Nov./Dec. 2024

Travel

Head to our state capital this season for twinkling lights, local shopping and great events that promise to warm the rest of your year. 

Your holiday plans start here. Check out these festive gatherings and events during the last week of November.

The Buckeye State is home to many interesting and unusual finds that may be closer than you think. Here is your ultimate guide to seeing them all.

Celebrate the return of Akron’s Lock 3 on Nov. 29 with a festive evening featuring a parade, drone show, ice skating and more.

An effort to fill vacant buildings revived this city’s downtown, illustrating the sense of pride and spirit of collaboration in this community about 64 miles west of Toledo. 

This Columbus suburb offers a rich history and a small-town atmosphere, while its location along Interstate 270 has made it a destination for development.  

This historic river town offers a picturesque setting, a charming downtown and deep ties to the coal-mining heritage that shaped this part of Ohio. 

This historic village in Holmes County offers a destination of its own as a well as a taste of the slower way of life practiced in the surrounding Amish and Mennonite communities. 

Downtown redevelopment has made this Champaign County community a regional destination for those seeking fresh flavors and interesting finds.

This year, we honor Bryan, Hilliard, McConnelsville, Millersburg and Urbana. These five communities embody the characteristics that make us proud to call Ohio home.

From enchanting historic estates to elaborate light displays, these cherished traditions are perfect for embracing the spirit of the season and making new memories. 

Remember the sacrifices of America’s brave men and women in uniform at these happenings across the state.

A family tradition in Hamilton for decades, this beloved light show at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum is back with festive displays and plenty of holiday cheer. 

Explore some of our state’s most unique abodes, from a 1924 ore freighter turned ship house on South Bass Island to a whimsical mushroom-shaped home in Cincinnati.

From an Ohio State Buckeye-themed, train-car diner to an iconic cheese barn along the interstate, explore these spots that promise a memorable visit.

From Cincinnati’s Passenger Pigeon Memorial to Alan Freed’s grave, visit these spots that honor legendary figures, community spirit and pivotal moments in Ohio history.

From oversized ears of corn to a giant Campbell’s Soup can, discover larger-than-life landmarks that offer a whimsical take on our state’s history, culture and creativity.

Explore these testaments to creativity and ingenuity that can be found across Ohio, from a re-created Wild West town to the nation’s oldest mini-golf course.

From neon signs and vintage televisions to troll dolls and cardboard boats, explore these truly one-of-a-kind exhibits. 

Immerse yourself in Ohio’s natural beauty, from wildlife encounters with rescued birds at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary or marveling at the stunning rock formations of the Ohio Caverns.

Downtown light displays, classic holiday performances, pop-up markets and glowing gardens are all part of the fun this season. 

Celebrate holidays the old fashioned way by touring these five historic homes with Christmas displays across our state. 

For nearly 30 years, this display has been a holiday season tradition in northwest Ohio. Here’s how you can see it this season.

This larger-than-life rendition of the beloved board game comes to life in Lake County for the holiday season.

The northeast Ohio community of Kirtland played a pivotal role in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Food + Drink

Visit these three Ohio bookstores that go beyond the printed page to offer coffee, beer, wine and more. 

Owner Isabella Bonello draws on her family’s heritage to create beautiful and inventive pastries at her downtown shop. 

Wanting to create a family-friendly community gathering spot, Lesley Kline opened a Columbiana County soda bar that offers a deep lineup of fun and funky varieties. 

This Akron-based, fast-food chain is a favorite for burgers and shakes year-round, but the holidays bring a handful of special menu items. 

Arts

In this film by Keith Gerchak and Marisa Guterman, an antiques-appraisal television show’s visit brings together a diverse cast of characters.

This exhibit comes to the Taft Museum of Art with decades of photos and a goal to reimagine the standards of beauty. 

Running Dec. 8 through March 23, this exhibition offers insight into the famous painter‘s fascination with paper as an artistic medium. 

Ohio Life

Sarah Arnold’s independent shop in Marietta, Clutch Collective, offers a delightful selection of curated items that celebrate the creativity of artists across the region.

The managing partner shares his perspective on the Cleveland home’s evolution from upstart tourist attraction to beloved holiday landmark. 

Decor depicting dogs was a popular ornamentation for hearths and mantelpieces during the early 20th century. 

In 1967, the White House Christmas tree for the family of President Lyndon B. Johnson came from Portage County.

Two hundred and fifty years after his birth, John Chapman still holds a place in our history that often contains as much lore as it does fact. Here is how he shaped Ohio through his work.