Anyone know if any magical Christmas destinations near Ohio/day trips on a budget?

[Shellydm]

Hello,

We live in central Ohio and were trying to find a magical Christmas destination to go for a day trip or possibly a weekend trip within 5-6 hours or so from Ohio. (or closer)

The closer the better. I was thinking I may be missing out a neat light display or santa's village somewhere to take my 8 year old daughter.

I just love Christmas, and hoped there was a neat magical place out there that you could sort of feel like we were in the North Pole and possibly walk around outside or inside with things like Santa's workshop, or little Christmas shops and so on.

Any hidden secret place out there that I'm not aware of that is near and magical?

Thanks in advance,
Shelly

PS We stayed at the Inn at Christmas Place in Gatlinburg this spring and that was magical. We were hoping for that type of Santa experience but closer!

 

[veraletta]

How about going to Great Wolf Lodge Cincinnati / Mason, OH.
My daughter loves going there with her two children.
I've never been so I can't tell you anything about it.
There is a website online that you could go look at.
http://www.greatwolf.com/mason/waterpark

 

[Deffenm]

We love Frankenmeuth, MI. It is a little Bavarain village and they have the World's Largest Christmas store called Bronners.

Ohio is also close to Santa Clause, Indiana. The other place I can think of is Oglebay in Wheeling, WV. Oglebay has a huge light up display that you can drive through or ride the trolley and other fun holiday events.

I am going to try go get to Bronners and Oglebay this year. I hope to visit Santa Clause, IN next year.

 

[DZNEE4US]

There is an old scenic railway (Cuyahoga I believe, don't quote me) that runs a Polar Express in December. Tickets are always hard to come by, as it is very popular. It is in the Cleveland/Akron area. Kids wear pajamas and its supposed to be a lot of fun.
I think the Cleveland zoo does zoo lights, but I don't know their plans for this year.
You could check out various theaters for shows like the Nutcracker (Akron Civic, I believe).

 

[kymom99]

Nashville, Indiana

Also, if you decide on Grat Wolf Lodge, the Cincinnati Zoo has a great light display.

 

[stsomewhere]

Toledo Zoo has a great Christmas light display.


ETA: The Henry Ford Museum and Village in Dearborn MI

http://www.thehenryford.org/events/holidayNights.aspx

 

[Northernlites]

Toledo zoo is the best for lights and Henry ford is the best for over all warm fuzzy christmas feeling.

 

[Carriemel]

Hermitage PA has Kraynak's Christmas Land http://www.kraynaks.com/

It's like 300 feet of Christmas trees, all fully decorated...with scenes of Rudolph, Charlie Brown, lots of other things - at the end a really nice manger scene set up.

Here's a video walk thru of some of it from youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_utUi3Qulvg

 

[Order66]

Sadly, the Cleveland Zoo stopped doing Christmas at the Zoo a few years ago. My kids always loved it.

The Polar Express runs from either Independence (cleveland area) south or from Akron (going north) and stops in Boston Mills at "Santa's workshop". The children do not depart the train, but Santa and the elves come out to them and say hello. One year we stopped by because we saw all the lights and they let us walk around the village after the train departed. I was never able to get tickets for the train ride when my kids were young enough.......but always wanted to. It's run by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and tickets were just released a few days ago.

We also have the Christmas Story house up here in Cleveland (Tremont neighborhood). It's a museum now, leg lamp and all. But you'd probably appreciate that more than your children.

regards

 

[lauradis]

Yea sad face for no Xmas in Cleveland zoo. They really have taken big financial hits last 5 years.

 

[DZNEE4US]

Hopefully, this year in Medina, we will have Castle Noel open. It is a Christmas museum full of props from Christmas movies! Mr. Mark Klaus (artist/sculptor)has operated the Hollywood Christmas museum off and on over the past few years, and he has now purchased a permanent home for his memorabilia. He has a TON of props from the Grinch movie with Jim Carrey. He also has Cousin Eddie's RV from Christmas Vacation. Hopefully it becomes a real attraction.

 

[lauradis]

There is always Christmas story house. Just go durning day. Think there is rule about who's allowed in that part town after dark.

 

[Order66]

There is always Christmas story house. Just go durning day. Think there is rule about who's allowed in that part town after dark.

The museum is only open during daytime hours. But Tremont is perfectly fine at night. It's become increasing gentrified over the years. I work in Tremont and don't feel any different walking around that neighborhood than I would in the one I live in.

Eastsiders!

 

[lauradis]

The museum is only open during daytime hours. But Tremont is perfectly fine at night. It's become increasing gentrified over the years. I work in Tremont and don't feel any different walking around that neighborhood than I would in the one I live in.

Eastsiders!

Thank you good to know. I'm east side. Wish they would bring back the flats to their full drunken glory.

 

[Fire14]

I love Bronners in Franenmuth, MI it's Christmas 348 days a year there.

 

[emma'smom]

Polar Express tickets are still for sale right now...but they do go quickly. For a "trip' consider Oglebay...it really is fun!

 

[peanut12392]

This is very nice.

http://www.thechristmasranch.com/info.html

 

[Lisa_M]

Another vote for Oglebay in Wheeling. It's really lovely up there when there is snow with the Christmas lights.

 

[GoofyMomInOhio]

This is very nice.

http://www.thechristmasranch.com/info.html

Thanks for posting this! Looks like a mini Osborne Lights. My sister lives near there and I'm always looking for things to do when on break from school.

 

[Cindy B]

Sadly, the Cleveland Zoo stopped doing Christmas at the Zoo a few years ago. My kids always loved it.

The Polar Express runs from either Independence (cleveland area) south or from Akron (going north) and stops in Boston Mills at "Santa's workshop". The children do not depart the train, but Santa and the elves come out to them and say hello. One year we stopped by because we saw all the lights and they let us walk around the village after the train departed. I was never able to get tickets for the train ride when my kids were young enough.......but always wanted to. It's run by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and tickets were just released a few days ago.

We also have the Christmas Story house up here in Cleveland (Tremont neighborhood). It's a museum now, leg lamp and all. But you'd probably appreciate that more than your children.

regards

Aww, that is a sad face about the zoo. I remember that from years ago.

I lived in Cleveland area in the 1990's. Back then, there was a nice display in Tower City/Public Square area with old fashioned 1950's lights. I'm sure that is gone now as well.

Is the Nela Park display gone? I lived in University Heights and this wasn't that far from me. Yes, I know it is East Cleveland, but I recall it being an okay area for that section.

http://cleveland.about.com/od/clevelandhistory/p/nelapark.htm

I lived in Shaker Heights for a while, there were always events there as well.