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