You dread adding more “stuff” to your home, but feel you must do it for children, spouses or other family members to feel satisfied. However, another option exists — you could turn this year’s holiday “stuff” into memorable moments.
In Ohio, there are plenty of places to go that provides you all the home (state) feels.
So, don’t break the bank if you plan to gift experiences to others or take a trip with your family. Here is a list of Ohio experiences to stuff in your memory box:
Ohio College Athletics: Many competitive collegiate programs such as Kent State, Cleveland State and others can illustrate for your kids the level at which they could potentially perform. The programs are incredibly fun and the athletes are grateful for the support they receive.
Northwest Ohio indoor water parks. Snow, but want to go to the pool? No problem. Head to Kalahari Resort,
kalahariresorts.com/ohio or Great Wolf Lodge, greatwolf.com/sandusky for a fun family indoor water getaway in Sandusky.
The Cleveland Signs. Nothing says authentic Ohio more than taking your photo around several large script Cleveland signs, where each has a unique scene of different Cleveland landmarks and places. Locations at Tremont, Edgewater Park, downtown Cleveland and more.
Christmas Story House. Every Christmas Eve is filled with the sounds of family get-togethers. “A Christmas Story” streaming on the TV makes some fine background noise. The movie was filmed in Ohio and people of all ages can visit the house to reenact many of its famous scenes. housefromachristmasstory.com
Go To a Local Ohio Museum. We can’t pick just one and neither should you. Make a plan this year to visit as many Ohio museums and attractions as you can. From a space adventure at the Great Lakes Science Center (greatscience.com) to exploring marine life at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium (greaterclevelandaquarium.com) —the possibilities are endless.
Try University Circle, too; it’s home to many attractions, including Cleveland Museum of Natural History, which grand opening is on Dec. 15 (cmnh.org).
Hocking Hills. Head a little less south for a scenic getaway. hockinghills.com
Nature & Animals. Ohio has an abundance of zoos, parks and nature centers that provide families with day trip adventures.
The Cleveland Arcade. This historic building allows for a variety of shopping, but can be a perfect backdrop for a family photo and conversation afterward. theclevelandarcade.com
The Troll Hole Museum, Alliance. Did you know Ohio has a museum dedicated to the largest Troll doll collection? The Troll Hole Museum is a collection of Troll dolls from Sherry Groom. The museum opened in 2013 and Groom has attained an official Guinness World Record for her collection. thetrollhole.com
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Peninsula. In Ohio, taking a train isn’t something we often get to do, but this provides family-friendly fun with transportation. The themed rides include the North Pole Adventure, which allows kids to get in the holiday spirit. cvsr.org
Family Theaters. Northeast Ohio is rich in theaters where families can see live performances. From the Playhouse Square, playhousesquare.org; Beck Center for the Arts, beckcenter.org; The Fine Arts Association, fineartsassociation.org; Fairmont Center for the Arts, fairmountcenter.org; Magical Theatre Company, magicaltheatre.org; Weathervane Playhouse, weathervaneplayhouse.com and more.
Baseball. If you have a baseball player in the house, save the experience until the summer and get great seats at a minor league park. It allows your kiddo the opportunity to get closer to the action and future big leaguers.
