Thank you to Ohio History Connection & Ohio. Find It Here. for sponsoring today’s post! All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always!

To kick off the summer season, we took a fun day trip to Marietta, Ohio! You may remember Nic + I visited this charming small town located on the Ohio River last summer (you can read about everything we did here).

We decided to take the kids this year which ended up being so much fun I wanted to share our recommendations for what to do with kids in Marietta, in no particular order! Here we go!

1.) TOUR THE W.P. SNYDER, JR. & OHIO RIVER MUSEUM.

Located alongside the Muskingum River, the Ohio River Museum showcases the history of what life was like on the river, including steamboats and ecology of the river. Outside of the museum, you can take a tour of the W.P. SNYDER JR. – the last intact steam-powered “pool-type” stern-wheeled towboat in the United States. The girls have never seen a boat like this in real life so they thought it was very cool!

2.) TOUR CAMPUS MARTIUS.

Take the kids to Campus Martius to learn about Ohio’s history! Browse the museum’s exhibits and take a guided tour of General Rufus Putnam’s blockhouse, part of the civilian fortification that was built in 1788. Ohio history lesson: In 1788, the first band of pioneers set out from New England for the Northwest Territory under the leadership of Revolutionary War veteran General Rufus Putnam, settling in what is now Marietta. The Ohio Company Land Office, the oldest known building in Ohio, was also moved to the museum site.

To visit the two main museums, the Ohio River Museum and the Campus Martius Museum, you can get a day pass to both for $10 for adults and $5 for children (mariettamuseums.org). 

3.) MARVEL AT THE VIEW FROM LOOKOUT POINT.

Venture uphill to 201 Bellevue Street for an outstanding view of Marietta!

4.) GRAB SOME ICE CREAM!

Of course I can’t make a list of things to do with kids without mentioning ICE CREAM! 🙂 We recommend Whit’s Frozen Custard. We love the cute location and they have a great patio for kids!

5.) HAVE BREAKFAST OR LUNCH AT THE BUSY BEE CAFE.

We love this casual breakfast & lunch spot for its coziness and delicious food. They have a new patio and it’s the perfect spot to take the kids.

6.) RIDE THE VALLEY GEM STERNWHEELER.

Parents can enjoy a drink and enjoy a tour around Marietta Island in the Ohio River on the Valley Gem Sternwheeler. The kids will love the paddle at the back of the boat!

7.) BIKE THE RIVER PATH.

Your family can rent bikes from Marietta Adventure Company and hit the paved 3.4-mile River Trail, located alongside the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers! You’ll spot numerous historical markers located on the trail.

8.) PICK SOME PRETTY FLOWERS.

Passiflora Studio, located in an Instagram-worthy yellow + blue building in Harmar, sells the most gorgeous bouquets during their Flower Bike Fridays. Wildroot Flower Co. offers U-Pick Flowers starting in July.

9.) CLIMB TO THE TOP OF THE MOUND AT MOUND CEMETERY.

Mound Cemetery has the highest number of burials of American Revolutionary War officers in the United States. The historic cemetery was established in 1801 to preserve the Great Mound of Conus, an over 2,000 years old Adena burial mound, from destruction. Today, you can climb this 30-foot high mound via stone stairs.

10. LET THE KIDS RUN AT GOLD STAR PARK.

Located near Lookout Point, this is the perfect spot to let the littles roam. They have a playground, swings, plenty of trees, tennis courts, and a disc golf course too!

This list rounds up some of the very best in Marietta, Ohio for kids! But, there is more to be explored! If you go for an overnight trip, we recommend The Lafayette Hotel, The Hackett Hotel, or this Airbnb in Harmar.

Please share – what are your favorite spots for kids in Marietta? Leave a comment, below! 🙂