Christmas Getaways In Ohio
Whether you’re looking to celebrate the holidays away from home or take an overnight getaway to relax during the holiday season, these Christmas getaways in Ohio make for a great winter escape!
Celebrating Christmas in Ohio is magical with dazzling light displays, charming Hallmark Christmas towns and joyful festivities all season long. These Ohio Christmas getaways offer something for everyone, from fun family gatherings to a romantic couples trip.
Looking for the best Hallmark Christmas towns in Ohio? Read Magical Christmas Towns in Ohio.
The Best Christmas Getaways In Ohio
Celebrate the holidays at one of these fun and festive Ohio Christmas getaways! From magical winter wonderland scenes, fun Ohio Christmas attractions, life-sized nutcrackers, sleigh rides, millions twinkling lights and unique stays, this holiday season, there’s something for everyone at one of these Christmas getaways.
Looking for the holidays lights in Ohio? Check out this list of the Best Christmas Lights Displays in Ohio!
TOLEDO
Downtown Toledo loves holiday cheer. The Nights of Lights at Promenade Park runs through the end of December and the park is turned into a glowing wonderland with over a million lights. Hot chocolate, Santa surprises, musical shows and more make this Toledo event, a can’t-miss holiday destination.
If you have young kids or are a kid at heart, the Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium will delight all ages. Then, you can hop on the holiday trolley tour to make things merry and bright. The pleasant ride will take you past some of the city’s most beautiful light displays.
And when the inner adventurer pushes you take a short drive from Toledo to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum in Fremont. View the Hayes Train Special model train display, experience holiday traditions at historic Hayes home and take a sleigh ride ride or trolley ride at Spiegel Grove.
Where To Stay: Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel
CLEVELAND
The holidays in Cleveland are an extravaganza you don’t want to miss. Start with a visit to the festive Cleveland Botanical Garden to see how the plants are decorated for the season. Then, head to Public Square for a few spins around the skating rink with views of the city’s towering Christmas tree. After your outdoor adventures, warm up inside and admire the holiday decor at the historic Arcade Cleveland.
If you’re a fan of A Christmas Story movie, a visit to the A Christmas Story House is a must! The world-famous destination brings the holiday film to life with fun activities, interactive exhibits, and even overnight stays in Ralphie’s room.
If your little enthusiasts are still going strong after dark, the Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are sure to amaze the entire family. Cleveland makes for a fun and festive family Christmas getaway in Ohio!
For a unique holiday experience, take a short road trip from Cleveland to Castle Noel in Medina.
Where To Stay: Mr. Kringle Suite at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown
Looking for more Cleveland Christmas lights? Read Magical Cleveland Christmas Lights Displays.
CHAGRIN FALLS
A charming small town, Chagrin Falls is one of our favorite Christmas getaways in Ohio. The quaint shops and restaurants make it feel like you’re in a different era. Stroll along Main Street to shop at local boutiques for one-of-a-kind gifts (be sure to stop at Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop, their holiday popcorn tins are the perfect gift) and after dark see the luminaries and holiday lights illuminate the town and the waterfall.
The Christmas Tree Lighting is an annual event held on Thanksgiving weekend on the village green. Santa arrives by fire truck to flip the switch to start the tree glowing and the lights are on display throughout the holiday season. A visit to Chagrin Falls makes for a holiday wonderland!
Where To Stay: Inn of Chagrin
Looking for holiday lights in Northeast Ohio? Read Northeast Ohio Christmas Lights Displays.
YELLOW SPRINGS
One of the best Christmas getaways in Ohio is the small town of Yellow Springs. Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Sunrise Cafe before exploring the town, then shop for unique gifts at the local stores. Drive to nearby Glen Helen Nature Preserve and/or John Bryan State Park for a hike, then treat yourself to a delicious holiday ice cream flavor at Young’s Jersey Dairy. After dark, admire the town’s holiday lights and the Jackson Lytle Point community tree. Then bundle up to be dazzled by more than 4 million lights at the nearby Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill!
Where To Stay: Mills Park Hotel
CAMBRIDGE
During the holiday season, historic downtown Cambridge is transformed into an old-world Victorian Village. The whole town is decorated with greenery, lights, and Victorian-style decorations, including over 200 life-sized mannequins depicting holiday scenes from the Dickens era during the Dickens Victorian Village experience.
Victorian Teas are hosted at the Dickens Victorian Village Welcome Center, afterwards, take a self-guided walking tour of the Dickens mannequins and do some shopping at the unique local stores. If you wish to see how the residents of Cambridge celebrate the holidays, take a Trolley Tour. The tour includes stops at several homes and you’ll learn how and why the English settled here. After dark, be sure to visit the Guernsey County Courthouse for the festive light show synchronized to holiday music, and it’s free to view!
Where To Stay: Hampton Inn Cambridge
STEUBENVILLE
The world’s largest display of life-size nutcrackers is one of the many reasons why Steubenville is one of the best Christmas getaways in Ohio. The Nutcracker Village is located throughout historic downtown Steubenville and Historic Fort Steuben Park. Stroll through downtown to admire the one-of-a-kind nutcrackers, shop for unique gifts at local boutiques and dine at local restaurants.
The Children’s Corner is open on weekends and provides fun entertainment for the kids. There’s no better way to see the sights than on the Polar Express Hayride or take a ride on the Holley Trolley (both are free and operate weekends only). During December weekends, visit the two holiday markets – 4th Street Advent Market and Christmas at the Fort Holiday Market for unique holiday gifts, hot cocoa or cider or hot mulled wine at the German Gluhwein Garden. The Steubenville Nutcracker Village is fun for the entire family!
LANDOLL’S MOHICAN CASTLE
If you’re looking for a romantic Christmas getaway in Ohio, Landoll’s Mohican Castle is the place for you. Located near Mohican State Park, the castle offers a variety of activities, including horse-drawn carriage rides, live entertainment and overnight stays in one of the uniquely designed castle suites. During the holiday season and cold winter nights, guests can dine at the on-site restaurant and cuddle in their castle room by the fireplace with a warm cup of cider. Of course, being the holiday season, the Christmas at the Castle, a Kingdom of Lights tour is a must-see! With more than 150,000 twinkling lights throughout the property, the walk-through light display is the perfect way to end your romantic Christmas getaway (the light display is family-friendly as well). This romantic Christmas getaway in Ohio will make you embrace the holiday spirit!
Where To Stay: Landoll’s Mohican Castle
LEBANON
As one of the most enjoyed Christmas getaways in Ohio, Lebanon is a small town with big holiday charm. From the Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade, the Christmas Festival, the North Pole Express Train, Santa visits and so much more, you will find all of your old-fashioned Christmas dreams right in the middle of Lebanon! Be sure to stroll the streets in downtown Lebanon, admire holiday decor and shop at the local boutiques to find unique Christmas gifts. After dark, twinkling lights make Lebanon look even more like a charming Hallmark Christmas Town!
Where To Stay: Golden Lamb Hotel
Want to view Christmas lights from the comfort of your vehicle? Read Enchanting Drive Through Christmas Lights In Ohio!
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