Welcome to OHIO! The holidays have arrived, and whether you live here year round, you're visiting family and friends, or just passing through; you'll find something for everyone. Winter is the official season of fun and there is no better place to celebrate than right here in OHIO. So come on in, we've been waiting for you.
Shopping
Holiday shoppers who can find the time to sneak away for a day or two will discover a new realm of gift giving possibilities in Ohio. From a handcrafted Amish rocking chair to a cutting edge sculpture, Ohio has so many holiday shopping destinations and gifts to discover.
Artwork
In every corner of Ohio, artists are producing excellent and affordable objects that beautify homes, spark discussions and create cultural awareness.
Columbus' Short North Arts District is laden with dozens of art galleries, offering artwork ranging from the exotic to the avant garde. Asian masterpieces, beads galore, Turkish treasures, ceramics, glass art, specialty foods, spa products, paintings and more can be found along this compact stretch of High Street in the heart of Ohio's largest city.
In Ohio, stunning art can even be found in small towns, far from crowded malls. Yellow Springs, just east of Dayton, offers an eclectic mix of stylish furniture, contemporary fine art, jewelry, art prints and books. Athens County offers a mixture of Appalachian crafts and modern pottery with a bit of New Age flair, all handcrafted by local artists. Within steps of either of these artistic shopping destinations are excellent restaurants, offering healthful, organic cuisine.
Culinary
Shopping for a person with sophisticated taste buds can be a challenge. But the sheer variety of palate-pleasing presents available in Ohio makes it an outstanding culinary shopping destination.
Cleveland's West Side Market is a mecca for foodies. With more than 100 vendors representing myriad foods, flavors and cultures, almost any delicacy can be found here, from Vietnamese hot sauces, to Spanish and Tunisian olive oils, to Polish pastries to crusty Tuscan bread. It can all be found under one roof.
Robert Rothschild Farm, in Urbana, raises raspberries on-site and creates a mouthwatering array of jams, chutneys, pickles, mustards and more. A Taste of Ohio, in historic downtown Cambridge, offers countless options for filling a holiday goodie basket with cheeses, spicy salsas, herbal teas, delectable pastas and more, all made in the Buckeye State.
Crafts
The rustic appeal of a handmade craft is something that can't be reproduced in a factory and mass marketed. Throughout Ohio, artisans are creating original pieces full of character that you just can't find anywhere else.
To see crafts being made the way they have been for years, there's no better destination than Amish Country. Holmes County, with its 40,000 Amish residents, is the largest population in the state, but these simple societies also can be found in Tuscarawas, Adams and Geauga counties, among others. Shopping in Amish Country is a treat, because you can learn about the daily life and culture of the craftsman who made the bench you purchase or discover how your new quilt's pattern has been passed down over generations.
Shoppers can find a wide range of historic and new pottery in Zanesville. One of the best-known art pottery cities in the world, this community has been producing rustic stoneware, Art Deco vases and functional tableware for 150 years. At Sauder Village, shoppers can learn about Ohio's past and watch artisans blow glass, throw pots or hammer out a tin lantern.
Antiques
Antiques make great holiday gifts, and there is an antique for every price range. From glass milk bottles to paintings, with antiques, there's always the chance the gift is worth more than was paid at least in the heart of the recipient).
Renowned as the Antiques Capital of the Midwest, Waynesville offers more than 70 shops to choose from. Shoppers can find almost anything here, including antique dolls and toys, fine china, Depression glass, antiquarian books and pie safes; even a historic British phone booth!
Antiques shops can be found in almost any of Ohio's historic towns. In Portsmouth, the Boneyfiddle District is lined with shops offering vintage fabrics, tea services, furniture and more. Toledo offers shops that specialize in the city's glass heritage. Stained glass windows, art glass, chandeliers, leaded and cut glass can be found throughout the city. From specialty stores to holidays shopping events, Ohio is the place to find that perfect gift that will create memories to last a lifetime.