FRUGAL CHIC: Ohio’s Hocking Hills new website offers amazing but FREE experiences

June 9, 2010 - PRLog -- Logan, Ohio – From uber-rich Hollywood celebrity, to Joe the Plumber, everyone is finding comfort in today’s hottest trend: traveling on a budget. In response to the demand for affordable, yet meaningful, travel experiences, southeast Ohio’s Hocking Hills has launched a new Admission: FREE website featuring a long list of the region’s free, yet completely unforgettable experiences: www.1800hocking.com/whattodo/admission_free. In addition to the FREE Hocking Hills Visitor guide and FREE Flip video cameras for borrowing during their Hocking Hills visit, just a few of the FREE experiences awaiting travelers include:
·   Hike to Old Man's Cave (1 mile)
·   Hike to Cedar Falls (1/2 mile)
·   Hike to Ash Cave Gorge (1/4 mile; wheelchair accessible)
·   Hike the Ash Cave Rim (1/2 mile)
·   Hike to Conkle's Hollow (1 mile; wheelchair accessible)
·   Hike the Conkle's Hollow Rim Trail (2-1/2 miles)
·   Hike to Rock House (1/2 mile)
·   Hike to Cantwell Cliffs (1 mile)
·   Hike to natural Rock Bridge and the waterfall in the Rockbridge State Nature Preserve (3 1/2 miles round trip)
·   Hike the Grandma Gatewood Trail, Old Man's Cave to Ash Cave (6 miles)
·   Visit the Butterfly Habitat at Old Man's Cave Visitor Center
·   Saturday night movie at the Hocking Hills State Park Campground or Lake Hope Nature Center Outdoor Amphitheaters (summer only)
·   Ride the Hock-Hocking Adena Bike Trail from Nelsonville to Athens
·   Hand feed hummingbirds at Lake Hope State Park
·   Experience world-class birding during the International Migratory Bird Weekend, 2nd  weekend, each May
·   Sharpen your archery skills at the Hocking Hills State Park Archery Range (your own bow and arrows required)
·   Tour the last remaining washboard factory in the US
·   Dance at the Washboard Music Festival - the 3rd weekend, every June
·   Immerse yourself in nature, art and music at Lilyfest, 2nd weekend, each July
·   Visit The Bowen House Center for Art & Education in historic downtown Logan
·   Visit the Hocking County Historical Society Museum, historic downtown Logan
·   Take a self-guided historic walking tour of Logan
·   Get a blast from the past at Etta's Lunchbox Museum & Cafe
·   See the largest collection of pencil sharpeners in the world at the Pencil Sharpener Museum, call ahead: (740) 753-4634
·   Stroll Nelsonville’s Historic Art Square
·   Celebrate the arts, Final Friday, every month, Nelsonville's Historic Art Square
·   Check out antique train cars in Nelsonville
·   Visit the Ohio Glass Museum in historic downtown Lancaster
·   Experience the arts at the Decorative Art Center, historic downtown Lancaster
·   Visit the Dairy Art Barn in Athens
·   Wander the picturesque Ohio University campus
·   Visit the Kennedy Museum of Art in Athens
·   Experience area mining heritage with Little Cities of Black Diamonds, littlecitiesofblackdiamonds.org

The Hocking Hills State Park offers Naturalist Programs year round; weekends in winter and early spring, and weekdays and weekends in summer and fall.  Check out our Calendar of Events for what's happening at 1800hocking.com/calendar.  Just a sample of the FREE Naturalist Programs at Hocking Hills State Park, include:
·   Historic Lantern Tours of Ash Cave at night
·   Star gazing at Conkle's Hollow
·   Haunted Hocking: Spirits of Rose Lake
·   Stream Stompin'
·   Survival Ohio Style
·   Hocking's Birds of Prey
·   Furs, Feathers, Feet & Fangs
·   Weekly 5-Star Hike Series
·   Maple Sugaring in the Hills
·   Nighttime Owl Prowl
·   Scalawags & Renegades
·   Winter Ice Hike
·   Rose Lake Excursions
·   Printing with Nature
·   Grandma Gatewood's Fall Colors Tour
·   Christmas in Ash Cave
·   Ash Cave Sweethearts Hike
·   Jeweled Dragons
·   Ridgetops & Hollers
·   Family Nature Adventures

“Hocking Hills has always offered the most unique, yet most affordable experiences travelers will ever find,” said Karen Raymore, CDME, Hocking Hills Tourism Association Executive Director.  “It’s great that in these tough economic times we can add even more value for our visitors, offering a trip that they’ll never forget.  And in most cases the experience is absolutely free.  How many top destinations can claim that?”  

Located 40 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio, Hocking Hills offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences that make every day feel like Saturday, with plenty of Admission: FREE activities. The region boasts a wide variety of affordable lodging options, from camping, cabins and cottages to hotels and country inns. In addition to numerous hiking trails, parks and forests, the Hocking Hills area offers unique gift and antique shops, canoeing, horseback riding, golf and more.  Complete traveler information on accommodations, festivals and the many sites in the Hocking Hills region is available www.1800Hocking.com or toll-free at 1-800-HOCKING.

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Comp or press rate trips and outstanding photos and video available. Contact Amy Weirick, (614) 848-8380, amy@WeirickCommunications.com.