Hartville, Ohio, is a must-visit destination year-round, but December truly transforms it into something special. My family and I spent an unforgettable day exploring this charming town, capped off with a visit to the brand-new Winter Wonderfest at the Hartville MarketPlace.
If you’re looking for a festive day trip or a weekend getaway, Hartville has you covered!
Our Hartville Adventure
We started our day with a stop at the Hartville Thrift Shoppe, part of the original location of the Hartville Hardware Store. I found some amazing deals and look forward to a return trip. The cashier at check out told me that Mondays and Fridays are their typical slower days.
While in the store, don’t forget to check out the items offered for the silent auction. They had a complete vintage blow mold Nativity during our visit that left me drooling.
Next, we made a quick stop at the Shops at Hartville Kitchen, a delightful collection of stores offering unique finds, gifts, and goodies.
I couldn’t resist browsing the bakery and had it been closer to Thanksgiving, I would have bought a pie or cake for dinner. I settled for a bag of adorable snowman marshmallows that I can’t wait to serve with hot chocolate when we decorate our Christmas tree.
Dinner was a treat at the Hartville Kitchen, where comfort food and a cozy atmosphere made for the perfect meal. With bellies full, we hopped next door to Hartville Hardware, the country’s largest independently owned hardware store.
Our visit coincided with their annual tool sale, perfect for anyone who loves a bargain or needs to stock up on tools and home essentials.
While the guys browsed the tool section, we gals wandered through the 8,000 square-foot Christmas Shop, packed with everything you could dream of for the perfectly decorated home and tree.
From a huge selection of ornaments with free personalization to stunningly decorated trees for endless inspiration, it truly is a holiday wonderland!
And don’t miss the singing reindeer that are sure to put a smile on the face of the biggest Scrooge!
The Idea House, a full-scale one-bedroom home built inside Hartville Hardware, showcases the store’s incredible range of products for homebuilders and contractors.
This stunning and inspiring display captivated everyone, even the little ones! The sparkling bathroom was such a standout that it inspired a trip to the restrooms for the Preschooler!
Finally, we headed toward Hartville MarketPlace for the main event, but not before admiring the beautifully decorated storefront windows at Hartville Hardware.
The three-year-old was completely captivated.
Tip: Between Hartville Hardware and Hartville Kitchen, there’s a large ornament at the entrance to the sidewalk, illuminated at night. It’s a picture-perfect spot for a family photo!
Winter Wonderfest is the Star of the Show
This is the first year of Winter Wonderfest, and it did not disappoint! The event is packed with fun and festive activities for all ages, making it a perfect way to celebrate the season. Here’s what you can expect:
Indoor Activities
- Letters to Santa: Little ones can write a letter to Santa and mail it at a special station.
- Elf Playhouse: A whimsical spot for kids to play and explore- my grandbabies LOVED this!
- Make-and-Take Activities: Create your own stuffed animal, press a penny, and more.
- Souvenirs: Commemorate your visit with T-shirts, sweatshirts, and ornaments.
- Shopping: The MarketPlace is open until 6 p.m. so you can shop for the perfect gift for someone special.
Outdoor Activities
- Photo Ops: Festive moments are everywhere, so make sure your phone is fully charged or bring your camera to snap frame-worthy photos you’ll treasure.
- Warming Stations: Cozy up by fire pits to roast marshmallows and make s’mores. Special s’more kits are sold at Mrs. Claus’s Cocoa Cabin (look for the adorable log cabin that serves delicious hot chocolate).
- Santa Claus: Don’t miss your chance to visit with Santa!
- Interactive Elements: You’ll find interactive activities and surprises sprinkled throughout the experience. Without giving too much away, my granddaughter was so enchanted by the car wash that we had to go through it three or four times!
- Animated Displays: Sneak a peek in Santa’s workshop, enjoy a raccoon serenade, and watch the busy elves cooking up tasty holiday treats.
- Walk-Through Lights: You’ll see over 500,000 twinkling Christmas lights that include a nativity scene, Christmas sleigh, winter scenes, and a towering tree that’s another great spot for a family photo.
Special Events: Winter Wonderfest is packed with exciting special events, including a rotating schedule of train/wagon rides, a live nativity night, Grinch Night, and Elf Night. Check the full lineup when purchasing your tickets to plan your visit!
One thing I appreciated about Winter Wonderfest is that it’s both stroller and wheelchair-friendly, making it accessible for everyone. Wheelchairs are available at the customer service desk and scooters are available to rent.
What to Know
Winter Wonderfest runs through December 28th and is open on select nights. For the most up-to-date schedule, please refer to the official website.
Purchasing tickets online in advance can save you a couple of dollars per ticket. Tickets are timed so pay special attention to the time options. Once you arrive, you can stay explore as long as you like. It will take about 60-90 minutes to experience all of Winter Wonderfest.
Parking is free and plentiful.
A variety of food options are available for purchase both indoors and outdoors, including freshly roasted nuts, kettle corn, homemade bread pudding, hot pretzels and nachos, pepperoni pizza rolls, and Starbucks® coffee (located indoors).
For more details, visit the FAQ page on the Winter Wonderfest website.
Stick Around and Stay Awhile
While it’s absolutely possible to make this a day trip, I highly recommend turning it into a weekend getaway.
There’s so much to explore at the Experience Hartville complex that you’ll appreciate having more time to soak it all in. Plus, the Comfort Suites Hartville is conveniently located right next door, offering a comfortable place to stay.
Learn more about Hartville and find other things to do in this post about family fun in Hartville.
Why You Should Visit
Winter Wonderfest is a relaxing, joyful event perfect for families, couples, or groups of friends. Whether you’re roasting marshmallows by a fire, marveling at the lights, or shopping for unique treasures, it’s an experience you’ll treasure.
If you’re ready to plan your trip or want to learn more about Winter Wonderfest, visit their website: Winter Wonderfest at Experience Hartville.
