When you hear the words “winter season” and “colder weather”, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Booking a stay at Ravenwood Castle and visiting the Hocking Hills probably wasn’t your first answer. But perhaps it should be! This week on Quoth the Raven I’ve compiled a list of reasons that the off-season may be one of the best times to visit the area. Stay tuned – and maybe grab some cocoa!

Crowds, begone! If 2020 wasn’t reason enough to distance yourself from others, the Hocking Hills area gets even better when less people are visiting. Nothing says peace and quiet like an early morning hike at Ash Cave, which is only a thirteen-minute drive from the Castle! Bundling up and taking to the hiking trails is a great way to get physical activity in as well as being able to avoid the crowds you’d see during peak season.

There’s plenty to do! Despite the obstacles we have faced, there are plenty of things to see and do in the area that provide for a safe experience. We’re lucky to be located in the heart of the Hocking Hills region which leaves us as a center for adventure. Whether you’re staying on-site for the duration of your stay or want to fill your itinerary with other local to-dos, Ravenwood is an ideal home base!

If you’re looking to pick up some holiday gifts, check out Homegrown on Main in downtown Logan. Handblown glass art, quilt work, photography prints, and more will fill your afternoon in your search for the perfect present. Feeling peckish? Swing by Millstone BBQ – a fan favorite – and snag some of their ribs or pulled pork. If you’ll be arriving in the new year, the 56^th Annual Winter Hike beginning at the State Park campground is a wonderful way to get to know the area if it’s your first time visiting.

Prepare your Instagrams! Seriously – have you been to Hocking Hills when there’s snowfall? It’s almost as if you jumped into a Norman Rockwell wintry scene to visit the magic in real life! If you’re out and about hiking the area and see the fresh snow over the rock formations, the sun glistening off the frozen waterfalls… well, let’s just say it makes for an unforgettable sight.

The Castle is no different – the way the Medieval Village looks covered in snow, the way the cool air wraps around you as you make the short (voluntary) trek up from the Huntsman’s Hollow, or the way the Castle glows at night surrounded by white… it all makes you feel like you’re in a winter wonderland. If you happen to snap a photo of the Castle, make sure to tag us @ravenwoodcastle – we’d love to see and share it with our other guests!

…IT’S A CASTLE! I’ll be honest, my adoration of seeing a Castle in the snow stemmed from seeing Beauty and the Beast 2 a few too many (hundred) times when I was younger. There isn’t anything quite like stepping out of your car after your journey to Ravenwood, feeling the crisp, fresh air hit your face and pausing for a moment to realize just how beautiful our neck of the woods is. If you’re looking for a getaway where you don’t ever need to leave, the Castle is perfect for you. We have 21 unique accommodations, all with their own charm. Many rooms have fireplaces that are ideal for snuggling up next to whether it be with a game, a Castle Butterbeer, or a plate of our Dragon Wings!

We have a board game library of 100+ games available for any overnight guests and you’re more than welcome to take them back to the comfort of your own room. We offer two on-site scavenger hunts for guests free of charge – those lists can be picked up in the main office! You can adventure our 53 acres and hiking trails, all without needing to leave the premises. All of our guests receive breakfast with each overnight stay and there’s something about those Sunday morning cinnamon rolls that keep guests coming back over and over again.

It’s my hope that we get to see you join us for an “off-season” stay this year – although EVERY season at Ravenwood is a marvelous one!

Molly Smith

Molly Smith is a member of the Ravenwood Detective Agency, and loves to hunt zombies. Her passion for guest satisfaction and love for event planning led her to Ravenwood Castle.