Deck the halls with Ohio day trips: Nearby Christmas attractions to get you in the holiday spirit

Christmas, as Billy Squier so aptly put it decades ago, is the time to say “I love you.” Bryan Adams also had it right when he said, “There’s something about Christmastime.” Certainly, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” sang Andy Williams.

Many others have wrapped similar sentiments in song. ’Tis the season, after all. And in Ohio that means it’s time to get your Christmas on. And while nobody has ranked Ohio tops in the nation when it comes to the season, as they did for Halloween, the Buckeye State can go toe to toe with any other when it comes to making Yuletide cool-tide. The state is known for all sorts of major Christmas attractions, many within a short sleigh ride of Wayne and Holmes counties.

The following, ranked in order of proximity, is a look at just a few places one might visit, nearly all within about two hours, most much less.

Tis The Season, Christmas Shoppe

—Address: 4363 state Route 39, Berlin.

—Dates: Open throughout the year.

—Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

—Tickets: Admission is free.

—Known for: Billing itself “Ohio’s largest year-round Christmas Shoppe,” Tis the Season is well known for having holiday-themed events throughout the year. From the smallest ornament to the biggest tree, you’re likely to find it there. If you see something you want, they’ll hold it for you, but you need to get it. There is no online shop, and nothing can be shipped. It’s worth the trip, though, and if you don’t spend a dime, it almost turns into a Christmas museum with plenty of window shopping available.

—Information: www.tistheseasonchristmas.com.

Castle Noel

—Address: 260 S. Court St., Medina.

—Dates: Open all year except Jan. 15 to Feb. 15.

—Hours: Vary, but typically opens about 11 a.m.

—Tickets: Book online, adults $30 and kids age 12 and under are $25.

—Known for: The best collection of Christmas pop culture in the world. See Cousin Eddy’s Motorhome. See odds and ends from nearly every major Christmas film or production including the slide from “A Christmas Story,” 40,000 square feet of rooms full of classic toys and other decor, meticulously decorated rooms, and features like Santa’s Chimney Squeeze and the Blizzard Vortex.

—Information: www.castlenoel.com.

The Christmas Factory

—Address: 4125 Mahoning Road NE, Suite B, Canton.

—Dates: Nov. 28-30; Dec. 5-7, 12-14, 19-20 and 21-23; and Dec. 18 adults only.

—Hours: Nov. 28-29 from noon to 7 p.m.; Nov. 30 from noon to 6 p.m.; Dec. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20 from 4-7 p.m.; Dec. 21-23 from noon to 7 p.m.; and Dec. 18 from 5-8 p.m.

—Tickets: Online, $20 for age 3-12 before 4 p.m. and $24 after 4 p.m., $28 for age 13 and over, $1 more for kids for in person, and $2 more for age 13 and over for in person.

—Known for: Billing itself “Ohio’s Newest and Most Exciting” Christmas destination, the 50,000-square-foot converted haunted house features roughly 20 attractions inside the building including The Immersive Illusions (Merry Mirror Maze, Tinsel Tunnel and the Giant Gingerbread Mansion), 15-minute light show synced to music and projected on the building’s five-story façade, photo opportunities, selfie stations, and Christmas cocktails for guests age 21 and over.

—Information: www.ohiochristmasfactory.com.

Stan Hywett Hall, Deck the Hall

—Address: 714 N. Portage Path, Akron.

—Dates: Nov. 28, Dec. 4-23 and Dec. 26-30.

—Hours: 3-8 p.m. (last admission).

—Tickets: $28 for adults and $15 for age 3-17.

—Known for: The historic house-turned-museum, once home to the family of F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., becomes an indoor-outdoor festival of lights and decorations that takes two to three hours to tour. See everything Christmasy from modern to vintage throughout the property in West Akron, with more than 1.4 million outdoor lights, lighted pathways, and whimsical displays indoors with trees and decorations nearly wall-to-wall inside the manor house. Hint: Take an early tour of the house, then hit the grounds after sundown.

—Information: www.stanhywet.org.

A Christmas Story House

—Address: 3158 W. 11th St., Cleveland.

—Dates: Year round.

—Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

—Tickets: $20 for age 5 and up.

—Known for: The actual house where Ralphie nearly shot his eye out sits in the Tremont area, just a couple of miles from downtown Cleveland. See actual artifacts from the classic movie “A Christmas Story,” which was filmed mostly in Cleveland and set mostly in this house, though it is set in a fictional Indiana city. See the leg lamp, costumes, toys from the Higbee’s display window and other props. Stay the night if you want; the house can be reserved for that. Go next door to the Bumpus house, where you also can stay, sans dogs. Plan on about an hour to tour the house and 90 minutes to visit all attractions.

—Information: www.housefromachristmasstory.com.

Nutcracker Village

—Address: 157 N. Fourth St., Steubenville.

—Dates: Nov. 25 to Jan. 9.

—Hours: Open 24 hours.

—Tickets: Admission is free.

—Known for: More than 150 life-sized, hand-carved nutcrackers, each of which took approximately 40 hours to design, carve and paint, all of which are repaired and maintained as needed throughout the year. The village was originally conceived a decade ago to help bring some pride back to Steubenville, which was reeling from population loss as the steel industry declined. The village can be viewed from the car, or you can walk it if you prefer. Either way, maps are available.

—Information: www.Steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com.

King’s Island, Winterfest

—King’s Island Amusement Park, Mason

—Dates: Nov. 28 to Dec. 31, select dates.

—Hours: 5-10 p.m. on weekdays and 4-10 p.m. on weekends.

—Tickets: Daily tickets $32 or more and season passes honored.

—Known for: Lights, shows, select rides and attractions, and Santa Claus. Southwestern Ohio’s top theme park turns into a winter wonderland in the month surrounding Christmas, with plenty to do, see and enjoy for everyone of every age. The Winterfest Wonderland Parade is included in the admission cost. Ice skate in the royal fountain and enjoy seasonal food and holiday-themed shows. Light shows feature more than 7 million lights.

—Information: www.sixflags.com/kingsisland/events/winterfest.