I am looking for a place 2-3 hours from Cleveland for a romantic getaway for my wife's birthday. We only have a sitter for one day, Saturday Oct 3. My first thought was Hocking Hills, but the few places that I am familiar with require a two night stay. Some will allow last minute booking of one-night stays, but I want something more definite than that.

Any ideas in the Detroit, Columbus, Pittsburgh areas? It could be a city getaway or something more secluded (like Hocking Hills)....as long as there are nice restaurants and plenty to do.

Hocking Hills or Kelley's Island (you may also have the 2 night minimum issue there as well though).

You could also stay Downtown in Columbus. Easy walking distance to the galleries in the Short North & fine dining in German Village. Try the Hyatt on Capitol Square or www.greatsouthernhotel.com, catch a show, dinner, etc. The first Saturday of the month used to also be 'Gallery Hop' night.www.shortnorth.org

Actually Hocking Hills is a good 4-5 hr drive from Cleveland anyway. The only places I can think of would be one of the Erie Islands and I prefer Put-In-Bay, but most things will be closed by Oct 3rd. Pittsburgh is a possibility with a drive to Fallingwater if you've never been there. http://www.fallingwater.org/37/

Thanks for the responses so far. I have never been to the Lake Erie Islands, so I will check into that. I did look at Put-in-Bay, but the one place I investigated required two nights stay. I hadn't thought of Kelly's Island.

Fallingwater would be great. Anyone know of any nice places to stay nearby?

We will be in Columbus the following weekend for the OSU game, so I don't think we will go there unless someone knows of a very special place to stay.

How about someplace in Ohio's Amish country in Central Ohio? In Wilmot, there's a place called Hasseman House B&B (part of Amish Door Village) that my husband & I have stayed at over the years. According to their website, no minimum stay is needed. There are wonderful places to eat in the surrounding communities and numerous places to shop. Short notice may be the only thing working against you on this. In Charm Ohio (about 45 minutes away from Wilmot) is the Charm CountryView Inn (we've stayed there once years ago), which is set up high on a hill and has great views of the surrounding countryside.

Google both for more details.

Good Luck!

If you go to Fallingwater, consider staying at http://www.nemacolin.com/

Niagara on the Lake in Ontario... or Niagara Falls Casino

http://www.55lofts.com/ You might try this, even for your football weekend.

I just clicked on the resort that Starrs recommended above. It is georgous! The trees will be beautiful then and it looks so very romantic!

I would save the Erie Islands for the summer, but do go sometime they are fun!

Thanks, cd. It's on my "to do" list. They are big enough they would probably allow a 1 night stay. It's usually a "splurge" stay - but I hope to stay there when I (finally) get to Fallingwater.

While Fallingwater is very cool, it is not close to much of, well, anything. I think Ohiopyle State Park is nearby.