Photo courtesy of Gervasi Vineyard
For the wine lover in your family, visit this year's Market Place Gala at Gervasi Vineyard! Enjoy tiny treats while you shop their new holiday lines, dine in the Crush House for a special holiday lunch, and get an expanded tour of the winery. They promise a memorable experience that appeals to all the senses!
Photo courtesy of the Akron Zoo
The Akron Zoo will most definitely have the wildest light display this holiday season. Almost the entire zoo will be decorated and many animals will be on exhibit. While you're there, stop by Santa Land and tell Santa your holiday wishes, visit Holly Jolly Hillside which will feature lighted North American animals and trees synchronized to music, take a ride on the Wild Winter Express train ride, and stop by Mrs. C's Sweets for a s'more!
There's so much to see at this weekend holiday event! Have fun and learn something new at the Beech Creek Gardens. Enjoy Candyland and the Christmas Express, explore the Festival of Trees, visit with the Grinch, learn about animals in winter, complete workshops for adults and children, sip hot cocoa, and more!
Photo courtesy of Cliff Franks Photography
Historic Canal Fulton invites you to stroll the streets of the downtown area and celebrate this holiday season. The blocked off streets will allow space for wood and ice carvers, carolers, and wagon rides. Stop by and visit Santa and meet Mrs. Oberlin for tours of the Oberlin House and Olde Canal Days Museum. Shops will be open late to offer special discounts, refreshments and entertainment. When the sun goes down, the electric lights parade and tree lighting ceremony will commence!
Photo courtesy of the Canton Chamber of Commerce
This spirited festival will feature 14 city blocks of attractions, ice skating, entertainment, refreshments, sleigh rides, singers and dancers, a visit from Santa, and incredible fireworks! The best part is, this event is free and fun for all ages.
Photo courtesy of The Players Guild Theatre
See the story of Ebenezer Scrooge brought to life! This classic Christmas story will surely get you into the holiday spirit.
Photo courtesy of Maps Air Museum
Santa left the reindeer behind this year and is arriving in Akron and Canton a little differently — by plane! Go watch him touch down and get a photo of your loved ones with Santa. In return, you are asked to bring a food donation for the Reserves/National Guard Family Services Food Pantry that services troops stationed at the Akron Canton Airport.
The story of It's a Wonderful Life is a natural for a stage adaptation. Come watch the saga of George Bailey as he discovers how amazing his life really is, live on stage. Support your local theater and experience the true meaning of Christmas!
While you're in Tremont, you cannot pass up a visit to the Christmas Story house. Opt for a quick photo op outside the house, which includes the iconic leg lamp in the window, or linger a bit longer to explore the museum across the street. The museum features original props, costumes and various memorabilia from the film, in addition to hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos. This legendary house and its accompanying museum are open year-round seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Linger in Ohio City a bit longer (and work off the food you just devoured) and explore West Side Market, Cleveland's oldest public market, which is home to 100 vendors offering meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, dairy, flowers, ready-to-eat foods, spices and nuts. Continue to wander throughout this trendy neighborhood, popping in and out of shops, like Room Service, Wild Cactus Boutique and XHIBITION. Top off your visit with a sweet treat at Mitchell's Ice Cream, considered the best ice cream shop in Cleveland. The Mitchell's flagship is located in a former theater in the heart of Ohio City, which is where all of the production is done!
Photo Courtesy of Megann Galehouse via Salt+
If you can't get enough of Ohio City, you may consider visiting SOHO Chicken + Whiskey for a delicious and hearty Southern dinner focused on — you guessed it — chicken and whiskey! Otherwise, some of the best dinner spots in the city include Il Rione Pizzeria, Edwins, Gigi's on Fairmount, Red, the Steakhouse, Salt+, and The Greenhouse Tavern. If you're looking for a particularly fancy option, you might want to make a reservation at one of the most romantic restaurants in Cleveland!
Photo Courtesy of Pour Cleveland
Try out another exceptional coffee shop to kick off day two, this time sticking closer to the heart of downtown. Pour Cleveland is a bright and modern multi-roaster pour over and espresso bar with a simple menu and a focus on crafting exceptional coffee. Ask about the current pour over or opt for a latte or hot cocoa.While you're near the water, make a point to visit Edgewater Park, a massive park along the shore of Lake Erie. This 147-acre park features 9,000 feet of shoreline, dog and swim beaches, boat ramps, a fishing pier, picnic area and grills, and a rentable pavilion. The Edgewater Beach House is a modern lakefront eatery with a great selection of beer and delicious food.View this post on Instagram
The downtown area of Cleveland has experienced a renaissance in recent years, ultimately making it one of America's hottest cities in 2016. From gorgeous historic structures to shiny modern skyscrapers, the city is teeming with excitement and history. The Cleveland Museum of Art was ranked the second best museum in America by Business Insider in 2016 — and it's easy to see why. The mission statement of this award-winning museum is to create "transformative experiences through art, for the benefit of all the people forever." That also means admission is free to all!
Admire an impressive work of art in the form of architecture at The Arcade, America's first indoor shopping center established in 1890. Today, this stunning building is home to the Hyatt Regency Cleveland, boutique shops, various services, a food court and fine dining destinations.
Take a stroll through the new Public Square, a beautifully landscaped two-block central plaza in the heart of the city. The square was part of the original town plat overseen by Moses Cleaveland in 1796 and now acts as an integral part of the city's landscape. The three tallest buildings in Cleveland all face the square, including Key Tower, 200 Public Square and the Terminal Tower.
Photo Courtesy of Butcher and the Brewer
The renowned East Fourth block is home to some of the most exceptional eateries in the city. In fact, one celebrity chef (and James Beard Award-winner!) runs two restaurants in this adorable pedestrian-only alleyway adorned with string lights. Michael Symon runs Lola Bistro, a sleek New American eatery, and Mabel's BBQ, a swanky, industrial-chic BBQ joint with a wide selection of bourbons. Also, don't miss Butcher and the Brewer for delicious brews and a wide array of seasonal and local bites.