Falling in Love with Belmont County
With cooler temperatures, hearty meals, cozy sweaters and vibrant foliage, Belmont County is the perfect place to experience the beauty of autumn.
Take a drive down one of our picturesque byways with the windows down, enjoying the crisp fall air and the refreshing breeze.
Belmont County has more scenic byways than any other county in Ohio with three: The Drovers’ Trail, the Historic National Road, and the Ohio River Scenic Byway. These routes are perfect for a leisurely drive to see the hillsides transforming into a tapestry of yellow, orange and red. Peak leaf season is expected from mid to late October, but the leaves have already begun to change.
The Drovers’ Trail Scenic Byway runs for 39 miles, connecting Ohio 800 between Hendrysburg and Barnesville to Ohio 147 from Barnesville to Bellaire.
This route offers stunning views, historic landmarks, cultural sites and breathtaking landscapes. Highlights along Drovers’ Trail include Dickinson Cattle Company, Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum, Watt Center for History & The Arts, Epworth Park, Dysart Woods, the Historic James Kinney Farmstead, the Great Stone Viaduct and National Imperial Glass Museum.
This unique trail allows you to explore the rich history of the area once traversed by early settlers moving livestock from the frontier to the East Coast over a century ago.
For a scenic drive that combines shopping and dining with your sightseeing, consider the Historic National Road Byway, or U.S. 40, where you can explore our charming small towns.
The Historic National Road was the first federally funded interstate highway in the nation, opening the West and facilitating the movement of goods and people. Today, travelers can enjoy classic inns, diners and motels that tell 200 years of American history along what is often called the “Main Street of America.”
The Historic National Road in Belmont County spans 28 miles, providing numerous opportunities for exploration. From coffee and wine to chocolates and fine dining, local eateries like the Fat Apple, Vino di Piccin, Mehlman’s Cafeteria, Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream, Giacinta’s Gelato & Caffe, Audrey’s Avenue Kitchen & Bar, My Way Cafe and The Pike 40 are not to be missed.
Be sure to visit local shops along the way as well, such as From Past to Present Quilt Shop, The Melting Pot Marketplace, Fur Pet’s Sake, HER Closet, River Valley Designs and Kelly’s Suite II White House Gallery.
The Ohio River Scenic Byway meanders along the Ohio River, providing nearly continuous views of the water. Also known as Ohio 7, this byway is a perfect route to appreciate the vibrant fall foliage that blankets our stunning hills, lush forest valleys and quaint river towns.
Spanning 26 miles through Belmont County and covering 14 diverse Appalachian counties in Eastern and Southern Ohio, the Ohio River Scenic Byway showcases a blend of history, resources and natural beauty.
From events, to haunts, to delicious pumpkin everything, we have fall activities to keep you busy all season long.
To find out more about all upcoming events happening in Belmont County, go to our website at visitbelmontcounty.com. I invite you to fall even more in love with friendly, beautiful Belmont County by exploring our Buckeye back roads this autumn season.
Each month this space will be devoted to a column written by Jackee Pugh, executive director of the Belmont County Tourism Council. She will provide information about the tourism office, local attractions, upcoming events, and other local finds in Belmont County. She will share information about the travel and tourism industry and how it impacts our local economy.