Marietta Awaits: Ohio’s First Riverboat Town

Celebrate Spring by planning your first road trip of the season to Ohio’s first city. Just a two-hour drive from Columbus, a visit to Marietta is the perfect destination trip to the Ohio River.

Immerse yourself in centuries old history and make a few new memories of your own.

Settled in 1788 by Rufus Putnam, Marietta was the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, making it Ohio’s oldest city.

Located at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers in Washington County, this historic Rivertown quickly became the centerpiece for ship building and commerce.

Marietta’s charming downtown is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening, exploring an abundance of local shops and restaurants.

With its rich history dating back to the Hopewell and Adena cultures, there’s plenty of historical sites and museums to interest everyone. And no trip is complete without a scenic riverboat ride down the Ohio River.

With so much to see and do, you’ll probably with you stayed a bit longer. We planned a two-day visit and enjoyed it so much we added a third!

Where to Stay

If you’re planning an overnight trip, which I highly recommend, there’s no better place to stay than the historic Lafayette Hotel.

Constructed in 1918, this boutique hotel located along the banks of the Ohio River will transport you back in time to the grand era of riverboats.

Entering the lobby, visitors are greeted with a bright hand-painted ceiling, crystal chandeliers, and large arched windows overlooking the river beyond. An authentic nautical theme abounds throughout the hotel, making for a charming experience.

Travel Tip: To avoid busy street noise, book a room on the quieter river facing side.

Where to Dine

The only challenge finding a place to eat in town is choosing which one to try first. We dined at several during our stay and enjoyed the variety of experiences, but most of all the great food.

Guests of the Lafayette Hotel receive a voucher for The Gun Room during check in. Start the day off with a hearty made to order breakfast here. Our favorite breakfast spot was Busy Bee, with a welcoming décor, friendly service, and a fantastic locally sourced menu.

For lunch, the Harmar Tavern is a Marietta institution famous for their fried bologna sandwich. Great outdoor seating awaits at The Galley with a large covered patio, perfect for hot or rainy afternoons.

Marietta Brewing and 740 Social are located downtown and offer cool vibes, and good menus with even better beverage options.

Whether you’re looking for a laid-back vibe or an upscale experience for dinner, Marietta delivers.

Boathouse BBQ is a super casual place, right by the river. The food is great, especially the ribs and smoked chicken. Head to Levee House Bistro for incredible scallops and an eclectic menu. Austyns, across from the Lafayette Hotel, offers an upscale dining experience, perfect for a romantic evening.

Things to Do in Marietta

Whether you want to immerse yourself in history, relax along the riverfront, or eat and shop your way through downtown, Marietta has you covered. It’s a great destination for families, couples, friends, or solo explorers.

Take a Guided Tour

Taking a guided tour is one of our favorite things to do when visiting a new city. It’s a great way to get oriented and learn about the area. There are several tour options to choose from in Marietta.

Historic Marietta Trolley

Board the trolley for a comfortable ride around town with a local historian as your guide. This tour will bring Marietta’s history to life and to introduce you to all of the best places around town.

From May to October, Historic Marietta Trolleys offers a 90-minute narrated tour, available on select days at 10:30am. The cost is $15 per person. All tours depart from the Armory located at 241 Front Street. Call 740-350-9852 to make an advanced reservation.

Hidden Marietta

If an in-depth walking tour is more to your liking, check out Hidden Marietta. There are three historical tours to choose from: Ancient Earthworks, Fires & Floods, and Marietta Mansions. For those who like folklore and things that go bump in the night, check out the paranormal offerings.

The tour office is located at The Anchorage Mansion, 424 George Street. Please confirm the appropriate tour start location when booking. Tour dates and prices vary.

Lafayette Hotel

Not interested in joining a guided tour? Go on a self-guided tour of the historic Lafayette Hotel. Guide books are available for purchase ($2.50 ea) at the front desk.

Walk along River Trail

The River Trail is an asphalt rail-trail that stretches about 3.3 miles along the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, including the historic downtown.

The trail is wheelchair accessible, with benches along the way to sit and take in the views. Just steps from the Lafayette Hotel, this trail is a great way to start your day or enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Along the way, stop at the historical markers recounting significant moments in Marietta’s history. Stand at the spot where the The Ohio Company landed along the banks of the Muskingum River. Learn about the history of the riverboat era and life along the Ohio River.

Take a stroll across the Marietta-Williamstown Bridge to Williamstown, WV via a pedestrian walkway. The bridge is a great place to watch the riverboats as they pass directly underneath. It also provides one of the best views of the Ohio River.

If you’re feeling energetic, continue on to Da Vinci’s for some Italian fare before making the trek back to town.

Visit a Historical Museum

Museums offer a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to learn and explore. Set aside a couple of hours to visit these interesting historical museums. You’ll be glad you did.

Campus Martius Museum

After arriving in Marietta, Rufus Putnam and the Ohio Company built a civilian stockade to protect its members from attack during the Ohio Indian Wars of 1790 to 1794.

After the Treaty of Greenville was signed, most of Campus Martius was dismantled for supplies to build homes and businesses throughout Marietta.

The Campus Martius Museum stands on the original site of the stockade, protecting the last remaining original structure, the Rufus Putnam House. Along with many historical documents and artifacts on display, visitors can also see the oldest building in Ohio, the Ohio Company Land Office.

The museum is located at 601 2^nd Street. It’s open to the public Monday – Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 (adult/youth), and $5 (veterans/children 5 & under). Ohio History Connection members are FREE.

Ohio River Museum 

Note: This museum is currently undergoing a major renovation and all access has been closed. It is targeted to re-open in late 2025.

The Ohio River Museum focuses on life along the Ohio River and the significant impact the steamboat age had on expansion to the West. The museum offers informative displays and artifacts for visitors to enjoy.

There are several outdoor displays to explore, including a restored shanty boat, the Tell City Pilot House (built in 1889), and some eye-opening exhibits describing the worst floods in the area.

Perhaps the pride of the Ohio River Museum is the W.P Snyder, Jr, which is permanently docked outside. It is one of the last remaining examples of steam-powered, stern wheeled towboats in the U.S. For a small fee, guided tours of the towboat are available.

The museum is located at 601 Front Street. Check the website for more information regarding its future plans to reopen.

Relax on a River Cruise

There is no better way to add some fun to your day than a relaxing excursion down the river. The Valley Gem Sternwheeler offers trips year-round.

There’s a tour for everyone, whether you prefer an afternoon sightseeing excursion, a leisurely dinner cruise, or prefer to jazz it up with music and a special themed event.

The Valley Gem is a genuine sternwheeler vessel accommodating 200+ guests and offers indoor seating, plus an upper-level outdoor deck. There are plenty of tables and chairs to sit and relax, with room to move around for great views. Food and drinks can be purchased on board, including a full bar.

Traveler Tip: Guests are permitted to bring personal food & snacks on board.

We chose the Sightseeing Tour, a 90-minute leisure cruise with narrated highlights of historic points along the river and Marietta. The cruise continues under the Williamstown Bridge and around Buckley Island before returning back to the dock 0n the Muskingum River.

Traveler Tip: Upper deck, port side seating provides the best views of Marietta during the captain’s narration.

The Valley Gem departs from 531 Front Street. Limited parking is available under the bridge, with additional parking at the Ohio River Museum next door. Costs vary depending on the tour selected. Make advanced reservations here.

Tour a Castle

Stop by the home of some of Marietta’s most influential citizens.

Take a guided tour of this beautifully restored, 1855 Gothic Revival castle and carriage house. Hear stories about the roles its inhabitants played in local history.

In addition to general tours, a wide variety of educational opportunities and themed events are available (see here). Group tours can be arranged by calling 740-373-4180.

The Castle House is located at 418 Fourth Street. It is open for tours from April through December. Days and hours vary by season, so check before you go.

Admission is $10 (adults), $9.50 (seniors), $7 (students K-12, college ID), and Free (4y & under). ½ off for active duty military & family. 

Mortuary Museum

Looking for something unique? The Peoples Mortuary Museum is a labor of love showcasing the private collection of funeral director, William Peoples.

Packard enthusiasts will appreciate the collection of showroom worthy vehicles, including 1938 and 1940 Packards, a 1934 Studebaker President, horse-drawn hearses, and so much more!

The star of the show is a 1927 hearse named “Miss Henney”, manufactured by the Henney Motor Co. Hollywood producers frequently request Miss Henney to use in film, the most famous to date being “Get Low” starring Bill Murray.

The museum is full of historical items used during a time when the deceased were shown in their homes. Everything from embalming equipment and supplies, portable beds and draperies, clothing, lamps, coffins, and more.

Learning how these items were used to honor the deceased and support their families was quite interesting.

The museum is located at 408 Front Street. Guided tours are free of charge. Call 740-373-1111 to schedule a tour (by appointment only).

Festivals & Fun

Add some excitement to your visit by including a festival weekend or First Friday Night. Here’s a few upcoming events for 2024.

• January – December – First Fridays
• July 26-28, 2024 – Harman Days Festival
• August 8-11, 2024 – Rivers, Trails, & Ales
• September 6-8, 2024 – Ohio River Sternwheel Festival

Explore Washington County and Beyond

Take in the beauty of the Appalachian foothills with some time in the great outdoors.

It doesn’t matter which direction you choose; an outdoor paradise awaits. Catch a riverboat to historic Blennerhassett Island State Park (WV), get in touch with nature at the Ohio River Islands National Refuge, or hit the trails at Wayne National Forest.

If driving tours are your jam, consider taking a covered bridge tour or scenic driving tour through the Washington County countryside. Whether you travel by two or four wheels, Marietta is the perfect starting point for your journey.

For more information about Marietta and Washington County, click here.

Our Ohio Travel writer, Deb, randomly picks a new destination in Ohio to visit each month with her husband. Some of their trips are full weekend trips with overnight stays, while others are day trips. Their trips are always full of fun and unique stops that you’re going to want to check out.