Hocking Hills Excursions

Museums

The Hocking Hills regions is host to many great museums. Take a break from exploring the hills to exploring some history, expand child creativity or see some unique collections. Some of the museums are close by and others are a little farther away, but worth the trip!

Age of Steam Roundhouse is a living, breathing roundhouse where talented restoration specialists work to preserve the locomotives, railroad cars, tools and machinery of the glory days of railroading.

This museum and collection consists of storage tracks, a store house, coal dock, wood water tank, ash pit, back shop and the jewel of the site, a complete, working, 18-stall, brick roundhouse surrounding a 115-foot turntable and turntable pit. They have steam locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, working equipment and more.

A must for railroad enthusiast of all ages! This excursion is a little over 2 hours from Hocking Hills. Public tours and programs are offered May thru October on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. They are located at 213 Smokey Lane Road SW, Sugarcreek, OH 44681. Call for tours and programs at 330 852-4676.

AHA! Childrens' Museum is a hands on childrens museum just down the road in Lancaster, Ohio. Children can play, climb, pretend, expore and learn at the many exhibits in the museum. Children can pretend to drive equipment, put on shows for their families, play in the water area, play in a doctor's office or play unusual instrument to name a few activites. Even children under 36 months can enjoy the "Plop Zone".

The outdoor Nature Playscape is amazing. There is a track for kids to ride gliders and 3 wheeled big bikes. Parents can even walk around the track as kids play. There are slides, sand kitchen, a boat, sidewalk chalk and more.

The museum is open year round Monday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. They are located at Address: 1708 River Valley Circle South, Lancaster, Ohio 43130. Call for hours at 740 653-1010.

The Columbus Washboard Company is a working company and the last washboard manufacturing company in the United States. Tour the inner workings of a centuries old brick factory with vintage equipment used in the 1800s. They are a working museum of American history, using many of the original presses and tools to manufactur the variety of washboards and products.

After visiting the museum and tour, take home a functional piece of americana from their gift store. They sell washboards, instruments, soaps, craft materials and more. They are located at 14 Gallagher Ave | Logan OH 43138. They offer pre-booked tours Monday – Friday and Saturday. Call to pre-book tours at 740 380-3828.

The Georgian Museum is located in one of Lancaster’s three National Historic Districts, an fine example of early 19th century American craftsmanship with many uniquie features. Built originally for Samuel and Sarah Maccracken in 1832 by local builder Daniel Sifford, the home of brick and native sandstone embodies features of both Federal and Greek Revival architecture.

Enjoy guided tours of their restored three storey house and the families that lived in early Lancaster. The home and museum are located at 105 East Wheeling Street Lancaster, Ohio 43130. They are open Tuesday through Sunday and have tours at 1 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm. Call for hours and tours at 740-654-9923.

Ohio Glass Museum has featured exibits, which include a vast collection of depression glass. They have self-guided tours and kiosk with exhibit information.

Enjoy group tours, glass blowing demonstrations, the glass musuem and their retail store. The museum and studio are located at 124 W. Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio. They are open Tuesday through Sunday 12 noon through 4 pm. Call for hours at 740 687-0101.

Hocking Hills Children's Museum is a hands on childrens museum that is moving to downtown historic Logan, OH in 2022. The museum is fund raising to move to the new location and is always in need of support. Children can play, climb, pretend, expore and learn at the many exhibits in the museum. Children can explore the downtown mainstreat shops, with a pizza shop, restaurants, hair salon, doctors office and more. Play in a doctor's office or act in the theater!

Children can explore through experiential learning, so stop for your kids to expore and support this local museum. After the musuem, there are serveral treat, patries, ice cream and frozen yogurt shops on main street.

The museum is scheduled to open Summer 2022. They are located at Address: 78 East Main Street, Logan, Ohio 43138. Call for hours at 740 974-1606 and visit their facebook page.

Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum Is located at the Hocking Hills Welcome Center. Paul A. Johnson, a retired minister, began the collection in 1988 after his wife bought him a small collection of transportation-themed pencil sharpeners as a whimsical Christmas gift. After that gift, his collection grew to over 4,000 pieces.

The museum contineus to grow, as guest are welcome to drop off unique sharpeners as a donation to the museum. The collection is organized by themes, which include transportation, landmarks, sports, cartoons, military to name a few.

Stop in the visitor center for some brochures, souvenirs or exploration ideas. They are located at 3178 St. Rte. 664 S., Logan 43138. The museum is generally open when the vistor center is open, but closes 1 hour before the visitor center. Call for hours at 740 385-9706.

Sherman House Museum is the birthplace of General William Tecumseh Sherman, his younger brother U.S. Senator John Sherman and home of the remarkable Sherman family. The Sherman House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Civil War Preservation Trail and has been a memorial to the family since 1951. It, along with Georgian Museum, is owned and operated by the Fairfield County Heritage Association.

The rooms are restored and setup to look as they would have when the Sherman's lived there. There are many family items in the museum. The home and museum are located at 137 East Main Street Lancaster, Ohio 43130. They are open Tuesday through Sunday and have tours at 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm. Call for hours and tours at 740-687-5891 or 740-654-9923.

Click the museum name to visit their website

AHA! Children's Museum

The Sherman House

Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum

Family Fun

There are some great family fun trips within a 45 minute plus drive from Hocking Hills. The excursions include train rides, zoos, wildlife parks, science exploration and more!

Butterfly Ridge Conservation Center began in 2017 and showcases a garden focusing on the health and well-being of butterflies native to southeastern Ohio. The garden is open to the public for guided tours to visit and learn about butterflies, moths, and other pollinators. They also have seeds available for guest to begin their own butterfly gardens. Butterfly Ridge will invest heavily in helping others develop butterfly habitat, in research to help us learn more about butterflies, the community and supporting students whose career goals include learning more about the natural world.

Help support this wonderful conservation and education center by visiting or donating. Butterfly Ridge is located in Rockbridge, OH. They are generally open daily in the summer and offer guided tours 1 PM to 3 PM 9 AM to 7 PM. Butterfly Ridge is located at 17864 State Route 374, Rockbridge, OH 43149. Call for guided tour hours and information at 740 204-5372.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium began in 1927 when the oweners of the Columbus Dispatch News Paper (The Wolfe family) donated a small collection of animals. In 1978, Jack Hanna was named the director and his leadership and popluarity held transform the zoo and animal care world wide. The zoo has many hands on exhibits, shows, food courts, gift shops, rides and attractions. The zoo has over 10,000 animals in six different regions of the zoo, such as Australia and the Isands, Congo Expeditions, Shores, Asia Quest, North America and Heart of Africa.

Visit the Shores and Aquarium, to see what lives beneath the sea. This excursion is an 1 1/2 hours from Hocking Hills. They are open daily in the summer 9 AM to 7 PM and 10 AM to 5 PM the rest of the year. The zoo is located at 4850 West Powell Road Powell, OH 43065. Call for hours and information at 800-MON-KEYS.

COSI Columbus is the Center Of Science and Industry that was born during a business trip to Chicago in 1957 by Sanford N. Hallock ll, who worked as an account executive for the Byer and Bowman advertising agency. COSI is Columbus' premier science museum, with activities for kids, teens, adults and educators.

The museum also has the National Geographic Theater, The Planetarium and The Motion simulator. Check out great feature movies in the COSI Planetarium, which is the largest in Ohio—features. The Planetarium has state-of-the-art digital technology that offers an jaw droppiing glimpse of our incredible universe on the Digistar 5 projection system and 60-foot dome screen!

The have been in the Best Science Museum in the Nation by USA Today’s 10Best and have been nominated for National Medel for Museums and Library Services. This excursions is about an hour from Hocking Hills. They are open daily and are located at 333 West Broad St.Columbus, OH 43215. Call for hours and information at 614 228-2674.

Fox's High Rock Farm is farm where families can enjoy the animials, wagon rides and the new gem mining area. Their goal is to give others the opportunity to enjoy the fun, laughter and love they enjoy daily with their animals. Visitors to the farm can see what life is like on the farm and rub a pig's belly, love on a lamb, laugh at goats, and feed some cows and horses!

Play with animials, take a wagon ride or mine for jems. They are generaly open Thursday through Tuesday (closed wednesdays), weather permitting. Fox's High Rock Farm is located at 14977 OH-664 Logan, OH 43138. Call for hours at 740 370-0800.

Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is a great experience for the entire family. The railway has been run by passionate volunteers for over forty years! The Nelsonville Depot is a historical train station where you purchase your tickets and board the trains!

They offer themed train excursion, including the Easter Bunny Train, Ohio's Friendliest Train Robbery, All Caboose Train, Trains to Robins Crossing, October Fall Foliage trains, Santa Train and a New Years and Fireworks Train. They also run weekend train trips May through October.

The train receives funding for maintenance and historical preservation through ticket sales and merchandise, so if you love trains take a trip to preserve history!

They have open air coaches and coaches with windows, depending on the selected train package. They generally run year round and are located at Nelsonville Depot 33 West Canal Street Nelsonville, Ohio 45764. Call for hours at 740 249-1452.

Muddy Boots Petting Farm is an outdoor experience on the farm. Come enjoy the company of many different animals from cute and cuddly rabbits, to friendly camels, and all sorts of different farm animals in between. This petting zoo farm is a great place to meet and see the animials up close.

Have events or just come out and visit the animials. They are generaly open Friday through Sunday in May through September, weather permitting. The Muddy Boots Farm is located at 28310 Moccasin Rd Laurelville, OH 43135. Call for hours at 740 807-4200.

The Wilds is North America's largest conservation facility. The Wilds is 9,000 plus acres home to rare and endangered species from around the globe living in open range habitats. The park was transformed a former strip mine into this wild life conservation facilty. The Wilds has evolved into a completely immersive experience with zip line tours, horseback riding, fishing, and more, including one-of-kind, hands-on educational opportunities.

Board an Open-Air Safari bus for The Wilds' most popular experience. There is a 9 zip or a 5 zipline expereince over the preserve, which advance reservations are recommended. You can even stay overnight in a yert! You can also take jeep rides directly too some of the animals in the safari. Knowledgeable guides will take you through open-range animal areas, where you'll see rhinos, giraffes and many other rare and endangered animals roaming in large, natural settings. The Wilds is about 1 hour and 40 minutes away, but well worth the day trip. There are 2 state parks in the areas, Blue Rock State Park and Dillon State Park (Mountain Bike Trails). They are open daily May through October and weekends in November. The Wild's is located at 14000 International Road, Cumberland, OH 43732. Call for hours at 740 638-5030.

Zoombezi Bay is an awesome water park located near the Columbus Zoo. They have theamed water slides, wave pools, little kids play areas and more. Reserve your own cabana for the day and have locker rentals.

Enjoy the Baboon Lagoon, Otter Banks, Wild Tides Wave Pool, Baboa Falls, Python Plunge, Roaring Rapids, Croctail Creek, the Cyclone, Soundsurfer and more. They are open daily at 10:30AM to 6 PM or 7 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Zoombezi Bay is located at 4850 West Powell Rd. Powell OH 43065. The water park is part of the Columbus Zoo, so call general information for hours and questions at 614 645-3550.

Hocking Valley Scenic Railway

The Wilds

Center Of Science & Industry

Performance Venues

The Hocking Hills region is host to some great arts and culture. There are many local stages, outdoor performance venues, theaters and oprea houses that host events year round. Take on a live theatrical production, play, musical, movie or live concert.

Skyview Drive-in has been in business for over 73 years. The first drive-in in Ohio to be HD in picture and sound since 2011! Affordable entertainment for the whole family and a fun filled evening! Enjoy great movies in the great outdoors! Ticket purchases are online only. The movie companies get most of the ticket revenue, so purchase food at the consessions stand or bring your own food and purchase a $5 food permit to support the drive-in and keep it open for generations to enjoy.

Nostalgic car speakers are still available for use, or you can choose state-of-the-art FM stereo sound using your car's stereo. They are open daily, except in the winter. The Skyview Drive-In is located at 2420 E. Main St. Lancaster, Ohio 43130. Visit their website for shows, times and tickets. Call for information and hours, at 740 653-5517.

Stuart's Opera House is the cornerstone of the Nelsonville Historic Art District. A lovingly restored theatre that reflects its glory days in 1879 through 1924 when it was home to vaudeville, melodrama, and minstrel shows. Stuart’s closed and sat empty from 1924 through 1976. In 1977 a group formed a non-profit and started bringing the theatre back to life when a devastating fire nearly destroyed the building in 1980.

Seventeen years later, in 1997, the opera house re-opened its doors and is once again home to local, regional, national and internationally acclaimed performances. Stuart’s Opera House now hosts over 75 events each year and is Southeastern Ohio’s favorite place to experience live performance.

Stuart's Opera House events include concerts, musicals, plays, festivals and more. Stop by their gift shop for merchandise, posters, music festival merchandise and more.

Visit their website to catch performance or concert at the opera house. They have events year round and are located at 52 Public Square, Nelsonville, OH 45764. Call for hours, tickets or information at 740 753-1924.

Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre is a venue that host live stage performances as well movies and more. The venue's main producution is the live outdoor drama Tecumseh!, where guest witness the epic life story of the legendary Shawnee leader as he struggles to defend his sacred homelands in the Ohio country during the late 1700’s. Performances are June through September.

In the October the live Haunted Mountain performances are chilling, and include escape rooms and carnival options. Past performaces include The Sleep Hollow Experience and The Passion of Dracula! They also host Movies On The Mountain where they show classic movies.

Visit their website to see performace dates and time and to purcahse in tickets in advance. Sugarloaf Mountain Amphetheatre's season runs from June through October are and are located at 5968 Marietta Road, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601. Call for hours, tickets or performance information at 866 775-0700.