I don’t know about you guys, but once January rolls into town, I don’t want to do a dang freaking thing. It’s hard to find any sort of motivation; even getting out of bed is a struggle. I wake up, feeling half drunk, confused why it’s still dark even though I slept in.
Thankfully, I broke this January rut last weekend and headed down to Hocking Hills. Did you know winter hiking is a thing?
Hocking Hills in the winter is stunning. Who knew snow could look so good?
The purpose of my trip was to learn all about Hocking’s fourth annual Comfort Food Cruise, a fun January-only foodie event focused on a whole lot of country cooking (more details PLUS A GIVEAWAY below!).
While in Hocking Hills, my group stayed at Cedar Hill Lodge, a huge cabin near Old Man’s Cave, complete with pool table, hot tub, theater room, and everything else you could possibly need for a relaxing weekend in the mountains.
The 2017 Comfort Food Cruise runs January 14-15, 21-22, 28-29. Your ticket gets you one free dish at each of thirteen stops. You “cruise” from place to place, enjoying country cooking at each stop. Of course, patrons are free to order additional items off the regular menus, if they so choose.
What can you expect to eat on the Comfort Food Cruise? How about biscuits and gravy at Pearl’s, banana bread french toast at Hocking Hills Dinner, meatloaf at M&M Family Diner, and the warmest, chocolatiest brownie at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls, to name a few.
In between cruise stops, I highly encourage you to get out on the trails and explore Hocking Hills in all her winterous beauty.
Speaking of comfort food, one of the stops is the Olde Dutch Restaurant for your choice of chicken and noodles or mashed potatoes. Once you’re through your free dish, do not forget to check out the pies. I’m told no trip to Hocking Hills is complete without a trip to the Olde Dutch pie buffet.
While you’re in Hocking Hills, make sure spend some time in Nelsonville, a quaint town in Athens County. Check out the Emporium for local handmade art, foods, and gifts. Grab some coffee at Fullbrooks, then head over to Rocky Boots for shopping and your next Comfort Food Cruise dish: prime rib sliders at the Boot Factory Grill.
The Scoop: your Comfort Food Cruise ticket gets you free Appalachian-sized samples of comfort foods at some of Hocking Hills most popular restaurants. Try all 13 in one day, or spread your comfort food tour out over the weekend!
2017 Cruise Dates: January 14-15, 21-22, 28-29
Comfort Cruise Stops:
Bonus Stop: start your cruise out right. The Hocking Hill Regional Welcome Center will be serving coffee and mini cinnamon rolls from 8 a.m. until 12 noon. Stop by and visit the world’s only Pencil Sharpener Museum and pick up your free Comfort Food Cruise souvenir. 13178 State Route 664 S, Logan; serving from 8 a.m. to noon
Tickets: $18/person. $5 of every ticket sold will benefit local food pantries.
Three easy ways to buy your tickets today:
Enter to win TWO 2017 Comfort Cruise tickets PLUS a $25 gift certificate to Rocky Boots below!
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I don't see how to enter the giveaway. I see the words saying to enter below but nothing it below! Anywho, I cannot go anyway cause it's before whole30 is over :-(. I wanted to go last year too and culdn't make it for other reasons. So sad!
Looks like the ole contest widget is up and running now! Thanks for the heads up!
A comfort food cruise?! So awesome! :) Too bad it's only in January!