MARION, OHIO

Whether planning a day trip or a long-weekend itinerary, Marion is your destination to encounter, experience and explore history at the heart of where it happened.

Marion’s Cultural Corridor is a celebration of a community rich in history and culture. The Harding Presidential Sites, Huber Machinery Museum and historic Home, Union Station and the Marion Palace Theatre are just a few destinations for a one-of-a-kind “MarionMade” adventure.

Visit Heritage Hall, home to Marion County’s Historical Society and Wyandot Popcorn Museum. Take in the one-room Linn School or tour the historic Women’s Club Home. Explore the Merchant Ball and the Gypsy Grave. Pay tribute to first responders and war heroes at the Marion Cemetery monuments and Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Experience a stroll through the reimagined downtown for a taste of iconic local eateries and drinkeries along the Eaterarian Trail. Encounter warm and welcoming merchants at beautiful boutiques. Take a walking tour of The Cardinal Project: A Public Art Display to explore the 17 statues created to celebrate Ohio as the 17th state to join the Union.

Marion is conveniently located along state Route 23, a short distance north of Columbus. To discover how you can encounter, experience and explore Marion County, request a visitor guide 800-371-6688.

Whiskey History

When distiller Jasper Newton Daniel decided to establish a whiskey distillery near a cave spring in the small town of Lynchburg, Tennessee, in 1866, he could never have anticipated that his Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey would become one of the most recognizable brands in the world of spirits. Today, Jack Daniel Distillery welcomes more than 300,000 people each year to see the whiskey-making process firsthand.

Every tour begins at the distillery visitor center, where travelers are greeted by a statue of Jack Daniel himself, as well as historic memorabilia and a timeline showcasing the evolution of the iconic square Jack Daniel’s bottle and “Old No. 7” brand. Three different distillery tours are available to ensure a memorable experience, whether one is a whiskey novice or connoisseur.

The Flight of Jack tour is an excellent place to start for first-time distillery visitors. This 90-minute guided tour shows the whiskey-making process, including Jack Daniel’s renowned charcoal mellowing process. This tour also includes stops at the original Cave Spring Hollow, where every drop of Jack Daniel’s whiskey begins as cool spring water, as well as the original office of Jack Daniel. The tour concludes with a whiskey sampling in the George Green Barrel House. Other options include The Angel’s Share tour, which features a guided tour of the distillery and a sampling of whiskies taken from individual barrels. The Dry County tour is a great family-friendly option that is open to all ages and features a behind-the-scenes look at the distillery without the whiskey sampling at the end.

After finishing up with a guided tour, visitors can make the short walk to the Lynchburg town square to check out the historic Lynchburg Hardware & General Store or even pay their respects to the man himself at Jack Daniel’s grave in the Lynchburg City Cemetery. 280 Lynchburg Hwy., Lynchburg, Tennessee 37352, 931/759-6357, jackdaniels.com — NATHAN