By Amanda Williams
Posted On: May 18, 2015
The Hocking Hills, located in southeastern Ohio, has always been a popular getaway for Ohioans looking to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Centered around Hocking Hills State Park and all its great hiking trails, the Hocking Hills is accessible from just about everywhere in Ohio – it’s only an hour from Columbus, a little over two hours from Cincinnati, and three hours from Cleveland.
It’s no wonder it’s a popular summertime getaway.
The Hocking Hills is known for its outdoor activities – from hiking to canoeing to horseback riding to roasting marshmallows over a fire outside a cabin in the woods. But that’s not ALL there is to do.
This summer, there are a few extra stops you might want to make if you’re visiting the Hocking Hills:
Off-Road Segway Tours
Yes, it’s a real thing. If you’ve ever seen a Segway before, most likely it was in a city (Segway tours are popular in many large cities all around the world). But the off-road version is slightly different. I tried it out at Hocking Hills Canopy Tours, where they currently have 10 beefy, big-wheeled SegwayX2s that can carry you up hills and over all sorts of uneven ground.
The tour starts out with a lesson on how to use the Segway (no prior experience necessary) and then you head out with a guide for 1.5-2 hours. The “course” includes grassy paths through fields and gravelly trails through the woods. It’s definitely a unique way to explore the area.
Hocking Hills Winery
Newly opened in April 2015, Hocking Hills Winery is going to be a must-visit this summer. Located just off Route 33 in Logan, the winery has a cozy tasting room as well as an outdoor patio. A tasting of six different wines only costs $5, and a glass of your favorite is $4.75. My tip is to grab a glass of wine and a cheese plate and enjoy the outdoor patio.
The winery’s story is a good one: it’s a family-run business that began as a final project for an entrepreneurship course. Today, the family has about 4 acres of grapes planted, and has plans to produce even more wine than it does now.
Along with the above adventures, you also might want to check out the following in Hocking Hills:
Straitsville Special Moonshine – This is a moonshine distillery located in New Straitsville that’s been open for about a year at 105 West Main Street. New Straitsville has hosted the annual Moonshine Festival for more than four decades, making it the perfect spot for a moonshine distillery.
Hiking in the state park – No visit to the Hocking Hills would be complete without some hiking. There are six major hiking areas within Hocking Hills State Park, with the most popular being Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave.
Hocking Hills Market – If you’re interested in antiques, flea markets, or shopping for local arts and crafts, then you’ll want to stop at the Hocking Hills Market. You’ll even find mini-golf and a 50s-style diner here.
