Feb 14

Feb 14 5+ Magical Activities to do this Winter in Ohio

Winter in Ohio can be very bipolar, sometimes it’s 5 degrees, sometimes it’s 60. You just never know. But nonetheless, there’s an abundance of activities to enjoy in the wintertime. When it does snow, Ohio turns into such a beautiful winter wonderland; from the snow-covered trees to the frozen lakes. Just because the weather is cold doesn’t mean you have to stay inside all winter.

So bundle up and head out to enjoy all the trails and parks we have, or trying your luck at ice skating, or even take a throwback to your childhood on a magic train ride.

Go For a Hike

The best part about hiking in the wintertime is fewer crowds, and Ohio is not lacking in trails to hike. We have a variety of trails to choose from, ranging from easy to difficult, long or short. Sometimes the trails can get icy or slick, so having something like YakTrax can be useful.

Popular Parks:

>> Related: 5+ Trails Near Cleveland To Hike This Winter <<

Go Ice Skating

Ice skating has long been a favorite winter activity among families or as a date. It’s great for all ages, and there’s tons of indoor and outdoor rinks all over Ohio.

Popular ice skating rinks:

Wade Oval in University Circle
Cleveland’s Public Square
Lock 3 in Akron
Fountain Square in Cincinnati

Take a ride on The Polar Express

Take this family-friendly train ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad that’s set to the soundtrack of the movie. You’ll be transported to the North Pole, with a reading of the story, cookies, and hot chocolate, with special appearances from elves and Santa! Tickets go on sale to the public usually the October, and the Polar Express operates in November and December, with two boarding stations: Akron and Rockside.

Watch a Light Show

There’s so many different ways to enjoy Christmas lights in the winter. The zoos light up at night with spectacular light shows and displays, and quite a few animals are out to play as well. People decorate their houses/streets. It’s honestly one of the most magical sites to see in the wintertime (after a fresh snowfall). The shows vary depending on location but typically run from November to January.

Popular Light Shows:

Wildlights - Columbus Zoo
Lights Before Christmas - Toledo Zoo
Wild Winter Lights - Cleveland Zoo
Festival of Lights - Cincinnati Zoo
Legendary Lights - Clifton Mill

Participate in some Winter sports

There’s tons of winter sports you can partake in here in Ohio. You can go tubing, skiing, or snowboarding at Alpine Valley in Chesterland, Boston Mills/Brandywine in Peninsula, Mad River Mountain near Columbus, or at Snow Trails in Mansfield. There’s sledding hills located in quite a few Ohio State Parks but really you can find sledding hills just about anywhere. Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Winter Sports Center offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and you can also go sledding there at Kendall Hills. The bright side of the Ski Resorts is that even if it doesn’t snow, they make their own so you can still have a great experience!

Go Down the Toboggan Chutes

Located in the Mill Stream Run of the Cleveland Metroparks, Tobogganing at the Chalet is definitely a Northeast Ohio winter favorite. The two 700-foot chutes operate with or without snow from November until early March on the weekend. Gloves are required to ride, and you must meet a height requirement. Need to warm up or take a break? The Chalet has TVs, fireplaces, and a snack bar with hot chocolate.

Explore Some Castles

Yes, you read that right. Ohio has castles, quite a few of them actually. And visiting them in the wintertime adds to the beauty of the experience. Some castles are free to explore, others require a tour or a payment to get it in. Check out these castles in Ohio.