Here Are 10 Awesome Places In Ohio To Visit This Winter

Here in Ohio, winter can be a fun and magical time—if you know how to embrace the season, anyway. From epic winter slides to North Pole train rides, there’s likely a winter adventure waiting just minutes away from you. Here are 10 awesome places in Ohio to visit in the winter. See how many you’ve been to before:

Visit the Midwest’s #1 Terrain Park.

Mad River Mountain/Facebook Although ski resorts and chair lifts are probably some of the last things that come to mind when you think of Ohio, you should know that Ohio is home to a pretty epic winter resort. Mad River Mountain in Zanesfield, Ohio, features all the wintertime fun you could possibly want—and then some. It’s the largest ski and snow tubing resort in Ohio, featuring 144 acres. Mad River Mountain, 1000 Snow Valley Rd, Zanesfield, OH 43360, USA

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 best holiday lights in Ohio, check out this article! Historic Clifton Mill, 75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316, USA

Take a ride on an epic winter slide.

Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook Cleveland Metroparks features a truly spectacular toboggan chute you need to experience this winter. The Chalet in Strongsville’s Mill Stream Run Reservation is home to the tallest and fastest ice chutes in Ohio. Read all about this epic winter slide in Ohio before you go! The Chalet, 16200 Valley Pkwy, Strongsville, OH 44136, USA

Go ice skating at Public Square (or Fountain Square.)

Erik Drost/Flickr Ice skate at Cleveland’s Public Square (pictured) or go ice skating at Cincinnati’s Fountain Square. Some other ice skating rinks in Ohio even boast ice bumper cars! Public Square, Cleveland, OH, USA

Visit a reindeer farm.

Pine Acres Reindeer Farm & Event Center/Facebook Pine Acres Reindeer Farm and Event Center in LaRue, Ohio will open this holiday season for a full day of Christmas cheer, reindeer magic and holiday festivities. Some of the most beautiful reindeer are hiding on this Ohio farm. Pictured is Tinsel. For more information, check out our feature article about Pine Acres Reindeer Farm. Pine Acres Event Center, 8746 Larue-Prospect Rd W, La Rue, OH 43332, USA

Take a train to the North Pole.

Hocking Valley Scenic Railway‎/Facebook This holiday season, consider boarding the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway’s Santa Train. Travel to the “North Pole”, enjoy the scenic Hocking Valley and even meet Santa himself. For directions and details on this Christmas train in Ohio here. Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, 33 W Canal St, Nelsonville, OH 45764, USA

Go on a winter horseback riding adventure.

Equestrian Ridge Farm/Facebook Experience a winter wonderland adventure this season at Equestrian Ridge Farm in New Plymouth, Ohio, which features customized horseback riding year-round. During the winter months, this 200-acre Vinton County farm is a true winter wonderland. For directions and more information about this winter horseback ride in Ohio, check out this article. Equestrian Ridge Farm, 26711 Pumpkin Ridge Rd, New Plymouth, OH 45654, USA

Take a scenic drive.

Nicole Yeary/Flickr Driving the Amish Country Scenic Byway during the winter is a special experience. It warms your heart in ways you can’t describe, making you long for home, family and simpler times. For specific routes and other information about the Amish Country Scenic Byway in this article.

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.) Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065, USA

Take a hike.

Mike King/Flickr Hiking in the winter might sound challenging—but with the right trail, it can be downright magical. Fortunately, Ohio is full of several beautiful hiking trails that transform into a winter wonderland once snow falls. Frozen waterfalls, snow-covered trails and sparkling trees are stunning sights to see. For a list of some of our favorite winter hiking trails in Ohio, check out this guide!

So what do you think of these places in Ohio to visit in the winter? Will you add any of these fun destinations to your winter bucket list this season? What else would you add to this list? Share your thoughts and recommendations with us!

Mad River Mountain/Facebook

Although ski resorts and chair lifts are probably some of the last things that come to mind when you think of Ohio, you should know that Ohio is home to a pretty epic winter resort. Mad River Mountain in Zanesfield, Ohio, features all the wintertime fun you could possibly want—and then some. It’s the largest ski and snow tubing resort in Ohio, featuring 144 acres.

Mad River Mountain, 1000 Snow Valley Rd, Zanesfield, OH 43360, USA

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 best holiday lights in Ohio, check out this article!

Historic Clifton Mill, 75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316, USA

Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook

Cleveland Metroparks features a truly spectacular toboggan chute you need to experience this winter. The Chalet in Strongsville’s Mill Stream Run Reservation is home to the tallest and fastest ice chutes in Ohio. Read all about this epic winter slide in Ohio before you go!

The Chalet, 16200 Valley Pkwy, Strongsville, OH 44136, USA

Erik Drost/Flickr

Ice skate at Cleveland’s Public Square (pictured) or go ice skating at Cincinnati’s Fountain Square. Some other ice skating rinks in Ohio even boast ice bumper cars!

Public Square, Cleveland, OH, USA

Pine Acres Reindeer Farm & Event Center/Facebook

Pine Acres Reindeer Farm and Event Center in LaRue, Ohio will open this holiday season for a full day of Christmas cheer, reindeer magic and holiday festivities. Some of the most beautiful reindeer are hiding on this Ohio farm. Pictured is Tinsel. For more information, check out our feature article about Pine Acres Reindeer Farm.

Pine Acres Event Center, 8746 Larue-Prospect Rd W, La Rue, OH 43332, USA

Hocking Valley Scenic Railway‎/Facebook

This holiday season, consider boarding the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway’s Santa Train. Travel to the “North Pole”, enjoy the scenic Hocking Valley and even meet Santa himself. For directions and details on this Christmas train in Ohio here.

Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, 33 W Canal St, Nelsonville, OH 45764, USA

Equestrian Ridge Farm/Facebook

Experience a winter wonderland adventure this season at Equestrian Ridge Farm in New Plymouth, Ohio, which features customized horseback riding year-round. During the winter months, this 200-acre Vinton County farm is a true winter wonderland. For directions and more information about this winter horseback ride in Ohio, check out this article.

Equestrian Ridge Farm, 26711 Pumpkin Ridge Rd, New Plymouth, OH 45654, USA

Nicole Yeary/Flickr

Driving the Amish Country Scenic Byway during the winter is a special experience. It warms your heart in ways you can’t describe, making you long for home, family and simpler times. For specific routes and other information about the Amish Country Scenic Byway in this article.

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.)

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065, USA

Mike King/Flickr

Hiking in the winter might sound challenging—but with the right trail, it can be downright magical. Fortunately, Ohio is full of several beautiful hiking trails that transform into a winter wonderland once snow falls. Frozen waterfalls, snow-covered trails and sparkling trees are stunning sights to see. For a list of some of our favorite winter hiking trails in Ohio, check out this guide!

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The OIYS Visitor Center

places in Ohio to visit in the winter November 28, 2022 Sarah M. What are some family-friendly places in Ohio to visit in the winter? Here in Ohio, there’s so much more to do this time of year, especially for families. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly places to visit in Ohio in the winter, which also happen to appeal to the grown up crowd, too:

Lock 3 Akron features a 10,000-sq. ft. seasonal ice skating rink, making it the largest in Ohio. Located next to the Akron Civic Theatre, Lock 3 is one of the state’s most cherished seasonal attractions. No matter if it’s your first time on the ice or you’re just as comfortable in skates as in sneakers, you’ll find this destination to be impressive on every level. Lock 3 Akron is located at 200 S Main St., Akron, OH, 44308.

Winter Snow Trails. Learn to ski, snowboard or snow-tube at this winter fun ski resort in Mansfield. This family favorite destination features the Timberline Trail (the longest in Ohio,) the longest tubing lanes in Ohio, a 9,000 sq.ft. Rental Center, a Children’s Learning Center and more. Our favorite feature of this snow tubing park in Ohio? You can even snow tube at night - beneath glowing, colored lights! Glow tubing takes the concept of snow tubing to a whole other level! You’ll find it at 3100 Possum Run Rd., Mansfield, OH, 44903.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In addition to its beautiful trails and frozen waterfalls, during the holiday season the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad features the North Pole Adventure. Be on the lookout for reindeer in the scenic valley while you sip hot chocolate and eat Christmas cookies. (Passengers are even encouraged to wear their pajamas.) While you’re in the area, don’t forget to explore Peninsula’s festive businesses.

The OIYS Visitor Center

places in Ohio to visit in the winter

November 28, 2022

Sarah M.

What are some family-friendly places in Ohio to visit in the winter? Here in Ohio, there’s so much more to do this time of year, especially for families. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly places to visit in Ohio in the winter, which also happen to appeal to the grown up crowd, too:

The OIYS Visitor Center

Here in Ohio, there’s so much more to do this time of year, especially for families. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly places to visit in Ohio in the winter, which also happen to appeal to the grown up crowd, too:

Lock 3 Akron features a 10,000-sq. ft. seasonal ice skating rink, making it the largest in Ohio. Located next to the Akron Civic Theatre, Lock 3 is one of the state’s most cherished seasonal attractions. No matter if it’s your first time on the ice or you’re just as comfortable in skates as in sneakers, you’ll find this destination to be impressive on every level. Lock 3 Akron is located at 200 S Main St., Akron, OH, 44308.
Winter Snow Trails. Learn to ski, snowboard or snow-tube at this winter fun ski resort in Mansfield. This family favorite destination features the Timberline Trail (the longest in Ohio,) the longest tubing lanes in Ohio, a 9,000 sq.ft. Rental Center, a Children’s Learning Center and more. Our favorite feature of this snow tubing park in Ohio? You can even snow tube at night - beneath glowing, colored lights! Glow tubing takes the concept of snow tubing to a whole other level! You’ll find it at 3100 Possum Run Rd., Mansfield, OH, 44903.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In addition to its beautiful trails and frozen waterfalls, during the holiday season the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad features the North Pole Adventure. Be on the lookout for reindeer in the scenic valley while you sip hot chocolate and eat Christmas cookies. (Passengers are even encouraged to wear their pajamas.) While you’re in the area, don’t forget to explore Peninsula’s festive businesses.