Muskingum County is rich in opportunities for sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts who come from far and wide to enjoy hunting, fishing, boating and athletics. Recreational sports are some of the community's favorite leisure time activities. Muskingum County is home to three state parks, several city parks and athletic facilities that offer recreation for the entire family. In addition, the Zanes Landing Park has a 3.5-mile walk/bike path along the Muskingum River that connects to Riverside Park, which has soccer, softball, and tennis facilities as well as an oversized, community built playground named Kidzville.

History buffs appreciate the dozen historic churches that dot the downtown landscape. Their architecture and well-preserved stained-glass windows provide a backdrop to a city that once served as the state capital. The churches are lit at night and provide a warm welcome to travelers on Interstate 70.

Muskingum is also known for its rich pottery heritage. Pottery is still made today in the county and has become a proud symbol of local heritage and culture. Pottery is such an important part of the heritage that area communities celebrate every July with Pottery Lovers Week.

From pottery and glassware to furniture and more, some of America's finest treasures can be found at the numerous antique stores in our area. As the home of The National Road, the first federally funded highway, as well as several navigable rivers, Muskingum County was the transfer point for some of America's most prized possessions of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Top Five Spots to Visit

Top Five Events to Attend

Pottery Lovers Week
Taste of Zanesville
Gus Macker
Basket Happening
Miracle On Main Street

Historic Spots

The National Road-Zane Grey Museum - features exhibits about "the Main Street of America" and about Zane Grey, father of the western.
John and Annie Glenn Museum - pays tribute to the life of an astronaut and to growing up in The Great Depression.

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Tours
One- and two-day tour itineraries are available.

One-Day Itineraries

A Muskingum Mystery - Travel throughout Muskingum searching for clues to the identity of a ghost belonging to a historical figure.
Art Pottery Tour - Visit several fascinating art and pottery museums and attractions throughout Muskingum County.
Experience the National Road - Visit sites and attractions along this historic east-west passageway.
The Museums of Muskingum County - Take a trip through six of Muskingum County's superb museums.
Student Travel in Muskingum County - See natural and historic wonders all in one, single day trip!
Wild Safari in Muskingum County, Ohio - Craving adventure in your next group tour? Go on Safari at the Wilds! Tucked away in the scenic rolling hills and grasslands of southeast Ohio is a treasure you won't want to miss.

Two-Day Itineraries

Basket Village U.S.A. - Travel to Dresden to see the birthplace of The Longaberger Company and the World's Largest Basket. Travelers will also get to see other historic sites throughout Dresden and the rest of Muskingum County.
Historic Holiday in Muskingum County - Take a Christmas-oriented tour of Muskingum County.
Recipe for a Sensational Tour - Tastes what's cooking in Muskingum County with this multi-dimensional tour.
Welcome to Our Tradition - See the rich history and heritage present in Muskingum County on this two-day showcase of the area's best.

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Convention & Visitors Bureaus: The Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce/CVB
205 North Fifth Street
Zanesville, OH 43701
Toll Free: 1-800-743-2303

Cleveland

2 hours, 29 minutes (147 Miles)

Columbus

56 minutes (54 Miles)

Cincinnati

2 hours, 30 minutes (153 Miles)

Toledo

3 hours, 14 minutes (195 Miles)

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5960 Memory Lane (740) 454-8296

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/pdf/pub099.pdf

Tri-Valley is a scenic 16,200-acre site, mostly reclaimed strip mine land consisting of grassland and woodland, with some ponds and wetlands.

23371 SR 60 South (740) 594-2211

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/pdf/pub030.pdf

Powelson Wildlife Area is a 2,775-acre wildlife area that lies between SR 60 and the Muskingum River, four miles north of Zanesville. The topography includes gently rolling, reverting old fields and woodland. Seventy-six percent of the land is covered by woodland; of the total, 40 percent is in sawlog-size stands and 60 percent in pole-size stands. Brushland comprises 22 percent of the area. Less than one percent is open land. Approximately one-fifth of the area has been affected by earlier strip mining, leaving the terrain in a rough condition. Management work has included the improvement of existing woodlands, selective release cutting of brushlands, planting of conifers, addition of squirrel and wood duck nesting structures, and maintenance of existing open fields based on land capability. Hiking, fishing, and hunting are popular activities at the wildlife area.

360 East State St. (740) 594-2211

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/pdf/pub216.pdf

Dillon Wildlife Area is 10 miles northwest of Zanesville along SR 146. Dillon Reservoir was constructed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers primarily for flood control. Hunting and fishing are the major recreational uses, along with nature study, hiking, boating, and bird watching. Two Indian burial mounds are located in the park. The largest is found along SR 146 just upstream from the reservoir. Nearby Black Hand Gorge, upriver near the village of Toboso, is part of Black Hand Gorge State Nature Preserve, which is used as an outdoor workshop by local schools. This area received its name from early American Indian lore. The name ?Black Hand? identifies a sandstone formation which outcrops in a north-south band from Richland County through the Hocking Hills to Jackson County. Hemlock and mountain laurel, relicts of the Ice Age, occur here.

5265 Dillon Hills Drive (740) 453-4377

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/dillon.htm

The wooded hills and scenic valleys of the Dillon area offer a picturesque setting for outdoor adventure. Whether boating the quiet coves and inlets of the lake or hiking the forest trails, Ohio's rural hill country provides an outstanding recreational experience at Dillon State Park. The park offers camping and cabin rentals.

7924 Cutler Lake Rd. (740) 674-4794

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/muskngmr.htm

The Muskingum River Parkway and its 160-year-old navigation system were designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in July 2001. Along with such majestic institutions as Hoover Dam, The Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge, the Muskingum River's 10 hand-operated locks are now recognized as one of America's great engineering accomplishments.

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620 Military Road (740) 452-0741

http://www.zanesvilleartcenter.org/

Zanesville Art Center has an extensive collection of Ohio art pottery and Ohio glass, American paintings, prints, and sculpture including paintings by Albert Bierstadt, William Merritt Chase, George Luks, and Theodore Robinson, 17th-19th century Dutch, English, and Italian paintings and prints, Asian and Indian decorative arts, and more. The center offers visitors traveling exhibitions, a research library, tours, and art classes for adults and children.

4370 Clay Pike (740) 452-9830

http://www.ohiogolf.org/html/courses_detail.asp?courseid=2728

Fuller's Fairways is an 18-hole public golf course that was founded in 1972. Tee times are accepted as early as 7 AM and the two sets of tees range from 4044 to 5037 yards.

P.O. Box 7 (740) 697-7355

http://factorytoursusa.com/TourDetails.asp?TourID=243&State=OH&Search=&CategoryID=

The Robinson-Ransbottom Pottery Company is a century-old manufacturer of stoneware pottery for lawn, garden and home. The company operates at many levels including internet sales of pottery and gifts, outlet sales, factory tours, and wholesale.

7924 Cutler Lake Road (740) 674-4794

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/bluerock.htm

Rugged hills and rich green forests provide the backdrop to Blue Rock State Park. Escape to nature's solitude, and enjoy the diverse flora and fauna of this scenic state park. The park offers many activities such as camping, swimming at the pubic beach, picnicking, and hiking. The park is located on SR 60, 3 miles southeast of Duncan Falls.

6665 Cutler Lake Road (740) 674-4035

http://www.ohiodnr.com/forestry/forests/bluerock.htm

Rugged hills and rich green forests provide the backdrop to Blue Rock State Park. The Park is located within the 4,578-acre Blue Rock State Forest. Most of the area was marginally productive farmland that was originally acquired by the federal government during the 1930s under the Resettlement Administration. Surface ownership was later transferred to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Forestry while the federal government retained three-fourths interest in the oil and gas rights. Subsequent reforestration and the application of forest management and protection practices have transformed low quality farmland into one of Ohio's most beautiful and productive forests.

Arch Hill Road

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/se/coveredbridges/muskingum/mu6031f.htm

The Johnson's Mill/ Salt Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1876 using a true Warren Truss system. The 87' span is the only remaining pure Warren truss covered bridge in the world. It is located off of Arch Hill rd., 2.6 miles north of US 22/40 in Perry Township. It is listed with the National Register of Historic Places.

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4230 Friendship Drive (740) 826-7606

http://www.ohiogolf.org/html/courses_detail.asp?courseid=8415

The Wildfire Golf Club is an 18-hole public golf course founded in 1966. The course offers three tees ranging from 4286 to 5900 yards with water hazards and sand bunkers coming into play. It can be found off of SR 83 north of New Concord.

1190 Virginia Ridge Road (740) 674-4300

http://www.bluerockstation.com

This 38-acre sustainability project is home of Ohio's first Earthship, a unique 2200 sq. ft. "living" room, built from used auto tires, cans, bottles, and assorted other recycled materials. Tours available along with gardens, llama trekking, woodland trails and more. Call for hours or to set up a tour.

163 Stormont St. (740) 826-8211

http://www.muskingum.edu

Muskingum College is rich in tradition and its proud heritage reaches back to the first half of the nineteenth century. Founded in 1837, when Ohio was an infant state and covered wagons were bringing adventurous settlers westward over the newly completed National Road through New Concord. Today, Muskingum continues to educate the "whole person" - intellectually, spritually, socially and physically - and it does so by meeting students where they are on the educational continuum, and by helping these students to progress to their maximum potential.

72 West Main Street (740) 826-0220

http://www.johnglennhome.org

The John and Annie Glenn Historic Site chronicles the family?s life from John Glenn?s role as an astronaut to his tenure as a U.S. senator. After being restored as an authentic, Depression-era homestead, John Glenn?s boyhood home opened as a museum. The Glenns donated the house to Muskingum College in 1999, and it was moved to a location near its original site in downtown New Concord in 2001. The renovated and expanded facility, which received a $1 million state appropriation, opened on May 27, 2002.

115 Jefferson Street (740) 454-9500

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/underground/oh13.htm

Putnam Underground Railroad Education (PURE) Center is located in the Putnam Historic District in Zanesville. This house was constructed around 1838. Prior to the Civil War, the New Englanders in Putnam organized the Muskingum County Abolition Society and the house was in the middle of abolitionist activity. The center of the house is a museum with articrafts from Africa and pre and post Civil War Zanesville, a library on the Underground Railroad, and a computer lab for learning and research activities.

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Main St. (740) 754-1054

http://www.prospectplace-dresden.com/

Prospect Place is the 29 room mansion built by abolitionist George Willison Adams at Dresden, Ohio, in 1856. The mansion is listed on the National Park Service "National Register of Historic Places" and the Ohio Underground Railroad Association's list of Underground Railroad sites. We proudly display the "Friends of Freedom Society" marker flag in the window of the library. Activities within the mansion are administrated by the "G. W. Adams Educational Center", a non-profit educational organization dedicated to making the public aware of the great historic significance of the house and the people who lived there as well as the time in which it was built.

414 Main Street (800) 315-1809

http://www.basketvillageusa.com/intro.cfm

Basket Village in Dresden consits of over 50 unique shops. It is a basket collector's dream. Find lids, liners, protectors, tie-ons, garters, floral drop-ins, and more. Beyond baskets, visitors will find pottery, glassware, jewelry, handmade crafts, rubber-stamps, scrapbook supplies, canisters sets, stuffed animals, collectible figurines, artwork, home d?cor items, and more. The Dresden Shuttle offers visitors an opportunity to explore all that Dresden and Longaberger have to offer. Dresden is also home to the world's largest basket.

5563 Raiders Road (740) 322-5588

http://www.longaberger.com

The Longaberger Homestead offers a long history of one of America's favorite crafts. Restored and open to the public, the Homestead provides unique shopping, entertainment, and dining options. You can tour the manufacturing campus, where you can watch hundreds of basket makers weave these top quality maple baskets, carrying on the Longaberger tradition.

Zane's Landing Park - Market Street (800) 743-2303

http://www.coz.org/about.cfm

This famous Y-bridge is found crossing the Muskingum and Licking Rivers in Zanesville. It was first built in 1814 of stone pilings and log timber trestles and was designed by Mr. Rufus Scott. The current bridge is the fifth of these recognizable landmarks. Amelia Earhart once called Zanesville the most recognizable city in the country because the Y-bridge was unmistakable as a navigational aid. The Y-bridge is also the only bridge in the world that you can cross and still be on the same side of the river!

2655 Maysville Pike (800) 782-4493

http://www.eaglesticks.com/page/152-4283.htm

EagleSticks is considered to be one of the nation?s finest public golf facilities. They offer challenging course elements, fine dining and banquet facilities, wedding facilities, clubhouse, and pro-shop. The club hosts numerous, well-attended events and tournaments throughout the season.

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on U.S. 40

http://columbusoh.about.com/library/weekly/aa040903c.htm

The Historic National Road was the nation's first federally funded interstate highway. It opened the nation to the west and became a corridor for the movement of goods and people, creating the great cultural diversity we treasure. The Fox Creek "S" Bridge is one of several unique features of the National Road. They were built in the "S" shape to account for diagonal approaches to creeks, where the center section was straight and the road bent to accomodate it. This was the easiest way to bridge a creek in the days of horses, oxen, and conastogas. This bridge was restored in 1997 and won the Historic Bridge Preservation Prize that year.

1425 Newark Rd. (740) 453-0762

http://www.zanesville.ohiou.edu

Comprised of several buildings on a 179-acre campus, Ohio University - Zanesville is an ideal setting. Updates to the schools facilities have enhanced students' expectations both in and out of the classroom. The campus offers all the advantages of attending a major university -- quality academic programs, excellent resources, and a degree from a national recognized institution in a small and more personal environment. At Ohio University - Zanesville, a university education is more affordable, more accessible, and close to home.

3970 Pert Hill Road (740) 787-2116

http://www.flintridgevineyard.com/home.html

The Flint Ridge Vineyard and Winery is owned and operated by the Jahnes Family just west of Dillon Lake State Park on Pert Rd. Although, they only started growing grapes in 1995, they have developed a handful of wines, mostly of the dry variety. Our wines have a sense of place. They express our 'terroir'. Terroir is the French concept that sun, soil, and the soul of the winemaker combine to become expressed in a wine which can "only'" be described, after one has savored it, as coming from the Flint Ridge in Southeastern Ohio.