(Photo Provided) The new Marietta-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau guides for 2026.

The Marietta-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau has released its 2026 visitor guide, a special commemorative edition marking America’s 250th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival.

The 2026 guide was developed to align with the national America 250 commemoration and highlights Washington County’s role in early American settlement and regional development, according to a release from the CVB. The publication is intended to serve both visitors and residents seeking information about local attractions, events and heritage sites during the anniversary year.

The guide includes listings and features on lodging options, dining, shopping, outdoor recreation, museums and historic landmarks throughout Marietta and Washington County, the release said. It also provides an overview of annual events scheduled throughout the year, including community festivals and heritage celebrations tied to the region’s history along the Ohio River. Among those are the Sternwheel Festival, which will mark five decades this year.

Local historian Scott Britton, executive director of The Castle Museum in Marietta, was commissioned to contribute historical material connecting Washington County’s early history to the broader national commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, according to the release. The CVB said the guide links local places and historical figures to themes associated with early American settlement and westward expansion.

“This commemorative edition is a celebration of who we are and where we’re headed,” Deana Clark, executive director of the Marietta-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said in the release. “As the nation reflects on 250 years of history, this guide positions Marietta and Washington County as essential destinations for understanding America’s beginnings and its continued journey.”

Printed copies of the 2026 visitor guide are available at the Marietta-Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau office, 241 Front St. Copies can also be requested online at mariettaohio.org/contact or by phone at 740-373-5178. The CVB said the guide will be distributed at local businesses, attractions and partner organizations throughout the region.