In this post I share where to stay, where to eat, and what to do for a girlfriends' getaway in Marietta, Ohio, Part One of my series on Agritourism Adventures in Marietta. If you and a few friends are looking for a weekend getaway, read on. If you'd like to take your honey off for a Couples Weekend, read the Couples Getaway to Marietta, Ohio. If you'd like to bring the kids, please read my Family Guide to Marietta, Ohio.
Disclosure: I spent 3 days in Marietta, Ohio on an agritourism press trip. I was put up, fed, and shown the sights courtesy of the
Marietta CVB. In exchange, I have written this post--and the two that will follow, since I'm so charmed by this town and I think ya'll should visit.
Why not have a getaway weekend with your friends? I think women, especially mothers, don't treat ourselves with the same nurturing we provide to others. When I was telling my friend Cathy about my recent visit to Marietta, Ohio she said "we should go there". It NEVER occurred to me to plan a girls' weekend vacation, but why not? There's plenty to do and see around Marietta, and it's a nice drive from many larger metro areas in OH, PA, WV and KY. In this post I will share where to stay, where to eat, and what to do in Marietta, Ohio.
First things first--where to stay in Marietta, Ohio. [
I keep adding the Ohio part so you don't get confused with another Marietta.] I stayed right downtown by the Ohio river in the
historic Lafayette hotel. I had a clean & comfy room in the Hoag addition with a nice view of the river--not that I lingered in my room! Staying in the Lafayette was convenient to many restaurants and shops, and the ability to walk right out the door and see a great blue heron fishing for breakfast along the river . . . well, that's not a sight you usually see steps away from a thriving business district! It was very convenient to easily walk 'home' after viewing a spectacular sunset.
Now that you're settled in, let's talk about food--because this is a food blog and I'd be remiss if I didn't share about the yummy meals Someone Else Made for Me in Marietta! In addition to the Lafayette (French toast for breakfast was quite nice) I sampled several restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.
If you like to start the day with a caffeine hit, stroll down to
Jeremiah's Coffee House. I'm not a coffee drinker, but if you like tea, their house chai blend was exceptional--spicy, not cloyingly sweet like the usual national chains, and being on the road means I can't make my
DIY Iced Chai. There's baked goods and comfy chairs if you want to linger, and you're welcome to keep it green by bringing your own mug if you like.
For heartier breakfast fare (think pancakes the size of a Costco pie!) or a locally-sourced lunch, stroll across the Lock Bridge to the Harmar neighborhood and
Busy Bee Restaurant. Larry, the owner, is so committed to locally-sourced products that they churn their own butter from Snowville Creamery cream! I'm a fan of corned beef hash, and when the brisket is corned in house, well, I had to try that. For coffee drinkers, Busy Bee supports a local business,
Broaster's Coffee, run by a young entrepreneur named
Ashton.
Our group dinner at
The Galley was fun. We shared several appetizers, and I thought the Blue Cheese Kettle Chips were particularly good. Since I'd been eating out so much, I had veggies with my lamb burger and they were perfectly prepared. The service was terrific for our large group, and it was nice to window shop on the way back to the Lafayette hotel.
