Winter Destinations

Let’s face it — February is not the best time to talk about travel in Ohio. High winds and low temperatures make for treacherous driving and flying conditions, while icy sidewalks make even the walk to your car challenging.

If you’re like me, the coldest days usually mean traveling as far as the couch (and maybe to the kitchen) in slippers, while weighing the pros and cons of buying one of those blankets with arms.

Luckily, though, my position as Ohio Magazine’s travel editor forces me out and about, not only for my daily commute, but for great trips throughout Ohio as well.

And along the way, I’ve learned that there are plenty of ways to beat the winter blues in the Buckeye State. 

The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls in Logan has cranked up the heat with “fireside chats” through March. These informal — and informative — discussions are free to guests on Sunday nights and take place after dinner, when everyone can cozy up next to the fire and enjoy a glass of wine and stimulating conversation.

This month’s theme is plant-based, as guest speaker Cindy Parker, a graduate of California School of Herbal Studies and expert on herbal remedies, will talk about medicinal herbs on Feb. 21. Make your reservations now and find out how to survive the rest of cold season.

The following week, on Feb. 28, Ohio naturalist Paul Knoop will speak about the flora and fauna found in the Hocking Hills. Knoop’s 35 years of experience at the Aullwood Audubon Center in Dayton make him more than qualified to talk about what lies beneath the frost.

If outdoor winter adventure is more your thing, head over to Boston Mills Brandywine Ski Resort in Peninsula and Sagamore Hills for their Hope on the Slopes event, which kicks off with a cardboard box race on Feb. 26 and continues the next day with more races, relays, a silent auction and a wine tasting, all to benefit children with life-threatening illnesses.

So hop off the couch, grab your warmest gear and head out. And if you happen to find additional winter-friendly adventures along the way, let me know. I’m always up for traveling, and a little motivation never hurts this time of year.