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Things to Do in Chillicothe, Ohio
Dogwood Apartments is proud to call Chillicothe home. It’s a small, but mighty town with top-notch restaurants, lively bars, and a vibrant downtown. Our leasing team has done the exploration for you and put together this list of their most noteworthy finds.
Top 5 Places To Eat In Chillicothe, Ohio
1. Crazy Dogs
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Legend has it that the invention of the hotdog occurred in 1867 on Coney Island when a German immigrant named Charles Feltman wanted to give beachgoers an easy way to eat his homemade frankfurter sausage. He swapped the plate and utensils for a bun and voila! The hot dog was born.
All these years later, the hot dog is considered a classic, with every city in America having at least one go-to spot. In Chillicothe, that place is Crazy Dogs Grill, a cozy, laidback restaurant serving the city’s best hot dogs, burgers, brats, sandwiches, and hand cut fries. The menu is stacked with 26 different hot dog options, 9 hamburger options, and 14 different sides. Patrons will find creative combinations like the “Jersey Dog” made with Italian sausage, sauteed peppers, onions, pizza sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
The truth is, you can’t go wrong. Every hot dog on the menu is a veritable masterpiece. Just be sure to order a side of the hand cut fries or house chips— they’re to die for.
2. Bell Farms
There are many good reasons why fans of Bell Farms describe it as a “hidden gem.” The restaurant sits inside of a charming, yet unassuming brick home at 59 E Water St. If it weren’t for the “Bell Farms Homestead” sign out front, you might even mistake it for someone’s personal residence.
Once you’re inside though, the tantalizing smell of wood smoked pulled pork, homemade roast beef, and grilled chicken and noodles lights up your olfactory system. You are unmistakably inside one of Chillicothe’s coziest eateries.
The big hit at Bell Farms is the BBQ. There’s a smoker in the back that churns out perfectly cooked brisket, pork, and chicken from opening to close. Owners Mike and Shawna Bell run the show and you’ll often find them out back tending to the meat that’s used in many of the menu items.
The meals are fantastic, and the homey atmosphere makes the food taste even better.
The Pour House is one of Chillicothe’s best hangouts for brews, hand crafted burgers, signature cocktails, and much more. Located inside of the historic Machinery Hall in the heart of downtown, The Pour House offers a full-size bar, tables for larger parties, and one of Chillicothe’s hippest open-air rooftops.
The menu is stacked with barroom classics like the “Bourbon Burger” (made with bacon, beer cheese, and a bourbon glaze), carnitas tacos, and chicken wings with a variety of sauces to choose from. Of course, as implied by the name, they have an impressive list of beers to choose from, but don’t sleep on the meticulously crafted cocktails. This writer recommends trying the blood orange mezcal-rita, the espresso martini, or the always classy old fashion with house made porter sauce.
The Pour House also hosts live music, trivia nights, and other events. You’re guaranteed to enjoy yourself here.
Ask around town and you’ll inevitably find out that Hometown Hibachi is one of Chillicothe’s most well-loved eateries. It started as a food truck in July 2018 but grew in popularity to point that the husband and wife owners made the move to brick and mortar. Now, Hometown Hibachi serves up some of Ohio’s best hibachi at the corner of N Paint St and E 2nd St.
The menu is short and sweet— hibachi is in the name, so hibachi is what you get! First visitors choose between a base of rice or noodles. Then they pick between NY strip, shrimp, salmon, chicken, filet mignon, scallop, lobster, or vegetables and the rest is taken care of. It’s simple, but very tasty. If you have room for appetizers, the gyoza, crab rangoons, and shrimp tempura are fantastic additions.
Guests will also love the brick wall interior, the classic gingham tablecloths, and the laidback atmosphere. It’s easy to enjoy yourself at Hometown Hibachi.
The Old Canal Smoke House was established in 2004 with the vision to serve Chillicothe specialized smoked meats and top-tier beer, wine, and cocktails. With over 20 years under their belt, the team at Old Canal has honed their BBQ to perfection.
Pulled pork, smoked brisket, prime rib, ribeye steak, baby back ribs, and so much more— this is only a taste of what you’ll find on the extensive menu. They also offer burgers, pastas, flatbreads, salads, and sliders. It would take at least a couple of trips to put a dent in the menu, but fans of Old Canal recommend starting off with the smoked meats and homemade barbecue sauces.
Fans will also regularly highlight the kind, attentive waitstaff who always serve patrons with a smile. The Old Canal Smoke House is also the perfect place for larger gatherings like birthdays, parties, and corporate events.
Top 5 Things To Do In Chillicothe, Ohio
Wheatberry Books
Book nerds everywhere can confidently say that independent bookstores are a vital component of the reading ecosystem. Not only do they provide communities with a curated inventory of fresh books, but they also provide a quiet space for readers and non-readers alike to pause and reflect.
In Chillicothe, Wheatberry Books is the go-to bookshop, a self-described “independent bookstore for independent thinkers.” Located downtown off W 2nd Street, this warm and homey space has a magical way of drawing visitors in. With titles both old and new, Wheatberry covers all the literary bases including fiction, non-fiction, memoir, young adult, and children’s books. They also host an official book club that meets on the last Wednesday of each month at the store. Joining gives members access to a thoughtful group of readers as well as 15% off the book that the group chooses.
Stop by Wheatberry Books next time you’re downtown and let your mind and curiosity wander freely.
Majestic Theatre
The Majestic Theatre has the rare distinction of calling itself “America’s oldest continuously operating theater.” The building was opened almost 200 years ago as a Masonic Hall and served as a dance hall, a theatre, and a lodge room for Masons. New owners bought the space in 1915, and it’s been used for plays, music acts, and movies ever since.
Situated downtown on E 2nd Street, the marquee of the Majestic shines as a bright example of Chillicothe’s rich history. Today, the theater has a steady stream of shows and events on their calendar including comedy nights, tributes to musical legends of the past, film premiers, and performances from national touring acts.
Less than 10 minutes from Dogwood Apartments, it’s easy for residents to visit by heading east on Western Ave. Keep an eye on the Majestic Theatre website— there are always new and exciting shows being added to the calendar.
Adena Mansion & Gardens Historic Site
The Adena Mansion is the original home of Thomas Worthington, Ohio’s 6th governor, and was designed by one of America’s most famous architects, Benjamin Latrobe, the man who helped draw up the blueprints for the Capitol building in Washington D.C.
This historic gem stands tall on the northwest corner of Chillicothe, a beautiful stone artifact from early in America’s history. The surrounding gardens are meticulously maintained by the Adena Mansion & Gardens Society and feature winding walking trails lined with native flowers.
Visitors can tour the mansion and experience what life was like in the early 19th century. They have original clothing, furniture, and farm equipment from the time that the Worthington family walked the grounds. It’s an experience that will give you a new and unique perspective on the history of Ohio.
The Adena Mansion is open between the months of April and October and welcomes visitors from Wednesday through Sunday.
Yoctangee Park
Yoctangee Park, located just north of downtown, is the Central Park of Chillicothe and one of the city’s oldest landmarks. It sits beside the Scioto River and features a stone bridge, beautiful walking trails, and a playground, all spread across 12 acres.
Of course, the main draw for visitors is the fresh air, blooming trees, and native wildlife. Each season at Yoctangee Park offers a completely new and unique experience. In the springtime, the budding Dogwood trees explode across the landscape. In the summer, visitors are surrounded by lush greenery and flocks of ducks and geese. In the fall, the maples, oaks, and sycamores light up like torches with blends of yellow, red, and orange. In the winter, the trees drop their leaves, and a gentle stillness falls across the park like a blanket.
Yoctangee also hosts special events throughout the year such as fireworks on the 4th of July, the Farmer’s Fall Festival, and an annual concert put on by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
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Old Capitol Brewing
It is well known in Chillicothe that the city served as Ohio’s original capitol from 1803 to 1816. This cherished bit of history is how Old Capitol Brewing got its name.
The brewery is the brainchild of Seth Blewitt, a passionate local who felt called to play a role in the revitalization of downtown. Seth and his team specialize in sourcing the freshest hops and creating unique blends through constant monitoring and refinement of each batch. The result is an impressive list of brews that offer patrons both traditional options like the lager and IPA, along with more adventurous concoctions like the pumpkin ale and German-inspired Märzen.
Located in the heart of downtown, Old Capitol Brewing provides the city with a one-of-a-kind craft brewery experience, complete with knowledgeable brewmasters, a charming, exposed brick interior, live performances from local musicians, and one of the best “hoppy” hours in town.