HGTV names this Ohio town among the best places to visit for Christmas

Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal
Updated ·2 min read
A guest walks through the twirling Blizzard Vortex tunnel in Castle Noel, a Christmas themed museum in Medina, Ohio, that has authentic props and sets from Hollywood Christmas movies, as well as former window displays from New York City department stores.
A guest walks through the twirling Blizzard Vortex tunnel in Castle Noel, a Christmas themed museum in Medina, Ohio, that has authentic props and sets from Hollywood Christmas movies, as well as former window displays from New York City department stores.

There are a plethora of towns in Ohio.

And just one, at least in the eyes of the folks at HGTV, is the merriest.

The network that specializes in all things home improvement and decorating has come up with its list of the Top 50 Best Small Towns to Visit for Christmas this holiday season.

Quaint Medina, tucked in Northern Ohio, was HGTV's pick for the Buckeye State.

A historic decorated town square − complete with shops, restaurants and a gazebo, along with a "charming stable of bed and breakfasts (that) makes a weekend trip to this Christmas getaway a breeze" the network says.

But it is a unique museum tucked just south of the Medina square, HGTV notes, that sets it apart from the rest.

The Nutcracker Suite animated window, originally a 2016 display at Saks Fifth Avenue, New York City, is one of the hundreds of displays at Castle Noel.
The Nutcracker Suite animated window, originally a 2016 display at Saks Fifth Avenue, New York City, is one of the hundreds of displays at Castle Noel.

Ho ho ho! 6 Ohio towns worth visiting this Christmas season

"The world's largest indoor Christmas toyland awaits at Medina's Castle Noel. Inside, visitors will find Hollywood Christmas props from movies like 'Jingle All the Way,' 'A Christmas Carol' and 'Fred Claus' along with breathtaking, New York-style animated Christmas windows from Bloomingdale's, Sak's Fifth Avenue and Macy's," the ranking says.

As for neighboring states, HGTV says Bardstown, best known as the bourbon capital of the world, becomes the "North Pole of Kentucky" around Christmastime.

In Pennsylvania, the state's self-proclaimed Christmas City, Bethlehem, was HGTV's pick, as the site noted it was named on Christmas Day in 1741.

"The town's historic district is adorned with beautiful lights, and visitors can enjoy the Christkindlmarkt, a European-style Christmas market featuring handmade German ornaments and foods along with live music," the ranking says.

And the pick for Indiana was a tad obvious.

HGTV picked the aptly named Santa Claus, which is home to Holiday World & Splashin' Safari amusement park. There's also a statue of the town's namesake along with special holiday events.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Medina named among best towns to visit for Christmas by HGTV