This post is sponsored by the Marietta-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Marietta, Ohio, nestled along the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, is a charming college town with shaded brick-lined streets, historic homes, museums, and boutique shopping. As the first settlement in the Northwest Territory, Marietta boasts a rich history and a community proud of its heritage.
The town’s historical significance, coupled with the adventures on the rivers and in Wayne National Forest, makes it a popular destination for adults. However, it also offers plenty of activities to keep young children entertained.
I’ve visited Marietta on solo trips, couples’ getaways, girlfriend getaways, and most recently, a multi-generational trip with my husband, oldest son, daughter-in-law, and grandbabies. Each visit has been enjoyable, but experiencing one of my favorite locations through the eyes of my grandchildren is truly magical.
Things to do in Marietta, OH with Young Children
One common mistake when traveling with kids is trying to fit in too much and forgetting the schedule you have at home. My husband and I learned long ago that less is more, and we definitely practiced that during our trip.
Day One in Marietta
Our first day in Marietta actually took us to Parkersburg, West Virginia.
Discovery World on Market
Our adventure started across the river at Discovery World on Market, the only children’s museum in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Although we crossed state lines, this fun attraction is only 17 minutes from our downtown Airbnb in Marietta.
After driving almost three hours to our first stop, the kids were ready to run off some energy, and this museum delivered! With three floors of fun and hands-on play for 0-10-year-olds and their parents or caretakers, it’s a great spot for family bonding and creating memories.
First Floor
We began on the first floor in the Ball Factory. The highlight was feeding plastic balls into suction tubes that carried them to the top of a climbing structure, depositing them in a large bucket.
A screen displayed a running countdown, building excitement until it reached 300 and all the balls were emptied onto the floor below, starting the fun all over again.
For kids under two, there’s a special spot with a ball pit and tumbling mats. Our three-year-old even found a quiet place to read, though she technically exceeded the age limit.
Second Floor
The second floor offers an immersive river experience. Although we visited on Father’s Day and the museum closed an hour early, we had visited before and enjoyed learning about the animals living in and around the river and how the river benefits the area.
There’s even a miniature sternwheeler for the kids to play in!
Third Floor
We spent most of our time in the Design Studio, which captured both grandbabies’ attention.
While the preschooler built a car with her mommy and tested it on the racetrack, the toddler played with cars on an obstacle course with Grandpa.
This level teaches engineering and design concepts through various creative exhibits.
There’s also a craft center with several crafts to choose from, guided by step-by-step instructions from the employees overseeing the area.
Discovery World on Market
Address: 900 Market St. Parkersburg
Phone: (681) 588-5800
See the Website for Hours & Pricing.
An Ice Cream Treat
We stopped by the Cone & Shake at the Oasis for an early dinner and frozen treats on our way to the Airbnb. It was a big hit! We always make it a point to visit this local ice cream stand during our summer trips to Marietta.
The heat had wiped us out, so after enjoying our treats, we headed back to the apartment to relax in the air conditioning for the rest of the evening, giving the kids plenty of time to play.
Cone & Shake at the Oasis
Address: 219 Pike St.
Phone: (740) 371-7117
See the Website for Hours.
Day Two in Marietta
Our first day was low-key and stress-free, a welcome break for my husband and son who had been working six-day weeks for a while.
My husband and I woke up early and took a quick stroll downtown before heading back to make breakfast at the Airbnb and getting a jump on the day.
Take a Ride on the Valley Gem
The Valley Gem is one of the most popular attractions in Marietta. After all, you can’t just take a sternwheel ride anywhere! This sternwheeler offers narrated cruises along the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers.
The original Valley Gem was launched in 1973, and I have fond memories of riding it with my grandma and grandpa. It was especially sweet to ride the new Valley Gem with my family, including the grandbabies.
The adults enjoyed the narration and relaxing ride, the preschooler had fun looking for birds and watching the sternwheel, and the toddler wanted to run.
Thankfully, there’s a safe space for that below the upper deck. Given that Ohio was in the midst of a heat wave with temperatures over 90 degrees, it was nice to take a break in the air conditioning while sipping free ice water and enjoying snacks from the concession counter.
Valley Gem
Address: 601 Front St.
Phone: (740) 373-7862
See the Website for Hours & Pricing.
Lunch Break
The heat had zapped everyone’s energy, so we headed back to our historic ballroom Airbnb above McKenna’s Market. This unique dine-in market is our favorite lunch spot when we’re in town.
It sells made-to-order subs and salads, glass-bottled drinks, candies, local foods, gourmet items, cheeses, wines, and beer—everything you might need for a picnic on the banks of the Ohio River.
McKenna’s Market
Address: 200 Front St.
Phone: (740) 371-7087
See the Website for Hours & Menu.
Pool Party
Our visit to Marietta coincided with a heat advisory, so we stayed at the Airbnb until three before heading to the Marietta Aquatic Center at Indian Acres Park. The pool was a welcome relief from the heat.
Delaying our visit until late afternoon worked in our favor, as the pool cleared out substantially around four, giving us two more hours to enjoy with fewer people.
We arrived ready to jump in, but the aquatic center provides clean restrooms and changing rooms for those who prefer to dress there.
The complex features a handicapped-accessible entry pool, lazy river, lap pool, and water slides, but we found the kids’ pool and Adventure Galley perfect for the little ones.
Named after a flatboat that brought Marietta’s settlers to the area in 1788, the Adventure Galley is a pirate ship-themed play area with water slides, tunnels, water jets, and a water cannon for kids to enjoy.
Adults are not permitted to climb on the boat play area, so kids must be big enough to maneuver on their own. The preschooler was a bit apprehensive at first but quickly warmed up and soon felt comfortable sliding down the smaller slides on her own, while the toddler played in the shallow kids’ pool next to the Adventure Galley.
The combination of the heat and the pool wore the little ones out, and we left just before closing. The preschooler was napping before we even made it back to the Airbnb.
Indian Acres Park Aquatic Center
Address: 233 Pennsylvania Ave
Phone: (740) 373-2445
See the Website for Hours & Pricing.
Pizza Night
Since the little ones were fast asleep, we decided to order pizza from The Original Pizza Place. We preferred the thicker Sicilian-style crust to the thin NY-style pizza, and the Pepperoni Rolls and Caprese Salad were big hits!
The Original Pizza Place
Address: 231 Second Street
Phone: (740) 374-4333
See the Website for Hours & Menu.
Day Three in Marietta
Our time in Marietta had flown by, but there were still a couple more things we wanted to experience before heading home.
Jeremiah’s Coffee House
We awoke refreshed and ready to explore, so we checked out of the Airbnb, loaded up the vehicles, and walked to Jeremiah’s Coffee House for our caffeine fix.
We were pleasantly surprised to find a nice play area for the kids inside this charming coffee shop. They also offer child-size beverages, so the preschooler could have her own Cotton Candy Confetti—which she gave an unprompted thumbs up.
Jeremiah’s Coffee House
Address: 165 Front St
Phone: (740) 374-2639
See the website for Hours & Menu.
Ohio Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
After our coffee stop, we headed across the river once again to the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge. We had originally planned to visit this attraction when we went to Discovery World on Market, but the visitor center is closed on Sundays.
The exhibits in the visitor center showcase the area’s history, wildlife, and vital mussel beds, along with aquariums featuring local fish and turtles. If your visit aligns with feeding time, it’s a special treat, though the fish are fed smaller fish, so you may want to have a brief conversation about the circle of life.
There’s also a comfortable section for viewing the bird feeders from inside. While you’ll find a variety of birds flying by the windows, the feeders were full of squirrels during our visit.
Outdoors, visitors can continue bird watching or explore short trails with views of the Ohio River and Buckley Island, a butterfly garden loop (our favorite), and a 1.2-mile upland forest hike.
The center also provides fishing and canoe/kayak access. Knowledgeable staff are available to answer questions and offer ranger-led programs.
It’s a good idea to have some cash on hand when visiting this attraction. Although it is free to visit, they offer items like stuffed birds and stickers for a fee and do not accept credit cards.
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Address: 3982 Waverly Road Williamstown,WV
Phone: (304) 375-2923
See the website for Hours.
Where we Stayed
We stayed in a beautiful vacation property above McKenna’s Market in Historic Downtown Marietta. This unique third-floor ballroom accommodates eight guests, featuring three bedrooms (one loft), 1.5 baths, and an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. It’s within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and river views.
Pros:
- Gorgeous, clean, spacious, and comfortable for families.
- Convenient location with three designated parking spots.
- Perfect for exploring downtown without needing your car.
Cons:
- Located on the third floor, which can be challenging with small children.
- While child-friendly, it’s better suited for children ages 3+.
- If staying with curious little ones (like our 15-month old), bring baby gates to secure the living area and stairs.
I wouldn’t hesitate to book this property if I were traveling with my husband or with a group of friends for a girlfriend getaway. This is truly a fantastic spot in the heart of downtown Marietta. There’s a reason this property is a guest favorite!
McKenna’s Lodging
Book directly at McKenna’s Lodging.
Book the property on Airbnb.
Are you planning a trip to Marietta? You can download or order a free Vistor Guide from the Marietta-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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