Muskingum River & Marietta Tour — a full-day river and town ramble that starts in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and delivers a low-slung sternwheel cruise, industrial heritage, and boutique shopping in historic Marietta. Meet at Lifepoint Church Mount Vernon (705 S Division St) before boarding a coach for the riverside route and, on Fridays, the Valley Gem sternwheel boat. The tour centers on the Muskingum River corridor and Downtown Marietta, Ohio, weaving engineered infrastructure and small-town charm. On the water, the itinerary pauses at Rokeby Lock, one of the few original hand-operated navigational locks left in the United States. Watching crewmen work the gears and sluices gives a rare view into river engineering that shaped Ohio commerce. When the Valley Gem passes through Lock #2 you feel the boat settle and the river’s history become tactile: wooden deck, low paddlewheel thrum, and Ohio River vistas on alternate days. A stop at Stockport Mill Inn brings industrial history alive. Built in 1906–1907 and restored into a hotel in 2000, the mill still runs two hydroelectric generators in the basement that supply power to the inn and sell excess to the grid. Visitors can explore multiple floors of milling architecture or survey the working turbines from the ground level; either way, the site ties local energy history to present-day sustainability. Downtown Marietta unfolds as a walkable next act: cross the Pivot Bridge, duck into the Historic Lafayette Hotel lobby, and pick through independent boutiques and cafes. The stroll ranges from a half mile to two miles, depending on how many storefronts you choose. Guides leave time for lunch on your own so you can sample regional fare. Practical comforts matter on a ten-hour outing. The Valley Gem accommodates up to 290 passengers, with air conditioning, a snack bar, and restrooms onboard. The meeting point in Mount Vernon has a monitored parking lot; arrive by 8:50 am to keep the day on schedule. Why this tour? It stitches living industrial relics, functioning river infrastructure, and small-town culture into a single itinerary that’s both slow and satisfying. For photographers the lock mechanics, mill turbines, and sternwheel profile provide contrasting details; for history buffs the mill’s transformation and the rarity of hand-operated locks make the day unexpectedly rich. Whether you come for river time or Main Street browsing, the Muskingum River & Marietta Tour offers a full-bodied slice of Ohio’s waterway story. The operator limits each departure to a maximum of 13 people, keeping the outing intimate and manageable for downtown walks and lock visits. Expect walking between half a mile and two miles; the Stockport Mill has four floors but much can be seen from the ground. Bring layered clothing and plan for a rewarding day.