SPRING TOUR – MARIETTA, OHIO

May 12-14, 2023

{Modeled after the memorable Pittsburgh Fall Tour of 2021,
which featured an all-day cruise on the Monongahela River}

 

Cruise the Muskingum River Canal on the sternwheeler Valley Gem

>Saturday May 13, 9:00-5:00, with catered breakfast and lunch;

>Two-way transits of two historic hand-cranked canal locks;

>Valley Gem (constructed 1988-9) is authentically propelled by paddlewheel;

>Spectacular views of industrial, residential, agricultural and natural areas;

>Enclosed lower deck and restrooms are wheelchair accessible and climate controlled;

>Open-air upper deck is partially covered and reachable only by stairs;

>PRICE $78 per person, for this 8-hour trip including two complete meals.
















Complete Tour Schedule, At A Glance

Thursday May 11, 6:00 Informal pre-tour meet-up for buy-your-own dinner and drinks

Friday May 12, 9:00-4:30 Guided industrial and historic site tours, buy-your-own meals

Friday May 12, 6:00-8:00 Banquet with speaker at historic club, beer and wine by ticket

Saturday May 13, 9:00-5:00 River cruise on the Valley Gem, breakfast and lunch provided

Saturday May 13, 6:00-8:00 After-cruise reception with appetizers, buy-your-own drinks

Sunday May 14, 10:00-12:00 EITHER Riverside bicycle tour OR Mound walking tour




 











PLEASE MAKE YOUR OWN HOTEL RESERVATION (SOON)

Marietta has many conveniently located hotels, including the historic Lafayette, (740) 373-5522,and the boutique Hackett, (740) 374-8278,both in the heart of the city. Others, alphabetically: Baymont Inn & Suites, 701 Pike, (740) 374-9660; Comfort Suites, 202 Cherry Tree Lane, (740) 376-1600; Fairfield Inn & Suites, 200 Cherry Tree Lane, (740) 374-3000; Hampton Inn, 508 Pike, (740) 373-5353; Holiday Inn Express, 970 Pike, (740) 760-1515; Microtel Inn & Suites, 506 Pike, (740) 373-7373; Red Roof Inn, 702 Pike, (740) 336-7866; Super 8, 46 Acme, (740) 374-8888; Wingate, 700 Pike, (740) 374-8190.

Please consult the internet or your own hotel guide for details.

 

Thursday May 11, 6:00-8:00, Informal Meet-up

If you’ll be in Marietta on Thursday May 11, then join us for an informal riverside gathering at Boathouse BBQ (buy-your-own food & drink). NO CHARGE but mark the Registration Form so we can plan and keep you updated.

 

Friday May 12, 9:00-4:30, Industrial Tours

Gather for breakfast at Wendy’s, then carpool to guided tours of nearby factories, such as Sewah Studios, America’s leading producer of cast aluminum historical markers. NO CHARGE but buy-your-own breakfast and lunch. There is a maximum number allowed, so please only mark the Registration Form if you actually plan to attend.

 

Friday May 12, 6:00-8:00, Banquet at the historic Betsey Mills Club

>Enjoy a complete hot buffet with meat and vegetarian options.  

>PRICE $47 per person, not including beer or wine.

>Beer or wine may be purchased separately only in advance on the Registration Form.

>Speaker: Scott Britton, historian and Executive Director of Marietta’s Castle Museum.

>Since 1911, the Betsey Mills Club provides apartments for women and community services.

 

 

A Note About Food Allergies or Concerns

If you have any allergies or dietary concerns that may affect your enjoyment of meals provided at the Friday BANQUET, on the Saturday CRUISE, or at the after-cruise RECEPTION, then IN ADVANCE please phone Corinne Petrie, 216-221-4693, to discuss. (All other meals during the Marietta Spring Tour are buy-your-own at locations with a variety of options.)

 

 

Saturday May 13, 6:00-8:00, After-Cruise Reception

You will be well fed on the CRUISE, so you may not want a full meal afterward, but prefer to keep the party going over appetizers and buy-your-own beverages at a colorful hangout. PRICE $20 per person, covers appetizers but not drinks.

 

 

OPTIONS FOR MOTHER’S DAY, SUNDAY MAY 14

Sunday May 14, 10:00-noon, your choice of two planned morning activities

EITHER

A guided 10-mile bicycle tour on the west bank of the Muskingum River, following the route of Saturday’s cruise. Bring your own bike, or make sure you rent IN ADVANCE. (The Hackett Hotel in downtown Marietta may offer free bike rental to guests.)

A guided walking tour of Marietta’s famous Mound Cemetery (where more Revolutionary War officers are buried than in any other cemetery anywhere), and several other nearby mounds from two different ancient mound-building cultures.













 






FOR THE REST OF THE DAY, ON YOUR OWN  

>Canal enthusiasts may want to visit Roscoe Village, less than 90 minutes north via I-77.

>Or, Marietta has THREE great historical museums within easy walking distance:

>Campus Martius Museum, Ohio River Museum and the Castle Historic House.

>Please consult the internet for details.

 

Canal Society of Ohio Inc.

Marietta's Mound Cemetery contains the graves of more Revolutionary War officers than any other cemetery anywhere.

The 2023 Spring Tour will feature an all-day cruise on the sternwheeler Valley Gem


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The oldest permanent American settlement in the Northwest Territory, Marietta is a picturesque walkable college town, population 13,000, with many hotels, restaurants and points of interest.