During the month of December and the first week of January, Cambridge, Ohio, hosts the “Dickens Village." One of the highlights is over 40 life-sized sculptures of Victorian and Dickens characters that line the main street. Cambridge has a lot of buildings on main street in the Victorian style. The figures fit right in and make great photos especially when there is a little snow in the air. We started our visit in the Dickens Welcome Center which offers Dickens Village souvenirs and an opportunity to have your picture taken while you are dressed in Dickens era clothing. Watch for costumed street vendors selling local goodies as you tour the street.
At the rear of the welcome center is a tea shop which is open on Saturdays from 1-6:00pm. The shop serves a Victorian tea. On the day we were there, the tea included a choice of three types of tea, scones with lemon curd and clotted cream or raspberry jam, strawberry soup (yumm) hot chicken salad, onion brioche, cucumber sandwich, zebra cake, coconut cream bites, thumbprint cookies, and finally a large slice of delicious cheesecake with lemon sauce. The staff will teach you how to eat scones in the proper Victorian way. The tea gave us a chance to rest our feet.
There were 5 bus tours in town the day we visited which made for a nice holiday bustle. Stores were busy but not crowded. There is lots to do when you visit—wander through several of the older buildings which have been converted into small shops selling lots of different items. Several specialize in antiques and collectables—Cambridge glass is especially popular and there is often a good selection of Roseville or Weller pottery. On the court house lawn are a group of Dickens shops. Local vendors—different every week-end—offer a variety of items with special Dickens Village prices.
At 5:30-9:00pm, the courthouse light and music show will begin. This is new this year and is fantastic. There are three different 12 minutes shows and Cambridge’s old-fashioned, wedding cake courthouse is the perfect setting. Check out a sample of the show at this You Tube site .
Good places to eat include Theos—right across from the Welcome Center. Try their famous coney dog or chili fries—served with chili and cheese. I recommend their spicy chili soup and their pork chops. On the side street to the left of the courthouse, the Courtside Deli offers sandwiches and soups and daily specials. Or drive east down Wheeling toward Interstate 71 and pull in to Mr. Lees for a meal. They make great chimichangas and offer a big selection of home cooked items. Head away from the courthouse to Rt. 209 and you will find the usual franchises and another local restaurant—The Forum. Their Greek sampler is great and so are the fajitas and pizzas.
If this is not enough action for one day, you can take the Byesville Scenic Railway trip which is offered on Saturdays at 1:00 and 3:00pm in Byesville.
Related sites: Dickens Victorian Village
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