Having grown up in Chillicothe, it always disheartens me when people ask about its Mead paper plant and two penitentiaries. Alas, Chillicothe has so much more to offer visitors. There's Mound City, former home of the mound-building Hopewell Indians; Adena, home of the state's first governor Thomas Worthington, and a quaint downtown that has been restored with some nifty shops and restaurants that will allow visitors to step back in time. Also, some terrific hiking in a state park which is within close driving distance.
Quick Tips:
Besides seeing the typical sites, take time out to just walk around downtown. The first capitol building still remains: it's the Chillicothe Gazette's headquarters on Main Street. Picking up a weekend edition of the newspaper, too, may tell you where some of the local artists are displaying their wares. (Yes, there are several Andrew Wyeth-ish artists in the area--the most notable being Alan Gough). A "Pumphouse Gallery" in Yoctangee Park displays various local artists' work.Best Way To Get Around:
Alas, small towns aren't too good at public transportation. While a bus system exists, it would hardly take one to all the interesting sites. AND, the town isn't quite small enough to park and just walk around. You will need a car.