THE HISTORY STORE

WILLIS JAMES B&B

Whether you are visiting for pleasure or business, a stay at The Willis-James provides you with the relaxed comforts of home. The five well-appointed guest rooms each feature private ensuite bathrooms, comfortable bedding, complimentary gourmet breakfast, and all the modern amenities that create an unforgettable experience.

58 W. Fifth Street Chillicothe, OH, 740-229-9019 thewillisjames.com

Majestic Theatre

The historic Majestic Theatre features a wide variety of entertainment throughout the year. Perfectly located in downtown Chillicothe near local restaurants and shops for a convenient, fun-filled evening out with friends or the whole family.

majesticchillicothe.net, info@majesticchillicothe.net 740 772-2041

Pump House Coa

Be sure to stop in at the Pump House Center for the Arts when visiting Chillicothe. The Pump House displays new artist exhibits every month, a gift gallery, and offers private rental space for weddings, organizational meetings, and other activities.

1 Enderlin Circle, Chillicothe, OH, 740-772-5783 thepumphouse.art

Wheatberry Books

Wheatberry Books features a cozy atmosphere with a wide selection of new and used books, a delightful children’s room, and frequent events (including storytime, book clubs, and local author readings).

9 W. Second St. Chillicothe, OH, 740-771-3369 wheatberrybooks.com

ATWOOD HOUSE B&B

This enchanting bed & breakfast is within walking distance of the amazing restaurants and local shops in Downtown Chillicothe, and just minutes away from area attractions. Your stay will feature excellent comfort, an amazing host, and delicious signature breakfasts.

atwoodhousebandb.com, info@atwoodhousebandb.com 740 774-1606

TROLLEY chillicotheoh.gov 740 773-1569

Jump on the Trolley for an enjoyable experience! Park at a municipal parking lot and enjoy the convenience and excitement that the trolley offers as you shop and dine in downtown Chillicothe. Free to ride & fun for all ages!

Tecumseh’s valiant attempts to retain his homeland as well as the unique rapport he had with Worthington.

“Tecumseh!” is just part of Chillicothe’s remembrance of Native American history. Some 2,000 years ago, Indigenous people of the Hopewell culture built massive earthworks throughout the Scioto and Ohio River valleys that are believed to have been used for ceremonial and religious purposes. Today, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park preserves the sites of several clusters of earthworks and mounds in Ross County. They are under consideration for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of a serial nomination that includes the Newark Earthworks in Licking County and Fort Ancient in Warren County.

“The monumental scale of the earthworks as well as the number and concentration of mounds is not found anywhere else in the world,” says Chris Alford, superintendent at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.

Walking among these ancient earthworks is an awe-inspiring experience, but Alford also recommends spending time at the park’s visitor center to learn about the Hopewell culture and the knowledge it took to build geometric earthworks that aligned with solar and lunar cycles and drew prehistoric people from far and wide. Visitors are often surprised to learn that effigy pipes, spear tips and other artifacts found in the Ohio earthworks contain obsidian from what is today Wyoming, copper from Michigan and mica from North Carolina. Shells and shark teeth from as far as the Gulf Coast have also been found.

Explore Nature in Ross County

Ross County beckons nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts with four state parks and a county system of parks and nature preserves that showcase the region’s location in the Appalachian foothills. Camp within a 16,000-acre forest at Tar Hollow State Park; find seclusion and scenic views at Scioto Trail State Park; and choose from horseback, mountain bike and hiking trails at Great Seal State Park, where Mount Logan is located.

“When you’re here, you’re standing in the Great Seal of Ohio,” notes Nathan Steiner, park manager at Great Seal State Park.

Ross County Park District locations include Kinnikinnick Fen, which has sprawling wetlands, three observation decks and a tongue-twisting name derived from a substitute tobacco product made from dried sumac leaves and the inner bark of the willow that settlers and American Indians alike enjoyed.

There is also Buzzard’s Roost Nature Preserve, where the reward for traversing the flat, wooded trail is a marvelous view of Paint Creek Gorge. The paved Paint Creek Recreational Trail stretches 32 miles between Chillicothe and Washington Court House and approxi- mates Paint Creek’s sinuous course through Ross County’s bountiful farmlands. Along the way, the trail passes through the Hopewell Mound Group and by downtown Chillicothe and the country village of Frankfort, where travelers can get treats at the Dairy Cone.

Shop and Eat in Downtown Chillicothe

With its lively vibe and trove of Victorian-era buildings, Chillicothe’s downtown is a destination all by itself.

“When visitors come here, they discover our historic downtown offers much more than they expected, and that it’s an ideal place to shop, dine and even stay,” says Tiffany Baldwin, program manager at Downtown Chillicothe.

Although downtown is walkable, many people take advantage of the bright red Chillicothe Trolley that loops through the business district on Fridays and Saturdays. The trolley is free, and its stops include Yoctangee Park and Paint Street. It also provides transportation during downtown events.

Ivy’s Home & Garden is a downtown mainstay with tastefully curated items, such as Polish pottery and Italian glass. Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop carries retro sweets, while Paper City Coffee serves scrumptious cinnamon rolls. High Five Cakes Bakery and Tea House makes oversized, peanut-shaped cookies, and The History Store specializes in exquisitely detailed miniatures of civilian and military figures.

When it’s time to eat, head to Carl’s Townhouse, Hometown Hibachi, Fire and Stone Pizzeria or Old Canal Smoke House. Another downtown favorite is The Pour House at Machinery Hall, known for its signature burger and beer selection. Located in a repurposed 1881 farm-implement building, the popular gastropub epitomizes downtown Chillicothe’s incomparable old-meets-new ambiance.

When You Go

For more information about other destinations in Chillicothe and Ross County, go to visitchillicotheohio.com.

Adena Mansion & Gardens 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe 45601 800/319-7248, adenamansion.com

Downtown Chillicothe downtownchillicothe.com

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park 16062 St. Rte. 104, Chillicothe 45601 740/774-1125, nps.gov/hocu

Ohio State Parks parks.ohiodnr.gov

Ross County Park District rosscountyparkdistrict.com

Tecumseh! 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe 45601 866/775-0700, tecumsehdrama.com

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