Winter in Ohio can be daunting…but it can also be delightful, if you make the most of it. It’s helpful to have a winter bucket list to make the season more fun and memorable. From ice skating to light displays you’ll want to catch before the holidays are over, here are 10 perfect things to add to your Ohio winter bucket list this year.
- See as many Christmas lights as possible.
Zagrev/Flickr All throughout Ohio there are impressive drive-through and walk-through displays that are truly enchanting. It makes for a family fun night everyone will love. Pictured are the Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill. (For a list of displays in Ohio, check out the link at the end of this article.)
- Take a ride on the Polar Express.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad/Facebook Each year the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad features holiday themed train rides, and they’re downright magical. Visit their website (or click on the photo credit link) for more information.
- Go ice skating at Public Square (or Fountain Square.)
Erik Drost/Flickr Ice skate at Cleveland’s Public Square (pictured) for just $10 (or $7 if you bring your own ice skates.) You can also ice skate at Cincinnati’s Fountain Square for just $6. (Skate rentals are $4.)
- Take a gorgeous winter hike.
Mike King/Flickr We recommend taking The 52nd Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike, which will take place on January 21 at 9 a.m. It’s a six-mile group hike from Old Man’s Cave (pictured) to Ash Cave.
- Visit the Midwest’s #1 Terrain Park…
Mad River Mountain/Facebook Mad River Mountain in Zanesfield, Ohio features all the wintertime fun you could possibly want—and then some. It’s the largest ski and tubing resort in Ohio, featuring 144 acres.
- …and definitely go snow tubing while you’re there.
Mad River Mountain/Facebook The Avalanche Tubing Park is loads of fun for families and groups of friends. The 1,000 ft. tubing hill features 10 lanes. (Group tubing rates are also available.)
- Attend your local Ice Festival.
City of Sculpture/Facebook You never know what kinds of ice sculptures you’ll see across Ohio in the winter. (Pictured is Hamilton’s Ice Fest, which takes place on January 20-21, 2017.)
- Check out the Winter Blues Festival…
Ohio Festivals/Facebook This year’s Winter Blues Festival in Findlay will take place on February 10, 2017. Ice sculpting, ice beer mugs (pictured), live music and more await you at this one-of-a-kind winter festival.
- …and the Burning Snowman Fest.
Burning Snowman Fest/Facebook Food, drinks, live music and a giant burning snowman are just a few things you’ll encounter at Port Clinton’s Burning Snowman Fest, which takes place on February 25, 2017.
- Go see the lights at your local zoo.
Sam Howzit/Facebook Most of Ohio’s zoos and botanical gardens feature spectacular light shows each holiday season. (Pictured is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium WIldlights, which lasts from November 18th to January 3rd this year.)
What else do you like to do in the winter in Ohio? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!
Zagrev/Flickr
All throughout Ohio there are impressive drive-through and walk-through displays that are truly enchanting. It makes for a family fun night everyone will love. Pictured are the Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill. (For a list of displays in Ohio, check out the link at the end of this article.)
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad/Facebook
Each year the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad features holiday themed train rides, and they’re downright magical. Visit their website (or click on the photo credit link) for more information.
Erik Drost/Flickr
Ice skate at Cleveland’s Public Square (pictured) for just $10 (or $7 if you bring your own ice skates.) You can also ice skate at Cincinnati’s Fountain Square for just $6. (Skate rentals are $4.)
Mike King/Flickr
We recommend taking The 52nd Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike, which will take place on January 21 at 9 a.m. It’s a six-mile group hike from Old Man’s Cave (pictured) to Ash Cave.
Mad River Mountain/Facebook
Mad River Mountain in Zanesfield, Ohio features all the wintertime fun you could possibly want—and then some. It’s the largest ski and tubing resort in Ohio, featuring 144 acres.
The Avalanche Tubing Park is loads of fun for families and groups of friends. The 1,000 ft. tubing hill features 10 lanes. (Group tubing rates are also available.)
City of Sculpture/Facebook
You never know what kinds of ice sculptures you’ll see across Ohio in the winter. (Pictured is Hamilton’s Ice Fest, which takes place on January 20-21, 2017.)
Ohio Festivals/Facebook
This year’s Winter Blues Festival in Findlay will take place on February 10, 2017. Ice sculpting, ice beer mugs (pictured), live music and more await you at this one-of-a-kind winter festival.
Burning Snowman Fest/Facebook
Food, drinks, live music and a giant burning snowman are just a few things you’ll encounter at Port Clinton’s Burning Snowman Fest, which takes place on February 25, 2017.
Sam Howzit/Facebook
Most of Ohio’s zoos and botanical gardens feature spectacular light shows each holiday season. (Pictured is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium WIldlights, which lasts from November 18th to January 3rd this year.)
And for more Christmas light displays in Ohio, check out our previous article, 15 Christmas Light Displays In Ohio That Are Pure Magic.
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