Things to Do at Punderson Manor Lodge in Winter
We all know winter in Ohio can make us crazy, and being stuck inside at home during the gray winter days might be a downer, so plan a trip to NE Ohio and explore during the doldrums of winter.
There are a plethora of things to do at Punderson Manor Lodge and in the surrounding areas. During many of our hosted stays, we have gathered together the best of the best things to do in Geauga County and the surrounding towns.
No matter what you are looking to do, this area has something for everyone.
Snowshoeing near Punderson State Park
Punderson State Park gets some stellar lake effect snow which makes snowshoeing a great winter activity to plan while staying in the area. We LOVE strapping on the snowshoes and exploring all that nature has to offer.
Pro tip: there must be at least a 6″ base of snow before you can snowshoe. As a rule of thumb: the deeper the snow, the better for any snowshoeing adventure.
Holden Arboretum
When you wake up and there’s new-fallen snow, what’s the first thing you should do? Blaze a trail of your own at the arboretum on one of their many trails. Don’t have your own snowshoes? Snowshoe rental is available on a first-come-first-served basis from the Corning Visitor Center.
Adult rental (age 13 and over) is $5.00 for two hours
Children’s rental (ages 3-12) is $2.00 per two hours
After a hike here enjoy some time in the Treehouse Store shopping for that perfect souvenir. The shop supports the mission of Holden Arboretum so each purchase you make helps keep this beautiful place doing what it was meant to do.
Tuesday – Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Monday: Closed
The West Woods
Snowshoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A call to 440-286-9516 can be made in advance to check availability, but no reservations are taken.
Borrowers must be 18+ to check out a pair; anyone younger must be accompanied by an adult. A signed waiver form and you will leave your driver’s license as a security deposit to borrow equipment.
The best trail for snowshoeing is the trail to Ansels Cave.
Skiing or Snowboarding near Punderson State Park
Boston Mills/Brandywine
“From the gentle glide of the beginner slopes to the more challenging pitch of the advanced slopes, moguls, and terrain parks, Boston Mills and Brandywine serve skiers and snowboarders of all ages and levels of expertise.” BMBW website
- Ski and snowboard rentals available
- Dining
- Retail location for things you need for your outdoor excursion
- Ski or snowboard lessons
- Snow Tubing
Alpine Valley
Located just 7 miles from Punserson Manor Lodge you will find Alpine Valley. Its location makes it a perfect place to get your “skiing on”.
- Ski and snowboard rentals available
- Dining
- Retail location for things you need for your outdoor excursion
- Ski or snowboard lessons
If you’re new to skiing check out their first-timers guide on what to expect.
Each resort has at least one terrain park. Grooming is done nightly to provide a nice surface for skiing and snowboarding.
While we have never been to either place personally, they look amazing! We call these #bucketlist locations.
Sledding Hill at Punderson State Park
Punderson State Park is known to have the “best sledding hill in Ohio” and offers outdoor enthusiasts a place to get outdoors and have fun in the snow.
ODNR offers free tubing on the weekends in a typical year, and the tow rope operates to get you back up the hill. Operators will schedule your time slot, usually 1 hour, and outdoor guides will help you connect to the tow rope for easy access back up the hill.
If you come during other times, bring your own sled and enjoy the sledding hill. While it is a little more work, you can stay and play as long as you want.
After a day of sledding with your own equipment or use of the provided tubes, you can head back to the Manor for some hot chocolate by the fire!
Feeding the Chickadees at the West Woods
It was not until recently that I learned that you could hand-feed chickadees in The West Woods Park, in the Geauga Park District.
Things you need to know:
- Dress for the weather! You will need to stand quietly for an extended period of time before they come in to feed.
- Go during daylight hours. I recommend between 10 AM and 4:30 PM. During these hours, you can get sunflower seeds provided by the district from the visitor center.
- Take a small group if you have more than that; the chickadees might feel shy.
- How to get to the chickadee feeding area. Follow the Trout Lily Trail, hang a right at the fork after the boardwalk across the wetlands, and follow the sign. Soon you’ll come upon the feeding station marked by a mannequin who keeps the birds familiar with a human presence. “Parker” is pretty realistic, so don’t let him take you off guard. I am not kidding either; even though we told the kids about him, as we walked up, one of them said, “Shhh, there is someone already there.” (eye roll inserted here!)
- Once you’ve found a good spot to sit or stand awhile, extend your hand with some seed in your palm and wait. NOTE: chickadees will come in waves, so you may need to wait a little while as they come and go. If you’re patient, quiet, and still, you will probably have a few visitors.
This will become a highlight of things that you have done. We highly recommend this activity!
Unique Places to Eat Near Punderson State Park
Grab a coffee and enjoy the shopping in the charming downtown historic Chardon Square.
This is the BIGGEST hidden gem in Ohio! You have to try this place out.
We get carry out and take it to our cabin for lunch. They have the best shortbread cookies ever!
If you’re looking for a local eatery, try JC’s for a hearty breakfast BEFORE exploring for the day.
Dinner out at this joint will fill you up with a delicious local feel. Try out the hamburgers and house-made fries.
Explore Amish Backroads
Did you know Ohio’s second-largest Amish community is in Geauga county?
During your stay at Punderson Manor Lodge, you can explore the many Amish stores, shops, and baked goods in the area. While most Amish locations have no websites or ways to connect online I will add addresses and phone numbers for them here. You can pick and choose your destinations.
Countryside Furniture:
Country Side Furnishings is Amish owned and operated with a commitment to providing premium quality furniture to you and your home. You can visit their showroom or browse the website.
16403 Nauvoo Rd, Middlefield, OH 44062
Website: Countryside Furniture
Yoder’s Furniture
You’ll find furniture from formal to casual and from country to modern in their beautiful showroom.
16109 Shedd Road
Middlefield, Ohio 44062
(440) 632-0773
Nature Lover’s Nest:
We love this gift shop and full-service birding store and try to go every time we are in the area! You’ll enjoy sitting and watching the feeders there as the birds come in for a meal!
Pro-Tip: The drive here from Punderson is beautiful!
17169 Swine Creek Road
Middlefield, Ohio 4406
440-632-9720
Heritage Marketplace
You’ll find quite a few hidden gems here! We’ve explored them all. It should be noted that the building was once the auction barn and if you look closely you can see the remnants of the past.
Pine Craft Storage Barns, LLC, Mel’s Shoes n More, Marketplace Mall, Heritage Trailers, Heritage Naturals, Heritage Antique Mall, Byler’s Engine, Geauga Amish Historical Library, and Country Arts and Jewelry
440-477-1058
Yoder’s Bargains
Specializing in returns this bargain bin is full of treasures. We always find something to take home with us!
15864 Nauvoo Road
Middlefield, OH 44062
440-321-3979
Enjoy the Amenities of the Punderson Manor
You may not want to leave this all-inclusive property when you are here because they have plenty of things for you to experience.
Hiking
There are approximately 11 miles of trails included on the seven hiking trails and one multi-use at the park. Several trails are open to snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter so if these are things you enjoy, bring your gear.
- Beach Trail – 1/2 Mile – Easy
- Cayuga 2 Mile – Easy (Multi-use trail)
- Erie Trail – 2.2 Miles – Moderate
- Huron Trail – 1.3 Miles – Moderate
- Iroquois Trail – 3/4 Mile – Moderate
- Mohawk Trail – 1.1 Miles – Moderate
- Mushers Trail – 1.2 Miles – Moderate
- Whitetail Trail – 0.1 Mile – Easy
Our hiking here in winter has been wonderful. We have enjoyed seeing the birds and wildlife while exploring the trails.
18-hole disc golf course
If you get a break in the weather you can enjoy a round of disk golf on this fantastic course.
Indoor Pool:
Swimming is one of the highlights in winter. It may be 0 degrees outside but the heated pool makes it feel like summer.
Add on packages:
You can add on any of these activities to your stay and they will provide you with everything you need.
With so much to do, make time for a trip to Punderson Manor Lodge. It will be just the thing to beat the winter blues!
If you need a discount code for Punderson Manor Lodge use GLEASON for 15% off your room.
Happy Adventures,
Brandy
You can read in more detail about our outdoor fun in Geauga County here.
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