Winter transforms Ravenwood Castle and the surrounding Hocking Hills into a serene and magical retreat. Whether you’re seeking cozy indoor activities, outdoor adventures, or a mix of both, our Winter Activity Guide is sure to inspire plans to make your next stay in the area unforgettable!

Cozy Comfort at the Castle

At Ravenwood Castle, the colder months are a time to embrace disconnecting. Start your day with complimentary breakfast in the Great Hall and grab a cup of warm coffee or tea. If you’d like to add some spice to your morning, order our Gingerbread Pancakes, a seasonal sweet treat! Spend your afternoon learning a new board game from our extensive library. Play in the Great Hall, Library, or even back in the comfort of your room!

Make sure to schedule time to enjoy the Raven’s Roost Pub during your stay. From our curated spirits selection to our incredible lineup of craft beers, we offer something for every palate. For our non-alcoholic guests, Butterbeers and craft sodas are available. Our seasonal mimosa, the Mistletoe Mimosa, can also be made NA upon request! Another benefit of staying at the Castle is that you don’t have to leave the property to get a great meal! Our Pub serves a variety of fare like burgers, flatbreads, housemade soups, and more.

Explore

Just outside the Castle lies a winter wonderland, also known as Hocking Hills, perfect for adventurers. Lace up your hiking boots, don your winter gear, and get ready to explore! We recommend bringing hiking poles and your camera.

Here a few iconic sites to add to your itinerary:

1. Old Man’s Cave – 20 minutes from the Castle – The one-way loop trail is approximately 1 mile long and is one of the most popular hikes in the area. Off-season midweek days are great times to visit to enjoy a less crowded trail!
2. Ash Cave – 13 minutes from the Castle – A Hocking Hills must visit. The trail is approximately a 1/2 mile long and takes about 40 minutes to hike. Ash Cave is the largest recess cave in the state. The cave has a horseshoe-shaped rim that spans 700 feet with a runoff waterfall.
3. Cedar Falls – 15 minutes from the Castle – The one-way loop trail is about a 1/2 mile long. About halfway through the hike, you will enjoy Cedar Falls, one of the most recognizable Hocking Hills areas.

For a more leisurely outing, book a ride on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway. This is a great way to see the beauty of the area all within the comfort and warmth of your train car.

Adventure

Jack Pine Studio
Get up close and personal and see a glassblowing demonstration at Jack Pine Studio! Or take the reins yourself and sign up for a workshop.  Here you can work with a professional glass artist to create your own masterpiece.

Hocking Hills Moonshine
Warm up at Hocking Hills Moonshine! Let the experienced and knowledgeable staff take you on a personal tour of the distillery. Brian St. Clair and brother Eric started the family-owned distillery the fall of 2015. Cheers!

Game

High Rock Escapes
High Rock Escapes is great during all times of the year, but especially in the colder months. The Attic Adventure is an escape room experience designed to be fun and engaging for adults and older youth. It is considered a medium to difficult level escape room.

Axe Throwing
The Logan restaurant Hungry Buffalo is also home to Bury The Axe, an axe-throwing experience for guests 18 years or older. Perfect for date nights, group outings, or just letting off some steam, this exciting activity is sure to warm you right up!

Movies 10 and The Fun Barn
Catch a movie at Movies 10 in Nelsonville! With ticket pricing starting at only $4.00, it is a fun and affordable way to spend a few hours. Movies 10 is also home to The Fun Barn complete with an arcade, concessions, bumper cars, and more.

Recharge

Get a Massage
Unwind with Hocking Hills Traveling Massage! They offer a variety of packages such as deep tissue massage, facial massage, couples massages, and more. If you’re worried you may need something more suited to you, don’t worry, book a customized massage where the most effective techniques are determined by the therapist as the tissues are assessed. A stay at the Castle + a massage = the ultimate relaxation!

Hocking Hills Serenity Salt Cave
Relax and restore at the only salt cave in Hocking Hills! With the powerful use of salt from the Himalayas, a Halotherapy session will leave you feeling cleansed inside and out. The salt is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial providing wellness for a variety of respiratory, skin, and emotional conditions.

Hocking Hills Sauna Pods
Rent your own personal sauna pod! These cedar saunas feature a floor-to-ceiling fish-eye window facing a Hocking Hills view. No hiking is required. Bring music to connect to the Bluetooth speakers and experiment with the built-in mood lighting.

Plan Your Winter Escape Today

Whether you want to embrace the snow-covered trails or cozy up by your fireplace, Ravenwood Castle is the perfect winter destination. The enchanting grounds, combined with the beauty of Hocking Hills, offers something for everyone this season. Book your stay now and create your own winter fairytale!

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