Major city · United States
Chillicothe, OhioChillicothe
Give Chillicothe one full day for the Hopewell mounds and Adena, and sleep one night; two nights only if you add Tecumseh! or a state-park hike.
Chillicothe is Ohio's first state capital, on the Scioto River about 45 mi south of Columbus. Its real draw is the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, a UNESCO World Heritage listing with five components in or near the county, plus Adena Mansion and a walkable small downtown. It is a car town: sights sit outside the centre, so plan around driving, not transit.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (ice, closed sites), late Jul–Aug humidity
- Airport
- CMH
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chillicothe, Ohio911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chillicothe, Ohio, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyChillicothe is a small city with normal US caution: lock the car, keep to lit streets downtown after dark, and watch for deer on rural roads.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCMH John Glenn Columbus International (About 45 mi north via US-23 or SR-104; the usual gateway, roughly 1 h by car.).
- Getting aroundDrive.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, per personTip 18–22% on top.$18–35
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–16
- BeerDraught beer$6–9
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or mansion entrycheck$7–15
- Budget bedState-park campsite, a night, per roomUS$25
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$240
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CMH John Glenn Columbus International (About 45 mi north via US-23 or SR-104; the usual gateway, roughly 1 h by car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid*
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Chillicothe, Ohio: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
10 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Drive. Downtown is walkable for an hour or two, but the mounds, Adena and the parks are 5–20 mi out with no useful bus. Rent a car in Columbus; a rideshare from CMH is possible but pricey and thin late at night.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
US-23 north, about 45 mi
Big-city museums, food and flights; do it as a half-day or as your arrival leg.
Circleville
goDoor to door: About 30 min
US-23 north, about 20 mi
Pumpkin Show in October; otherwise a quick stop.
Portsmouth, Ohio
goDoor to door: About 1 h
US-23 south, about 44 mi
Ohio River town with murals and floodwall art.
Dayton
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
US-35 west, about 80 mi
Doable as a long day; better as an overnight.
Xenia
cautionDoor to door: About 1.25 h
US-35 west, about 60 mi
Bike trails and rail history; pair it with Dayton.
Yellow Springs
cautionDoor to door: 1.5 h
US-35 west then US-68 north, about 75 mi
Village shops and Glen Helen; a full day out.
Wilmington, Ohio
skipDoor to door: About 1.25 h
US-35 west then US-68, about 60 mi
No strong reason to add it from here.
Sidney, Ohio
skipDoor to door: About 2.25 h
I-71 north then I-70 west, about 130 mi
Too far for a day; save it for a separate trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bridge Street / North Plaza strip
Chain hotels on the north side, 5–10 min drive from downtown; easiest with a car.
Downtown near Paint Street
Walk to the Majestic Theater, the farmers market and riverfront; few beds, book early.
State-park campgrounds
Great Seal and Scioto Trail have tent and camper sites; bring your own everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Full-size rental car, one day1 × US$65 | US$65 |
| Fuel, about 60 mi of driving1 × US$8 | US$8 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$51 |
| Trip total≈ US$282 per person per day, bed included | US$564 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Diner breakfast | $10–16 |
| Pizza or sandwich lunch | $12–20 |
| Sit-down dinner, per personTip 18–22% on top. | $18–35 |
| Draught beer | $6–9 |
| Museum or mansion entrycheck | $7–15 |
| Gallon of fuelcheck | $3.20–3.80 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Most mound and museum sites are day-use only; gates close in the evening.
- Some small museums keep limited, seasonal hours — call or check before driving out.
- Deer and fog on US-23 and SR-104 at dawn and dusk.
- Summer storms bring sudden heavy rain; the earthworks have little shelter.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Chillicothe, OhioChillicothe
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates here; nearest are in Columbus and Cincinnati (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- CMH → Chillicothe, rental car: about 45 mi, 1 h
- Rideshare CMH → downtown: $70–110 (check)
- Downtown parking meter: $0.50–1 per hour (check)
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the site open today? — Is the site open today?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- A table for two, please — A table for two, please
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chillicothe, Ohio. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (ice, closed sites), late Jul–Aug humidity · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CMH: last sensible departure, car-rental desk hours, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for downtown: Majestic Theater, Paint Street, farmers market, riverfront.
- Place pages with verified hours for Hopewell Culture NHP, Mound City and Adena Mansion.
- Seasonal fixtures for Tecumseh! and the Ross County Fair so gates can go green.