Southeast

Southeast Rich and rugged history

shapes Southeast Ohio

Guernsey County

Southeast Ohio was the first part of the Buckeye State to be settled and is still filled with reminders of its storied past. The region is made up of rugged and hilly country, with the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains beginning there. Whether enjoying the many outdoor recreation options, discovering historic places or admiring artworks from local crafters, groups will feel welcome in Southeast Ohio.

Cambridge/Guernsey County,

also known as the “Crossroads of America” is nestled at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 77. The county is home to Ohio’s largest state park, Salt Fork and the state’s third largest lake, Seneca Lake. In addition to the various recreational activities available for visitors year-round, national attention is gained annually as visitors flock there to enjoy the Dickens Victorian Village and the Official Paul Bunyan Show. Other special events, such as Ohio’s only outdoor passion play, the Living Word outdoor drama, also draw visitors. Nearby, Zanesville/Muskingum County offers history of its own. Muskingum County was home to the nation’s first highway, the National Road, and celebrates that history at the National road-Zane Grey Museum. The county is also known for its crafters, as Zanesville was once referred to as the “Pottery Capital of the World” and still has nine pottery companies in the area. Every year in July, pottery lovers collect in Muskingum County for Pottery Lover’s Week when various auctions, festivals and signings take place. Muskingum County is also known for its baskets and is home to the largest manufacturer of handmade baskets in the United States, The Longaberger Company, as well as the world’s largest basket. In Hocking Hills, groups find breathtaking views and eco-adventure opportunities. The region’s beauty can be found in trails, waterfalls, prehistoric caves and cliff-top vistas and depicted in art galleries. A thriving artist community of sculptors, potters, painters, glass blowers, wood carvers and furniture makers allow visitors to take pieces of the Hocking Hills back home. Groups will also enjoy spending time at the world’s only Pencil Sharpener Museum, with more than 3,400 sharpeners on display or touring the Columbus Washboard Company, the last operating washboard manufacturer, located in Logan. In ross County and Chillicothe, groups find many destinations to celebrate the area’s heritage. Chillicothe was the state’s first capital and was home to four Ohio governors. Groups can witness the “Tecumseh!” Outdoor Drama and learn the epic story of the legendary Shawnee leader and even take a backstage tour. Also in the outdoors, groups can explore

Hopewell Culture National His-

torical Park and tour the 120-acre tract of restored earthworks, led by a park ranger. Farther south on the banks of the Ohio River in Scioto County, an outdoor gallery of three-dimensional murals are painted along a 20-foot by 2,090 feet section on Front Street of the floodwall that protects the city from powerful Ohio River. Called the portsmouth Murals, tours can watch the artist in action from May through September.

Wildly sophisticated

Beauty and beasts collide in Southeast Ohio

Day One

The Wilds, located in Zanesville-Muskingum County, is one of the largest and most innovative conservation centers in the world. Groups can take a guided safari tour to encounter rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes and other rare and endangered species. The animals are situated in a 10,000-acre, open-range habitat. Step-on and youth safaris are available. The Wilds’ Gift Market includes unique items from around the world. Motorcoach parking is available on-site. Open by appointment only, Dickens Universal takes groups behind the scenes and shows them how Cambridge’s Dickens Victorian Village mannequins are created and stored. Groups explore four areas of the facility including the costume room, the artist studio, the “Dressing Room” and the warehouse space where 186 characters are stored and restored each year. The experience is available January through October. At the National Museum of Cambridge Glass follow a guide through a collection of over 6,000 pieces of glassware produced by The Cambridge Glass Company from 1902 to 1958. Groups can view a vintage film and dress as glass workers did years ago while holding tools used to manufacture glass. Visit the gift shop to find unique gifts to take home.

Day TwO

Campus Martis Museum of the Northwest Territory invites tours into the era of the Ohio frontier and its first settlement, Marietta. Both permanent and changing exhibits depict life of the late 18th century. Three floors of information is provided about Ohio’s First Peoples, the arrival of Revolutionary War veterans and the role of the original Ohio Company in settling the area. A companion stop at the Ohio River Museum is recommended.

Step inside The Castle, a focal point of Marietta’s historic district and former home of some of Marietta-Washington County’s influential citizens. The Castle, featuring Gothic Revival-style architecture, welcomes groups with its octagonal tower, trefoil attic window and stone-capped spires. The house is furnished with items of historical significance to the area, as well as those typical of the Victorian era. The Carriage House Visitors Center includes introductory exhibit and a video on the history of the site and its families. Explore Marietta’s historic district aboard the Marietta Trolley Tour. Guided by a local expert, groups are introduced to the architectural treasures and notable places that line the city’s legendary brick streets. The 90-minute tour of Ohio’s oldest city begins and ends at the Levee House Cafe. Step-on guides are available as well. The Kennedy Museum of Art is located in historic Lin Hall at The Ridges on the Ohio University campus in Athens County. The museum features collections including important southwest Native American textiles and jewelry and a renowned contemporary print collection. Throughout the year, the museum presents a wide variety of permanent and changing exhibitions. Educational programs and guided tours are available with advance notice. The 30 Mile Meal, a 30-mile radius from Athens is called the “Garden of Eatin’.” Within the super-local circle, groups can savor a meal (or two) made with ingredients grown or made in-house by the 140-plus members of the 30 Mile Meal partnership. There are non-profits, farms, eateries and even microbreweries to be discovered and wares to be savored. Special events are held throughout the year, like 30 Mile Meal restaurant week in July. Throughout the year, 30 Mile Meal night is held on Tuesdays.

For contact information, see Southeast listings starting on page 61.

The Wilds

Dickens Universal

National Museum of Cambridge Glass

Marietta Trolley Tour

Kennedy Museum of Art

DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS

athens County CvB

667 E. State St. Athens, OH 45701 (800) 878-9767 www.athensohio.com Contact: Jake Sharp jsharp@athensohio.com Nestled deep in the Appalachian foothills to Southeast Ohio. Lively arts and music scene entertains locals and visitors alike. Eclectic shopping and dining is a result of rich Appalachian heritage. Experience the best of local foods with our 30 Mile Meal. Dairy Barn Arts Center

Ross-Chillicothe

Hocking Hills

Athens County

Cambridge/Guernsey County VCB

627 Wheeling Ave., Ste 200 Cambridge 43725 (800) 933-5480 www.visitguernseycounty.com Contact: Dixie Wyler groups@VisitGuernseyCounty.com Our destination offers exciting and affordable experiences for your groups. Take a safari adventure to the Wilds or a hands-on tour through a glass factory or museum. Marvel at the pageantry of the Living Word Outdoor Drama, get your cowboy on at the Hopalong Cassidy Museum or stroll through Dickens Victorian Village.

Hocking Hills Tourism Association

13178 SR-664 S. Logan 43138 (740) 385-2750 www.explorehockinghills.com Contact: Karen Raymore kraymore@explorehockinghills.com Ohio’s Hocking Hills is the only destination in North America to be named to BuzzFeed’s “22 Stunning Under-The-Radar Destinations To Add To Your Bucket List In 2014.” Hocking Hills is an adventure lover’s paradise and perfect for active groups. Campus Martius Museum

Marietta-Washington County

find your side

add to your life

Marietta-Washington County CvB

119 Greene St., Marietta 45750 (800) 288-2577 www.mariettaohio.org Contact: Jeri Knowlton jeri@mariettaohio.org Marietta is a charming and vibrant community nestled at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers. Tucked between acres of forest and farmland, Marietta is enriched with beauty and history. Discover Ohio’s bold beginnings and create new adventures!

Portsmouth Scioto County CVB

Kim Bauer 342 Second St. Portsmouth, Ohio 45662 (740) 353-1116 Fax (740) 353-5824 www.ohiorivertourism.org kimbauerpscvb@yahoo.com

Ross-Chillicothe CVB

45 E. Main St. Chillicothe 45601 (800) 413-4118 www.visitchillicotheohio.com Contact: Melody Young info@visitchillicotheohio.com Discover the history of the first capital of Ohio! Experience the epic Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama. Explore the prehistoric earthworks of the Hopewell culture. Tour the home of Thomas Worthington and so much more!

LODGINGS

Holiday Inn Express Chillicothe

1003 E. Main St. Chillicothe 45601 (740) 851-6140 www.ahihotels.com Contact; Deejay Howard deejay.howard@ahihotels.com Welcome to the Holiday Inn Express Chillicothe, located in historic Chillicothe in the foothills of the majestic Appalachian Mountains. You can tour Adena Mansion & Gardens, home of Thomas Worthington; catch a show at the 152-year-old Majestic Theatre; and see the epic Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama.

Awesome adventures

Nature trails, watersports and high-flying thrills in Southeast Ohio

Adventure-seekers will find abundant opportunities in Southeast Ohio. From soft adventure to extreme thrills, the region offers many options for memorable outdoor experiences.

Fly among the treetops in Hocking Hills, known as the canopy tour capital of the Midwest. The title is rightfully earned, with more than 60 ziplines available for bird’seye views of the beautiful Southeast Ohio landscape. Eco-adventurers will also find miles of trails, waterfalls and prehistoric caves to explore in the region. Mother Nature graced the Hocking Hills with more than 10,000 acres of unbroken forests, which provide an ideal location for hiking. In addition, rock climbing. rappelling, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking and bird-watching are available in the area.

Zipline adventures are also found at The Wilds near Zanesville in Muskingum County. Groups can take a 2½-hour zipline safari tour consisting of 10 ziplines and a rappel built on a series of observation platforms overlooking various exotic animals like giraffes, zebras and rhinos.

Muskingum County also offers outdoor enthusiasts two navigable rivers and three state parks to explore.

Chillicothe and ross County have many wonderful opportunities for canoeing and kayaking along Paint Creek. The area boasts eight state parks that offer miles of hiking and biking trails.