Doing the Open House Hop!

“I’ve read about that place and always wanted to go.” We have all said it, but rarely do it. My friends and I decided that a great way to get out there to explore new places is through open houses…and ‘tis the season! There are many hidden gems out there and they often hold open houses this time of year. Most offer specials and are quite festive! We decided we could make a day or weekend out of open house hopping!

Here are some highlights of Lorain County’s open houses this weekend. Maybe you will discover a new favorite place or start a new tradition!

Tree House Gallery & Tea Room Holiday Open House         

 Fri - Sun  Nov. 4-6

36840 Detroit Rd.

Avon, OH 44011

Get into the holiday spirit by starting the season at the Tree House's annual Christmas Open House. Festive, unique holiday decorations and gifts, wines, antiques, and creative folk art are just a few of the many items available in the store. Allow time for lunch in the tearoom!
www.oldeavonvillage.com/Treehouse

Petitti's Garden Center Holiday Open House        

Fri- Sun  Nov. 4-6

33777 Chester Rd.
Avon, OH 44011

Celebrate the spirit of the season at Petitti's. Stroll through their igloo the magical Iced Forest and pick the perfect tree for your holiday celebration with over 70 styles in different shapes, sizes and colors. The extensive Christmas Decor department displays hundreds of ornaments from classic and contemporary to fun and whimsical, theme trees, and gifts perfect for everyone on your Christmas List. To start the celebration, they will be offering customers’ special savings for this weekend only.
http://www.petittigardencenter.com/


5 Corners B & B
Fall Open House 
Sun Nov 6. 12-4pm
175 Beaver Court
Amherst, OH 44001

Check out this beautiful B&B for friends and family visiting this holiday season or maybe a “staycation” for next year’s open house hopping trip! Complimentary refreshments, tour the guest rooms and register to win Brunch for Six!
http://www.5cornersbnb.com/

Forever Friends Pet Care Center
Howladay Boutique    
Sun  Nov 6. 12-4
36469 St Rt 303
Grafton, OH 44044

Kick off the Holiday Season at the Customer Appreciation and Howladay Boutique. Pet pictures with Santa, food, free items, pet microchipping, pet tattoos and pet art, silent auction. Fun for the whole family.
http://www.foreverfriendspet.com/

The Kneaded Touch
Holiday Open House          
Sun  Nov 6. 1-5pm
574 N. Leavitt Rd.
Amherst, OH 44001

RELAX.....and get an early start on your shopping!! Holiday decor, refreshments, door prizes, PLUS Scentsy, "31", Tastefully Simple, Longeberger, Avon, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Dove Chocolates, Premier Jewelry, Sweet City Bakeshop, Flutterbys & Mudpies, & Tupperware.
http://www.kneadedtouchinc.com/

Rebman Recreation Inc. "On the Avenue"

4th Annual Holiday Open House       Sun  Nov 6.   3-7pm

5300 Oberlin Avenue

Lorain, Ohio

One stop shopping for everyone! Let Rebman's bowl you over with this year’s participants: Mary Kay Cosmetics, Thirty-One, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Premier Design, Uppercase Living, Tastefully Simple, Longaberger and Stella Dot!! Come for shopping, gift giving ideas, discounts, prizes, refreshments and fun!!

http://www.rebmanrec.com/

Open house hopping season has just begun! There are sure to be many more leading into the new year, so search our calendar of events using keywords "open house" on any given date(s). Use our dining and lodging listings to plan a getaway.



A North Central Ohio Autumn Adventure for Three Generations

 Picture a beautiful, sunny, north central Ohio Saturday with a clear calendar (meaning—no soccer games, meetings, volunteer commitments etc) and full tank of gas. For our full day itinerary I brought along my 12 year old daughter and 70+ year old mother. What a blast we had! I am going to share our map and itinerary, some photos and add in some suggestions for adults that might not have younger ones in tow. There are still a few of these weekends left — great weather, brimming produce stands, outdoor entertainment and harvest season happenings— to savor. So give some of these suggestions a try. We focused primarily on the eastern part of Lorain County in Avon and North Ridgeville. You can definitely add more to the itinerary.

Our map: First stop:

Miller Nature Preserve and Conservatory
2739 Center Road, Avon, OH 44011
800/526-7275
78 acres of wooded land in the heart of Avon. A Visitor Center is nestled between trees and the winding French Creek and includes a café, the Orchid Room, a gift shop and a demonstration kitchen for cooking classes. The Orchid Room has floor to ceiling windows that look onto the outside patio and gardens. You can have lunch or an early dinner. Open daily 11am - 6pm. The menu includes an array of salads, soups, sandwiches and other delicious dishes made from fresh ingredients. The highlight of this preserve is the 5,000 square foot conservatory, the first in Lorain County. Highlights include the bonsai and orchid collections. There are also desert and carnivorous plants that capture the imagination. While we visited there were seasonal displays of mums and other traditional autumn displays.

Fitch’s Farm Market 
4413 Center Road
Avon, OH 44011
(440) 934-6125
Just down the road from the Miller Nature Preserve is the Fitch's Farm Market. This place was bustling when we arrived! Lots of fresh produce, pumpkins, peppers, broccoli, potatoes and much, much more. The fall season is just kicking off and they will be doing pumpkin wagon rides in October. I bought a big bag of peaches and have been packing them in the kids' lunches and I'm told the other kids are scarfing them down! Everyone loves them... me too!

Sandy Ridge Reservation
North Ridgeville
The marsh area of Sand Ridge Reservation is a favorite for bird watchers. Click here for the latest birding reports from Sandy Ridge. The fields were just awash in beautiful yellow flowers while we were there. Great walking opportunity.

Here are additional great wining and dining opportunities in this general area you can add to your itinerary (also indicated on above map)

Klingshirn Winery, 33050 Webber Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012 (440) 933-6666

Klingshirn is a third generation family farm winery. Established in 1935, Concord vineyards were the mainstay for the first fifty years. The first wines included Concord, Niagara and Pink Catawba. 

John Christ Winery, 32421 Walker Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012 (440) 933-9672
John Christ Winery has been dedicated to the production of fine quality wine since 1946. Wines are produced and bottled on premises. Visit the wine bar to sample many varieties of fine quality, award winning wines. Retail sales hours: M–W: 10am–6pm; Th: 10am–11pm; Fri: 10am–12am; Sat: 12pm–12am.

Nemo Grille, 36976 Detroit Rd., Avon, OH 44011 (440) 934-0061

Globally influenced American cuisine in the historic 1850 Alten House. A hip place to enjoy a chocolate artine at the bar or an exquisite dinner in the renovated historic dining rooms. Creative menu with seasonal, fresh ingredients. Outdoor porch seating.

Strip, A Steakhouse, 36840 Detroit Rd., Avon, OH 44011 (440) 934-9900
Locally owned and operated Strip is located in Olde Avon Village on Detroit Rd. in the historic Ewers Barn. Innovative menu and comfortable indoor and outdoor seating.

The Tree House Gallery and Tea Room, 36840 Detroit Rd., Avon, OH 44011, (440) 934-1636
Also located in the Olde Avon Village, the gallery features an eclectic blend of antiques and collectibles, quality-crafted woodworking, and fold art. Have lunch in the Tea Room which features an array of fine salads and sandwiches, unique soups and scrumptious desserts.

Wood and Wine, 38790 Chester Rd., Avon, OH 44011 (440) 964-9463
Wood-fired pizzas, pasta, steak and seafood along with a great selection of wine.

Want to spend a whole weekend? You can stay at the Fairfield Inn and Suites or the Value Place Hotel, both located in Avon.