Here’s The Perfect Weekend Itinerary If You Love Seeing Ohio’s Magical Christmas Lights

With the holiday season in full swing, you're likely feeling festive and looking for ways to embrace the most wonderful time of the year. Consider taking a weekend away with the family to see some of Ohio's most magical, little-known Christmas destinations. We've designed a weekend-long trip that features five magical places where you can see Christmas lights, displays and maybe even meet Santa himself. Take a look:

The total drive time is a little more than 5 hours. We recommend starting on a Friday night and ending the trip on a Sunday night. To view a Google Map of the trip in a separate tab or window, click here.

1. Alum Creek Fantasy of Lights

This drive-thru holiday light show also features pictures with Santa, free hot chocolate and cookies and gift shops. It is open from November 17 until January 1 on Sunday - Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $20 per vehicle on the weekdays and $30 per vehicle on the weekends. The Alum Creek Fantasy of Lights is located at 3311 South Old State Rd., Delaware, OH 43015.

2. Cambridge

Start your second day with a trip back in time while exploring the historic downtown of Cambridge, Ohio at the Dickens Victorian Village. Until the end of December, the town is transformed into old world England during the holiday season, featuring more than 90 scenes of 180 lifelike figures representing typical scenes from Victorian society and Dickens’ novels. (You'll begin your journey at the Dickens Welcome Center and Curiosity Shoppe, where you'll pick up your map. It's located at 745 Steubenville Ave., Cambridge, OH 43725.)

3. Deck The Hall at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

Deck The Hall at Stan Hywet Hall is a holiday bucket list item you don't want to pass up. This year, you can attend Deck The Hall on select evenings over the holiday season from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Specifically, the evenings you can attend are November 24-26 and the following December dates: 1-3, 7-10, 14-23 and 26-30. This year, the mansion will be decked out in the theme of "Postcards from the Past." Ticket prices for this magical indoor and outdoor event vary according to age, date and member status. (Children 5 and under are free.) Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is located at 714 North Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303.

4. Castle Noel

After you've spent a night in Akron, head on over to Medina, which is the proud home of America's largest indoor, year-round Christmas attraction. Here, you'll find memorabilia from "The Grinch", "Elf", "Santa Claus The Movie", "Fred Claus", "The Santa Clause 1, 2 & 3", "Jingle All The Way", "A Christmas Carol", "Deck the Halls" and many more.

(Tickets are $17 per person on the weekdays and $18 per person on weekends. Children 3 and under are free.) Castle Noel is located at 260 S. Court St., Medina, OH 44256.

5. Upper's Winter Fantasy of Lights

End your weekend trip with this Christmas light extravaganza, which runs from December 1 - 30. It is open on Friday - Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Monday - Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per vehicle. Upper's Winter Fantasy of Lights is located at Harrison Smith Park (525 East Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky, OH 43351.)

So, what do you think? Would you take this trip?

For even more Christmas fun in Ohio, check out our previous article: 14 Magical Light Displays In Ohio That Will Simply Mesmerize You This Season.