The Campus Martius Museum stands on the site of the original fort built by the Ohio Company between 1788 and 1791. The museum includes the Rufus Putnam House, which was itself part of the original fort. The Ohio Company Land Office is also located there; it was moved to the site in 1953. Static, interactive and living history exhibits focus on Ohio’s early inhabitants, including the Adena and Hopewell cultures. Hands-on educational programs are offered for school groups and adults.
Museums and Early History
The historic Mound Cemetery in Marietta includes a 2,000-year-old Adena mound. Guided tours explore the mound and Marietta residents who shaped the history of the United States. The Castle adds to these historic sites as a house museum: it opened for tours in 1994 as a historic house museum. Tours are offered from April through December; seasonal information may change, so check the latest details before your visit.
Planning ahead is also important when visiting the Ohio River Museum: as of September 2026, the museum and the W.P. Snyder are closed while a new Ohio River Museum is being built. Check the latest details before planning a visit there.
On the Ohio River and at the Confluence
Ohio Riverfront Park stretches along the Ohio River to the mouth of the Muskingum River. The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival takes place each year at the confluence, featuring sternwheelers, events and a well-known fireworks display. Major/Riviera offers public and private cruises on the Ohio River. Valley Gem’s educational cruises pair live commentary that informs and entertains with an offering for school-age children.
Bridges, Roads and Trails
The National Forest Covered Bridge Scenic Byway follows State Route 26 from Marietta to Woodsfield, Ohio, running parallel to the Little Muskingum River for most of its length. The 35-mile route winds through scenery and history along the river and includes ten marked stops. Road conditions and individual stops may change; check before setting out. The Hune Covered Bridge was built in 1879 with a 12-panel truss.
For a shorter route, consider the River Trail as a separate point of reference: it is 3.5 miles long, paved, fully accessible and mostly flat. This multi-use trail runs along the Ohio and Muskingum rivers around Marietta’s historic district, from Lafayette Shopping Center to Indian Acres Park and the Marietta Aquatic Center. The Marietta Trail Network offers a different experience: with more than 18 miles of trails and challenging terrain, it is designated for hiking and mountain biking. The contrast between the paved, mostly flat River Trail and the rugged terrain of the larger trail system can help you choose the type of route that suits you.
The North Country Scenic Trail offers a different scale: several hundred miles run through the Athens Ranger District and the Marietta Unit of the Wayne National Forest. Check trail conditions and seasonal access before your trip. A boat launch is located in Washington County, north of Marietta, on State Route 7 along the Ohio River Scenic Byway; check its status and available facilities before heading there.
Local Events and Nature
The Lowell Octoberfest offers a variety of German foods, including the popular German potato salad. The program also includes live entertainment, a flea market, a beer garden and a raffle of handmade items. Check dates and the program if you plan to time your visit around the event. Broughton’s Nature and Wildlife Education Area includes two stocked fishing ponds, adding another tangible nature attraction to the historic sites and river landscapes.
Explore more destinations: Marietta, Belmont County, Gallia County, Marion County, Auglaize County, Van Wert, Hardin County, Putnam County.
For the main travel overview: Ohio.
