The Hocking Hills is full of so many surprises. You have caves to explore, trails to navigate, and streams to conquer. After a full day of being saturated in nature, it’s a lovely choice to rest your weary body at a darling BOHO styled VRBO in the heart of Logan.
You will be pleasantly surprised by the array of ingenuity that went into creating this cozy, globally inspired hangout. Housed on the second floor above the downtown business, Gifts That Give Back, the owners have transformed a 1900s loft into a modern lodging oasis.
A friend and I had the opportunity to stay in the historical downtown for a night. Even though Logan isn’t that far from my residence, staying as a visitor shed light on the town from a different angle. Staycations can be just as relaxing and educating as a long-distance vacation. It’s all about perspective.
Gifts That Give Back
First, let me give you a little background on the locally owned and operated store, Gifts That Give Back (GTGB). Just as the name implies, the merchandise that is sold in this brick-and-mortar store has been outsourced from craftsmen and farmers all over the world. In a time where we hear so much about slave labor and other unethical labor practices, it’s reassuring to know that everything being sold in GTGB is fair-trade. In essence, all products give their makers a sustainable profit for their time and efforts.
When we bring awareness to unethical issues and give respect to the crafters abroad, we are strengthening all of humanity. Being an intentional consumer can be overwhelming because of the research that can go into buying fair-trade merchandise. Places like GTGB make it so much more convenient.
This store is full of adorably displayed items for you or anyone you’re looking to treat. Clothing, kids’ toys, baskets, chocolate, coffee, jewelry and so much more is available. My favorite items are the bird houses. So many unique designs!
Gifts That Give Back 66 E. Main St. Logan, Ohio
Upstairs Lodging
After browsing GTGB and purchasing some goodies, we headed upstairs to check out our living arrangements for the night. From the moment our keypad flashed the green light, we were wowed with pleasant surprises.
As with most renovations, everything is fresh, clean and looking amazing. The open floor plan was spacious. A large living room greets you as you walk in the door, along with the dining room table hosting a world map puzzle beckoning you to sit for a spell. The living room has a murphy bed discreetly folded up to the side across from the tv. Murphy beds are always a great option when you have a large group or just kids who don’t want to share a bed.
Adorable Design
After a full day of exploring the Hocking Hills, you will most likely be hungry and thirsty. The fully equipped kitchen and large refrigerator make fulfilling that need very convenient. On the island, we were greeted with a special welcoming sign, a free bible, fair trade chocolates and fair trade coffee.
As you walk down the hallway, you can’t help but admire the exposed brick wall. I found the iron brackets so intriguing. They’ve done their job for over 100 years and are still holding strong. These brackets were revealed to the owners as they began to remove the old plaster. What a find!
Across from the brick wall are sliding barn doors that open up to the two bedrooms. The first bedroom has a queen bed with a washer and dryer tucked away in a closet. This can be a huge bonus if you end up getting dirty during your Hocking Hills adventure or wet while kayaking the Hocking River. The second room hosts a tv and bunk beds.
At the end of the hallway, a bathroom with pizazz will surprise your senses. The burst of color from the towels and the huge shower head might just be enough to coax you to hide out for a while. Taking a shower under the huge spray is just shy of being under a waterfall. You must try it!
Exploring Downtown Logan
I’ve written on a lot of small towns, but I never tire of their unique personalities. Logan gets very quiet and calm in the evenings and the strings of lights over the main street adds to the serenity. Hanging baskets of overflowing flowers, an antiquated standing clock, and historical store fronts flow beautifully together. We ordered our dinner to go from Maya Burrito Co. and took it over to the gazebo to eat. It was the perfect evening and the perfect setting.
After enjoying our al fresco meal, we took a leisurely walk around town. There are some fantastic churches to admire. The architecture and craftsmanship on these wonders never gets old. If you need any random items (say late night cookies to go with your fair trade coffee), a Speedway is only a block away.
Hocking Hills Wineries and Breweries
If you are travelling as a couple or with friends, you might enjoy visiting either the Hocking Hills Winery or Brewery 33. They are only about a 5-10 minute drive away from the AirBnB. They both have great outdoor spaces that play on the natural, Hocking Hills setting. Logan families own and operate both of these destinations so again, you are supporting local.
Back in our home-away-from-home, we had a great night chatting and putting together a puzzle. The view of the downtown from the upstairs window got better and better as the sun set and the strings of lights illuminated the street.
Making Reservations
The coziness of the space created a great ambiance for relaxing and unwinding. When is the last time you got away for the night? As I mentioned earlier, it doesn’t have to be hours away from your home to be meaningful and memorable.
My advice: Make the reservation. Make the time. Make the memories. Your older self will thank you.
To make a reservation for this darling upstairs apartment in the Hocking Hills, click the link for either AirBnB or VRBO.
Intentional travel is at your fingertips. Enjoy!
During your Hocking Hills stay, you might want to stop by the Welcome Center at 13178 State Route 664 to pick up maps and literature. While you are there, pop into the Pencil Sharpener Museum. It’s tiny but mighty.
Hocking Hills Hikes
I have created Instagram reels depicting many of the hikes in the Hocking Hills. Give me a LIKE and Follow and tell me which one is your favorite. @bountiful_blessings_travel
Hikes I’ve highlighted:
- Old Man’s Cave
- Conkle’s Hollow
- Rockbridge
- Rock House
- Whispering Cave
- Cantwell Cliffs
Good day! I just would like to give you a huge thumbs up for your great info youve got right here on this post. I will be coming back to your website for more soon.