When was the last time you got the whole gang together? Whether family or friends there’s a good chance everyone is spread across the map. This will be a great year for a road trip reunion.
Ever since John Belushi shouted those famous words “Road Trip!” in “Animal House” the very idea congers up images of escape, adventure and maybe a little mischief. Southeast Ohio’s Hocking Hills is the perfect destination for the quintessential reunion road trip.
Located within a day’s drive of more than sixty percent of the U.S. population, the Hocking Hills region is internationally recognized as the best “Under-the-Radar” destination in all of North America by Buzzfeed.com stating that, “Hocking Hills State Park is a must for nature lovers, filled with cliffs, gorges, and waterfalls.”
The region is best known for world-class hiking and cozy cabins. The Hocking Hills is also the Canopy Tour Capital of the Midwest with more than fifty ziplines. This is the place to bring your bucket list. Get a bird’s eye view from the tree canopy. Fly like Buck Rogers with Jet Pack Water Adventures. Anglers are in for a whole new experience with Ohio Belly Boat Fishing.
Whether your bucket list wish is to say so-long to your schedule, disconnect from all the electronic gadgets or an adrenaline filled, high-flying weekend with your alma mater pals, the Hocking Hills is just the ticket. Outdoor recreation, family friendly festivals, museums, performing arts, tours and much more will keep everyone entertained.
After an activity filled day it’s time to relax and what could be more relaxing than your own private resort. Luxurious lodges are designed to provide privacy, plenty of room for everyone and all the comforts of home. Go for a swim in your private pool. Chill out in a hot tub while gazing at the star-filled sky. Toast marshmallows over an open fire while stories of the day and laughter lingers in the evening air.
Plan your road rip reunion around one of the region’s signature festivals. The Washboard Music Festival brings bluegrass, zydeco, rock, country, folk and gospel music together for a celebration of the washboard’s melodic tones in historic downtown Logan (June). Lilyfest is the “un-festival”. There are no deep fried foods, Ferris wheels or fireworks, just flowers, art and music wafting on a breeze throughout the Bishop Educational Gardens (July).
The Laurelville Fireman’s Old Time Festival in July is just what you would expect. The nightly fish fry is legendary. The Midway delights kids of all ages. When was the last time you took a spin on a Tilt-a-Whirl? The highlight of the festival is Ohio’s most expensive cake auction.
Everyone loves a parade so, naturally, everyone loves Nelsonville’s Parade of the Hills featuring three parades beginning with the Main Street Welcome Home Parade on Wednesday followed by the Bicycle Parade on Thursday and the pièce de résistance, the Grande Parade on Saturday. Add Queen contests, the Ohio State Fiddling Contest, Pie Contest & Auction and a 5k Run For The Hills (just in case you eat too much pie)and you’ve got one great festival. Evening musical entertainment includes Hard Days Night (Beatles Tribute Band) on Wednesday, Ohio’s own McGuffey Lane on Thursday, Mr. Speed (KISS Tribute Band) on Friday and Stadium 11 in August.
So fire off those emails, tweets, posts, shares. This is the summer for a road trip reunion and your destination is the Hocking Hills.
