In spite of some lingering warm temperatures, the holiday season is offically on its way. Ohio is full of indoor and outdoor Christmas attractions that are sure to put you in the spirit—and you likely have your own holiday traditions as well that make it feel “a lot like Christmas.” The following are 12 Ohio attractions and traditions that we believe you simply have to do each holiday season. (Consider this your own Christmas bucket list of sorts for 2016.)
- Pile into the car with family to ride around and look at Christmas lights.
Collison’s Festival of Lights/Facebook (Pictured is the Collison’s Festival of Lights, which runs from Thanksgiving night to January 1 and is located at 5601 Westfall Rd. SW, Lancaster, OH 43130.)
- Make (and eat) tons of candy buckeyes.
Steven Depolo/Flickr (If this isn’t a holiday tradition in your family then I truly feel sorry for you.)
- Take a ride on The Polar Express.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad/Facebook Each year the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad features holiday themed train rides, and they’re downright magical. This year, The Polar Express runs on November 12-22, November 25-30 and December 1-20.
- Pay a visit to The Christmas Ranch.
April Dray/Only In Your State This popular family fun attraction features a million dancing Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music, Christmas shops, pictures with Santa, wagon and train rides and hot food and drinks. The Christmas Ranch is located at 3205 S Waynesville Rd., Morrow, OH 45152.
- Attend your local Christmas parade and/or festival.
Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival/Facebook (Pictured is the Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Festival.)
- Experience “Deck The Hall” at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens/Facebook Each year this beloved estate goes all out for the holidays. This year, Deck The Hall takes place on November 25-27 and December 1-4, 8-23 and 26-30. Stand Hywet Hall and Gardens is located at 714 North Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303.
- Go see the lights at your local zoo.
Sam Howzit/Flickr Most of Ohio’s zoos and botanical gardens feature spectacular light shows each holiday season. (Pictured is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium WIldlights, which lasts from November 18th to January 3rd this year.)
- Tour the “A Christmas Story” House.
Erik Drost/Flcikr We’re so lucky to have this classic Christmas gem in our very own state. Find it at 3159 W. 11th St., Cleveland, OH 44109.
- Take the family to Castle Noel.
Michelle/Flickr Medina is home to “America’s Largest Indoor Christmas Entertainment Attraction,” which is open year-round and features hour-long tours of all things Christmas. It is located at 260 S. Court St., Medina, OH 44256.
- See the Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill.
Zagrev/Flickr The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill are featured nightly from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (weather permitting) starting the day after Thanksgiving until December 31. Clifton Mill is located at 75 Water St., Clifton, OH 45316.
- Experience an old world Christmas at Dickens Victorian Village of Cambridge.
Dickens Victorian Village of Cambridge/Facebook Take a trip back in time and explore the historic downtown of Cambridge. Until early January, the town is transformed into old world England, featuring more than 80 scenes of 180 lifelike figures representing typical scenes from Victorian society and Dickens’ novels.
- Take a stroll through your town (or city’s) public square.
Gallipolis In Lights/Facebook (Pictured is the Gallipolis City Park, which lights up the night during the holiday season, beginning November 23.)
What other things do you do in Ohio during the holidays? Let us know what your Christmas bucket list is!
Collison’s Festival of Lights/Facebook
(Pictured is the Collison’s Festival of Lights, which runs from Thanksgiving night to January 1 and is located at 5601 Westfall Rd. SW, Lancaster, OH 43130.)
Steven Depolo/Flickr
(If this isn’t a holiday tradition in your family then I truly feel sorry for you.)
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad/Facebook
Each year the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad features holiday themed train rides, and they’re downright magical. This year, The Polar Express runs on November 12-22, November 25-30 and December 1-20.
April Dray/Only In Your State
This popular family fun attraction features a million dancing Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music, Christmas shops, pictures with Santa, wagon and train rides and hot food and drinks. The Christmas Ranch is located at 3205 S Waynesville Rd., Morrow, OH 45152.
Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival/Facebook
(Pictured is the Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Festival.)
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens/Facebook
Each year this beloved estate goes all out for the holidays. This year, Deck The Hall takes place on November 25-27 and December 1-4, 8-23 and 26-30. Stand Hywet Hall and Gardens is located at 714 North Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303.
Sam Howzit/Flickr
Most of Ohio’s zoos and botanical gardens feature spectacular light shows each holiday season. (Pictured is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium WIldlights, which lasts from November 18th to January 3rd this year.)
Erik Drost/Flcikr
We’re so lucky to have this classic Christmas gem in our very own state. Find it at 3159 W. 11th St., Cleveland, OH 44109.
Michelle/Flickr
Medina is home to “America’s Largest Indoor Christmas Entertainment Attraction,” which is open year-round and features hour-long tours of all things Christmas. It is located at 260 S. Court St., Medina, OH 44256.
Zagrev/Flickr
The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill are featured nightly from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (weather permitting) starting the day after Thanksgiving until December 31. Clifton Mill is located at 75 Water St., Clifton, OH 45316.
Dickens Victorian Village of Cambridge/Facebook
Take a trip back in time and explore the historic downtown of Cambridge. Until early January, the town is transformed into old world England, featuring more than 80 scenes of 180 lifelike figures representing typical scenes from Victorian society and Dickens’ novels.
Gallipolis In Lights/Facebook
(Pictured is the Gallipolis City Park, which lights up the night during the holiday season, beginning November 23.)
And for some of the state’s best Christmas lights this year, check out our previous article, 15 Christmas Light Displays In Ohio That Are Pure Magic.
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