10 Top Things to Do in Chillicothe Ohio You Should Not Miss
Located Ross Country, Ohio, USA, roughly 50 miles south of Columbus, Borders along the Scioto River. It is a small city that is rich in culture, history and natural beauty. It is also known as the first and third capital of Ohio, with a population of approximately 21,000, and Chillicothe is easily accessible by vehicle.
If you ask me why you should visit? then my answer would be that Chillicothe, Ohio is a hidden treasure! The city attracts visitors of all ages with its small-town charm, historic sights, and delicious restaurants, several state parks natural areas, arts and Hopewell culture. To assist fellow travelers in planning their vacation, we have compiled a list of the top finest things to do in Chillicothe Ohio.
What Does Chillicothe Mean? Chillicothe means “Principal Town.” It is a Shawnee Tribe Native American name that means “the village and home of the chief leader.”
How is Chillicothe Pronounced?
You should learn before visiting Chillicothe is how to pronounce the name, it is one of the first things! It can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with the name and not from the area.
Chillicothe is an English spelling of the Shawnee tribe’s Chalahgawtha, which meaning Principal Village (and was used to designate where the tribal chief lived). These two Chillicothe pronunciation guides may be of assistance: chiluhkaathee (Chil-akoth-E).
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Visit Historic Sites and Museums For Things to Do in Chillicothe Ohio
1. Explore the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
Spread over 1,200 acres and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park is a protected area that preserves several prehistoric Native American earthworks. Erthworks was built by the Hopewell people between 100 BCE and 500 CE.
Among these earthworks, you will find some large geometric-shaped mounds, some enclosures, and ceremonial sites, in this park you can do some outdoor activities like the Hopeton Earthworks hike, Seip Earthworks hike, and Hopewell mound group hike.
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park offers a Guided Ranger Program for visitors, so, you can join. For indoor activities visit the park museum at Mound City Group and the park offers a film to learn about the culture of the Hopewell people.
2. Visit the Adena Mansion and Gardens
Adena Mansion and Gardens is a historic mansion erected in 1807 for Thomas Worthington, Ohio’s sixth governor. The paintings, drawings, pictures, and antique furniture of Thomas Worthington and his family can be seen in the mansion.
And also There is a dining room, library, and drawing room, with a lovely garden, a horse barn, and a visitor center. You can explore its beautiful garden and enjoy the pleasant surroundings.
The estate also includes a reconstructed Adena Indian mound, believed to have been built by the ancient Adena culture between 800 BC and 100 AD. Adena Mansion and Gardens is a great place to enjoy history, architecture, and natural beauty.
3. Discover the Ross County Historical Society Museum
The Ross County Historical Society Museum, which has a collection of nearly 20,000 pieces that include everything from Native American artifacts to antique vehicles and Civil War vintage items.
This museum is dedicated to preserving Chillicothe’s and Ross County’s rich legacy. A reconstructed log cabin, a one-room schoolhouse and a vintage apothecary, a doll room, a model train room, a victorian room, wagon room, and much more..
And also there are several galleries where you can learn about the history of Ross County and Chillicothe. Various programs and events are also held here.
Explore Parks and Get Excited about Outdoor Activities
4. Go hiking in Great Seal State Park
Named after the official seal of the state of Ohio, this park spread over 1862 acres of forest, hills, and valleys is a perfect place for outdoor activities like hiking.
There are many hiking trails in this park, hiking trails range from easy, moderate to hard. And there are also campsites for camping, you can enjoy the campfire, stargazing, and wildlife watching while camping.
The park also has picnic areas, playgrounds, and fishing ponds. The park offers various activities like fishing, hunting, and bird watching. Wildlife like white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and many different kinds of songbirds and raptors can be seen.
5. Take a stroll in Yoctangee Park
Yoctangee Park lies on the banks of the Yoctangee Park River. Yoctangee Park is an amazing park that covers 48 acres with many walking and biking trails, a playground for children, a few picnic areas, softball and baseball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, shelter houses, restroom, a massive gazebo for outdoor performances and other events, and a beautiful antique fountain.
For things to do in Chillicothe Ohio, you can explore this park and take photos standing in front of the fountain. Besure to explore this park to see the beauty and elegance or just to give yourself a break.
Visit Entertainment Venues and Enjoy Nightlife
6. Visit the Majestic Theater
It is a historic theater, built in 1853 and has been entertaining audiences for over 150 years. Various live performance such as musical concerts, stand- up comedy show and various other events are held here.
This theater looks very beautiful, it has been renovated several times to maintain its beauty. A must visit theater located in downtown Chillicothe.
For ticket purchases and more information, call (740) 772-2041.
7. Go to the Steiner’s Speakeasy
To enjoy a drink or live music Steiner’s Speakeasy will be a great place. It is a popular bar in downtown Chillicothe, opened 2014. Here enjoy craft beer, wine, cocktails, bourbon and whiskey with a dimly lit atmosphere and live music, Live music is often held every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
There is a also small stage where local musicians and artists perform. From time to time they add other nights of entertainment, you can check out their calendar for more details. And a good place to relax and meet a friend.
8. Visit Schlegel’s Coffee House
Schlegel’s Coffee House is a popular coffee shop with tasty coffee in a cozy atmosphere. Choose a table of your choice and order a coffee. A quiet place to work or a good place to meet friends, there is a comfortable lounge area, a communal table and several individual tables.
With coffee Schlegel’s also offers other beverages including tea, hot chocolate and smoothies, or serves baked goods including house-made muffins, scones and cookies. For entertainment, Schlegel’s Coffee House hosts some live music shows.
For Food and Drink in Chillicothe Ohio
9. Explore the Ross County Farmers Market
The Ross County Farmers Market, which is situated in downtown Chillicothe, the products sold at this market are from local farmers and artisans.
The market is open from May to October, every Saturday from 8 am to noon. The market sells seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh meat, cheese, baked goods, delicacies, and handmade crafts.
You can explore the market and learn about the making of the products and watch live music and entertainment shows in the market. So don’t forget to explore this market while exploring Chillicothe.
10. Enjoy a meal at the Old Canal Smokehouse
It is a family-owned restaurant in downtown Chillicothe, Ohio, best for BBQ, has been serving BBQ for many years. This restaurant offers different type of BBQ. At menu, like Hand-Pulled Pork, Brisket Flatbread, Chicken Wings, Smoke House Pizza, Smoked Brisket, Half Chicken, Hickory Smoked Ribeye Steak and many more.
This Old Canal Smokehouse restaurant is open from 11 AM to 9 PM, uses only the freshest, highest quality ingredients, slowly smoking all of their meats in a mixture of hickory and fruit wood resulting in an extraordinary flavor.
And also offers mac and cheese, coleslaw, and baked beans. Along with great food you will find a good atmosphere and friendly service.
How to get to Chillicothe Ohio easily?
Chillicothe is easiest accessed by a car and has excellent connections to major close cities. Visitors flying in from out of state will find two airports near Chillicothe, Ohio: Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) and John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH). Although Rickenbacker is closer to Chillicothe, it receives considerably fewer aircraft.
I have Provided some route here for you so that you can easily reach Chillicothe :
- Columbus to Chillicothe : Route US -23 connects Chillicothe and Columbus. The distance between Columbus and Chillicothe is around 50 miles, and the travel takes about one hour.
- Cincinnati to Chillicothe: I-71 and SR 35 are the most direct routes from Cincinnati, OH to Chillicothe. The travel is around 105 miles and takes approximately 1.5 hours.
- Cleveland to Chillicothe: I-71 and US-23 are the finest routes from Cleveland to Chillicothe. The trip is approximately 190 miles long and will take approximately 3 hours to complete in a car.
Where to stay in Chillicothe?
You will get few options to stay here, the best option is you can take a hotel. There are many best quality hotels, you can use booking.com to book hotels. Some name Christopher Inn and Suites hotel, Executive Inn Chillicothe, and can book as per your choice!
Also,, if you want to go camping , so, here are some campgrounds. Camping is available near Chillicothe at both state parks, Great Seal State Parks and Tar Hollow feature campgrounds and independently operated campgrounds. Camping in state parks must be reserved through an online reservation system. The Walnut Creek Campground also offers tent, RV, and cabin camping. Cabins near Chillicothe, Ohio, can also be found at Kick Back Ridge, which is adjacent to Sugarloaf Mountain and the Tecumseh play.
What is the best time to visit in Chillicothe, Ohio?
Talking about the best time there are four seasons, depends on you when you like to visit. Have given some information about four seasons to help you find the right time.
Summer ( June to August ): This time is the most crowded and can be called the peak season, some outdoor activities are available but it is very hot and humid.
Fall ( September to November) : The weather is nice and comfortable during this time, so this can be also a good time for outdoor activities such as hiking and biking. And, is a chance to see the beautiful scenery of the surrounding greenery.
Winter ( December to February) : During this time the weather is cold, and snow can be seen, if you love the cold then you can come.
Spring ( March to May ) : during this time the weather is slightly pleasant and are not so many crowds like in summer. The plants and flowers show their beauty.
How long should stay in Chillicothe Ohio?
The number of days you stay in Chillicothe will be determined by your interests and pace of sightseeing. Many of Chillicothe’s attractions can be seen in a single day. However, we recommend staying at least one to two days to get a sense of the city and find the greatest Chillicothe attractions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, undoubtedly Chillicothe Ohio would be the perfect destination for a trip. Chillicothe Ohio you will find a lot of things to do if you are planning to travel here then definitely go for it, it will be a worthwhile trip for you, and a great experience you will find, don’t delay, grab a bag and explore.!!
