Small-Town Charm Near the Big City (2024)

There's nothing cookie cutter about Marysville's downtown. Established in 1819, Marysville boasts more than 200 years'worth of charm. The historic Uptown District is the heart of life, with remarkable architecture that dates back more than a century. The Uptown District contains many structures built from the early 1800s to the early 1900s.

It's this character that appeals to city councilman Donald P. Boerger, who lives in his great-grandmother's Queen Anne cottage-style house. "The home is currently 122 years old and has generations of love and laughter inside its walls,"Boerger says. "The small-town atmosphere is why I love Marysville."

Even though the architecture may be historic, it's a young town. With over 26,000 residents, the median age is 35.1 — adding to the vibrancy of the city. Walk around Uptown Marysville to find locally owned boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment. There's upper‐level residential units in Uptown that put you in the heart of the town and a parking app to use if you live outside of walking distance.

Marysville is filled with entertainment and dining options. The city's stunning Art Deco entertainment venue, the Avalon Theatre, made its debut in 1936 and today hosts films, concerts, and other community events.

Walk to Uptown to restaurants and craft breweries like the aptly named Walking Distance Brewing Co., which offers seasonal brews with names like Off the Wheaten Path. According to Walking Distance co-owner Teddy Valinski, Marysville may be the only town in Ohio where you can enjoy a beer made from ingredients 100 percent grown within that town.

"Marysville's a great town with great people, and people are wanting to come live here because of it,"says Valinski, who's also Walking Distance's brewmaster. The brewery is located within the Marysville Outdoor Refreshment Area (MORA).

Just a few miles outside Marysville, you can raise a glass at several wineries and breweries. Hear live music Saturdays at Dalton Union Winery & Brewery, sip bubbly at Ravenhurst Champagne Cellars, and try hard cider or mead at Rhetoric Brewing Company Get to know your neighbors over a glass of beer or wine when the Marysville Public Library hosts monthly book clubs at both Walking Distance and Dalton Union.

Take a seat at the bar at House of Spirits, a beautiful Victorian home listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has one of the best bourbon and whiskey collections in the state along with a menu of curated co*cktails and flatbreads.

When you want to dine out, there's a wide selection of options. Mrs. Renison's Donuts has been serving breakfast treats for more than 30 years. Don't miss the lattes and mochas at The Coffee Hall and Creamery. Choose from more than a dozen gourmet hot dogs, 24 craft brews, and co*cktails at Mad Dogs Beers and Dogs. Other local favorites are Mexican restaurant Fiesta Grande Mexican Restaurant, brewpub The Half Pint, and Leon’s Garage, a nostalgia-filled former garage reminiscent of the 1950s turned craft beer and barbecue joint with live music. Slushed Up has music and slushies. Sip on a drink while you stroll within the Marysville Outdoor Refreshment Area (MORA).

You'll have quick access to fresh fruit and other foods close to home throughout the year since Marysville is surrounded by small farms. With the Union County Farmers Market open every Saturday morning, you can meet local growers and pick up fresh produce and other goods. Other options are Plain City Farmers' Market where you'll find unique sellers like Purple Plains Farm with fragrant lavender, mushrooms, and hickory syrup. Other options for fresh foods are Richwood Farmers Market and Bokes Creek Orchard for seasonal fresh fruits including peaches, apples, and pears.

There's nothing quite like picking your own crops, though. Several U-Pick farms are located nearby, including The Berry Farm for blackberries. Visit family-owned Mitchell's Berries & Blooms to harvest asparagus, berries, and edamame, along with daffodils.

Want to savor the farm-fresh goodness without baking yourself? Stop in Kitschen Bakery, with pies, cookies, and other baked goods sourced from local farms.

If the fresh produce inspires you to plant your own garden, you'll have no problem making it grow. Get all of your gardening and lawncare needs from one of Marysville's biggest employers — Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, the hardware store originally opened by founder O.M. Scott.

Decorate your home with furniture and other items at Uptown Antiques, and look for vintage-inspired décor at Plumm Home.

Locally owned shops sell unique styles. Betsey's Boutique Shop offers trendy and timeless women's styles, while Kendall & Blue Boutique merges beauty and comfort in its threads. Nearby, The Little Blue Boutique carries cute options for moms and their little ones.

Get your Marysville swag at Union Station 1820, Union County's Official Welcome Center that's filled with a variety of local and state-themed products.

Get out and explore the area. Residents have access to 348 acres of maintained parkland — from the splash pad in Partners Park to green space for your four-legged companions at the Bark Park.

At Glacier Ridge Metro Park, you can hike several trails, cross the boardwalk through the wetlands, and climb the observation tower to spot animals and birds that flock here. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of MacIvor Woods, a wildlife sanctuary. Your kids will love the natural play area at Big Darby Creek Headwaters Nature Preserve, a beautiful wetland and streamside forest that’s home to diverse plant and animal life.

Milford Center Prairie State Nature Preserve is excellent for summer prairie wildflower viewing, while the Pottersburg Bridge Trail is perfect for walking, bicycling, and bird watching. Marysville Upground Reservoir is ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Richwood Lake Park is another good option for water sports.

Meet your neighbors along the paths or join one of the city's adult co-rec leagues for disc golf and sand volleyball.

Living in Union County is affordable. Marysville is part of the second-fastest growing county in Ohio. WalletHub listed it as one of the best places to raise a family in Ohio.

There's a wide array of housing options. In Uptown, you'll find early 20th century homes, many on tree-lined streets, and upper-level residential units. Both appeal to young professionals and empty nesters alike. There are also options in country settings.

The community is dedicated to improvement. The City of Marysville's Connie Patterson Home Improvement Reimbursem*nt Grant program assists homeowners with making renovations to their owner-occupied residential units.

Union County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Ohio. Top industries include manufacturing, professional, retail, and health care. Agriculture, agribusiness, and advanced manufacturing are core industries.

Major corporations and startups alike thrive here. Nestlé, Select Sires, and Scotts Miracle-Gro Company operate large facilities in the county, and other top employers in Marysville and the surrounding area include Honda and Memorial Health.

In any growing city, educating the next generation is critical — and here, Marysville earns top marks. Marysville Exempted Village School District achieves good ratings from the Ohio Department of Education, while maintaining low tax rates. Other K-12 districts in Union County are North Union, Jonathan Alder, and Fairbanks.

Pursuing a higher education is accessible with several options within an easy commute, including Ohio University at Dublin and Columbus State Community College's Delaware campus.

Other educational resources nearby are Marysville Early College High School, two career and technical schools (Ohio Hi-Point Career Center and Tolles Career & Technical Center) and several parochial schools including Marysville Christian Academy, St. John's Lutheran School, St. Paul's Lutheran School, and Trinity Lutheran School.

Neighbors come together throughout the year for a variety of community events. At Friday Nights Uptown, you can enjoy live music with friends during Marysville's spectacular summer. Head over to Plain City for a free Music in the Park Sunday night concert series all summer long.

Take part in a 170+ year tradition at the Union County Fair, with entertainment, agriculture, arts, and lots of family fun. Visitors come from around the country to the All Ohio Balloon Fest in August. You won't want to miss it — hot air balloons in every color take to the sky. Spend a late summer day at the Richwood Independent Fair's 4-H tents and enjoying the rides.

In the fall, you can try the city's many restaurants in one spot during the annual Taste of Marysville. In the winter months, get in the holiday spirit by ice skating on the "iceless"rink at Partners Park during Merry on Main. Listen to good music and have fun while raising money to assist people in need during Marysville Winter Bluegrass Series.

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