Nicki & Kevin
Things To Do
Hocking Hills State Park
Our wedding venue is located in the heart of Hocking Hills, and it is one of our favorite places on earth. Within the park are over 25 miles of hiking trails, rock formations, waterfalls, and recess caves. The trails are open from dawn to dusk, and the entire park is stunning in autumn. The park contains seven separate hiking areas: Ash Cave (best for families with small children), Cantwell Cliffs, Cedar Falls, Conkle's Hollow (the ridge trail is our favorite, and the lower trail is great for those with limited mobility), Old Man's Cave (the main attraction), Rock House and Hemlock Bridge Trail to Whispering Cave.
Our Logan Favorites
The closest city to Hocking Hills is Logan, Ohio. It has a wealth of excellent breweries, distilleries, wineries, and restaurants. Here are our favorites: Favorite Restaurant - The Feed (feedthehockinghills.com): Chef Tristan Roley (catering our reception) started his restaurant as a ghost kitchen during the worst part of the pandemic. He takes his craft seriously and doesn't cut corners in his kitchen. The food here is EXCELLENT and we can't recommend it highly enough! Favorite Place to Have a Drink - 58 West (www.58west.com): Seasonal cocktails, good food, and indoor/outdoor seating. It is also conveniently located right next to Worthington of Logan where we have a block of hotel rooms reserved for guests. Favorite Place to Grab Coffee - Hocking Hills Coffee Emporium (hockinghillscoffeeemporium.com): A charming little coffee shop for all your caffeinated (or decaf) needs.
Family Friendly Fun (Go Karts, Mini Golf, Petting Zoos, Etc)
There are lots of family-friendly things to do in Hocking Hills. Hiking-wise we recommend families with young children check out Ash Cave and Cedar Falls (they are shorter/safer hikes). You can also check out Fox's High Rock Farm which has a petting zoo and gemstone "mining" (www.foxshighrockfarm.com). The Walker Farm is your traditional Fall Festival-type experience with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze, etc (www.hockinghills.com/members/Walker_Farm.html). The Hocking Hills Family Fun Center has go-karts, mini golf, an arcade, a jump pad, a splash pad, and family canoeing. (hockinghillscanoeing.com/fun-center/)
Road Trip to Athens, Ohio
Athens, Ohio (home of Ohio University) is Nicki's hometown and about an hour away from Hocking Hills. There is always something to do in Athens, with live music, movie theaters, museums, local shops, and excellent food and drink. A few "musts" from a townie: - Coffee at The Donkey (The best coffee. Period.) - Strawberry Shortcake Arctic Swirl at Larry's Dawg House (It's been around since the 1950s for a reason) - Any seasonal cocktail or a pint of Kelly's Dry Cider at The West End Cider House - A craft beer (I prefer the pawpaw) and dinner at Little Fish Brewery. - Go to the Kennedy Art Museum and wander the grounds of The Ridges. (Excellent views, historic architecture, and seasonally spooky) - Check out the Southeast Ohio History Center! They always have cool exhibits and if you have any interest in Ohio's history at all, the staff is knowledgeable and enthusiastic. There is so much more but I have a word limit. Check out the link for more info!
For The Outdoorsy
For our outdoorsy guests, we recommend: - Canopy Zipline Tours (www.hockinghillscanopytours.com) - River Canoe Tours (hockinghillscanoeing.com)
Indoor/Rainy Day Activities
Hocking Hills is known for its caves and hiking trails, but if it's a rainy day, or you're more "outside-y" than "outdoorsy" (or full-on indoor cat), there is still plenty to do. Take a Tour of the Moonshine Distillery - www.hockinghillsshine.com Spas - (https://www.explorehockinghills.com/things-to-do/spas-wellness/) TREAT. YO. SELF. The sauna pods are a truly unique experience. Movie Night (moviesten.com) - Go see a movie and play some arcade games! Tickets are only $4. Bury the Axe - The axe-throwing hall connected to the Hungry Buffalo restaurant is always a good time. (www.hungrybuffalo.com/axe-throwing) Escape Room - puzzle your way out! (hockinghillsescapegames.com)