New England isn't the only place to see fall foliage: seven Ohio State Park Resorts --operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts-- are offering affordable packages for "leaf-peeping".
Note: this info is for fall 2005 -- but often promotions will repeat year after year.
The seven lodges are at: Burr Oak, Maumee Bay, Salt Fork, Mohican, Hueston Woods, Punderson Manor and Shawnee State Park Resorts.
Fall foliage in Ohio begins in mid-September, and the state has 125 species of deciduous trees that change from summer green to the fall foliage color show.
Each of the seven lodges listed above offers fall packages. For example:
- the Mohican State Park Resort has a "Malabar Package" with lodging, breakfast for two, and admission for two adults to Malabar Farm (www.malabarfarm.org) adjacent to the park; a Louis Bromfield book is part of the package too. Malabar Farm was the home of novelist Louis Bromfield and is now a working farm and attraction with a 32-room mansion and seasonal fall events. The Malabar Package starts at $135, Sunday through Thursday, through Oct. 31 2005.
The 6,000-acre park includes a National Natural Landmark, the Mohican Gorge, which can be viewed from a covered bridge. Legendary Johnny Appleseed traveled a trail in the park, planting trees along the way.
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Maumee Bay State Park Resort -- on Lake Erie--offers opportunities to see wildlife such as the trumpeter swans visit during fall. A two-mile boardwalk is a good viewing spot.
Maumee' Bay's two-night "Buckeye Package" includes lodging, dinner for two and a gift shop certificate; price for Sunday-through-Thursday starts at $199 for one night.
- Salt Fork State Park: a "Cabin in the Woods" package includes lodging in a hillside or lakeside cottage and a "survival bag" with goodies such as popcorn, mugs and hot chocolate. Rates Sunday through Thursday start $159 (until Oct. 17 2005.)
- "Great Family Getaway": six resorts operated by Xanterra offer these packages for Sunday-through-Thursday stays until Oct. 31 2005. Packages include two nights in a room with two double beds, $25 meal coupon, and a choice of one activity such as horseback riding, or visiting museums or other attractions. (Each resort provides up to four activity options.) Prices start at approx. $249, and are available at Maumee Bay, Salt Fork, Mohican, Hueston Woods, Punderson Manor and Shawnee State Park Resorts.
For more information, or to make a reservation, head to www.atapark.com, or call 1-800-AT-A-PARK (1-800-282-7275). See also the individual web sites for the seven resorts: www.mohicanresort.com, www.saltforkresort.com, www.hwresort.com, www.burroakresort.com, www.maumeebayresort.com, www.shawneelodgeresort.com and www.pundersonmanorresort.com.
