Overview
Marion is a city in West Central Ohio and is the county seat of Marion County, Ohio. It is home to the Marion Popcorn Festival, an annual event that is held in September, the weekend following Labor Day every year in downtown Marion.
8 sights · 4 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Marion
Harding Home and Tomb
(Home), Vernon Heights Blvd. (Tomb) The Warren G. Harding home contains almost all original furnishings owned by the 29th President of the United States. Seasonal hours.
Marion Palace Theater and May Pavilion
This rare jewel's architecture is just as fascinating as the acts on stage. The Palace Theatre is a must-see site in central Ohio and on the National Register of Historic Places. With Spanish architectural designs, guest…
Marion County Courthouse
Historic sandstone courthouse building built in 1884.
Wyandot Popcorn Museum
Marion County Historical Society
Operates several historical sites and small museums.
Caledonia Bowstring Bridge
A historic, but abandoned and overgrown iron bridge in nearby Caledonia. An interesting site for Urbex. If you go to visit, do not touch or use the bridge.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Columbus)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CMH John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Columbus — 43 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LCK Rickenbacker International Airport, Columbus — 54 mi away. Directions
Greyhound provides service to Marion. The bus station is located at 137 S State St.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Marion Palace Theater and May Pavilion, Marion Palace Theater, Marion County Courthouse
- Lunch Carlyle's
- Afternoon Marion County Historical Society, Wyandot Popcorn Museum
- Evening Ralphies Sports Eatery
Day 2
- Morning Harding Home and Tomb, The Huber Machinery Museum
- Afternoon Groundhog day with Buckeye Chuck
Day 3
- Morning Caledonia Bowstring Bridge
- Afternoon Marion Popcorn Festival
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Visitor information
Get in
By plane
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Columbus has direct flights from most major American cities.
By car
- U.S. Route 23, Marion can be accessed by U.S. Route 23 which provides access to Delaware and Columbus to the south and Toledo to the northwest.
- Ohio State Route 4 runs through Marion and its historic downtown business district. It provides access to Richwood, Marysville, Springfield and Dayton to the southwest and Bucyrus and Sandusky to the northeast.
- Ohio State Route 95 runs through the city of Marion and its historic downtown business district. It provides access to the village of La Rue to the west and Mount Gilead and Interstate 71 to the east.
- Ohio State Route 309 runs through the city of Marion and its historic downtown business district. It provides access to the cities of Galion and Mansfield to the northeast and the cities of Kenton and Lima to the northwest.
- Ohio State Route 423 runs through the city of Marion and its historic downtown business district. It provides access to the village of Waldo to the south and U.S. Route 23 near Morral to the north.
- Ohio State Route 739 begins in the city of Marion at Ohio State Route 4. It provides access to Honda of America and Marysville to the southwest.
By bus
Greyhound provides service to Marion. The bus station is located at 137 S State St.
Get around
See
See Marion Palace Theater and May Pavilion
This rare jewel's architecture is just as fascinating as the acts on stage. The Palace Theatre is a must-see site in central Ohio and on the National Register of Historic Places. With Spanish architectural designs, guests are transported into an outdoor palace courtyard. The original 1928 cloud machine and blue sky with twinkling stars gives an open-air feel. Eberson's masterful technique for the atmospheric style is on full display throughout the theatre. You can learn all about the Marion Palace, its designer, John Eberson, and the unique architectural design of the atmospheric theatre--a movie palace. A book that explores the design of the Palace, the life of John Eberson and his theatres, written by Scott Hoffman, "A Theatre History of Marion, Ohio--John Eberson's Palace and Beyond," is on sale in the Palace box office.
See The Huber Machinery Museum
Do
Do Marion Palace Theater
Built in 1928, the theatre was designed by John Eberson. Renovated in 1975 and 2015, this atmospheric theatre is the center for the performing arts in central Ohio. The Marion Palace presents an annual season of 3 to 4 touring artists, small concerts in its pavilion venue, and a 4-program educational theatre series for schoolchildren. During the off-season and at other times during the year when the theatre would otherwise be dark, amateur theatre and high school productions use the venue. The theatre, designed as a movie palace, also exhibits digital motion pictures. The pavilion venue is also available for rent for weddings and meetings.
Do Groundhog day with Buckeye Chuck
Marion hosts Buckeye Chuck, a groundhog used to predict the arrival of spring. A smaller event than the one in Punxsutawney.
Learn
Buy
There are a number of branded outlets north of the Ohio State Marion.
Eat
Drink
There are plenty of choices for alcohol. Most grocery stores carry it, as well as the gas stations, drive-throughs and convenience stores.
Sleep
Stay Holiday Inn & Suites
Stay Fairfield Inn
Stay Comfort Inn
Stay County Inn & Suites
Stay safe
Dial 911 from any telephone for emergency police, medical, and fire services.
Go next
Nearby
Mount Gilead
City / town · 14 listings · 16 mi away
Nevada
City / town · 14 listings · 16 mi away
Bucyrus
City / town · 24 listings · 17 mi away
Upper Sandusky
City / town · 18 listings · 19 mi away
Delaware
City / town · 23 listings · 20 mi away
Galion
City / town · 14 listings · 20 mi away
Kenton
City / town · 11 listings · 26 mi away
Marysville
City / town · 14 listings · 27 mi away
My experience
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