Zanesville: local rooms, events and more

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Town and around · Ohio · 86k people

Zanesville

Locals say Muskingum Valley · “Pottery Capital of the World”, “Y-Bridge City”

Where the rivers meet and the clay turns to art.

Pottery ClayRiver Blue

Welcome to the Muskingum Valley, where the Y-bridge ties it all together. Whether you're here for the pottery, the river, or just a slice of Zanesville-style pizza, you'll find a friendly town with deep roots. Come say hi at the riverfront park or a local diner – we're glad you're here.

Clubs for Zanesville

No clubs for Zanesville yet.

The room

Zanesville Quiet now Where the rivers meet and the clay turns to art.

One room for everyone around Zanesville. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A 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 Zanesville. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Y-bridge Iconic three-way bridge over the Muskingum and Licking rivers.
The Wilds Large safari park with rare and endangered species.
Dillon State Park Hiking, fishing, and camping on Dillon Lake.
Zanesville Museum of Art Art museum with a focus on Ohio pottery.
John and Annie Glenn Museum Boyhood home of astronaut John Glenn in New Concord.
National Road/Zane Grey Museum Exhibits on the National Road and author Zane Grey.

Outdoors Hike the trails at Dillon State Park
Outdoors Take a safari drive at The Wilds
With kids Visit The Wilds
With kids Explore the Zanesville Museum of Art
Evenings Craft beer at local breweries
Evenings Live music at downtown bars
Locals love Pottery studios and kilns
Locals love Riverfront parks

Through the year

Muskingum County Fair August Agricultural exhibits, rides, and demolition derby.
Dresden Strawberry Festival May Strawberry shortcake, crafts, and a parade.
Zanesville Pottery Festival June Pottery sales, demos, and hands-on clay activities.
Y-Bridge Arts Festival September Local artists, live music, and food vendors along the riverfront.
John Glenn Astronomy Park Star Parties Summer Public telescope nights and constellation talks.

Humid continental climate with cold winters and warm, humid summers. Best to be out in May–June and September–October. Best: Spring and fall are ideal – mild temps and fewer bugs.

Talk like a local

“The Valley”: The Muskingum Valley area, especially Zanesville and surroundings.
“Y-bridge”: The iconic Y-shaped bridge in downtown Zanesville.
“Pottery Capital”: Nickname for Zanesville due to its pottery history.
“Basket town”: Reference to Dresden's basket-making heritage.

Getaways

Cambridge Historic downtown and the National Museum of Cambridge Glass.
Coshocton Roscoe Village living history and canal boat rides.
Athens College town with the Hocking Hills nearby.
Marietta Ohio River history and the Marietta River Trail.

Local flavour

Rooting for Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Guardians

Eat and drink

Zanesville-style pizza Thin crust, sweet sauce, square-cut – a local regional style.
Buckeye candy Peanut butter and chocolate confection, an Ohio staple.
Ice cream sundaes Local parlors like Tom's Ice Cream Bowl are beloved institutions.

Where people go

Y-bridges The famous Y-shaped bridge over the Licking and Muskingum rivers.
Pottery studios and kilns Workshops and factories that continue the pottery tradition.
Riverfront parks Parks along the rivers for walking and enjoying the water.
Small-town diners Classic Midwest diners and family-run restaurants.

Heritage and traditions

Zanesville is proud of its unique Y-bridge, its heritage as the 'Pottery Capital of the World,' and as the hometown of astronaut John Glenn and author Zane Grey.

This time of year in Zanesville

Apple butter making Fall A fall tradition of slow-cooking apples in copper kettles.
Friday night high school football Fall Fall Friday nights are for cheering on local teams.

Say it like a local: “Fixin' to” — About to (do something)

Festivals

Christmas in the Park December A drive-through holiday light display at the Muskingum County Fairgrounds.
Pottery Studio Tour Spring Local potters open their studios for demonstrations and sales in spring.
First Friday Art Walk First Friday of each month Downtown galleries and shops stay open late for art, music, and refreshments.

Landmarks with a story

Putnam Historic District A 19th-century neighborhood along the Muskingum River with Federal and Greek Revival homes.
Stone Academy A Federal-style stone building from 1809, now a museum of local history.
Muskingum River Locks and Dams A series of hand-operated locks from the 1840s, still navigable today.
S-Bridge on the National Road A stone arch bridge built in the 1830s along US 40, a remnant of the old National Road.
St. Thomas Aquinas Church A historic Catholic church with stained glass windows and a prominent downtown presence.

Food traditions

Strawberry shortcake A Dresden specialty, celebrated at the annual Strawberry Festival with fresh local berries.
Cornbread and beans A hearty Appalachian staple, often served with ham or sausage at community dinners.
Pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet on a bun, a Midwestern classic found in local diners.
Apple butter A fall tradition, slow-cooked in copper kettles and sold at farm markets.
Catfish dinners Fresh-caught catfish from the Muskingum River, often fried and served with hush puppies.

Music and arts

Pottery as functional art The city's clay heritage lives on in studios and the museum's collection.
Appalachian folk and bluegrass music Local jam sessions and festivals keep the mountain sound alive.
Community theater The Zanesville Community Theatre produces plays and musicals year-round.
Zanesville Museum of Art Houses a significant collection of local pottery and American art.

A little history

1801 Founded in 1801 by Ebenezer Zane
1810–1812 Served as Ohio's capital from 1810 to 1812
Late 1800s Became the 'Pottery Capital of the World' in the late 1800s
1814 The Y-bridge was first built in 1814 and has been rebuilt several times
1920s–1930s John Glenn grew up in New Concord, later becoming a national hero

Game day Friday night high school football
Game day Muskingum University athletics
Outdoors Exploring the National Road by car or bike
Outdoors Birdwatching at The Wilds
With kids Going to the county fair
With kids Watching the Y-bridge lights at night

Locals speak with a Midland accent with Appalachian influences, often saying 'pop' for soda and 'crick' for creek. The speech is relaxed and friendly, with a touch of Southern drawl in some rural areas.

Only here

The Y-bridge, a rare three-way bridge crossing the confluence of the Muskingum and Licking rivers.
The nickname 'Pottery Capital of the World'—the city once produced more pottery than any other place.
Home to both John Glenn and Zane Grey, who grew up or were born here.
The National Road (US 40) passes through, a historic route that shaped the town.

New here? A few tips

Get used to the Y-bridge's confusing layout—it's a three-way bridge that crosses two rivers, and locals joke about it.
Try the local pizza: Zanesville-style pizza has a unique, thin, cracker-like crust.
Visit the pottery studios and try a class; the clay heritage is a point of pride.
Take a trip to The Wilds, a conservation center with rare animals, just a short drive away.
Learn about John Glenn at the John and Annie Glenn Museum in New Concord.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Part of Columbus area

Nearby

Every area

CambridgeOhioWhere Appalachian hills meet the art of glass.CoshoctonOhioWhere three rivers meet and history flows Mount VernonOhioWhere the river winds through history and heart.AthensOhioA college town cradled in the Appalachian hills.Holmes CountyOhioWhere the buggies roll and the heart slows.MariettaOhioWhere the Muskingum meets the Ohio New PhiladelphiaOhioLocal rooms for Twin Cities.ColumbusOhioThe heart of Ohio, with a midwestern smile.

Zanesville, 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.