Imagine sitting on one of America’s most famous front porches. Or enjoying a performance in a historic theatre. Or soaking in the atmosphere of a historic downtown. All that and more waits for you in Marion, Ohio.
Home to the nation’s 29th President, Warren G. Harding, Marion welcomes you to visit the newly restored home of Harding and his wife Florence to discover what life was like in the 1920s. Stand on the famous front porch where Warren spoke to thousands during his campaign. Behind the home, you can learn even more about this time in history at the newly opened Warren G. Harding Presidential Museum. Enjoy exhibits on politics and social issues of the time. Discover how the nation went forward in the aftermath of World War I. And learn more about the President and the First Lady.
Marion’s historic Palace Theatre has been reveling audiences since the 1920s and that tradition continues today. Each season is filled with concerts from national touring artists and grand local theatrical productions. A visit to the theatre itself is worth a trip – The lobby prepares guests for transport to another place and another time. Entrance into the auditorium reveals the makings of a Spanish courtyard complete with muted stucco walls, crawling vines, and a midnight blue sky with birds in flight, twinkling stars, and clouds float overhead. Statues adorn the Palace walls and crests outline the grand proscenium stage.
Still need more for your nostalgia fix? The Wyandot Popcorn Museum inside the Marion County Historical Society’s Heritage Hall contains the world’s largest and only museum with a collection of antique popcorn carts, wagons, trucks, and other machinery – all restored to their original beauty. Heritage Hall is also the home of the Marion County Historical Society and its exhibits on pioneer life, the industrial age, and more.
You can fill in your time between these great attractions strolling through Marion’s Cultural Corridor. This two-mile strip in the historic downtown boasts an abundance of local eateries, retail shops, microbreweries, and more. Satisfy your tastebuds with Southern creole, Memphis barbeque, wood-fired pizza, seafood, and comfort food served diner style. Shops include ladies boutiques, one of the state’s largest gaming stores, an art gallery, a Christian bookstore, and more.
Outdoor lovers will find peace in nature at the 12-mile Marion Tallgrass Trail where you can observe wildlife such as deer, eagles, and possibly beavers in the nearby lake. Or visit Lawrence Orchards, a one-hundred-year-old fruit farm featuring 28 varieties of apples and a market full of tasty treats. For the wine lover, Shamrock Winery hosts wine tastings summer days and by appointment or enjoy one of their twilight dinners by reservation.
For the foodies in your group, head out on Marion’s Eterarian Trail. What is an Eaterarian. Someone who likes to find those out-of-the-way eateries with great food, an unassuming atmosphere, and where having a laugh with friends isn’t considered inappropriate. Eaterarians usually find these places by accident. Stumble upon them while on the road and think, “That place looks interesting. Let’s stop there.” These are the places with those ‘best-ever’ breakfasts, works-of-art burgers, authentic throwbacks, and just plain, comfortable food.
Whether you are looking for nightlife, great performances, history adventures, memorable dining, or relaxing in a small-town atmosphere, Marion is the place to make memories this year. Plan your visit at https://www.visitmarionohio.com/.
