Why You Should Visit Marietta, Ohio

A Hidden Gem on the Border of Ohio and West Virginia

Located along the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, on the West Virginia border, Marietta, Ohio is the oldest city in Ohio and one of the most beautiful towns in the eastern United States. With a number of historic sites, an active downtown, and natural beauty throughout the town and surrounding Washington County, Marietta is an undiscovered jewel deep in southern Ohio.

A town of approximately 15,000, Marietta boasts no shortage of activities. A short, beautiful walk across an old railroad bridge spanning the Muskingum River leads to Harmar Village, which features a number of buildings dating to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, including Marietta's original post office and a variety of shops and restaurants. The village also is home to the Toy and Doll Museum, as well as the Soda Museum. Many merchants, including the Fenton Art Glass Company and My Favorite Things, a fudge company, offer old-fashioned products throughout Harmar Village.

Marietta's historic attractions aren't limited to Harmar Village. The Valley Gem Sternwheeler, an antique-style paddleboat, offers daytime and dinner cruises around Marietta, for reasonable rates ($9 for adults, with discounts for seniors and children). Marietta hosts the Sternwheel Festival each September the weekend after Labor Day, with the Valley Gem and other paddleboats from around the country. Some visitors may want the steamboat experience while staying on land. For them, the Becky Thatcher offers fine dining on its permanently-moored steamboat on Front Street, while the Ohio River Museum offers tours of the steam towboat W.P. Snyder Jr. and historical information on the Ohio River throughout the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. In addition, a trolley tour runs all summer, providing a narrated trip through Marietta, its architecture, and its history. With 18 museums in and nearby Marietta, American history buffs will have a ball in this small town.