Gallipolis
Around Gallipolis
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Town and around · Ohio · 28k people
Gallipolis
Locals say Ohio River Valley · “City of the Gauls”
Where the river bends and the hills roll.
Autumn River RedOhio River Blue
Welcome to the Ohio River Valley! Whether you're here for the river, the hills, or the small-town charm, you'll find a friendly place to call home. Come for the apple butter, stay for the community.
Clubs for Gallipolis
No clubs for Gallipolis yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Gallipolis. 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 Gallipolis. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Bob Evans Farm Birthplace of the restaurant chain, now a public park with trails and events.
- Ariel Theatre Restored 1895 opera house hosting live performances.
- Gallipolis City Park Riverside park with playgrounds and picnic areas.
- Gallia County Courthouse 1901 Beaux-Arts building in the town square.
- French Art Colony Community arts hub in a historic house.
- Meigs County Courthouse Italianate-style courthouse overlooking the Ohio River.
- Outdoors Fishing on the Ohio River
- Outdoors Hiking the trails at Bob Evans Farm
- With kids Bob Evans Farm family events
- With kids Picnics at Gallipolis City Park
- Evenings Live music at small-town taverns
- Evenings Trivia nights at local pubs
- Locals love riverfront parks
- Locals love covered bridges
Through the year
- Bob Evans Farm Festival October Crafts, music, and farm activities celebrating the region's agricultural heritage.
- Gallia County Fair July County fair with rides, livestock shows, and local food.
- Meigs County Fair August County fair in Pomeroy with agricultural exhibits and entertainment.
- Gallipolis Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through downtown Gallipolis.
- Ariel Theatre Summer Series June–August Summer lineup of live performances at the historic Ariel Theatre.
The Ohio River Valley has four distinct seasons, with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather for outdoor activities. Best: Spring and fall are the most pleasant times to be out.
Talk like a local
- “holler”
- a small valley or hollow
- “crick”
- a creek
- “the river”
- the Ohio River
- “buckeye”
- an Ohioan
Getaways
- Athens, OH College town with music, arts, and a lively downtown.
- Huntington, WV Home of Marshall University and the Pullman Square district.
- Charleston, WV State capital with museums, dining, and riverfront attractions.
- Marietta, OH Historic river town with sternwheelers and a charming downtown.
Local flavour
Rooting for Ohio State Buckeyes, Marshall Thundering Herd, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Reds
Eat and drink
- Buckeyes (peanut butter fudge) Iconic Ohio candy
- Ohio River catfish Local river catch
- Apple butter Orchard staple
- Bob Evans sausage Founded in Gallipolis in 1948
Where people go
- riverfront parks Along the Ohio River
- covered bridges Historic wooden spans
- apple orchards Rolling hillside farms
- small-town diners Family-run breakfast spots
- antique shops Main Street treasures
Heritage and traditions
Locals take pride in their French pioneer roots and the resilient, friendly spirit of Appalachian river towns, where the Ohio River shapes daily life and history runs deep.
This time of year in Gallipolis
- Apple picking and cider making Autumn Fall brings orchard visits and fresh cider.
- Bob Evans Farm Festival October Held each October at the historic farm, featuring crafts, music, and apple butter stirring.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — About to do something
Festivals
- Bob Evans Farm Festival October Held each October at the historic farm, featuring crafts, music, and apple butter stirring.
- Gallia County Fair July A traditional county fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
- Meigs County Fair August Another county fair in Pomeroy with agricultural exhibits and entertainment.
- Gallipolis Christmas Parade December A festive downtown parade that kicks off the holiday season.
- Ariel Theatre Summer Series Summer Live performances and movies at the historic Ariel Theatre.
Landmarks with a story
- French Settlers Monument A memorial in Gallipolis honoring the original French pioneers who founded the town in 1790.
- Meigs County Museum Located in Pomeroy, this museum preserves local history, including river and coal mining heritage.
- Historic Downtown Pomeroy A riverside district with 19th-century buildings, antique shops, and a small-town feel.
- Wellston Depot A restored railroad depot that recalls the area's coal-shipping past.
Food traditions
- Soup beans and cornbread A Appalachian staple of pinto beans slow-cooked with ham hock, served with skillet cornbread.
- Fried morel mushrooms In spring, locals hunt morels in the woods and fry them in butter—a prized seasonal delicacy.
- Persimmon pudding Made from native persimmons, this sweet, dense pudding is a fall dessert tradition.
- Ramp dinners Wild leeks (ramps) are celebrated in spring with community dinners and festivals.
- Pepperoni rolls Though more associated with West Virginia, these bread-wrapped pepperoni snacks are common in the region.
Music and arts
- Appalachian folk and bluegrass Old-time fiddle tunes and bluegrass are played at local gatherings and festivals.
- Quilting Handmade quilts are a cherished craft, often passed down through generations.
- French Art Colony This arts organization in Gallipolis hosts exhibitions and classes, keeping the French heritage alive.
- Coal mining songs Traditional ballads about mining life are part of the region's musical heritage.
A little history
- 1790 French settlement of Gallipolis
- late 19th century Coal mining boom in Meigs County
- mid-19th century Steamboat era on the Ohio River
- 1937 The Great Flood of 1937 devastated river towns
- 1850s Underground Railroad activity in the river counties
Rivalries
- Gallia Academy vs Meigs High school football rivalry.
- Ohio State vs Marshall Friendly banter among college football fans.
- Bengals vs Browns NFL rivalry between Ohio teams.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Basketball rivalries
- Outdoors Fishing for catfish on the Ohio River
- Outdoors Hiking the trails at Bob Evans Farm
- With kids Visiting the riverfront parks
- With kids Ice cream at local shops
Locals speak with a gentle Appalachian accent, often dropping the 'g' in -ing words and using terms like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' The French-derived name 'Gallipolis' is pronounced locally as 'gal-uh-puh-lis' (not 'gal-i-po-lees').
Only here
- The name 'Gallipolis' comes from French settlers who arrived in 1790, making it one of the oldest French-founded towns in the Midwest.
- The Bob Evans Farm, where the sausage empire began, is still a working farm and tourist attraction.
- Covered bridges dot the countryside, relics of 19th-century engineering.
- The annual apple butter stirring at the Bob Evans Farm Festival is a local rite of autumn.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce Gallipolis as 'gal-uh-puh-lis'—locals will know you're not a tourist.
- Be ready for winding, hilly roads and occasional river fog; drive carefully in winter.
- Try the apple butter and soup beans at a local diner—comfort food is a point of pride.
- The Ohio River is a big part of life; learn to respect its currents and enjoy its beauty.
- Summer can be humid and winter icy—dress in layers and keep an emergency kit in your car.
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Nearby
Every areaPoint PleasantWest VirginiaRiver town warmth with a legendary twist.RipleyWest VirginiaHills, hollers, and homeJacksonOhioRugged hills, warm heartsPortsmouthOhioWhere the river paints the townAthensOhioA college town cradled in the Appalachian hills.HuntingtonWest VirginiaWhere the hills meet the OhioCharlestonWest VirginiaFriendly faces and rolling hillsParkersburgWest VirginiaWhere two rivers meet and the hills hold you close
Gallipolis, 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.