Plan your Chillicothe getaway whether it’s a long weekend or a vacation, Chillicothe and Ross County welcomes you! Located in southern Ohio, Ross County is perfect for a getaway any time of the year. We offer everything from outdoor adventure, historic tours, shopping, art and beautiful scenery of the Appalachian foothills. Our destination will provide you with an unforgettable experience and all of the relaxation that you deserve.
We have every lodging option to accommodate your visit to Chillicothe; whether you’re looking for a pampered experience at one of our Bed & Breakfast locations, seclusion to relax at one of our cabin rentals, or the amenities from our hotels. Find your home away from here and see why Chillicothe is Where To Be!
ADVENTURE | ART & ENTERTAINMENT | HISTORY | SPORTS & RECREATION | RAINY DAY | ROMANCE | BACK ROADS
ADVENTURE
Ross County is your Outdoor Adventure destination with five State Parks and one National Park. 
Take on over 120 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Many mountain bikers come to Ross County trails to train and enjoying the terrain that is unique to our area. Check out all of the recreation ideas at Great Seal State Park, Scioto Trail State Park, Paint Creek State Park, Pike Lake State Park and Tar Hollow State Park. Enjoy fishing, canoeing, kayaking and exploring the great outdoors! Find all of Nature’s Wonders and Recreation ideas available in Ross County to help plan your next adventure.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Let us entertain you!
Chillicothe is filled with options to experience local and regional talent in all forms of art. The Pump House Center for the Arts is the premier art gallery in Ross County, featuring monthly exhibits and special events. With two historic theatres in Ross County there are always concerts, plays and entertainment available. Chillicothe Majestic Theatre and Bainbridge’s Paxton Theatre both offer a theatrical experience to impress! From local musicians at the Paint Valley Jamboree to national acts like John Berry, you won’t want to miss any of these shows and entertainment.
During the summer, Tecumseh Outdoor Drama is one of the most popular venues for entertainment. Their production showcases the life of Shawnee leader, Tecumseh as he defends his sacred homelands. Over one million visitors have experienced this outdoor drama during their stay in Chillicothe. The producers of “Tecumseh” also offer a summer concert series, Live on the Mountain, that feature national acts.
HISTORY
History buffs will fall in love with all the historic sites, tours and experiences that the first capital of Ohio has to offer!
Before Chillicothe was the capital, the area history dates back 2,000 years ago to prehistoric times with the Hopewell Culture. This ancient group created magnificent, geometrical earthworks for their gatherings and celebrations. Visitors can tour several locations that feature mounds and earthen walls that show the size and enormity of these creations.
Discover many layers of history from local to state level through historic sites in Ross County. Tour Adena Mansion & Gardens and learn about life in the 19th century at Thomas Worthington’s estate and see the 
location for the background of the Great Seal of Ohio. The Ross County Heritage Center offers tours that will take you through many years of exhibits and artifacts throughout their collection. Learn about the first, First Lady of the White House at Lucy Hayes Heritage Center, and even see where the first dental school in the nation began.
Find all the historical sites under the Attractions portion of our website.
SPORTS & RECREATION
From sports to hunting – Ross County has something to offer all the sports enthusiasts who visit.
America’s favorite pastime is alive and strong with the local Prospect League’s 
Chillicothe Paints! Home games for the Paints are held at the V.A. Memorial Stadium and offer visitors the full ballpark experience. The Chillicothe Paints begin their season in May and continues through August, each home game features a special theme and a chance to win prizes during your visit.
Ross County offers some of the best sprint and late model racing at Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe and 35 Raceway in Frankfort. Both locations offer a full racing schedule and provide a great experience. Atomic Speedway offers racing beginning in early March through October while 35 Raceway’s season begins in April and wraps up in September.
With a variety of terrain, nature reserves, and state forests Ross County is a destination for many hunters each year. Some enjoy the challenge created by the terrain and others have made it a tradition to come to Ross County. Find out about hunting/fishing in Ohio and the nature reserves before your trip. We’re sure that you will enjoy the hunting experience in the Appalachian foothills in and around Chillicothe.
Click to find all the sports & recreation opportunities available during your visit Chillicothe.
RAINY DAY
Southern Ohio is known to have the occasional rainy day that can deter some outdoor plans, but don’t worry, there’s still plenty to do inside on those days! Most of our attractions are indoors and can provide hours of entertainment and discovery. If the kids are getting restless, Triple Crown Sports offers pizza, games and inflatable bounce houses for activity and fun. Enjoy a retro afternoon with some bowling at Shawnee Lanes, roller skating at the Cavalier Skating Rink, paint some pottery or board art at Nellie Dog Pottery & Paints, learn the art of throwing axes at Southern Ohio Axe Throwing, or experience a virtual reality world at Objective Reality Games.
Another option is shopping in our historic downtown. You may get a few rain drops, but with all the shops downtown you can find unique gifts, souvenirs, retro candies, books and much more. Make sure to take a break during your downtown shopping and taste some of the local flavors from coffee shops to BBQ and gourmet sandwiches and pizza.
ROMANTIC GETAWAY
There are so many ways to enjoy a romantic getaway in Ross County! Check out local hotel special packages for your getaway or plan your own package and make reservations for a local cabin. Spend some quality time together during your stay with a picnic in Yoctangee Park overlooking the lake as the swans and ducks float along the water. Schedule the ultimate relaxation and make time for a couples massage while your in town.
BACK ROADS
Exit the highways and hit the back roads to explore the hills in southern Ohio. Ross County gives you one of the best scenic drives to view the beauty of the landscape. Visit in the fall and see all the brilliant, vibrant colors explode along the hillsides all around Chillicothe. Bainbridge offers visitors mapped out loops to get the best view of all the colors in the Paint Valley area. Travel through all the communities in Ross County while looking for the Barn Quilts along the Ross County trail.
Make your destination Chillicothe to Relax, Relive and Reconnect! No matter what time of the year, Ross County has something to keep you entertained, having fun, and helping you relax. Don’t wait – plan your escape today!