Wintertime in Northeast Ohio can be gray and dreary, but that’s only true if you let the cold keep you cooped up indoors. With a few layers of warmth and the right attitude, winter in Cleveland can be true magic. Want to experience such splendor for yourself? These cool day trips from Cleveland in winter are a great way to fend off cabin fever!

1. Spend the day exploring Rockefeller Park and the Cultural Gardens

Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, 750 E 88th St, Cleveland, OH 44108, USA
Erik Drost/Flickr
Chinese Cultural Garden, Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Hannah Dudley/Google Images
You may have heard of the Hundred Acre Wood, but have you heard of the 130-acre park right here in town? Rockefeller Park is one of Cleveland's coolest parks, as its expanse is home to Doan Brook and more than 30 culturally diverse gardens. Each has its own unique landscaping and decoration, and every garden is highly walkable. If the winter chill gets to you, Rockefeller Park Greenhouse is a stunning place to warm up. It's free to visit in this eternal summer spot, and the greenery within is a great pick-me-up when the white and gray of snow have you feeling down.

2. Get lost in the beauty of Lake View Cemetery

Lake View Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Alan An/Google Images
As we mentioned before, Doan Brook is one of many waterways in Cleveland. Its flooding is controlled and managed by a dam in Lake View Cemetery, which is a truly splendid day trip destination right here in town. With 285 acres of landscaped loveliness, this magnificent resting place is more like a memorial park than a traditional cemetery. Filled to the brim with art and iconic destinations, Lake View Cemetery is stunning in every season, but it takes on a particular otherworldliness in the winter.

3. Escape the hustle and bustle of city life with an Amish Country getaway

The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast, 6838 Co Rd 203, Millersburg, OH 44654, USA
The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast/Facebook
Millersburg, OH 44654, USA
Chuck Grimmett/Flickr
Ohio is home to one of the nation's largest Amish populations, and the resulting communities are laid-back, peaceful, and beautiful. In the winter, an escape to a place like Millersburg can be a panacea for cabin fever. Its downtown is charming and historic, filled to the brim with locally-owned businesses and delicious foods. If the trip has you craving an overnight adventure, The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast is a delightfully scenic place to stay. This century-old structure used to be a barn, but it is now warm, welcoming, and comfy.

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4. Chill out at the local castle

Squire's Castle, 2844 River Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094, USA
Clay A/Google Images
Any day spent hiking in the Cleveland Metroparks is a day well spent, but few destinations in the park district quite compare to Squire's Castle. This stunning structure is open to the public and is free to visit, believe it or not. While it was once a summertime residence for a Standard Oil executive, its innards were removed to make it an open-air castle in the middle of North Chagrin Reservation. In fact, the castle is mere paces away from the parking lot, so it's easy to access in every season. Nearby, Squire's Lane Trail will take you deep into a forest that has been largely untouched by the encroaching suburbanization of the area. This is the perfect spot to listen to wintering birds chirp across a frozen landscape.

5. Uncover the icy secrets of Worden's Ledges

Sandra Urquhart/Google Images
Wordens Ledges, Hinckley Township, OH 44233, USA
Christian G/Google Images
Yet another Cleveland Metroparks masterpiece, Worden's Ledges is a true hidden gem. Hidden in the outer reaches of Hinckley Reservation — the southernmost reservation in the park district — is an artfully curated world of about a dozen statues, carvings, writings, and doodles... all cemented in stone. The carvings were made by Noble Stuart in the 1940s after he married into the Worden family and inherited their namesake property. Today, his masterpieces dot the local trail, enchanting hikers with each work of art they discover.

6. Go toboganning in Strongsville

The Chalet, 16200 Valley Pkwy, Strongsville, OH 44136, USA
Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook
Want to step outside your comfort zone? You might consider trying tobogganing at The Chalet, part of Mill Stream Run Reservation in the Cleveland Metroparks. This super speedy type of sledding is a rare treat in Northeast Ohio, and locals have looked to the 700 feet of chutes at The Chalet for their annual dose of adrenaline. You can take a single ride and then opt to explore the Strongsville area (it has really gone through a development boom in recent years), or you can purchase an all-day pass for non-stop fun.

7. Soak up the vibes at Malabar Farm State Park

Ricky McGinnis/Google Images
Malabar Farm State Park, 4050 Bromfield Rd, Lucas, OH 44843, USA
Malabar Farm State Park/Facebook
Who doesn't love a chill winter escape to the local state park?! Malabar Farm State Park is one of the coolest places to visit in the state, especially during the colder months. That's thanks in part to the plentiful cozy vibes that abound at this working farm. Tour the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author and socialite Louis Bromfield, interact with animals, hike the surrounding trails with snowshoes, and warm up in the cozy country store-style gift shop.

These awesome winter day trips near Cleveland will get you out of the house this season, and they might even become a yearly tradition. Which of these cool day trip destinations is your favorite?

Want to make this year magical? Take a day trip every month of the year to make memories every step of the way. And before you set out on your next adventure, be sure to pack your coziest winter travel essentials to stay nice and warm!

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More to Explore

Winter Adventures In Ohio

Sara Dager | December 01, 2023

Are there any fun museums in Ohio that I can visit? 

A great way to spend a cold, snowy, or rainy day in the Buckeye state is with a museum trip. There are tons of fun and even strange museums in Ohio that are well worth a visit:

  • The Toy and Plastic Brick Museum in Bellaire is an unofficial Lego museum full of all kinds of exciting builds.
  • The American Sign Museum is the largest collection of signage in America. Observing the history of advertisement over hundreds of years is positively fascinating.
  • The Pencil Sharpener Museum is heaven for all of us office supply nerds! You may think this oft-forgotten item is not that interesting but there are thousands of kinds of sharpeners to observe.

What are the best holiday light displays in Ohio? 

If you want to really get into the Christmas spirit, you have to take your whole crew to see some of these holiday lights displays in Ohio, they are out of this world!

  • The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill features over four million individual lights, including a stunning waterfall of string lights over the mill falls.
  • Lake of Lights is a drive-thru Christmas lights event that takes place in Salisbury Park. It's the ideal way to enjoy lights while staying cozy in the car!
  • The Lights at Columbus Commons is a full-blown event, including rides and hot cocoa on Sundays. Wander through the beautifully lit commons and feel the Christmas cheer erupting from every corner.

Which winter hikes in Ohio should I take? 

You may not love the idea of a winter hike at first, but once you've got your layers on and a nice hot drink in your thermos, you'll absolutely love exploring the snowy landscapes on these winter hikes in Ohio:

  • Hueston Woods State Park in College Corner
  • Wingfoot Lake State Park in Mogadore
  • Hocking Hills State Park in Logan
  • Malabar Farm State Park in Lucas
  • Mosquito Lake State Park in Cortland
  • Mohican State Park in Loudonville

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