There's so much to see and do in the river towns of Marietta, Columbia and Wrightsville. That's the message the Susquehanna National Heritage Area (NHA) wants to emphasize through its River Town Bucket List series. The series highlights stores, restaurants and places of interest in the towns.

"We started this last year with a bucket list in Columbia, in partnership with our local parks and recreation committee, as a way to offer activities during the pandemic," recalled Hope Byers, director of Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, which, along with Zimmerman Center for Heritage, is part of the nonprofit Susquehanna NHA. "It was a self-guided tour, and it offered a bunch of things to do that were outside and were free. It caught on so well, we decided to take it under the Susquehanna NHA umbrella and make a list for all of our river towns."

Marietta is the first town in the spotlight. Its bucket list will run through the spring, wrapping up at the end of May. Columbia will be featured during the summer through Labor Day, and then Wrightsville will be highlighted in the fall, with the list series ending in November.

Megan Salvatore, visitor services representative for Susquehanna NHA at Columbia Crossing, came up with the ideas on the lists. "I'm from Columbia, and I live in Marietta, so I knew where some of the cool things were," she explained. "I knew this would be a fun way to showcase some of the unique places in our community." Highlights of Marietta's list include attending Marietta Day on Saturday, May 8, and visiting Shank's Tavern to view high-water marks from floods of the past.

People who participate in the series can also win prizes. "We are partnering with the local business association in each town," Byers stated. "For the first list, the Marietta Area Business Association has put together a prize pack valued at over $200, with gift cards and swag from downtown merchants. If you do just one item on the bucket list and you submit your information on our website, you'll be entered to win." Participants who complete 10 items and submit their information will receive a free ice cream cone from Mulberry Thrill Sweet Treats Cafe, located at the rear of 100 W. Market St., Marietta.

"The really fun part about these lists is it's a mix of free things and things you have to pay for," said Byers. "It's an opportunity to support our local businesses if you can afford to do so, but if you can't afford that, there are still adorable little things to do and see around town."

Salvatore noted that the bucket lists offer something for everyone. "Whether you're a visitor or a resident, the bucket list is going to take you on an authentic journey through town," she remarked. "You'll get to experience the history and heritage of our area, visit local businesses and get a new appreciation for everything these river towns have to offer."

For more information on the River Town Bucket List series, visit http://www.susquehannaheritage.org and click on "Explore." Paper copies of the lists are also available at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St.