Like ol’ Bing Crosby croons, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” and I’m looking to explore the cities in Ohio that come alive with the holiday’s cheer. Lebanon, Ohio, is one of my favorites to visit this time of year. The historical downtown runs along a centralized Broadway Street, with a beloved hotel and restaurant at the helm, a working railroad for a nostalgic ride, and trendy boutique shopping that refreshes the area.
Sandwiched between Dayton and Cincinnati, Lebanon was named after the country as a nod to the area’s rich supply of juniper trees, like the cedars in the Biblical country. The city streets were laid out in 1802, built for stagecoach traffic, and soon a thriving small town was underway. A tavern was established in 1803, along with the town’s first restaurant and hotel, still residing today. In the 1880s, the LM&M railroad made for a convenient passage for visitors to the town. In 1908, the library was built. It also remains on the corner of Broadway.
A lot has changed since 1802, but the town’s character and beauty remain the same. Lebanon is a destination for one-of-a-kind dining and shopping. A visit at Christmas time is picture-perfect. Here are my holiday favorites!
Stay & Dine
The Golden Lamb for a presidential dining experience
You’ll find a cozy sleep and a comforting meal at The Golden Lamb. Open since 1803, this restaurant and historic hotel owns quite a reputation. Celebrated patrons – 12 U.S. presidents, Charles Dickens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Annie Oakley, Neil Armstrong, and more – have graced these hallways. It’s a welcome spot throughout the year, but especially so at Christmastime. A crackling fire awaits just steps inside, ready to warm passersby. The rich smells of a roasting harvest invade each corridor, while pine swags trim the interiors, warm candlelight fixtures flicker on walls, and the old wooden planks groan underfoot.
History aside, this cozy spot serves food rich in flavor and culture. I would start with the fried Sauerkraut Balls or the Bacon Jam & Biscuits to share. For the main course, I suggest the Golden Lamb Roast Turkey, a classic holiday plate this time of year. For dessert, the Shaker Sugar Pie.
The Black Horse Tavern, named after the town’s first tavern, is attached to the back and offers a more relaxed dining experience. Here you’ll often find live music and a cozy booth to settle into. Plus, their outdoor veranda is heated. I would recommend the Grilled Lamb Burger with “toasted fennel, caramelized onions, creamy herb cheese & tomato chutney” alongside a local cider.
Coffee & Treats
Lot No.1 for a coffee, cocoa, or anything in between
Housed in Lebanon’s purported oldest building and on the corner of Broadway’s intersection, Lot No.1 Coffee is a space for caffeine lovers. Inside are two levels: the downstairs holds the coffee brewing and gift shop (mug hoarders beware) while the upstairs houses cozy spots for your laptop and hot cup of latte, espresso, matcha, mocha, cocoa… Sassy quotes deck the walls, rough wood beams hang from the ceilings, and the decor invites those warms vibes (a nod to its sister store, Burlap & Birch). It’s a space you’ll return to again and again.
Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory for local chocolate
These guys make 99% of the chocolate displayed right here in Lebanon, and it’s no surprise when you walk into the store. The smells of melty, nutty, buttery chocolate immediately invade your senses. Varieties of chocolate-covered nuts, caramels, fruits, pretzels, peanut butter, and so on fill the cases. Then, there’s the rich fudge, sticky toffee, and Christmas bark they’re so well known for. With so much to choose from, the shop offers a custom box to fill. But whatever you choose, you mustn’t leave without the Texas Tortoise: the ultimate trifecta of chocolate, caramel, and pecans. They are simply divine and make the store what it is today, a local tradition.
Anna’s Gourmet Popcorn for a classic treat with a twist
This perfect eat-while-you-go snack is an ideal accompaniment while strolling through the historic downtown streets of Lebanon. Anna’s has put together flavors you never knew you needed in popcorn, like the sprinkled Birthday Cake. Seasonal creations like Cinnamon, Cincinnati Chili, or Cheddar Pretzel Ale keep you guessing at what’s next for the kernel. Of course, there are the classic flavors like Caramel, Butter, and Cheddar if you’re a popcorn purist.
Christmas Shopping
Blume for just about anyone on your Christmas list
Excellent taste, eclectic pieces, decor with character- you’ll find all of this and more at Blume. This colorful shop has something for everyone on your Christmas list. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind gift, you’ll find one here. The shop is full of pieces handmade with passion, love, and humor. You’ll probably find something for yourself as well, but you needn’t feel guilty because you’re supporting small and local business, and the world needs more of that right now.
Ambassador’s Antiques and Fine Linen for a Euro-inspired gift
I remember the first time I shopped at this charming store. I was struck not only by the quality but the quantity of quality. I’ve always shared a liking for antiques, but going antiquing takes patience, something I often lack. Generally, you’re looking for that diamond in the rough, and you won’t always find it. But here you will, and there’s considerably less rough than diamond. Quality antiques, French perfumes, Italian leathers, and handmade handbags fill every corner. Not to mention my favorite: the linens. Belgium linen, Egyptian cotton, Italian silk… There’s always something unique and elegant, from dressing your bed to dressing for bed. In a nutshell, this shop is aptly named, for they are truly ambassadors for antiques and fine linen.
Rose and Remington for that trendy, boho-chic piece
Although this clothing boutique is not unique to Lebanon, it did get its start here. Rose and Remington has expanded to 10 locations throughout the state of Ohio but hasn’t stopped there. The store is popping up with several locations in Indiana, Kentucky, and soon to be Tennessee. Yet the fact that Rose and Remington were able to rise with such a start in Lebanon, Ohio, says a lot about the shopping cred this downtown has built up.
You don’t need to visit the store to realize they are doing something right, but you’ll want to check it out for yourself. Here trendy meets classic in pieces that are fashionable yet cozy and affordable. I find the collections not only to be unique but also cheerful and playful. Simply put, it’s fun to shop here, and it’s obvious the masses agree. Bonus: they have a sister store down the street, Curve & Cloth, offering the same styles in size XL-3XL.
Burlap and Birch for those Christmas trimmings
These guys are the very same that established Rose and Remington. They applied their boutique know-how and created a home interior shop with styles that vibe with Joanna Gaines. You’ll find rustic pottery, neutral patterned pillows, hand-lettered wall art with cozy, positive messages, among all kinds of other pleasing-to-the-eye goodies. At Christmastime, it smells like a crackling fire with wassail brewing up somewhere behind the scenes. It’ll put you in the Christmas spirit for sure. Bonus: there’s a downstairs “warehouse” of sorts filled with rustic pieces- furniture, lighting, and random decor. It’s easy to find something here you never knew your home needed.
Holiday Activities
Christmas Tree Park for a cocoa break
They call it a park, but it’s more like a miniature town square. However, it’s lack of size is made up for in charm. A large grounded Christmas tree takes up a dominating corner of the park, while a pathway leads you to its center, city trivia carved into stone along the way. I would recommend grabbing that hot cocoa from Lot No. 1 right next door and hunting down a bench in the park to do some quality people-watching
LM&M Train for a ride back in time
The Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad will take you on tour through Southwestern Ohio in restored vintage railcars. Experience what travel was like back in the 1800s, with a slower pace and scenic view. You’ll learn some local history from passionate conductors and staff dressed for the nostalgic return to yesteryear.
Annual Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Festival for a quintessential Christmas celebration
Lebanon’s really good at putting on a festival. Late summer brings the Blues Fest and early fall, the Apple Fest. Christmas is no different, with a festival serving up Lebanon’s historical past so exquisitely. The horse-drawn carriage ride through Lebanon’s downtown is a Christmas tradition. Two parades occur on the first Saturday in December- daylight at 1 pm and candlelight at 7 pm. Horses and their carriage dress for the occasion, with red velvet bows and brass jingle bells. Festivities sandwiched between the two parades include caroling, Christmas shopping, live music, and “Polar Express” train rides.
Sadly, this year’s parade is canceled, but the memories will carry us through till next December 2021. The community’s commitment to keeping each other safe is more important at this uncertain time, and what could be more Christmas than that?
Christmas this year looks very different. Lebanon, Ohio, is no exception. But while I don my mask to walk through the charming downtown, that same warm feeling I get this time of year floods back just the same. A place with a history such as this holds so many memories for so many people; it’d be hard to keep Christmas cheer out. Where’s your happy downtown this Christmas?
Coming up: Christmas in Hyde Park Square.
Till next time,
A Note: Our current situation brings more challenges for travel, even local. The pandemic should be taken seriously, with caution and respect. Please wear a mask when out, and follow your state and local guidelines. We are all experiencing a standstill in some of our planned adventures. But we shouldn’t pause dreaming up escapes for the future. Just remember, this too shall pass. Let’s inspire and dream and plan.
