Planning Thanksgiving in Hocking Hills for three generations under one roof? Here is where to eat, where to shop, and how to host a large family feast at the cabin.
Late November in Logan, Ohio, brings bare trees, crisp air, and long evenings by the fire. It is a quiet, cozy time for a large family to slow down together. This guide covers local restaurants, food markets, cooking tips, and a five-day itinerary.
Each listing includes contact details, regular hours, how it handles large groups, and what it has served in past years. Holiday plans change every year, so call ahead to confirm before you plan your day around a meal.
Hosting a Friendsgiving instead? The same tips work for a big group of friends.
Eat Out or Cook In?
Your first decision shapes the whole trip. It sets your shopping list, your Thursday schedule, and your time in the kitchen. Here is how the two options compare for a large family.
| Eat Out | Cook In | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Families who want a day off from the kitchen | Families who want their own recipes and traditions |
| Large groups | Call ahead, since big parties may get set seating times | Everyone eats together at one table |
| Effort | Just show up | Shopping, cooking, and cleanup |
| Timing | Set by your reservation | Eat when the turkey is ready |
| Menu | Holiday buffet or set menu | Your own family recipes |
| Leftovers | Few or none | Plenty for Friday sandwiches |
| Plan ahead by | Booking a table early | Shopping before Thursday |
Eat Out If You Want a Day Off
A restaurant meal means no shopping, no cooking, and no dishes. It gives everyone a real holiday, including the person who usually cooks. A morning hike followed by a holiday buffet makes for an easy day.
The trade-off is seating. Local restaurants get crowded on Thanksgiving weekend, and large groups often need set seating times. Book as soon as restaurants announce their plans.
Cook In If Traditions Matter Most
For multigenerational families, cooking together is often the heart of Thanksgiving. A cabin kitchen gives grandparents, parents, and kids room to help, taste, and linger over coffee. You control the menu, the timing, and every family recipe.
Cooking in also solves the seating problem for large groups. At the cabin, the whole family eats together on your schedule. No one waits for a table or ends up split across a dining room.
Mix and Match
You do not have to pick just one. Many families blend the two.
- Cook the turkey, buy the extras. Pick up pies, rolls, and deli trays from local markets. Save your oven for the bird.
- Order food to the cabin. Some local restaurants offer carry-out or catering. Ask about Thanksgiving options when you call.
- Ask about a private chef. Our lodges offer add-on services, including private chefs, for an extra fee. Ask us what is available for your dates.
- Split the weekend. Eat out on Thursday and cook a relaxed leftovers feast on Friday. Or flip it.
Questions to Ask Your Family
- How many people are coming, and what are their ages?
- Does anyone have food allergies or special diets?
- Do grandparents or little ones need an early, easy meal?
- Can everyone sit together at a restaurant, or is the cabin table easier?
Your answers usually point to the right plan within a few minutes.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Restaurants Near Logan, Ohio
These three restaurants are worth a call as you plan your holiday meal. Each handles large groups differently, so read the group details before you call. Use the past-year menus below as a starting point for your questions.
For year-round dining ideas, see our full guide to the best restaurants in Hocking Hills.
Questions to ask when you call:
- Are you serving a Thanksgiving buffet or a set menu this year?
- What are your holiday hours, and when do reservations open?
- Can you seat a large family together, and at what times?
- Is there special pricing for kids?
- Can you handle allergies or special diets?
- Do you offer carry-out or catering for Thanksgiving?
Rock House Restaurant at Hocking Hills State Park Lodge
Rock House is the dining room of the Hocking Hills State Park Lodge, which opened in October 2022. Large glass windows look out over the Old Man’s Cave area of the park. After your meal, the two big lobby fireplaces make a cozy place to linger.
The lodge has hosted a Thanksgiving buffet in past years. Its most recent posted menu featured roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, and pumpkin pie. Lodge and cabin guests were able to reserve first, so watch for the announcement in the fall.
For large groups: The dining room is smaller than the old lodge’s, and it fills up on busy weekends. Call ahead to ask about seating a large family together. If space is tight, a Thanksgiving meal at the cabin may be the easier choice.
- Location: 20020 State Route 664 S, Logan, OH 43138
- From The Woodlands: 15–25 minutes
- Phone: 740-270-6100
- Regular hours: Breakfast 8:00–10:30 a.m., lunch 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., dinner 4:00–9:00 p.m. daily
- Website: Rock House Restaurant
- Good to know: Dinner reservations are required and are booked through OpenTable. Holiday hours may differ, so call ahead.
Kindred Spirits at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls
Kindred Spirits serves meals inside the Inn’s two original 1840s log cabins. Dinner is by candlelight, and the open kitchen cooks everything from scratch. It suits families who want a special, sit-down holiday meal.
The Inn has served Thanksgiving dinner for many years. Its most recent posted buffet included roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts, and sweet potato casserole. In 2020, the Inn also offered a take-home feast with turkey, smoked ham, mashed potatoes, and herbed dressing.
For large groups: The dining rooms are small, and holiday seating goes fast. Online reservations cover up to six guests. Parties of 8 to 14 may be offered select seating times, and groups of 15 or more can ask about private dining. The restaurant also offers takeout, so ask about bringing the meal back to the cabin.
The regular menu includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. That helps when your family has mixed diets.
- Location: 21190 State Route 374, Logan, OH 43138
- Phone: 740-385-7489
- Regular hours: Breakfast and lunch start at 8:00 a.m.; last seating is at 1:45 p.m. Dinner starts at 5:00 p.m. daily.
- Website: Kindred Spirits
- Good to know: Holiday hours may differ, so call ahead.
The Olde Dutch Restaurant
The Olde Dutch is a casual, family-style restaurant that welcomes large groups. It serves homestyle comfort food in historic Rempel’s Grove, a local gathering spot for more than 150 years. Small, medium, and large banquet rooms can host up to 170 people.
The everyday buffet includes at least six meats, a salad bar, a soup station, and pie or ice cream. Roast turkey with real mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing, and gravy is also on the regular menu. That makes it a natural fit for a traditional holiday meal.
For large groups: Ask about reserving a banquet room for a private family meal. The restaurant also offers pickup and delivery catering. That makes it an easy way to bring a Thanksgiving spread back to the cabin.
- Location: 12791 State Route 664 S, Logan, OH 43138
- From The Woodlands: About 10 minutes
- Phone: 740-385-1000
- Regular hours: Buffet daily starting at 11:00 a.m., plus a weekend breakfast buffet 8:00–11:00 a.m.
- Website: The Olde Dutch
- Good to know: Buffet leftovers cannot go home, but carry-out buffet by the pound is sold on regular days. Hours change on some holidays, so call to confirm.
Where to Buy Thanksgiving Groceries in Logan and Lancaster
Cooking your own feast? These stops cover the turkey, the sides, and the pie crust. Plan your main grocery run before Thanksgiving Day, since holiday hours are often shorter.
The Olde Dutch, Weavers Country Market, and Walmart sit close together on State Route 664 S. That stretch is about 10 minutes from The Woodlands, so one trip covers most of your list.
Weavers Country Market (Logan)
This family-owned market and deli stocks deli meats and cheeses, baked goods, jams, spices, and baking supplies. It also carries gluten-free products, which helps when you cook for a crowd.
Stock up on spices for stuffing and flour for pie crust. A deli tray makes an easy Thanksgiving Eve dinner for a big family. The bakery case can also save you from baking every dessert yourself.
- Location: 12811 State Route 664 S, Logan, OH 43138, next to The Olde Dutch
- From The Woodlands: About 10 minutes
- Phone: 740-380-6901
- Regular hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays.
- Website: Weavers Country Market
- Good to know: Call ahead if you want larger deli or bakery orders for the holiday.
Keller Market House (Lancaster)
Keller Market House is an indoor, year-round marketplace in downtown Lancaster, open since 2016. Ohio farmers and makers sell meats, poultry, dairy, produce, baked goods, and pantry staples. Pick up farm-raised ingredients for the holiday table here.
Lancaster sits on US-33, so it is an easy stop if you drive in from Columbus.
- Location: 134 S Columbus St, Lancaster, OH 43130
- Regular hours: Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Sunday noon–4:00 p.m.
- Website: Keller Market House
- Good to know: Holiday hours may differ, so check the website before you go.
Kroger and Walmart Supercenter (Logan)
For everything else, Logan has a Kroger and a Walmart Supercenter. Both carry fresh meat, produce, dairy, and bakery items. Walmart also offers grocery pickup and delivery, which saves time during a busy holiday week.
- Kroger: 31550 Chieftain Dr, Logan, OH 43138 · 740-380-3236
- Walmart Supercenter: 12910 State Route 664 S, Logan, OH 43138 · 740-380-1472 · Open daily 6:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. · About 10 minutes from The Woodlands · Store page
- Good to know: Chain stores post Thanksgiving hours in November. Check their apps before you shop.
Looking for gifts and local makers too? See our guide to holiday shopping in Hocking Hills.
Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner at a Hocking Hills Cabin
A cabin Thanksgiving feels relaxed, but cooking for a large family still takes planning. These tips help the day run smoothly.
- Shop on Wednesday or earlier. Arrive with a list and split it between two stores if needed.
- Bring a fresh or thawed turkey. A frozen bird needs about a day in the fridge for every four or five pounds. That can eat up most of your trip.
- Make what you can at home. Pies, cranberry sauce, and casseroles travel well in a cooler.
- Pack the pantry extras. Every Woodlands property includes coffee, creamer, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring your favorite spices, oil, butter, and foil.
- Just ask about tools. Each property has a fully equipped kitchen. Need a roasting pan or a specific utensil? Let us know before you arrive.
- Plan your oven time. A turkey can fill the oven for hours. Stagger your sides and pies around the bird.
- Share the work. Give each family one dish or one job. Cleanup goes faster that way too.
Hosting a Large Family Thanksgiving at The Woodlands in Hocking Hills
Both of our lodges were built for multigenerational stays and family gatherings. They sit side by side, about 6 miles, or 11 minutes, from downtown Logan. Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls are 15–25 minutes away.
Magnolia Grove Lodge: Room for 20 at One Table
Magnolia Grove Lodge sleeps up to 20 guests in 7 bedrooms with 4 bathrooms. Its 14- to 16-person dining table lets most of the family sit down together. Extra guests can pull up to the kitchen island, which seats 4.
Grandparents can settle into the wheelchair-accessible master suite with grab bars. The kids can disappear into the walkout game room for ping pong and air hockey. With 4 bathrooms, holiday mornings move faster for a family of 20.
The fully stocked kitchen has an oven, dishwasher, microwave, and full-size fridge and freezer. Dishes, wine glasses, and cooking and baking essentials are already there. A high chair, booster seat, and children’s dinnerware help the youngest guests join the meal.
After pie, the adults can slip into the 6-person hot tub just off the game room. On a cold night, the indoor fireplace keeps the living space cozy.
Magnolia Grove Lodge is also our only fully ADA-accessible property, with step-free entry and ADA-compliant parking. Every generation can move through the lodge with ease.
Woodland Lodge: Three Tables and a Double Oven
Woodland Lodge sleeps up to 18 guests in 5 bedrooms with 3 full bathrooms. A 12-person dining table, a 4-person breakfast bar, and a 6-person sunroom table seat 22 people in all. Everyone gets a seat for the big meal.
The kitchen has a double oven, so the turkey and the sides can cook at the same time. Two full-size refrigerators make room for leftovers. A gas grill on the large back deck can take some pressure off the oven.
After dinner, the kids can claim the theater room for a family movie. The adults can head out to the two fire pits under the string lights. Pass the leftover pie, tell old stories, and stay out until the stars come up. Bring firewood, since it is not provided.
Bringing the Whole Extended Family Together
The two lodges sit right next to each other and sleep up to 38 guests together. Cousins can cook in one kitchen while the grandparents host in the other. Then everyone gathers in one lodge for dessert.
Planning for more than 20 guests? Contact us before booking so we can help you plan. You can also see open dates on our booking page. For more planning ideas, read our guide to large group cabins in Hocking Hills.
What Families Say
“The dining area was very spacious so we could all eat together.”
– Jason, November 2025 stay at Woodland Lodge“The house was perfect for us. We liked every detail. Great kitchen and the game room was a highlight! It is close to the trails and caves and not far from stores if needed.”
– Janice, March 2026 stay at Woodland Lodge
Thanksgiving Weekend Itinerary for Hocking Hills
Here is a relaxed five-day plan for a large family. Swap days around to fit your group, and leave some time free to do nothing at all.
Wednesday: Arrive and Stock the Kitchen
- Afternoon: Stop at Weavers Country Market before it closes at 5:00 p.m. Grab spices, a deli tray, and something from the bakery case. Pick up the rest at Walmart next door or at Kroger.
- Evening: Unpack, set the table for tomorrow, and keep dinner simple. End the night in the hot tub.
Thursday: Thanksgiving Day
- Morning: Take a short hike at Ash Cave, about 10 miles from the lodges. A paved quarter-mile trail leads to Ohio’s largest recess cave, easy for grandparents and young kids.
- Afternoon: Cook together at the cabin, or head to your dinner reservation. Assign one family to set the table and another to carve.
- Evening: Gather around the fire pit and share what you are thankful for. Write a few notes of encouragement for local nursing home residents, one of our guest give-back projects.
Friday: Trails and Leftovers
- Morning: Sleep in, then pack leftover turkey sandwiches for a trail lunch.
- Afternoon: Hike Old Man’s Cave or Cedar Falls, about 8 miles from the lodges. Warm up afterward by the lobby fireplaces at Hocking Hills State Park Lodge.
- Evening: On a clear night, drive about 7 miles to John Glenn Astronomy Park for self-guided stargazing. Visitors can drive up any night without a scheduled program. Bring binoculars and warm layers.
Saturday: Santa Train and Small Business Saturday
- Morning: Ride the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway Santa Train from the Nelsonville Depot. The 2026 season begins Saturday, November 28, with 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. departures. Santa visits every child on board, so book early.
- Afternoon: Browse local shops for Small Business Saturday. Our holiday shopping guide covers local stops worth a visit.
- Evening: Make it leftover night, with turkey soup, pie, and a round of games in the game room.
Sunday: Pack Up and Give Back
- Morning: Enjoy a slow breakfast and pack the cooler for the drive home.
- Before you go: Leave unopened nonperishable food for the Southeast Ohio Foodbank. Pick up a blessing bag at checkout to share with someone in need.
Trails at Hocking Hills State Park close half an hour after sunset. November days are short, so start hikes early and pack a flashlight.
Giving Thanks, Giving Back in Hocking Hills
Our family runs The Woodlands on a simple mission: Making a Difference One Stay at a Time. Thanksgiving feels like the right time to share a little of what that means to us.
In 2022, I started Hocking Hills Gives Back so local businesses could come together for the Southeast Ohio Foodbank each July. This year’s campaign raised the equivalent of 4,363 meals for our neighbors across the region.
Your stay gives back too. At Magnolia Grove Lodge, 5% of each booking goes to the Ronald McDonald House, and Woodland Lodge bookings give 5% to charity as well. You will also find our Giving Back Wall in the Woodland Lodge sunroom.
If your family would like to help during your stay, there are simple ways to do it. You can leave unopened food for the Foodbank, share a blessing bag, or write a note to a nursing home resident. You can find every option on our guest volunteer opportunities page.
Thanksgiving in Hocking Hills FAQ
Some local restaurants serve Thanksgiving meals. Rock House and Kindred Spirits have both hosted Thanksgiving buffets in past years. Plans change every year, so call ahead.
Yes, with planning. The Olde Dutch welcomes large groups and has banquet rooms. Kindred Spirits may offer select seating times for larger parties. Call early, since holiday seating fills fast.
Some local kitchens offer one. The Olde Dutch provides pickup and delivery catering, and Kindred Spirits offers takeout. Call to ask about Thanksgiving options this year.
Logan has a Kroger, a Walmart Supercenter, and Weavers Country Market. Keller Market House in Lancaster adds local meats, produce, and baked goods. Shop before Thanksgiving Day, since holiday hours are often shorter.
The trails keep their normal daylight schedule all year. They open half an hour before sunrise and close half an hour after sunset. Check the ODNR park page for any closures.
Both lodges sit 15–25 minutes from Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls. Downtown Logan is about 6 miles, or 11 minutes, away. Grocery stores on State Route 664 S are about 10 minutes away.
Yes. Magnolia Grove Lodge sleeps 20 and has a 14- to 16-person dining table. Woodland Lodge sleeps 18 and seats 22 across three tables. Together, the two lodges sleep up to 38. For groups over 20, contact us before booking.
Plan Your Family Thanksgiving in Hocking Hills
Thanksgiving in Hocking Hills is about slowing down together. Book a restaurant early, or plan the menu and shop local. Take a morning hike, then save the evening for the fire pit.
The best part is always the people around the table. Our cabins give your whole family the space to gather, cook, and give thanks together, and every stay supports our giving-back work in Southeast Ohio.
Ready to gather your family? Check Availability Now and book a wonderful Thanksgiving getaway with your family and friends.