Winter in Ohio is a great time to pack your bags and escape for a memorable trip with your favorite person. Whether you’re looking for a quick day trip or a weekend-long excursion, there are tons of romantic getaway ideas in central Ohio to discover!
Explore
The Buckeye Lake region provides outdoor recreation of all kinds!  During the winter months under proper conditions, park visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and bird-watching.  If you’re looking to stretch your legs, take a relaxing stroll around the 4.1-mile walking/biking path, connecting Buckeye Lake Village to Liebs Island in Millersport.  While in Millersport, explore Brooks Park, a 2.5-acre wetland habitat where you can spot different animals, including the many different species of birds that surround the lake.
Located just 10 minutes south of the lake is the Cherokee Valley Bison Ranch.  Book a private tour of this unique 50-year-old farm and even stay in one of the spacious 22-foot tipis.  Certified as a Wildlife Habitat, take in the beautiful hiking trails through the rolling hills of the ranch and enjoy a campfire dinner over the provided fire pit with a grill.
First established in 1929, the Dawes Arboretum offers 2,000 acres of plant collections, gardens, and natural areas. The site includes approximately 12 miles of hiking trails and roadways for a four-mile driving tour.  Located 10-15 minutes north of Buckeye Lake, you can enjoy a visitors center and gift shop as well!

Eat
Kick off your escape with a warm breakfast and a cup of your favorite java from Coffee Shack North Shore, Millersport Coffee, or Buckeye Lake Coffee Company.
Indulge in a scrumptious bite at Horvath’s Harbor including chicken marsala, 12oz ribeye, and chocolate lava cake, or seafood pasta, steak, and an ice cream and beer float (you read that right) from the Blue Heron Kitchen & Pub. Partake in the sweetest donut date at Dockside Donuts or a frozen custard treat from Hank & Stella’s.
Come evening, enjoy the relaxing, southern banks of the lake with a delicious and extensive menu at Buckeye Lake Winery by the fireplace.  Afterward, end the night at the Hereinafter Cocktail Tavern for high-end crafted cocktails and a cozy atmosphere.

Escape
Of course, don’t forget the flowers!  Stop by Millersport Flowers and pair your bouquet with a Valentine’s Day-themed gift basket from Jackie’s Creations, both locally-owned shops. Looking for more decor?  Find apparel and home decorations at Yellow Sundress Resale Boutique, Buckeye Lake Place, or Melissa & Patti’s Unique Finds.

With multiple unique short-term rentals all around the Buckeye Lake region, you’ll find the best stay for your V-Day getaway!  Discover lakefront cottages and chic homes with beautiful waterfront views to make your trip as memorable as possible. Plus, find Instagram-worthy spots around the lake to share your journey with family, friends, and followers.

Map out your trip with the Escape to Buckeye Lake app!  Our app allows you to add different shops, restaurants, and more in one easy-to-read list, keeping you on track for the perfectly planned Valentine’s Day right from your phone.
Follow Escape to Buckeye Lake on Facebook and Instagram for more updates on restaurants, activities, and more happening around Buckeye Lake.

As the year comes to a close, it’s a great time to take a moment to look back on the new businesses, restaurants, and other projects that have opened around the Buckeye Lake region!  With the recent developments in the area, we’re excited for what’s to come in the new year to make your next vacation destination all the better.
New Bites at Buckeye Lake
If one thing is certain, there’s always a place to snag a bite around the lake! Check out the latest eateries that opened their doors in 2023:
The Blue Heron Kitchen & Pub – Officially opening its doors in February, the Blue Heron Kitchen & Pub offers indoor dining, bar seating, and an outdoor patio.  With delicious menu options like mushroom puttanesca, drunken clams, lobster bisque, beer floats, and more, you won’t leave unsatisfied.  Don’t miss out on this upscale American eatery in the village of Buckeye Lake!

The Dirty Oar – Enjoy cold drinks, tasty food truck bites, and live music lakeside at one of Buckeye Lake’s newest pubs!
La Cabra Kitchen at the Boatyard at Buckeye Lake – Located within the Boatyard at Buckeye Lake, the La Cabra Craft Kitchen offers appetizers, burgers, nachos, salads, tacos, and more!  Take a break by the lake and enjoy great food and drink with waterfront views at this staple lakeside establishment.

Whit’s Frozen Custard – Since reopening their doors in August, Whit’s Buckeye Lake offers fresh, frozen custard made on-site!  Come lake season, stop by this locally-owned business for flavors that will satisfy your sweet tooth while stopping by the North Shore ramp and taking a stroll around the lake.
New Businesses at Buckeye Lake
Explore local shops, services, and fun things to do with these new businesses at the lake.
Earthly Pottery Co. – Offering handmade pottery, candles, and home goods for sale, grab your friends or make it a date night and book a class to make unique pottery with Earthly Pottery Co.!

LakeBound Boardwalk – Combining a myriad of noteworthy lakeside shops, explore LakeBound Boardwalk at 12408 Lancaster Street, Millersport.  Shop lake rentals at LakeBound Outfitters, bring the kids and grab a slice from LakeBound Pizza, indulge in a sweet treat from Dockside Donuts, and shop decor, gift baskets, custom tees, and more from Picadilly Vintage, Jackie’s Creations, and Red Handed Designs, all in one stop!
Millersport Flowers – Open for all your floral needs, find gift baskets, beautiful bouquets, and much more at this locally-owned flower shop.
Pea Ohana Watersports – Expanding their new location to Thornville, experience standup paddleboarding or kayaking with Pea Ohana Watersports!  Plus, book a class for their Snug Harbor Fit N’ Paddle series including a dry land workout followed by a fun, relaxing time out on the water.

Smoke on the Water Cigar and Pipe Lounge – A new family-owned cigar lounge and shop serving the Buckeye Lake area!
Other Updates at the Lake
Celebrate some fun in the sun and a cool drink in your hand with the new outdoor patios at Buckeye Lake Margaritas and the Hereinafter Cocktail Tavern!
Now the last standing piece of what was once a popular amusement park at Buckeye Lake, the iconic North Shore Fountain has officially been restored through the efforts of the Buckeye Lake Historical Society.

Enjoy tasty bites, a craft brew, and new views at Buckeye Lake Brewery and Chef Shack with their recent outdoor remodel!

Grab a cup of your favorite caffeinated craving at Millersport Coffee and take an Insta-worthy photo with their new Be Kind mural.

Get ready for an even bigger 2024 at Buckeye Lake 
Find annual events happening soon like Buckeye Lake Winterfest or start planning a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day.  Plus, stay up-to-date with all things Buckeye Lake like new restaurants, openings, and more with our monthly newsletter and app!

Known for being a popular summertime destination, the Buckeye Lake region is just as fun when things start to cool down!  With the holidays around the corner, you may be looking for somewhere to stay as you travel or maybe just a quick getaway from the busy season.  Either way, now is the time to start planning your holidays at the lake.
Book a Cozy ‘Bnb
Luckily, Buckeye Lake has an abundance of photo-worthy short-term rentals!  With everything from unique yurts, cozy cottages, or chic, lakefront homes – big enough for the whole family or perfect for just two – you’ll find the best place to make your trip memorable for years to come.

Holiday Shopping
Although the lake season is slowing down, there are still a myriad of businesses to shop locally around the 35 miles of shoreline!  Whether you’re looking to add to your wardrobe, find your next favorite decor piece, or the perfect gift basket to give this holiday, check out these small local lake businesses to complete your shopping list. 
Outdoor Adventures
As Ohio’s oldest State Park, Buckeye Lake offers plenty of outdoor activities, even in the colder months!  Under proper weather conditions, enjoy the 4-mile walking path, ice skating, ice fishing, or bird watching.  Plus, find Instagram-worthy spots around the lake to share your journey with family, friends, and followers.  Visitors can also travel 10-20 minutes north to The Dawes Arboretum, a 2,000-acre tree museum offering 12 miles of hiking trails, 17,000 labeled collection plants, and more. 

Grab a Bite
Buckeye Lake’s food scene is continuously growing!  Now home to multiple cafes and casual upscale dining including the Blue Heron Kitchen & Pub, Buckeye Lake Winery, Hereinafter Cocktail Tavern, and Horvath’s Harbor, you’re sure to find your next favorite breakfast, lunch or dinner spot! Check out these cozy local restaurants for holiday specials and festive drinks. 

Plan for the New Year
Can’t make it this year?  No worries!  There’s still plenty of time to book your trip for the annual Buckeye Lake Winterfest, the last weekend of January, or start planning a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day.  No matter the weather, Buckeye Lake is the perfect weekend getaway or vacation destination for your holidays at the lake. 

For more information on what’s new and happening at Buckeye Lake, download our mobile app, sign up for our monthly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook & Instagram.

Buckeye Lake is an exciting destination to spend the day out on the water, enjoy live music, experience delicious cuisine and tasty drinks, and admire stunning sunsets. However, there’s much more to discover beyond the shoreline. Dive into these 25 Things You Might Not Know About Buckeye Lake including its history, neighboring towns, and more! 
25 Things You Might Not Know About Buckeye Lake
1. Buckeye Lake is Ohio’s oldest State Park.
2. The lake is home to over 20 islands.
3. The lake offers 3,100 acres of water.
4. The lake extends into 3 different Ohio counties – Fairfield, Licking, and Perry.
5. Multiple villages and neighborhoods surrounding the lake make up the Buckeye Lake Region: Buckeye Lake Village, Fairfield Beach, Harbor Hills, Hebron, Millersport, Thornport, and Thornville.
6. Buckeye Lake State Park is located 30 minutes east of Ohio’s capital, Columbus. 

7.  Buckeye Lake has 35 miles of shoreline.
8. A 4-mile shoreline walking & biking path connects the North Shore in Buckeye Lake Village to Liebs Island in Millersport.
9. The deepest part of Buckeye Lake is 14 feet.
10. Formed by a retreating glacier more than 14,000 years ago, Buckeye Lake first existed as a shallow, swampy pond, named “Great Buffalo Swamp” by Ohio Company explorer Christopher Gist in 1751.
11. The lake first served as a feeder lake for Ohio’s canal system during the 1800s.
12. From 1826 to 1830, the construction of the Licking Summit Reservoir was completed and would eventually become Buckeye Lake, a man-made lake.
13. When the lake was impounded in 1826, Cranberry Bog broke loose from the bottom and became a floating island that may conceivably be the only one of its kind in the world. Cranberry Bog State Nature Preserve, which is also a National Natural Landmark, is a small and shrinking remnant of this bog.
14. In 1894, Buckeye Lake was officially named a public park.
15. With the creation of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Buckeye Lake was officially designated as an Ohio State Park in 1949.
16. Buckeye Lake once held an amusement park with a ferris wheel, roller coaster, dance pavilions, and arcade, and was known as the Playground of Ohio.
17. During the 1940s, the dance halls hosted big Hollywood names such as Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and more.
18. Today, the amusement park’s final remnant is the fountain that originally served as the centerpiece of the midway, which was restored in the summer of 2023.
19. Outdoor recreation at Buckeye Lake includes boating, birding, fishing, kayaking, jet-skiing, hiking/walking, hunting, picnicking, and swimming.  During the winter months under proper conditions, park visitors can enjoy ice skating, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and ice boating. 

20. Buckeye Lake is home to the only inland sternwheeler in the state, the Queen of the Lake III – not operating as of 2024
21. Every January, the businesses that surround Buckeye Lake participate in an annual festival, Winterfest.  Join Benny the Bass as he predicts a long winter or an early spring and celebrate with fireworks, activities, live music, art shows, food and drink specials, food trucks, and more!  Stick around for the annual Polar Plunge at the Buckeye Lake Winery, as participants jump into the freezing cold water of the lake to help raise money for charity.
22. Buckeye Lake’s food scene is continuously growing, now home to multiple cafes and casual upscale dining including the Blue Heron Kitchen & Pub, Buckeye Lake Winery, Hereinafter Cocktail Tavern, Horvath’s Harbor, and more.

23. The Dawes Arboretum, founded in 1929, is a 2,000-acre tree museum located 10-20 minutes north of the lake, offering 12 miles of hiking trails, 17,000 labeled collection plants, and more.
24. Situated immediately east of Buckeye Lake is Legend Valley, a 230-acre live music venue and campground that has hosted concerts, music festivals, and athletic events since the 1970s.
25. Popular annual festivals that take place in the Buckeye Lake region include the Thornville Backwoods Fest, Millersport Sweetcorn Festival, Tour de Buckeye Lake, and more.  
Bonus Fact: Buckeye Lake has an app!  Explore what the lake region has to offer, including lodging, popular restaurants, activities, shopping, and much more. View it all at once or search by categories like Outdoor Recreation, Arts & Culture, and Shopping.
Plan your escape today.   With multiple short-term rentals all around the lake, you’ll find the best stay for your getaway!  Find lakefront cottages and photo-worthy homes with beautiful waterfront views to make your trip as memorable as possible. Plus, check out events happening around the lake including live music, entertainment, and more!