Founded in 1778, Marietta was the first settlement and administrative center in the Ohio Territory. Local museums contain many artifacts from that period.

The city thrived as an Ohio River port city during an age when waterways were the most efficient arteries of transportation. Mining was a later economic driver. More recently, the city has fallen into a slight decline, but it still has all the historic sites and cultural landmarks from its heyday.

The nearby Wayne National Forest is also an important recreational draw. This section of Ohio hill country contains waterfalls and rock formations as well as a collection of historic covered bridges.

This piece of Eastern Ohio offers enough things to explore that it is a destination in its own right. It might also be a great stop along the way.