is Marietta Ohio Located?

Marietta is a city in Washington County, Southeastern Ohio.

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!