Travel Guide
Find top sights, local places, maps, weather, and simple trip tips for Marietta, Ohio.
Looking for Things to Do in Marietta, Ohio? Use this guide to compare top sights, local tips, maps, weather, and nearby places.
Looking for things to do in Marietta, Ohio? This short guide helps you plan.
Marietta sits where the Muskingum River meets the Ohio River. It was founded in 1788 as the Northwest Territory’s first permanent settlement.
In addition, you will find preserved Native American mounds, restored 19th‑century buildings, and small museums. The town rewards slow exploration rather than rushed one‑day visits.
Why Visit Marietta
When comparing Things to Do in Marietta, Ohio, the destination stands out for a mix of well-known sights and local experiences. History is the main draw here, and it is easy to see.
Campus Martius, the old earthworks, and river museums tell pioneer and river stories. Also, Marietta is a handy base for short trips to Parkersburg and Blennerhassett Island.
Top Things to Do in Marietta, Ohio
These attractions and local experiences are among the best things to do in Marietta, Ohio.
Campus Martius Museum
Campus Martius Museum stands on the site of the original stockade built by the Ohio Company during Marietta’s earliest settlement period. Exhibits connect the founding of Marietta with the Northwest Territory, frontier life, migration, and the people who helped establish the community.
The museum also preserves important structures tied to that story, including the Ohio Company Land Office and the Rufus Putnam House. Together, they make Campus Martius a useful starting point for understanding why Marietta holds such an important place in the early history of the Northwest Territory.
Ohio River Museum & W.P. Snyder, Jr.
The Ohio River Museum interprets the river culture, transportation, industry, and communities that developed along the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. A major part of that story is the W.P. Snyder, Jr., a historic sternwheel towboat associated with the working-river era.
The museum explains how steam navigation and inland waterways connected towns, moved goods, and shaped regional growth. Because the museum complex has been undergoing redevelopment, visitors should check the official museum website for current access and viewing details before planning a stop.
Mound Cemetery & Earthworks
Mound Cemetery brings together two very different layers of Marietta history. The cemetery was established around the Great Mound, an ancient Indigenous earthwork preserved by the city’s early settlers, and later became the burial place of many people connected to the community’s founding.
It is especially known for its concentration of Revolutionary War officers. Nearby remnants of Marietta’s larger earthwork landscape add context for visitors interested in archaeology, early American settlement, and the much longer human history of the area.
The Castle
The Castle is an 1855 Gothic Revival house museum that offers a close look at Victorian-era architecture and domestic life in Marietta. Its tower, decorative details, furnished rooms, and period interpretation give visitors a different view of the city from its frontier-history attractions.
Guided tours and programs connect the house to the families who lived there and to Marietta’s broader civic and social history. It is a strong stop for visitors who enjoy historic homes, architecture, decorative arts, and nineteenth-century local history.
Historic Harmar Village & Harmar Bridge Area
Historic Harmar Village sits across the Muskingum River from downtown and preserves a walkable neighborhood shaped by Marietta’s early river and transportation history. Older buildings, small businesses, riverfront parkland, and views near the Harmar Bridge give the area a distinct feel from the main downtown.
It works well as a slower walking stop rather than a single attraction. Visitors can combine the neighborhood with the riverfront, nearby museums, local dining, and photographs around the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers.
Downtown Walking & Riverfront Trails
Marietta’s compact downtown and riverfront make walking the easiest way to explore. Brick streets and preserved nineteenth-century buildings lead naturally toward river views.
The city sits where the Muskingum meets the Ohio, a dramatic meeting that shaped local industry and settlement patterns. Walking lets visitors move easily between small museums, shopfronts, and riverfront greens without driving.
A nearly four-mile paved River Trail follows the levee and waterfront parks through downtown. It links downtown attractions, a boardwalk, aquatics facilities, and neighborhood greenways for continuous movement.
At Harmar the former railroad trestle serves pedestrians and connects across the Muskingum. The trestle’s span can open for river traffic, offering expansive water views that reward brief stops.
Best Time to Visit Marietta
The best season for Things to Do in Marietta, Ohio depends on weather, crowds, and the experiences you want most. Spring through early fall is the most comfortable window for river activities and walking tours.
Fall adds pleasant foliage and quieter weekdays. However, winters are cold and quieter, which suits travelers who prefer museums and fewer crowds.
Special events
Upcoming Events
Lockapalooza (Lock tours aboard the Valley Gem Sternwheeler / Major Riviera)
Lockapalooza is a full‑day riverboat excursion from Marietta that gives travelers close-up experiences of working river locks on both the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers. Operated by the Valley Gem Sternwheeler (and often its sister vessel the Major/Riviera), the outing typically includes onboard meals and narrated interpretation, making it appealing to history buffs, families, and river enthusiasts. Reservations are required; the cruise departs from the Marietta landing and returns the same day, offering a unique way to see local river infrastructure and scenery.
- Dates
- August 23, 2026
- Venue
- Valley Gem Sternwheeler / Major Riviera (boarding at 601 Front St)
Mound Cemetery Coming Alive (The Castle)
A living-history cemetery tour presented by The Castle museum in which costumed interpreters portray real individuals buried in Marietta’s historic Mound Cemetery. Performers move through the grounds to share first-person stories about local pioneers, veterans, and notable civic figures, making the community’s past accessible and engaging. Travelers interested in regional history, genealogy, or heritage photography will find this morning program a compact, interpretive experience; tickets are typically sold through The Castle and advance purchase is recommended.
- Dates
- August 29, 2026
- Venue
- Mound Cemetery
Ohio River Sternwheel Festival
The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival is Marietta’s longstanding riverfront celebration that brings paddlewheel boats, live music, family activities, fireworks, boat races, a car show and arts vendors. It’s a major regional draw that showcases local history, waterfront views and community pageantry; visitors come for free riverfront entertainment, boat rides and food vendors, plus festival-side programming like art strolls, running events and a coronation. Travelers should expect large crowds and plan ahead for parking and lodging.
- Dates
- September 11, 2026 - September 13, 2026
- Venue
- Ohio River Levee
Head of the Muskingum
Head of the Muskingum is a fall head-race regatta staged on the Muskingum River in Marietta, Ohio. It draws scholastic, collegiate, and club crews from the region for time-trial racing and is spectator-friendly along riverfront launch/finish areas. Travelers may care because the event brings visiting teams and families to Marietta, supporting local lodging, dining, and cultural attractions; it’s also an accessible way to see competitive rowing on a scenic inland river course.
- Dates
- October 10, 2026
- Venue
- Muskingum River (race course); Broughton Boathouse (launch/boathouse, 814 Gilman Ave)
Scary-Etta
Scary-Etta is a family-friendly fall/Halloween festival in Marietta that blends a vendor market, themed car show, trunk-or-treat, and kid-focused attractions with local food and live entertainment. It’s designed for families and pop-culture fans—often featuring celebrity guest appearances and photo ops—making it a convenient, all-ages way to experience seasonal fun without visiting multiple venues. Travelers should care because it showcases regional artisans, offers easy parking and activities for children, and provides a compact, community-focused Halloween atmosphere ideal for short visits.
- Dates
- October 10, 2026 - October 11, 2026
- Venue
- Washington County Fairgrounds
Marietta College Homecoming (Pioneer Eras — 2026)
Marietta College Homecoming is the college’s annual alumni and campus reunion weekend that brings together students, faculty, families, and former graduates for reunions, athletics, performances, and campus traditions. The 2026 theme, Pioneer Eras, highlights multi-generational alumni gatherings and milestone class reunions. Travelers often attend to reconnect with classmates, enjoy campus cultural events, cheer at athletic contests, and explore downtown Marietta’s historic riverfront. The celebration spans multiple campus venues and is organized by the Marietta College Alumni & Friends office.
- Dates
- October 15, 2026 - October 18, 2026
- Venue
- Marietta College campus
New Plays in One Day Festival
New Plays in One Day Festival is an annual Marietta College theatre event where student and community playwrights, directors, and actors write, rehearse, and stage short original plays within a single day. Presented during the college’s Homecoming weekend, the festival offers spontaneous, community-driven performances that showcase emerging voices and rapid creative collaboration. Travelers interested in local arts, collegiate theatre, or an intimate cultural experience will find it a lively, low-cost way to see new writing, meet students and faculty, and connect with campus traditions.
- Dates
- October 17, 2026
- Venue
- Friederich Theater, Hermann Fine Arts Center
Washington County Fair
A long-running county fair showcasing Washington County’s agricultural heritage, livestock and 4‑H competitions, midway rides, food vendors, and community parades and contests. Travelers attend for a classic small‑town festival experience with family-friendly entertainment, local products, seasonal cuisine, and opportunities to connect with regional culture. The fair is run by the county fair board at the Washington County Fairgrounds and serves as a social and agricultural highlight for residents and visitors to Marietta and the surrounding region.
- Dates
- July 12, 2027 - July 17, 2027
- Venue
- Washington County Fairgrounds
Getting Around Marietta
Marietta’s downtown and riverfront are compact and easy to explore on foot for most visitors. A car is useful for reaching nearby parks and towns, and for flexible day trips.
The nearest regional airport is Mid‑Ohio Valley Regional Airport (PKB) in Parkersburg. Larger hubs in Pittsburgh and Columbus are reachable by car within roughly two to three hours.
Location
Map of Marietta, Ohio, United States
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Plan Your Visit to Marietta
A little planning makes Things to Do in Marietta, Ohio easier to fit into the time you have. Confirm hours and tour availability for small museums before you go, since many run seasonal or volunteer‑led schedules.
If you plan river trips or ferry connections, check operators directly for seasonal service. Expect tight downtown parking during festivals and popular weekends; plan for modest walking distances between sites.
Local Tips for Marietta
These local tips make it easier to plan Things to Do in Marietta, Ohio without overcomplicating the day. Start at the riverfront to orient yourself because the confluence frames much of Marietta’s history.
Bring insect repellent in summer for riverbank trails. Look for guided tours and docent programs at local museums to add depth to self-guided visits.
Sample local breweries and small cafes for regional fare and respect earthwork and cemetery signage.
Live conditions
Current Weather
Updated 2026-08-23 18:45
- Feels like
- 78°F / 26°C
- Today’s high / low
- 80°F / 27°C · 59°F / 15°C
- Humidity
- 48%
- Wind
- ↖ 7 mph
- Precipitation
- 0 in
- Chance of rain
- 7%
- Local time
- 2026-08-23 18:53
Places to Visit Near Marietta
After exploring the main Things to Do in Marietta, Ohio, nearby places can add an easy day trip or change of pace.
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park (Parkersburg, WV). A short drive across the river preserves a reconstructed Blennerhassett mansion.
Seasonal ferry access and interpretive exhibits explain early 19th‑century island life.
Parkersburg, West Virginia. The larger river city across the Ohio offers waterfront parks, museums, and access points for island ferries.
It makes an easy half‑day complement to Marietta.
Belpre, Ohio. This small riverside town lies just downriver and has local parks and community museums.
Therefore, Belpre makes a pleasant short drive or detour for scenic river views.
Safety
Marietta is a small city with typical small‑town safety considerations. Use normal caution at night in unfamiliar areas and secure valuables in parked vehicles.
Near the rivers, watch for changing water levels, posted warnings, and uneven terrain along banks and historic earthworks. Follow onsite rules at museums and protected archaeological sites.
