Vacations Blog

Ask Miles Davis. Ask Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck or Gene Simmons.  Yes, that Gene Simmons.

Ask millions of people, two mice and me. Disney is more than you think. Yes, there is magic in the air, that’s a given.  And there is childlike wonder and troubles forgotten. There are smiles and sighs and moments of pure joy. And through it all there is romance.

Flowers in Disneyland

Just go with me here.

Surely, Walt must have known what he had created. He must have strolled those streets and understood what he had done. The lands of Disney, lit by stars and lanterns and backed by an endless soundtrack of memories and promise, are pure romance in its most innocent form.

Of Mice and Moments

Miles Davis knew this.  So too, Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck and Gene Simmons.  Yes, that Gene Simmons.  That’s why you’ll find the songs of Disney in their respective canons.  They bought what Walt was selling and in turn they peddled it themselves.  Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs and there is nothing wrong with that.

You get lost here, in the Happiest Place on Earth. You let yourself go.  In quiet moments your mind wanders to dreams and smiles and the girl on your arm, and you find yourself, as I did, on one knee beneath the shadow of fireworks, kneeling at the base of a castle surrounded by streams and beds of roses and bated moments of silence.

Planned Spontaneity

The longest moments live between knees and yes.

It is a place of magic and fairy tales.  There is a hope of possibility in the air and it engulfs you with every breath. For a brief time the lines between your life and your dreams blur and become one. You are drunk without drink, and it spreads with rapid and loose abandonment.

It is as if you have been picked up out of the cubicle of daily routine and placed in your favorite movie, alongside dreamers, stars and champions. It feels right. You belong. Everything you did before your arrival was but a stepping stone to get you here. To get you to this moment. You are reminded of the plans you once had and who it was that you thought you would grow to be.  And maybe you are, if just for a moment.

Perhaps you spot a Princess out for a stroll, deep in thoughts of kingdoms and ballrooms. Perhaps you spy your hosts sharing a private moment away from their guests. They too can feel it. It is not the romance of lust and the meaningless fancies that fill our daily lives between commercials for Las Vegas and lingerie. It is the romance of knowing that there is good in this world and that you want to share it with someone, even if it is just holding their hand across a moonlit bridge. It is the magic of promise for better days and the righting of wrongs. It dares you to imagine what life should be and encourages you to make it so.

It is family, like Walt intended, if such a thing can be considered romantic. I like to think that it can.

Fearing the Fireworks

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For more on the Happiest Place on Earth please read the following:

Disney’s California Adventure in Anaheim, California – Family Fun

Pressed Pennies – The Ultimate Disneyland Souvenir

Disneyland Family Vacations: The Happiest Place on Earth

7 Secrets You Might not Know About Disneyland

Things I Learned at the Disneyland Resort – A Thursday Thirteen

Family Imagination at Disneyland, California

All photos by Whit Honea, Tricia Honea or some Cast Member with my camera.

Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year (February 14th for those of you living under an anti-Hallmark rock).  I believe that is a sign that the most perfect Valentine’s Day gift must be a romantic weekend away.

And where better to get away in February than the Sunshine State of Florida?

Of course, Florida is a big state, teeming with romantic beaches, secluded Bed N’ Breakfasts and luxurious spas that would make a perfect setting for any romantic surprise.  In the interest of making your life easier (and putting my favorite ideas in writing for my own husband), I’ve narrowed down the possibilities to Five of my favorite romantic weekend vacations in Central Florida (also known as in and around Orlando).

5. Seven Sisters Inn in Ocala, Florida.

Paris Apartment at Seven Sisters Inn

I’ll admit, Ocala, Florida is not the first place I would send someone for a romantic weekend.  But this infamous bed and breakfast is a rare treat – especially if you’re into ghost stories.  Known as “Florida’s most haunted Bed and Breakfast” (which suggests there is competition for the title), the Seven Sisters Inn has been featured on national “ghost hunting” television shows.  Past guests are encouraged to share their supernatural experiences in public journals, so even if nothing happens during you’re visit you should find plenty of ways to freak yourself out.

Why run away to a haunted bed and breakfast for Valentine’s Day?  Think clinging together during scary movies – times ten.

4. A Beach Retreat at Flagler Beach, Florida.

Again, most people would ask themselves why Flagler Beach?  It’s not quite Daytona Beach.  It’s not quite St. Augustine.  It’s just about half way in between and appears to offer absolutely nothing to tourists.

And that, my friends, is the appeal.

Dusk at Snack Jack

For about $100 per night, rent a private villa on the beach at the Island Cottage By The Sea.  Spend your days enjoying nothing but each other and the sound of the ocean.  The beaches here, while public, are quiet and uncrowded.  For a casual yet romantic dinner, you can eat indoors or out at Snack Jack’s and enjoy fresh seafood overlooking the water at sunset.

Of course, if you do decide you need more visual stimulation during the day than the ocean and boutique shopping can provide, you’re just a short drive up the coast to the infamous lighthouses of St. Augustine.

3. Be Grown Ups at Universal Studios Orlando and City Walk

Many people don’t think about amusement parks when they are planning a romantic weekend.  After all, places like Universal Studios were made for kids, right?

Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios becomes a completely different experience when you go without children.  And when you stay in one of the on site hotels, you’ll receive free fast passes for all of the rides – which means no kids and no waiting in lines! My favorite on site resort is the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, but you have three to choose from.

When you’re done screaming and giggling like kids on the roller coasters, spend the night at City Walk.  You have dozens of restaurants and clubs to choose from – from a Latin dance club to a popular piano bar.  Again, staying on site means convenient transportation to and from the restaurants and clubs, as well as well lit paths for a late night walk back to your hotel.

2. Shop Until You Drop at The Florida Mall in Orlando

Mall at Millenia in Orlando

Maybe you don’t think shopping is romantic.  Maybe the idea of sleeping in a mall doesn’t send chills down your spine and a smile across your face.  Maybe it’s a good thing you’re not married to me.

If your Valentine loves to shop, you can spend the entire weekend doing what she (or he) loves.  The luxurious Mall at Millenia and the cult favorite IKEA practically share a parking lot.  There are two upscale outlet malls within 10 minutes of one another (Prime Outlets and Premium Outlets – because we wouldn’t want to confuse the tourists with similar sounding names).  And you can finish the day and spend the night at The Florida Mall, a sprawling complex that houses a Sephora and it’s own hotel!

If your Valentine doesn’t love to shop, the two of you can read this and have a good laugh together at the crazy lady who considers a really good mall a romantic date.

1. The Spa at The Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grand Lakes

Yes, it’s The Ritz.  No, this won’t be a cheap weekend.

But it will absolutely be worth every single penny you spend if you decide to splurge on a trip to The Ritz Carlton Spa.

You can get pampered individually, or enjoy special spa treatments together like a couple’s massage.  Of course their treatments are first class, but my absolute favorite part about this place is what happens between the treatments.

The co-ed lounge area is heave on earth.  You’ll ooze out of there at the end of the day, more relaxed than either of you have been since you were old enough to understand the difference between a workday and a weekend.

It doesn’t get much more romantic than a night at The Ritz Carlton with a deep tissue massage, a soak in a jacuzzi, and a long, hot sweat in the steam room.

Of course, if you’re married to me, you already know this.  Right? Right?

Photos courtesy of Seven Sisters Inn, Joe Shlabotnik, and Britt Reints

With its upscale restaurants, landmark buildings, beautiful bridges and breathtaking views, San Francisco always tops the lists of favorite US cities and tourist destinations.  Many people come to visit during the summer months and get disappointed by the cold fog and damp weather. However you would be pleasantly surprised if you made a trip to the city during this time of year.  The winter months often bring cold temperatures but very blue skies during the day and nights full of stars.

San Francisco is almost more beautiful at night during the holidays than any other time of year – and that is saying something.

During the holidays living in the City is such a gift: the bright lights on the Embarcadero Center row of buildings, outlined to look like giant present boxes; the beautiful window displays in high-end stores like Gump’s and multi-colored lights adorning neighborhood parks and homes. Walk through any of these areas of the city and you can’t help but smile and get a little more into the holiday spirit.

If you are visiting the City or planning to in the future and want to experience a uniquely San Francisco evening, I have the perfect recipe for you. The itinerary will need a little planning but should only require one phone call for the dinner reservation.  This evening is a local favorite for a romantic date but it can be adjusted for just a great night out with friends or family.

First thing you want to do is plan on wearing some warm layers of clothing, especially a scarf and gloves.  San Francisco at night, during this time of year, can be very cold. Wear some nice holiday clothes and comfortable shoes and you will be set for the evening.

Begin the evening with a drink at the beautiful Big Four Restaurant on Nob Hill. Located inside the Huntington Hotel, this secret spot doesn’t have the view that you can get from the Top of the Mark, but this is the place locals go. Filled with beautiful dark wood, the bar area is rich and a historic reminder of the robber barons that built San Francisco.

After a glass of wine or cold cocktail, walk slowly across California Street, watching out for the cable cars and taxi drivers heading across town. Criss-cross the street and stroll through Huntington Park, a wonderful small city park situated between Grace Cathedral and The Fairmont Hotel.  It is one of my favorite parks to visit at night during the holidays because the neighborhood association installs beautiful old-fashion lights in the trees.

Walk through the park towards your dinner reservations, at Venticello Ristorante on Taylor Street. This wonderful Italian restaurant has a warm intimate setting that reminds you of San Francisco society pages from the 1920s. I have had dinners where I have watched patrons walk in that could have been related to Grace Kelly or Kim Novak, in their style of dress and manner. The food is classic Italian with homemade pastas, risotto and roasted meats. The fireplace and wood oven add warmth to your dinner setting along with a backdrop of cable cars going up and down California Street.

After your dinner walk down Taylor Street to Jackson Street and catch the Powell-Hyde Cable Car, with its maroon colored sign, to head towards the waterfront and Hyde Street Pier.  The cable car ride will be very chilly but you can cuddle up inside the center of the car or wrap your scarf tighter and hang onto the outer poles like a local.

Your ride will take you up past Nob Hill and across Russian Hill until you head down Hyde Street to the end of the line. Hop off and turning your back to the bay, walk into The Buena Vista Cafe – home of the perfect Irish Coffee!

Irish Coffee

The recipe of this famous drink was created in 1952 when the restaurant owner and a well known travel writer worked to re-create a highly touted “Irish Coffee” served at Shannon Airport in Ireland.

The Irish Coffee served here at the Buena Vista is the perfect night cap any night of the year, but especially in winter.  How and when you decide to end your evening is up to you, but after all the lights, rich foods, fresh air and drinks – I recommend taking a cab home. Enjoy!

If you’re planning a trip, check out flights to San Francisco.

Photo credits to bill lim, tinou, shayne kaye and rick

This time of year can shake a soul right to its very foundation. Sure, it’s festive and merry and sometimes our bellies, in fact, shake like a bowl full of jelly. But boy-howdy, when January 2nd rolls around, listen with the right kind of ears and you can hear a chorus of relaxing exhales.

Need to wind down? I would recommend a drive through the rolling hills of Central Kentucky. Destination? Four Roses Distillery.

Outside the distillery

Nestled in the rolling Hills near Lawrenceburg, Ky., and smack on the banks of the Salt River sits a charming distillery that features Spanish Mission style architecture as uncommon in Kentucky as heavy snow. Built in 1910, Four Roses Distillery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Whether or not said distillery used their product to grease the wheels of the National Register is unknown to me. But, those little airplane bottles do work magic.

Drive into the parking area and you know where you are. The heavy smell of fermentation and corn and finished product intermingle with the country air. Upon entering the visitor center, built to complement the historic distillery, the tour starts with an informative video about the magic that is bourbon. Then, a brief tutorial on Four Roses patented “mash bill.”

Mash Bill

The visitor center also offers a miniature cross section of its multi-tiered still. A walking tour of the historic Distillery is a fantastic way to get a feel for this glorious product. Ever wanted to know what Bourbon tastes like before barreling? Distillers call it “White Dog” and you will sample it on the tour. Twice.

If you plan on visiting Four Roses Distillery, July through mid-September is right out. While the gift shop and visitors center are open year-round, production at the Distillery comes to a stand-still during the afore mentioned months. If you feel like traveling a bit further, you may want to visit Four Roses’ state-of-the-art single story barrel houses in Cox’s Creek, Ky, a short drive from Louisville, Ky. and the famous Brown Hotel.

Note: Tours ending before noon will be, by state law, void of a product tasting. While touring the facility is a treat in itself. Sampling the myriad of different styles is quite another. So, timing is everything.

*All photos by Charles A. Downs III

The Manor at Glen Laurel Inn

There are times when a weekend getaway is in order. You just need a bit of pampering, a respite from the hectic daily grind, an escape from reality. An escape from the kids! The Glen Laurel Inn in Rockbridge, Ohio offers the penultimate romantic weekend getaway. Nestled well off the beaten path in the woods of Hocking Hills in Licking County The Glen Laurel Inn sits on a 140 acre estate among wooded trails, gorges and scenic waterfalls which only enhance the allure of this peaceful Scottish Country Inn.

The Inn offers a variety of accommodations from the well apportioned rooms and suites at the Manor or Carriage House to the private crofts (Scottish for small house) or cottages. And while each might be appealing in it’s own particular way, I highly recommend the cottages. Highly.

MacLeod Cottage

The cottages have a nice living area where you can wile away the hours nestled on the couch staring into the huge stone fireplace or out of the large window and into the woods and gorge below. Don’t worry, if you’re not good at staring at fires or trees there’s an entertainment center where you can play movies or listen to your favorite music.

There are huge sleigh beds in the bedrooms and and enormous bathroom with a shower for two. The real draw here, though, is that through the double French doors in the bedroom leading to the back deck is your very own private hot tub. From there you can enjoy the soothing warmth of the water as you relax taking in the constantly changing nature with which you are surrounded. Nothing quite compares.

The Camusfearna Gorge at Glen Laurel

The Glen Laurel Inn lists numerous on-site and local activities:

• Hiking in the Camusfearna Gorge. Over two miles of the most beautiful and breathtaking nature trails imaginable.
• Over 50 species of birds have been identified at Glen Laurel including a pair of Bald Eagles
• The seclusion of Glen Laurel makes perfect opportunity for star gazing. Clear skies abound.
• There is a fire pit available to guests for evening bonfires.
• Golf is available at the nearby Brass Ring Golf Club
• Horseback riding at the local Spotted Horse Ranch
• Antique shopping in nearby Logan
• Canoeing at Lake Logan
• Local workshops (photography, kayaking, riding)

Please visit the website at the Inn for more detailed information on these activities. Since our last visit, they have added a day spa.

For the record, I have participated in none of the extra activities listed above. That’s ZERO. Glen Laurel is so absolutely comfortable and inviting that there is, in my humble opinion, no reason to leave the cottage. Except….(There’s always an except!)

Nothing Says Dinnertime Like Bagpipes!

Dinner. While the cottages are equipped with a small kitchenette and you could easily survive your romantic getaway on wine, cheese, frosted flakes, finger sandwiches and vitamin B (all readily available at the local grocery) you will definitely want to partake in the Inn’s famous five or seven course dinner.

The Edinburgh Dining Room at Glen Laurel

Guests are called to dinner by the distinctive sounds of bagpipes wafting through the early evening air. That waft is soon followed by the aroma of what can only be described as gourmet goodness. It’s a dinner that will not be soon forgotten, served intimately in the manor dining hall. There’s candlelight, music, poetry and visits with the chef. (Jackets are required on Saturday evenings.)

The Glen Laurel Inn has been labeled “the premier romantic getaway in the Midwest.” It’s a moniker well deserved. I suppose the only drawback is that at some point, you have to return to reality and back to your own home.

The Glen Laurel Inn has very specific policies regarding pets and children, please be sure to contact them prior to arriving with either. All photos courtesy of the Glen Laurel Inn.

The city and the Golden Gate.

Early last year my wife and I took a trip to Larkspur, CA.

Now I will admit, Larkspur was not necessarily top on our list of “Places We’d Like to Visit Before We Die,” but at the time we were in possession of a $150 Marriott Hotels gift card and were in search of a local destination at which to cash it in. Much to my surprise, Marriott doesn’t have much to offer that’s off the beaten path, so in our quest for “exotic locales,” Larkspur won out over Walnut Creek and San Jose.

That being said, Larkspur is a very quaint little town, close to Mt. Tamalpais and only a stone’s throw from Sausalito, just over the Golden Gate Bridge as you leave San Francisco. The Larkspur Marriott, located at 2500 Larkspur Landing Circle, is but a short walk from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal. The hotel itself is your standard Marriott fare; far from horrible but certainly nothing special either. What did we care, we were only planning to sleep there.

Most of our day was spent testing out my wife’s new Digital Rebel.  And what better place to snap some beautiful test photos than the Marin Headlands.

Situated just North of San Francisco, high above the Golden Gate, the Headlands offer some of the most spectacular views of the world’s most famous suspension bridge, and the jewel that is San Francisco nestled below.  We spent several hours in the Headlands and watched the skies change from the crystal blue you see above, to the foggy white for which San Francisco is famous. It’s amazing how quickly the fog rolls in when you’re on the ocean, high above the city; how it spills over the hillsides, filling the valleys like mustard gas, only without all the uncomfortable blistering and accompanying screams of agony.

With the fog came the cold, the temperatures dropping from a comfortable 70 to somewhere closer to 55. At that point we decided to drive down to Sausalito, where we enjoyed some hot clam chowder and a cocktail at the now defunct Cat ‘n Fiddle Public House. Believe me, if you’ve never been you aren’t missing a thing. Seriously, where else can you pay nearly $30 for soup and a cocktail?

In search of a restaurant where our money would stretch a little further, we ended up at the Marin Brewing Company. This was much more our style; reasonably priced pub grub and beer, or at least what passes for reasonable in Marin County.

We spent the latter part of the evening enjoying the Marriott’s  hot tub, that is until the chiropractor from Nevada, his wife and three kids showed up. If I may interject a slight pet peeve here, I’m of the opinion that hot tubs are for the relaxation of slightly inebriated adults, not lap pools for youngsters.

In any event, after a good night’s sleep it was once again time to eat. We queued up for the Marriott’s plentiful breakfast buffet. As we ate, I watched an elderly gentleman rise from his chair to muck around with his wallet or handkerchief or some such thing that elderly folks are forever mucking with, and I noticed that his chair was in danger of tipping backwards. Timing my rescue with my third trip through the buffet line, I caught his chair just as balance lost its battle with gravity, righted it and moved on, all in one fluid movement. Batman could have done no better.

My wife nixed my suggestion to swing by San Quentin Village on our way home. Perhaps an adventure for another day.

Marin Headlands

Hawk Hill Tunnel

The author and the photographer

Marin Headlands

Photos: Lisa Romano

The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.

Looking for a certain je ne sais quoi for your next Las Vegas vacation? Luckily the era of themed resorts added a little French to the center of the Las Vegas Strip. Whether planning a risqué weekend with a partner or a rendezvous with family and friends, the centerpiece of a French inspired vacation is Paris Las Vegas. The resort, along with a variety of French restaurants and stage productions on The Strip, offer vacationers who can’t afford a trip to Paris a taste of the famed City of Light with the added excitement of Sin City, of course.

Upon arrival at the 2,915 room Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino the essence of Paris is overwhelming apparent as the front facade of the elaborate and luxurious structure is designed to emulate elements of the Paris Opera House and the Louvre. Its architecture also incorporates many of the famous sights of Paris, including a 540-foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower, now a signature of the LasVegas Skyline, a neon sign in the shape of the Montgolfier balloon, a two-thirds size Arc de Triomphe and a La Fontaine des Mers. This picturesque resort is sure to make any vacationer utter “c’est magnifique!”

The Eiffel Tower
Start your vacation on a high note with a trip up the Eiffel Tower. Don’t forget your camera because the observation deck provides extraordinary views up and down the Las Vegas Strip and a 360° panorama of the entire Las Vegas Valley.

Tickets may be purchased at the Eiffel Tower Box Office located inside the casino. The cost is $10 for adults; $7 for seniors 65 and older and children 6-12; free for children younger than 5. From 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., when the Las Vegas Strip lights up, admission is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and children. Family packages (two adults and two children) are available for $30 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Las Vegas Strip north from the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas

A Culinary Adventure
If you’re like me, you’re really into food. Paris Las Vegas’ restaurants turn vacationers into the bon vivant with an offering of everything from the classical French cuisine to the Pan Asian Parisian.

Popular for its al fresco dining, with an up close view of the impressive Fountains of Bellagio, Mon Ami Gabi French Bistro offers a simplistic French menu with everything from traditional Hors D’Oeuvres to Steak Frites. The restaurant’s desserts, including profiteroles and crème brûlée, are awe inspiring. A children’s menu offers a number of kid-friendly meals, including macaroni and cheese and burgers.

Reservations at Mon Ami Gabi are highly recommended for indoor seating. Unfortunately, seats on the patio are first-come, first-serve. Since they are highly sought by guests, a request may result in a long wait as guest tend to stay a while. Of course, who can blame them for enjoying a café au lait and the stunning view after their meal?

Another great restaurant with al fresco dining is Ah Sin, offering an Asian Fusion menu with a diverse collection of flavors and cooking techniques from the Pacific Rim. Reservations are recommended for both patio and indoor dining.

You’ll say “bon appetite” as you make a toast to the dazzling lights 100 feet below your table at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Located on the 11th floor of the iconic structure, the restaurant is fine dining with view. The restaurant serves the most acclaimed French cuisine available in the city, including a flawlessly seasoned lamb and foie gras that’s unrivaled. To ensure a seat with the best view, reservations are required.

It’s all about great food and ambiance at the two-story, art deco inspired Les Artistes Steakhouse. The restaurant’s à la carte menu offers a variety of specialties, including grilled rack of lamb, a 50-ounce porterhouse steak, and roasted whole Maine lobster and tasty poultry dishes. Reservations at Les Artiste Steakhouse are recommended.

In all, Paris Las Vegas offers 11 dining options, from the low-cost, no-frills to the epicurean experience. There are also a variety of French restaurants in the Las Vegas resort corridor, including Daniel Boulud Brasserie at Wynn, Alizé at the Palms, Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay, Joël Robuchon at the Mansion at MGM Grand, Le Cirque at Bellagio, and finally the famous Pamplemousse, located at 400 E. Sahara Avenue.

No matter your appetite, you’re sure to find the right French meal for the occasion.

Bring on the Night
After the sun sets behind the Spring Mountains to the west and the neon glows, Paris Las Vegas’ nighttime establishments come to life. From the ultra-chic Risqué Nightclub, to the charming Le Cabaret lounge to the lively Napoleon’s Bar, guests are sure to find the right setting for an all night vacation celebration.

Paris Las Vegas’ location at the center of the LasVegas Strip also provides for easy travel to city’s most popular nightclubs, including Pure at Caesar’s Palace, LAX at Luxor, Tao at the Venetian and Tryst at Wynn. Take a taxi, limo, the Las Vegas Monorail or a walk along the Strip to find your ultimate party spot.

And who can forget the shows of Cirque du Soleil. Okay, the shows are not a product of France, but Canada’s Quebec province, so they are still essentially French. There are now six Cirque du Soleil shows at various hotels in Las Vegas: O at Bellagio, Mystere at Treasure Island, Ka at MGM Grand, Zumanity at New York-New York, Love at the Mirage and the newest show, Criss Angel’s Believe. Tickets for these shows are expensive, but well worth the money.

From the street, the 540-foot Eiffel Tower extends into the clouds.

The Spa Treatment
After a night out, a spa treatment at Paris Las Vegas’ Spa by Mandara provides the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation. Massages and facials, as well as other beautification packages are available. For folks not willing to skip their fitness routine, the spa also features a fully equipped fitness center, personal training and steam and saunas rooms.

Clifton, Ohio

I can think of countless ways to usher in the Holiday Season, but none better than a Christmas Lighting Extravaganza.  Couple over 3.5 million lights with the gorgeous backdrop of Clifton Gorge and the Little Miami River at Clifton Mill and your Holiday Season can officially be declared as having begun.  Clifton Mill has been celebrating the Christmas season for almost 20 years with an extraordinary lighting display that takes a crew of six roughly 3 months to set up.

The Mill is located at 75 Water St. in Clifton, Ohio just 9 miles south of Springfield.  Follow OH-72 south (Exit 54) off of Interstate 70 and you can’t miss the Mill on your right.  Parking is free.  Gates open daily at 5pm.  Admission is $8 (children 6 and younger are free).

The weekends are definitely the busiest time, so you may want to keep that in mind when visiting.  Loosely translated, you will have a much more relaxed and leisurely visit if you can swing a trip during the week.  This is really important when you travel, as I do, with a horde of small children.  The area is accessible to strollers but they are not allowed in some of the buildings.

Clifton Mill Lighted for Christmas

The lights go on at 6:00 pm with the flip of a single switch.  It’s absolutely amazing to see the darkened gorge and mill come to life with the brilliant lights.  A definite, “Ooh” and “Ahhh” moment.  My kids often prefer to just scream, “WOW!!!”  There’s even a synchronized light show set to music.  Each hour the lights go out leaving visitors standing in the darkness and slowly they dance back to life as music echoes through the gorge.  It’s captivating, really!

While at the Mill you’ll want to check out the Santa Claus museum, home to over 3000 Santas and Santa memorabilia, the Miniature Village and the spectacular views from the Covered Bridge which spans the gorge and river below.  Concession style meals are served (soups, hot dogs, hot chocolate, cookies) during the evening.

Hours of operation for the lighting display are from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm.  The display starts the day after Thanksgiving and runs every night until January 1st, closing at 8pm on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Years Eve.

The Waterfall at Clifton Mill

I suggest, though, that a trip to Clifton Mill should encompass the whole day.  The Millrace Restaurant located inside of the Mill is open for breakfast and lunch 9:00 am until 2:00 pm.  There’s no better way to start your day than with a stack of fresh pancakes.  The flour, of course, was milled fresh on the premises probably just hours earlier. (Normally closing at 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm on weekends, the restaurant observes abbreviated hours during the Christmas lighting season.)  Afterward, you may wish to tour the mill, which boasts itself as the largest water powered grist mill still in operation in America, for a firsthand look at one of America’s earliest industries.

You’ll have plenty of time in the afternoon to do some antiquing at Weber’s Antique Mall in Clifton or maybe just a leisurely hike at nearby Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve.  It offers incredible views of the gorge from several bridges and platforms.  If you’re looking for a truly unique gift idea or collectible check out The Fish Decoy Company on the corner of Dayton St. and OH-72.

Clifton Mill Overlooking the Gorge

After having explored Clifton’s charm you’ll have plenty of time to make it back to the Mill, grab a cup of hot chocolate and welcome the Christmas Season with the Legendary Lights at Clifton Mill.

Photos courtesy of Clifton Mill website and Bret Arnett (creative commons).