Weekend Getaways and Retreats for Couples and Families

When my husband and I got married back in November, one of the first things we did was make a list of places we wanted to go for weekend getaways. With both of us having a demanding schedule we wanted to plan weekends for day trips and overnight stays for a time of respite and refreshment. The places I discuss in this article or just a few of the fantastic finds in our tri-state area.

One of our finds located in Ohio, is Hocking Hills. This scenic wonderland is nestled among Rockbridge, Laurelsville, Athens and McArthur, Ohio. This is a great choice whether you and your spouse are looking to getaway for a few days, and it's a great choice for the family too. Hocking Hills will give you the nature scene you want with not being out in the middle of nowhere. By going to www.hockinghills.com, you can plan your trip from start to finish. The first thing you will find is a locater, you can get directions, view the options of cottages and cabins you can rent, and you can get the local forecast for the time you plan to spend there.

The activities here are great! You can go to the Canoe Livery and get one for the two of you, and they also have group rates. In addition, you can even take a Moonlight tour or just do the beginners course. There is a family center on the same premises too where you can do some horseback riding, and play some miniature golf. If you want to just sink yourself into nature, you can just simply hike the abundance of trails there, or if you rent a cabin with a hot tub you might be hard pressed to leave!

The best times to go to Hocking Hills are either early fall or during the spring. We find that living in Ohio we know the weather pretty well, and it tends to be quite humid here. Simply check on their forecast block and it will give you the forecast for the time you plan to come and enjoy the scenery. Cost will simply depend on where you plan to stay and for how long. For cabins or cottages plan to spend anywhere from $ 125 a night and up. For Inns and hotels you can spend anywhere from $ 149 and up per night, and for group rates for eight people and up you could spend anywhere from $250 to $575 per night. The higher price would be for around twenty people if you plan to stay at the Grand Lodge. Be sure to ask about any current specials they are running.

The second option that we love for a romantic getaway simply isn't far from home. The Wildwood Inn in Florence, Ky is a great find for couples. We simply love it's variety of theme rooms you can choose from. They have Cave Rooms, an African Village with a circle of huts, Western Rooms, Nascar Rooms and one with a seven foot tall Champagne Glass hot tub. This was our favorite for romance. The rooms are spacious, and having a hot tub in the room provides privacy. As far as activities, you can certainly go into the Tropical Dome and go swimming in the regular pool or the heated pool, or you can head on over to the Florence Mall for some shopping. In addition, this hotel has packages you can pick from if you want to get tickets for a Bengals or Reds game, or you can get a package that includes tickets to the Aquarium. Since this part of Kentucky is only minutes from Downtown Cincinnati, you can take in some shopping in some the finer stores there as well such as Saks Fifth Avenue or Tiffany's. While there, you can take in some fine dining at The Boathouse also known as Montgomery Inn which is famous for its ribs. You can also eat on the Kentucky side without crossing over by going to the Newport on the Levee where you can catch a flick, do some shopping, go the Aqaurium and eat at Mitchell's Fish Market which is fresh caught seafood flown in daily.

You can go anytime of the year to this hotel for a romantic getaway, but the seasons you choose might just be dependent on what your favorite sport is, if you plan to take in a game. They do have regular spa rooms which start at $125 and up, and the theme suites will go anywhere from $149 and up. For rates and availability and any updates on rooms being added, go to www.wildwood-inn.com.

Last but not least, the third getaway we like is in Wilmot, Ohio. This weekend escape requires a little bit of travel but it has a little something different to offer. This weekend trip will show you some gorgeous Amish countryside, especially in the fall with all the colors that the foliage has to offer. The Hasseman House Bed and Breakfast is inside this charming town, and offers a Victorian appeal and some very attractive woodwork. You must contact them directly in order to get their rates and policies, but generally you will plan to spend anywhere from $80-$170 a night depending on the time of year you go and whether or not you want a Jacuzzi Tub in your room. You can contact them with an email inquiry by going to a site called, www.trails.com. You will also find more places here to stay in the Amish country.

The one attraction I love here in Wilmette, is a restaurant that was opened by the Grossniklaus Family that moved here from Switzerland in 1935. This restaurant known as Alpine Homestead offers fresh food, mostly grown from the Amish farms and all bread and other baked items and cheeses are made from scratch. This restaurant boasts the World's Largest Cuckoo Clock, and the second largest Cuckoo Clock Shop. The clock is outside so you won't see it if you visit between November 15-April 15th. The inside of the restaurant has fascinating murals that will bring you into Switzerland without ever leaving Ohio. I believe the cuckoo clock is worth seeing, so the best time to visit is anytime from April 16 up until early November.