Seniors Explore Chillicothe

I love that name, Chillicothe, and I learned very quickly that I had to be specific because there are two other cities with that name, one in Illinois and another in Missouri. So we are heading for Ohio this time to find out what seniors can see and do in this exciting city.

Chillicothe, with a population of 22,000, was the first and third capital of Ohio and is located in southern Ohio along the Scioto River. On the site above check out ‘Our Community’ and all the events that take place annually. Me, I’d want to not miss the Feast of the Flowering Moon.

In Chillicothe senior visitors can experience the largest annual festival that has graced the city on Memorial Day weekend since 1984. The  Festival celebrates the Native American Culture that is so rich to the area’s history.

Seniors Find Native American Heritage in Chillicothe

The town with an unusual name comes from the Shawnee Chala-ka-tha, named after one of the five major divisions of the Shawnee people, as it was the chief settlement of that tribal division.  Modern Chillicothe was the center of the ancient Hopewell tradition. The group built earthen mounds for ceremonial and burial purposes throughout the Scioto and Ohio River valleys.

I counted 7 parks, the largest is Yoctangee Park with 48 acres and a good number of baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, and playground equipment. Yoctangee, there’s another name for you to look up.

Senior bikers, Chillicothe’s flood-wall, protecting the city from floods of the Scioto, has a 5.0-mile-long paved bike path. The path connects to the Tri-County Triangle Trail which currently runs just over 30 miles in length. Plan a walkthrough of Ohio University with a scenic branch campus that offers over 20 different academic programs.

 Seniors Explore Historic Chillicothe

Bring a good pair of walking shoes and explore historic, downtown Chillicothe via self-guided Walking Tours that are available through the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Take a stroll along Old Second Street, Historic Paint Street and the First Capital District.

Senior visitors are always impressed with all the historic homes and main street churches as well as the many colorful wall murals. Check out all of Chillicothe’s nature’s wonders, earthwork/mounds and the art, music and theater that visitors and the locals alike find fascinating.

The local Chamber of Commerce notes that Chillicothe and Ross County are blessed with abundant historical and recreational opportunities for people of all ages. Ross County boasts one of the best small-town museums in the nation.

Have a cup of java at the Happy Thought Coffee that was highlighted twice  in Midwest Travel Magazine. Mayor Doug Crew notes that here is where the locals live, work, play and prosper.  You’ll see why when you set your GPS for this interesting town. -jeb