Ohio is home to many hidden gems, and Chillicothe is one of the treasured places that you can discover and explore.
Hailed as the first capital of Ohio, the city of Chillicothe is now an industrial center inhabited by over twenty-one thousand residents.
Chillicothe is located near the Scioto River and serves as the county seat of Ross County, Ohio.
You can walk around the town and feel the historic vibes emanating from the streets of Chillicothe.
There are so many places to visit and activities to do in Chillicothe.
Yyou can explore the streets and admire the architectural designs of the old buildings, stop by some restaurants and taste the flavors of some of the foods showcased by the locals, or you can spend your afternoon in one of the parks in the town.
You’ll never run out of things to do in the capital of Ross County.
To start your adventure, here are the 17 best things to do in Chillicothe, Ohio:
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The Hopewell Culture National Historical Park is a place where you can revisit the past.
It is a thirteen-acre earthwork consisting of twenty-three dome-shaped mounds and one elliptical in shape.
You can walk around the area and reflect on the preserved history of the early residents in the Mound City.
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These mounds were once used for funerals, feasts, and celebrations by the American Indian religious movement.
There is also a hiking trail where you can stroll and enjoy the scenic views of the park.
If you visit the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, be mindful of your surroundings and treat the sacred place with respect.
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The Pump House Center for the Arts welcomes all art enthusiasts, visitors, and basically everyone who wants to appreciate the artists’ works showcased in the gallery.
In 1883, the pump house was created to serve as the pumping station for the distribution of water supply in the community.
Now restored, it is being used as an art gallery where artists can display their works.
You can find interesting art exhibits in the restored pump house, which changes from time to time, so you can find something new every time you visit the Pump House Center for the Arts.
Aside from the art presentations, the building itself is worth a visit because it is one of the historic sites in Chillicothe.
In Pump House Center for the Arts, you can discover talented local artists and visit the gift shop where you can find some artsy stuff.
The establishment of the Majestic Theater was the beginning of the entertainment industry in Chillicothe.
The Majestic Theater is a combination of a dance hall, a lodge room, and a performing theater in one place.
It features a cozy environment, comfortable seats, and classical architecture that adds up to the classy atmosphere of the theater.
You can visit the theater and catch some live performances from talented artists that you can only find in Majestic Theater.
Don’t forget to check out the rich background of the theater when you visit the Majestic Theater in Chillicothe.
One of the highlights in Chillicothe is the outdoor historical drama entitled “Tecumseh.”
If you haven’t experienced watching a live drama outdoors, then grab this opportunity to be one of the crowds of the show.
The plot of the drama revolves around the story of Native Americans and the main character, Tecumseh, a famous Indian leader who led the tribe to success.
You can learn about history while being entertained by the outstanding performance and the interesting storyline of the historical drama.
Spend your night watching Tecumseh, an outdoor historical drama with your kids and friends, and remember this memorable experience forever.
Dan Keck from Ohio, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yoctangee Park is the town’s public park located next to the Historic First Capital District.
This forty-eight-acre park provides a recreational area and serves as a place where you can be active.
The park features several amenities for you to enjoy, such as basketball and tennis courts, baseball fields, picnic spots, restroom facilities, and handicap-accessible playgrounds.
Don O’Brien from Piketon, Ohio, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yoctangee Park has a small lake where you can watch and feed the ducks and a gazebo where you can plan special occasions such as weddings.
You can also relax and reflect under the shaded areas provided by the numerous trees in the park.
With its beautiful sceneries, areas for recreation and sports activities, and lots of wildlife that can be found in the area, the Yoctangee Park is a place that you should check out when you visit Chillicothe.
Art Anderson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Treat yourself to a nice, relaxing day in Brick Haven Spa, where you can get massage services from professionals.
The Brick Haven Spa is a family-owned establishment in Chillicothe, Ohio that offers a comfortable and serene atmosphere so you can relax and loosen up.
The spa provides services like full-body massages, hair and nail services, skincare, and other pampered services for you.
Brick Haven Spa guarantees that you will get the kind of service you’ve paid for.
You deserve to be pampered, so head on to The Brick Haven Spa and indulge yourself in the luxurious services provided by professionals.
If you’re looking for something fun and exciting to do in Chillicothe, here’s one of the must-try adventure games in the city.
Go Free Yourself Escape Room is a game where the goal is to escape the rooms by solving riddles and puzzles correctly with the help of hints and clues scattered around the room.
The game consists of four to six players, and you’ll coordinate and help each other look for clues.
Go Free Yourself Escape Room is the perfect place to create bonds and do team-building exercises for friends and families.
There are different difficulty levels in each room; the rooms could range from easy to advanced level.
You’ll definitely love Waters Edge Canoe Livery if you’re an adrenaline junkie or you just like to float down the river using canoes.
Begin your water adventures with Waters Edge Canoe Livery and enjoy a thrilling experience as you drift along the waters of the creek.
You can have a canoe trip in the river, set up a tent and camp out, or have a nice picnic on the island with your family and friends.
Aside from canoeing, you also have the opportunity to fish for different kinds of species in the area.
If you get hungry from the trip, Waters Edge Canoe Livery also offers snacks in their “Snack Shack” to fill your empty stomach.
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Adena Mansion and Gardens is a stunning mansion built in the early eighteenth century that was once the home of the sixth governor of Ohio, Thomas Worthington.
The mansion has been completely restored to look like how it was when the Worthington family resided there, and it still has the original furnishings from the family.
The sprawling 300-acre remaining fields house the five buildings and gardens where you can stroll around and see the gardens filled with lovely flowers and vegetables and pass through the shrubbery and trees in the manor.
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From the mansion’s Northern grounds, you can catch a glimpse of the Scioto River Valley and the Logan Range, which became the inspiration for Ohio’s Great Seal.
Adena Mansion and Gardens Historic Site also features a museum and a visitor center where you can learn about the history and the story behind the building.
The Triple Crown Family Fun Center is an indoor facility that features numerous activities for families and their kids.
The activity center is an ideal place where kids can learn how to socialize with other kids and learn about the spirit of teamwork.
Soccer, arcades, and inflatable play areas are some of the popular activities in the Triple Crown Family Fun Center.
There are tournaments, leagues, and lessons held for the little kids where they can form a team and make friends.
The arcades are also one of the favorites here in Triple Crown Family Fun Center because of the latest entertaining games and exciting prizes that you can win.
The family center also boasts its “Super Inflatable Island,” where kids can bounce around and slide down the inflatable slides.
Chillicothe is a place where you can find a number of antique shops like American Vintage Warehouse.
American Vintage Warehouse is one of the antique malls in the historic town of Chillicothe, where you can choose from a wide variety of vintage items.
You should visit the American Vintage Warehouse, roam around the different booths, and see the antique shop’s wonderful stuff.
Find the best bargains and high-quality antiques here in American Vintage Warehouse.
No matter what you’re looking for, American Vintage Warehouse has something to offer for everyone.
As a tourist or a local resident of the town, you should know more about the history of how the community was founded.
The Ross County Heritage Center is connected to the main museum of Ross County’s Historical Society and the McKell library, which creates one huge area that is rich in historical information.
You can roam around the heritage center and see the exhibits showcasing the culture, arts, artifacts, ancient transportation, and all the things that are related to the past of Chillicothe.
The tour in Ross County Heritage Center includes a visit to the Knoles Log House and the Franklin House to give you a preview of life back in the early twentieth century.
If you’re interested in historical studies, you can visit the McKell library, which is a research center packed with journals, manuscripts, books, documents, and pictures.
The Chillicothe Railroad Museum combines the museum and train experience in one setting.
This unique museum houses several artifacts that are connected to the history of the railroad.
You can have the opportunity to travel back in the past when you visit the Chillicothe Railroad Museum and learn about how the trains served their purpose for the people of the village back then.
This is one of the must-visit sites in Chillicothe because it is part of the interesting history of how the town became an industrial community.
You can check out the model trains while you are learning about the stories of the past in the Chillicothe Railroad Museum.
Dan Keck from Ohio, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
You can reach Tar Hollow State Park after a thirty-seven-minute drive from Chillicothe.
This public state park features a hiking trail that connects the Tar Hollow State Park to the state forest.
Other recreational activities that you can do in this area include water activities like swimming, fishing, and boating on the fifteen-acre lake.
You can enjoy a nice day outside and relax under the shades of the trees found in the forests of Tar Hollow State Forest.
Dan Keck from Ohio, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Southern Ohio Hunting Preserve is just a thirty-five-minute drive from Chillicothe, Ohio.
Located in Goosecreek Road, Mc Arthur, Ohio, the Southern Ohio Hunting Preserve is a place designated for hunting wild boars and deers.
The hunting preserve offers services such as guided trips, point-to-point transportations, and field dressing.
They also provide lodging complete with amenities such as satellite television, Wi-Fi connection, a dining area, hot showers, and many more so you could have a comfortable stay.
The hunting grounds of the preserve are composed of rolling hills and ravines, which makes it more exciting.
Chillicothe is a small town filled with a rich history that is waiting for you to learn and discover.
There are so many things to do and places to visit in Chillicothe; you can swim in its lakes and beaches, relax in one of the spas, do something fun outdoors, and so much more.
The fun never stops here in Chillicothe because events happen all-year-round.
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