Chillicothe
Around Chillicothe
Photo: Nyttend · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Ohio · 76k people
Chillicothe
“Ohio's First Capital”
Where the Scioto flows through history
Chillicothe Paints redChillicothe Paints blueEarth brown
Welcome to Chillicothe, the first capital of Ohio! Whether you're here for the history, the trails, or the small-town charm, you'll find plenty to love. Come say hi and share what you're up to.
Clubs for Chillicothe
No clubs for Chillicothe yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Chillicothe. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Chillicothe. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Hopewell Culture National Historical Park Ancient earthworks and a visitor center.
- Adena Mansion & Gardens Home of Thomas Worthington, first governor of Ohio.
- Scioto River Flows through town, popular for fishing and kayaking.
- Historic Downtown Chillicothe First capital of Ohio, with many 19th-century buildings.
- Great Seal State Park Hiking trails with views of the Scioto Valley.
- Majestic Theatre Historic 1853 theater, now a performing arts venue.
- Outdoors Hike at Great Seal State Park
- Outdoors Paddle the Scioto River
- With kids Explore the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park visitor center
- With kids Visit the Adena Mansion grounds
- Evenings Catch a show at the Majestic Theatre
- Evenings Enjoy live music at downtown venues
- Locals love Antique shops
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Ross County Fair July Annual county fair with livestock, rides, and food.
- Chillicothe Christmas Parade December Downtown holiday parade with floats and lights.
- Chillicothe Art Walk Spring and fall Self-guided tour of galleries and studios in the historic district.
- Great Seal State Park Trail Run Fall Annual trail race with distances for all levels.
Chillicothe has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, winters are cold with some snow. Best time to be out is spring and fall for mild temperatures. Best: Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to be out, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Getaways
- Columbus Big-city museums, dining, and nightlife.
- Athens College town with a lively music scene and hiking.
- Portsmouth River town with murals and a historic downtown.
- Washington Court House Small-town charm and a classic courthouse square.
Local flavour
Rooting for Ohio State Buckeyes, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Browns, Columbus Blue Jackets
Eat and drink
- Buckeyes Peanut butter fudge dipped in chocolate, a statewide favourite
- Apple butter A local autumn staple from nearby orchards
- Cincinnati-style chili Regional dish often served over spaghetti or hot dogs
Where people go
- Historic downtown Chillicothe's walkable centre with 19th-century architecture
- Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
- Scioto River The river that runs through the valley, with riverfront trails
- Adena Mansion Historic home of Thomas Worthington, an early Ohio leader
Heritage and traditions
Chillicothe is proud of being Ohio's first capital and a gateway to the ancient Hopewell earthworks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and of its vibrant small-town arts scene and riverfront.
This time of year in Chillicothe
- Apple butter festivals Fall Fall events where apple butter is stirred in copper kettles.
- Fall Festival of Leaves October Held in nearby Bainbridge, this October event features crafts, food, and autumn colors.
Say it like a local: “The Scioto” — The Scioto River, often referred to without 'river'.
Festivals
- Feast of the Flowering Moon May Celebrates Native American culture with crafts, music, and food in May.
- Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama June–August A historical drama about the Shawnee leader, performed nightly in summer.
- Fall Festival of Leaves October Held in nearby Bainbridge, this October event features crafts, food, and autumn colors.
- Chillicothe Apple Butter Festival September Local churches and groups stir apple butter in copper kettles, a pioneer tradition.
- First Capital Jazz Festival August A summer jazz event in downtown Chillicothe.
Landmarks with a story
- Seip Earthworks A Hopewell culture ceremonial complex with a large mound and geometric earthworks.
- Story Mound A small but well-preserved Hopewell burial mound in Chillicothe.
- First Capital Marker A monument marking where Ohio's first statehouse stood in 1803.
- Adena Mansion & Gardens Thomas Worthington's home, a Federal-style mansion with scenic grounds.
- Hopewell Culture National Historical Park UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient earthworks and a visitor center.
- Great Seal State Park Features Mount Logan, the backdrop of Ohio's state seal.
Food traditions
- Apple butter Slow-cooked in copper kettles at fall festivals, a tradition from early settlers.
- Buckeyes Peanut butter and chocolate treats, a statewide favorite made locally.
- Soup beans and cornbread A hearty Appalachian dish served in local diners.
- Fry bread Served at Native American heritage events like the Feast of the Flowering Moon.
- Local produce Ross County's fertile soil yields tomatoes, sweet corn, and pumpkins.
Music and arts
- Tecumseh! outdoor drama A massive theatrical production with a cast of dozens, performed in a natural amphitheater.
- First Capital Jazz Festival An annual jazz event attracting regional musicians.
- Chillicothe Art Walk Monthly gallery openings and street art in the historic downtown.
- Appalachian folk and bluegrass Local musicians often play at festivals and the Majestic Theatre.
A little history
- 1803 Chillicothe becomes Ohio's first capital
- 1812–1816 Serves as capital again during the War of 1812
- Early 1800s Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa lead Shawnee resistance from the region
- 1973 The Tecumseh! outdoor drama premieres
- 2023 Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Game day Chillicothe Paints baseball
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Outdoors Hike to the top of Mount Logan at Great Seal State Park
- Outdoors Canoe or kayak the Scioto River
- With kids Watching Tecumseh! under the stars
- With kids Picking apples at a local orchard
Locals speak a Midland American English with Appalachian influences. They say 'pop' for soda, pronounce Chillicothe as 'chill-uh-KOTH-ee', and often use 'y'all' informally.
Only here
- Ohio's first capital—Chillicothe served as the state's seat of government twice.
- The Great Seal of Ohio features Mount Logan, which overlooks the city.
- The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Tecumseh! is one of the longest-running outdoor dramas in the United States.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce it 'chill-uh-KOTH-ee'—locals will appreciate the effort.
- Start with the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park; it's a world-class site.
- Get a taste of local history at the Chillicothe Visitor Center (in the old courthouse).
- Summers can be hot and humid; winters are cold with occasional snow. Pack accordingly.
- Try a buckeye and apple butter at the local farmers market.
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Part of Columbus area
Nearby
Every areaWaverlyOhioWhere the hills hold storiesJacksonOhioRugged hills, warm heartsWashington Court HouseOhioWhere the cornfields meet the courthouseHillsboroOhioWhere the hills hold a thousand storiesPortsmouthOhioWhere the river paints the townColumbusOhioThe heart of Ohio, with a midwestern smile.WilmingtonOhioA sweet slice of small-town OhioAthensOhioA college town cradled in the Appalachian hills.
Chillicothe, OH. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.