Marietta (Ohio)

Marietta, the county seat of Washington County, the first organized settlement in the Northwest Territory, is a small town that has maintained its small-town charm due to having been left off of the rail lines and having had no connection to a highway until 1967. Since the construction of Route 7 and the new bridge across the river, Marietta has been on a slow path to resurrection. It has grown to extend from the Ohio Riverfront to the intersection of Interstate 77. The historic downtown has gone through several renovation phases, with the most recent streetscape program being the crowning touch. The town derives its name from Marie Antoinette, the French Queen, who supported the American Revolution. It is now one of the Ohio Valley and Southeastern Ohio's favorite destinations.

Interstate 77 connects Marietta with central Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Or by boat, at the Ohio Riverfront. It is located on the State line with West Virginia. The Ohio River separates the two states. Directly across the river bridge on Ohio Route 6 is Williamstown. Parkersburg, West Virginia is a short distance south with access to I-77.
The nearest airport is the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, Route 31 off Route 2 N, +1 304 464-5113.

Marietta is a small town on the banks of the Ohio River. The historic downtown is easy to walk, except everything is downhill to the river. There is a public boat ramp. Exploring the river with a guide should not be too difficult to find.

• Ohio River Museum

  address: 601 Front Street

• Campus Martius Museum

• Marietta EarthworksA once large number of Indian earthworks that was partially destroyed by local construction. The remaining mound survived due to it's location in Mound Cemetery, which is home to the highest number of American Revolutionary War officer burials in the country.

• Marietta CollegeA private college that was founded in 1835.

• Washington State Community College

• Children's Toy and Doll Museum

• Ohio River Sternwheel FestivalOhio River Levee on the corner of Front and Greene St, downtown, always the weekend after Labor Day. Sa 7:30PM/1OPM. "Harry J. Robinson" Fireworks. They anchor barges in the middle of the Ohio River and produce one of Ohio's outstanding fireworks displays, from the barges, reflected in the water, with illumination of the bridges, by fireworks. Quite a display. Excellent event!

• Marietta Aquatic Center

  phone: +1 740 373-2445
  address: 233 Pennsylvania Ave
  Marietta Aquatic Center is a large water park.

• Washington County Fair

  phone: +1 740-373-1347
  address: 922 Front St

• Fourth of July celebration

• Fenton Art Glass

  address: 700 Elizabeth Street, Williamstown
  The largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the United States. Each piece of glass is an artistic creation by skilled glassworkers and decorators. (Note: The Fenton Art Glass Factory nearly closed 2007, adding to the collectability. The factory stores are still open.)

• Lafayette Shopping Center

• Napolis Pizza

  phone: +1 740 423-1111
  address: 335 Pike St
  Homemade pizza, pasta and subs. All breads, including for sandwiches and subs, are baked from scratch that very morning. Dine in, carry out and delivery.

• Smitty's Pizza

  address: 500 Front Street
  Locally-owned pizzeria with a wide menu of pizzas, subs, soups, and desserts. Delivery, dine-in, and carry-out all available.
• Las Trancas Mexican restaurant with a huge menu of traditional fare. Snack on chips and salsa while waiting for your meal, or try one of the many margarita flavors. Great family atmosphere with plenty of seating. Located in the Lafayette Plaza off of Pike Street (740-373-9508)

• Marietta Brewing Company

  address: Front St
  Good brews and food. Live entertainment on the weekends.

• Holiday Inn

  phone: +1 740 374-9660
  address: 701 Pike St

• Best Western Marietta

  phone: +1 740 374-7211
  address: 279 Muskingum Dr

• The Lafayette Hotel

  address: 101 Front St
  Located at the confluence of the Muskingham and Ohio Rivers, is the focal point of the downtown district. The hotel, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and was cited "Best of Ohio" in Ohio Magazine (January 2004), for its spectacular view and top-notch service.

• RiverGarden Guest Wing

  address: 995 Joe Skinner Road, Belpre Ohio 45714
  RiverGarden Guest Wing, a bed and breakfast / boutique hotel, offers condo-style lodgings on the bank of the Ohio River a private entrance, sleeps 6, full kitchen, and 200 feet from the Ohio River.

• Marietta Public Library

  address: 615 Fifth St

• West Virginia
• Parkersburg