Marietta
Around Marietta
Photo: pasa47 · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Ohio · 58k people
Marietta
Locals say Mid-Ohio Valley · “River City”
Where the Muskingum meets the Ohio
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Welcome to the Mid-Ohio Valley, where the rivers shape everything—from our history to our weekends. Grab a pepperoni roll, take a stroll along the levee, and get ready to meet folks who wave from their boats. This is a place where the past is always around the corner, and the water is never far away.
Clubs for Marietta
No clubs for Marietta yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Marietta. 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
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Marietta. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Ohio River Museum Tells the story of the river and steamboats with full-size boat models.
- The Castle 1855 Gothic Revival mansion open for tours.
- Marietta College Historic liberal arts college with a riverfront campus.
- Harmar Bridge Historic swing bridge connecting downtown to Harmar Village.
- Muskingum River Lock and Dam Part of the Muskingum River Navigation System, a marvel of 19th-century engineering.
- Lafayette Hotel Iconic riverfront hotel with a steamboat-era lobby and restaurant.
- Outdoors Walk or bike the Marietta River Trail
- Outdoors Fish for catfish
- With kids Ride the Valley Gem sternwheeler
- With kids Explore the Ohio River Museum
- Evenings Riverfront bars
- Evenings Live music at the Lafayette
- Locals love Riverfront parks
- Locals love Antique shops
Through the year
- Marietta Independence Day Celebration July Fireworks over the Ohio River and family activities at the levee.
- Ohio River Sternwheel Festival September Historic sternwheelers gather, with live music, food, and riverboat rides.
- Washington County Fair August Livestock shows, rides, and local food at the fairgrounds.
- Riverfront Concert Series Summer Free summer concerts at the riverfront park.
Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Best time to be out is spring and fall, when temperatures are comfortable and the rivers are scenic. Best: Spring and fall are ideal—mild temperatures and clear skies.
Talk like a local
- “The river”
- The Ohio River, always referred to as 'the river'.
- “The Muskingum”
- The Muskingum River, often just 'the Muskingum'.
- “Harmar”
- The historic district across the Harmar Bridge.
- “The Valley”
- The Mid-Ohio Valley region.
Getaways
- Parkersburg, WV Historic downtown, Blennerhassett Island, and the Mid-Ohio Valley's commercial hub.
- Athens, OH College town with a lively music scene, hiking at Strouds Run, and the Athena Cinema.
- Cambridge, OH Glass museums, the historic Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center, and nearby Seneca Lake.
- Zanesville, OH Y-Bridge, pottery museums, and the Wilds safari park.
Local flavour
Rooting for Cincinnati Reds (MLB), Cleveland Browns (NFL), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL), Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Pepperoni rolls Popular in the Ohio Valley, influenced by nearby West Virginia
- Ohio River catfish Fresh from the river, often fried
- Buckeyes Chocolate and peanut butter, a statewide favorite
Where people go
- Riverfront parks Where the Ohio and Muskingum meet
- Historic downtown streets Brick-paved with 19th-century architecture
- Antique shops Scattered through the old district
- Riverboat cruises A staple of the river town experience
- Confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers The defining natural feature
Heritage and traditions
Marietta is proud of its role as the first organized settlement in the Northwest Territory, its historic riverfront, and its ancient Native American earthworks. Locals cherish the blend of pioneer history, river culture, and small‑town friendliness.
This time of year in Marietta
- Fall leaf peeping October The surrounding hills turn brilliant colors in October, drawing locals to scenic drives and hikes.
- Marietta Halloween Parade October One of the largest Halloween parades in the region, with floats and costumed participants.
Say it like a local: “The bunch” — A group of friends or acquaintances
Festivals
- Marietta Riverfront Roar June Powerboat races on the Ohio River in June, drawing crowds to the riverfront.
- Marietta Halloween Parade October One of the largest Halloween parades in the region, with floats and costumed participants.
- Marietta Christmas on the River December Holiday lights, a tree lighting, and activities along the riverfront in December.
- First Friday Art Walk First Friday of each month Monthly gallery openings and street events in downtown Marietta, hosted by local businesses.
Landmarks with a story
- Marietta Earthworks Ancient Native American mounds and earthworks, including the Great Mound and the Octagon, built by the Hopewell culture.
- Mound Cemetery A historic cemetery built around a large conical mound, with graves of Revolutionary War soldiers and early settlers.
- Campus Martius Museum Museum dedicated to the founding of the Northwest Territory and the Ohio Company, housed in a historic building.
- Rufus Putnam House The 1788 home of Rufus Putnam, one of the original settlers, now a historic house museum.
- Oak Grove Cemetery A large historic cemetery with Victorian monuments and the final resting place of many notable locals.
- Washington County Courthouse A 19th‑century courthouse in the Greek Revival style, still in use and a centerpiece of downtown.
Food traditions
- Lenten fish fries Churches and community groups host Friday fish fries during Lent, a tradition from the region's Catholic and Protestant heritage.
- Apple butter making In the fall, families and community groups make apple butter in large copper kettles, a craft brought by early settlers.
- Riverfront cookouts On summer weekends, families grill burgers and hot dogs at the riverfront parks, often after a day of boating or fishing.
Music and arts
- Community theater The Mid‑Ohio Valley Players and other local groups produce plays and musicals throughout the year.
- Art galleries Downtown Marietta has several galleries showcasing local painters, potters, and photographers.
- Riverboat music Live music on sternwheel cruises and at riverfront venues often features folk, bluegrass, and classic rock.
- Folk art and crafts Local artisans create quilts, wood carvings, and pottery, often sold at craft fairs and markets.
A little history
- 1788 Marietta founded by the Ohio Company of Associates
- 1840s Muskingum River locks constructed to improve navigation
- Late 1800s Sternwheel era peaks on the Ohio River, with Marietta as a key port
- 1835 Marietta College chartered, becoming a center for higher education
Rivalries
- Marietta High vs. Parkersburg High Football and basketball games across the river draw big crowds.
- Marietta College vs. Muskingum University OAC conference rivalry in football and hoops.
- Reds vs. Pirates fans Some locals root for Pittsburgh, others for Cincinnati.
- Game day Marietta College football
- Game day High school football
- Outdoors Walking the Marietta River Trail
- Outdoors Fishing for catfish
- With kids Visiting the Mound Cemetery
- With kids Watching the sternwheelers
Residents speak a Midland American accent with some Appalachian influences. You'll hear 'pop' for soda, 'crick' for creek, and a friendly, unhurried way of talking that reflects the town's small‑town, river‑centered character.
Only here
- The confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers creates a unique riverfront setting that defines the town.
- Marietta is the oldest settlement in the Northwest Territory, a fact locals are proud to share.
- The Mound Cemetery is one of the few places in the U.S. where Revolutionary War soldiers are buried alongside ancient Native American mounds.
- The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, held each September, celebrates the town's riverboat heritage with dozens of paddlewheelers.
New here? A few tips
- Be aware of river flooding: the Ohio and Muskingum can rise quickly; check flood forecasts if you live near the water.
- Get used to saying 'pop' for soda and 'crick' for creek – it's part of the local charm.
- Try a pepperoni roll early on – they're a regional staple, often found at gas stations and bakeries.
- Take a sternwheel cruise at least once; it's the best way to see the town from the water.
- Parking downtown can be tight during festivals, so walk or bike when you can.
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Part of Parkersburg area
Nearby
Every areaParkersburgWest VirginiaWhere two rivers meet and the hills hold you closeWoodsfieldOhioRugged hills, warm welcomesAthensOhioA college town cradled in the Appalachian hills.New MartinsvilleWest VirginiaWhere the river bends and the hills roll on.RipleyWest VirginiaHills, hollers, and homeCambridgeOhioWhere Appalachian hills meet the art of glass.ZanesvilleOhioWhere the rivers meet and the clay turns to art.GallipolisOhioWhere the river bends and the hills roll.
Marietta, 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.