Road Trip to Marietta, Ohio

19 January 201614 September 2024

Nearing Marietta, Ohio, signs are posted to remind travelers to drive with caution as the local Amish travel in horse and buggy.

I made several stops to photograph beautiful old barns.

It was a beautiful February day to drive from Columbus, Ohio to Marietta. Beautiful white trees against a blue winter sky.

Hereford ccws just a little curious as I drive the rural route.

The beautiful architecture of the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Assumption, an amazing example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture

Magnificent sculptures on the churches in Marietta, Ohio

A small cemetery on the side of the road.

Church Rotunda, downtown Marietta

Downtown Marietta

The Ohio River along Marietta

The historic Lafayette Hotel

Unicorn Winery and Tea Room

The Castle

Views of the Ohio River

Adena Mound

It was an amazing fall day to explore Ohio’s southeastern town of Marietta.

What to Do:

Campus Martius Museum
601 Second Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Telephone: 740 373 3750

Admission Fee: Adults – $10; Students K to College (with ID) and Active Duty Military & Veterans (with ID) – $5; Free admission to children 5 and under (excludes groups) and Friends of the Museums or Ohio History Connection Members.
Hours: Monday – Saturday from 9:30AM to 5:00PM; Sunday from Noon to 5. Closed New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Amenities: Free parking available at the rear of the museum and on street. Campus Martius Museum’s three floors of exhibits are wheelchair accessible, excluding the second floor of the Rufus Putnum House.
Guided Tours: Rufus Putnam House Tour Times: 10AM, 11AM, Noon, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM
Length of the Tour: 1.5 – 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Wear comfortable shoes and take the tours because they are super informative. Don’t miss the Rufus Putnam House and visit the nearby Ohio River Museum as well for more Ohio History!

Mound Cemetery
514 Cutler Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Telephone: 740 373 4180

Admission Fee: Free admission
Hours: Dusk to Dawn
Length of the Tour: 1.5 to 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Wear tennis shoes for strolling around the cemetery where headstones date back to the Revolutionary War. Comfortable shoes will also be needed to take the stairs to the top of the Mound where benches await for a moment of contemplation and rest. Visit here after the Campus Martius Museum as many of the founders of Marietta are buried here.

The Castle Historic House Museum
418 4th Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Telephone: 740 373 4180

Admission Fee: Adults: $10; Seniors (Age 60+): $9.50; Students (Age 5 to 18 College ID): $7; Children under the age of 5: Free and Group Rate (10 or more visitors): $9; Active Duty Military (with ID): Free; Family of Active Duty Military (with ID); Half price; AAA, AARP and AMAC Members: 10% off; Call in advance for group tours
Hours: Spring and Fall hours are Monday, Thursday, Friday from 10AM to 4PM; Saturday & Sunday from 1 – 4PM. Summer Hours (June – August) are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10 – 4PM, Sunday 1 – 4PM. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Amenities: Gift shop, Gift Certificates, Facility Rental and Virtual tours
Length of the Tour: 1 – 2 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Dress comfortably and photos are not permitted in specified areas of the house.

The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Assumption
506 4th Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Telephone: 740 373 3643

Admission Fee: There are no admission fees but a donation is welcome.
Hours: Sunday Mass at 8AM and 10AM; Tours: 10AM to 6PM daily with no conflict with Masses, weddings or funerals.
Amenities: Gift shop, tours, pre-arranged lunches, free parking available behind the Basilica and is accessible off of Fifth Street, bus tour parking, wheelchair accessible.
Guided and Self-GuidedTours: Tours can be scheduled any time between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM as long as they do not conflict with Masses, weddings, or funerals. Self-guided tours take approximately 45 minutes, but you are welcome to visit as long as you wish. Copies of the tour brochure are available at the entrances of the Basilica. Group tours are also available.
Length of the Tour: 1 hour
Tips for Your Visit: Call in advance for group tours and self-guided tours to ensure there are no conflicts. Bring a donation to off-set the cost for tours.

Ohio River Museum
601 Second Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Telephone: 740 373 3750

Admission Fee: Adults – $10; Students K to College (with ID) and Active Duty Military & Veterans (with ID) – $5; Free admission to children 5 and under (excludes groups) and Friends of the Museums or Ohio History Connection Members.
Hours: Monday – Saturday from 9:30AM to 5:00PM; Sunday from Noon to 5. Closed New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. WP Snyder Jr., the steam-powered, stern wheeled towboat is open for tours daily at 10:30AM, 11:30AM, 12:30PM, 1:30PM, 2:30PM, 3:30PM
Amenities: Free parking available in the museum lot, outdoor exhibits, and facility rental. Exhibits are wheelchair accessible.
Guided Tours: Group tours can be scheduled in advance. Tours of WP Snyder Jr. are provided by The Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen.
Length of the Tour: 2 – 3 hours
Tips for Your Visit: Wear comfortable shoes and take the tours because they are super informative, especially aboard the WP Snyder Jr.

Where to Stay:

Layfayette Hotel
101 Front Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Telephone: 800 331 9336

Where to Eat:

Harmar Tavern
205 Maple Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Telephone: 740 373 8727

Known for its famous fried bologna sandwich!

The Buckley House Restaurant – PERMANENTLY CLOSED
332 Front Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Telephone: 740 374 4400

The Red Snapper was absolutely amazing!

Where to Drink:

Marietta Wine Cellars
211 Second Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Telephone: 740 373 WINE

Unicorn Wine Guild
1816 Washington Blvd.
Belpre, OH 45714
Telephone: 740 423 1300

What to Read:

The Pioneers, by David McCullough

Bada Bing! Pizzeria, Springfield, Ohio – NOW CLOSED

28 May 201531 August 2024

Update: Bada Bing! is now closed.

It was a chilly afternoon and I had not yet tried Bada Bing! Pizzeria which had relocated to a larger space on Springfield, Ohio’s historic Fountain Avenue.

Bada Bing! Pizzeria became a national sensation when in 2015, the owner, Jason Hague, posted a flyer on the door of his business inviting anyone who did not have any money or was hungry to celebrate Thanksgiving with him and his family. It was such an overwhelming act of kindness that when someone shared his invitation on social media, it went viral and landed him publicity with Fox News all over the country. Donations poured in to supplement the cost of Jason’s offer to those in need. He was pleasantly overwhelmed and thankful for those who unexpectedly contributed to his cause. On Thanksgiving Day, Bada Bing! was able to feed close to 100 people.

But for those who live in Springfield, Bada Bing! has been a hit with its locals since bringing gourmet pizzas and friendly service to town.

Bada Bing’s humble beginnings found itself in a small neighborhood of Springfield where it quickly outgrew its space. Working with other locals to revive the downtown area, they found a location on North Fountain Avenue and began the tumultuous work of installing updates and renovations. With a new wood fire stove, they also expanded their kitchen space downstairs.

In addition to Bada Bing!’s extreme generosity, what I love about this downtown eatery is that they are serving gourmet pizzas with unique flavor combinations. All of their pies are baked in the woodfire stove, just like an Italian pizzeria.

The Kickin’ Kung Pow Chicken with a spicy teriyaki sauce is crazy delicious and one of my favorites. Loaded with cheese, grilled chicken, garlic green peppers, red onion, crushed red pepper and peanuts. This fascinating mix of flavors will have you ordering another before the week is over. Other selections include the Vampire Slayer, the F-Bomb and the Dirty SOB, but if you are in the mood for a super, rich, breathtaking eating experience, order the C.B.R made with garlic butter sauce, four cheeses, grilled chicken, bacon, red onions, tomatoes, and topped with MORE garlic (roasted minced) and ranch sauce.

I was having a difficult time deciding which pizza to order when I learned I could try two different flavor combinations on one pie. I couldn’t pass up the Kickin’ Kung Pow while the other half was the more mild Mona Lisa, with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. On a later visit I ordered the Award Winning Goombah with lots of spice.

In addition to upscale pizza flavors and decadent sides, Bada Bing! serves craft beer. Nothing goes better with an outstanding pizza than a nice cold brew. I ordered the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale and the Bell’s Oberon at the excellent advice from my knowledgeable server.

A list of Bada Bing!’s beers on tap are posted on the chalk board to the right of the checkout station. There is also a generous number of wines and a cooler filled with bottled beers as well.

So the word is out about Bada Bing!’s pizza and the locals are loving it. I can’t wait to delve into their calzones, salads, grinders, desserts and appetizers, especially the cinnamon knots and the garlic knots.

Bada Bing!’s can be summed up as a company with fabulous food, awesome customer service and an owner with a big heart. That is a trifecta for success and a pizzeria I feel proud to support. And just as their logo states, “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Bada Bing!”

Do you have a favorite local pizzeria? I would love to hear about it and which pizzas you enjoy if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below! Many Thanks and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Bada Bing! Pizzeria
40 North Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH 45502
Telephone: 937 390 1300

Where to Stay:

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
100 South Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH 45502
Telephone; 937 322 3600

Where to Eat:

Hafle Winery’s menu offers a wonderful selection of appetizers, sandwiches, dinners and salads. The winery hosts popular weekend cookouts with live music entertainment.

More favorite Springfield eateries:

Schuler’s Donuts: Their chocolate cream-filled doughnut is their best seller…”home of homemade”. The bakery has several locations in Springfield.
Simon Kenton Inn: This historical home is an inn, restaurant and entertainment venue. With great food, I love the atmosphere of the Simon Kenton Inn.
Guerra’s Krazy Tacos: One of my favorite places to eat in Springfield, Guerra’s is known for their unique gourmet tacos.
Salato Deli: I love stopping by this deli for their charcuterie board
Le Torte Dolci Bakery; Located next to the Salato Deli, this European French bakery also serves amazing gelato.
Mike & Rosie’s Deli: This staple of Springfield is located near the Wittenberg campus and I am extremely fond of their Reuben sandwich.

Where to Drink:

Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company: Springfield’s only brewery, Mother Stewart’s showcases nine craft beers produced onsite.

What to Read:

The Book of Springfield, Ohio, 1906, by Springfield Commercial Club
Springfield, Ohio: A Summary of Two Centuries, by Tom Dunham
Ridgewood in the Country Club District, by Tamara K. Dallenbach
Still Standing: A life of pain, adversity and perseverance, by James Cooper
Hometown Killer, by Carol Rothgeb

Photo Guide for Springfield, Ohio:

Hartman Rock Garden
Westcott House, Frank Lloyd Wright House
Glen Helen Nature Preserve in nearby Yellow Springs
Heritage Center of Clark County
Tecumseh Land Trust in nearby Yellow Springs
Ohio Caverns in nearby Bellefontaine
Oakes Quarry Park in nearby Fairborn, Ohio

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Favorite Photos of Columbus, Ohio

9 April 201531 August 2024

When I purchased my first DSLR camera, I would spend hours in the nearby neighborhoods of Columbus, Ohio taking photos. Here are some of my favorites!