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

[Pembo]

Another vote for Frankenmuth!

 

[kayladan04]

We love Frankenmuth too! We've also done the Polar a Express a few times! It's ran by the Cuyahoga Valley Railway.

 

[powellrj]

Downtown Indy has some really cool Christmas things. They have the Circle of Lights, The Ayers Exhibit at the State Museum, Christmas at the Zoo and then if you go a little north, Marion In has a cool drive-thru light display.

 

[RachaelA]

Does anyone have a starting age recommendation for the Polar Express? DD will be a little over 2. I'm thinking she probably is still too young to sit still that long right? (I know it will vary a bit per child but in general terms for ages)

Columbus Zoo does Zoo lights as well. I miss them at the Cleveland Zoo We're going to end up driving to Columbus or Toledo this year.

Tower City has http://www.mrkringle.com/pages/kringles-inventionasium

 

[meajuly5]

We started at two. It was actually perfect bc they believed the were really going to north pole

 

[kayladan04]

Does anyone have a starting age recommendation for the Polar Express? DD will be a little over 2. I'm thinking she probably is still too young to sit still that long right? (I know it will vary a bit per child but in general terms for ages) Columbus Zoo does Zoo lights as well. I miss them at the Cleveland Zoo We're going to end up driving to Columbus or Toledo this year. Tower City has http://www.mrkringle.com/pages/kringles-inventionasium

We took my son when he was about 2. He loved trains. They keep the kids busy and involved the entire time. They read the story, write letters to Santa, PJ parade, Santa then comes and then by then you are at the North Pole. Then they hand out cookies and hot chocolate .

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Currently the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is closed because of the government shut down since the railroad is in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

 

[Disneyhayes]

We live in central Ohio too. Hilliard has some Christmas events at Weaver Park Historical Village. Of course there's the zoo lights too. there's a nativity downtown and I think Alum Creek still does the lights as well that you drive through. You could go to the tree lighting in the different suberbs too!

 

[Shellydm]

Thanks everyone! Great suggestions! I will look into them all! So excited!!

Thanks again!

 

[IndianaPrincess]

Here's another suggestion:

http://www.louisvillemegacavern.com/lights-under-louisville.html

 

[BLLB]

We have visited:

Bronners/Frankenmuth

Great Wolf Lodge

Oglebay, WV

The Henry Ford/Greenfield Village

The Christmas Story House

They are all fun and have been to each of the multiple times.

The one that stands out as the most "value" relative to the money paid was the Christmas package at The Henry Ford/Greenfield Village. We were able to get tickets for the museum and "Christmas in the Village", plus a hotel with breakfast included for around $200, for family of 4. The village was beautiful, bonfires, carolers, hot chocolate. Can't say enough good things!