8 Ohio Day Trips That Are Even Cooler During The Winter
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Sarah McCosham
Author
Winter’s here and while it’s tempting to bundle up and hibernate ’til March, we’ve got a better idea. The Buckeye State is beautiful in the winter, offering sublime scenery and unique opportunities for cold-weather day trips and adventures. Here are some of our favorite Ohio destinations that, in our humble opinion, are even cooler in the winter. Bundle up, grab your winter travel essentials, and embrace this sublime season in Ohio — whatever it may bring.
Mad River Mountain, 1000 Snow Valley Rd, Zanesfield, OH 43360, USA
The largest ski resort in Ohio, Mad River Mountain is *the* premier place for skiing and winter recreation in the Midwest. With a total of four parks, each differing in size and activities, there's truly something for everyone at Mad River Mountain. The tubing hill drops 1,000 thrilling feet and boasts over 10 lanes of sliding fun, making for an adrenaline-packed day of winter fun in Ohio!
Mill Stream Run Reservation, Strongsville, OH 44136, USA
Take a toboggan ride this winter at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation in Cleveland, Ohio. The twin, 700-foot refrigerated ice chutes operate with or without snow through late February, weather permitting, and are a seasonal rite of passage for all Ohio kids -- young and old.
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Medina, OH 44256, USA
The holidays come and go in a flash, leaving many of us a bit blue come January (and not because of the cold!). So we’re always thrilled to discover a winter festival in Ohio that’s as cheerful as its holiday brethren, and the best part is, this festive event happens in February! Every winter, the streets of downtown Medina are transformed into Ohio's very own winter wonderland for the Medina Ice Festival. For four glorious days, the streets of downtown Medina become a veritable winter wonderland worth bundling up and braving the cold to experience.
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The Inn at Honey Run, 6920 Co Rd 203, Millersburg, OH 44654, USA
Nestled in the heart of Ohio Amish Country, The Inn at Honey Run is a beautiful destination any time of year. During the winter, however, this treasure takes on a heavenly glow, with its unique "honeycomb" suites looking like adorable igloos after a fresh snow!
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, USA
Tucked away in northeast Ohio between Akron and Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is home to some incredible hiking trails, natural wonders, and even a scenic railroad. It’s arguably the crown jewel of the Buckeye State and a place worth exploring every season of the year. Spanning 33,000 acres, this park is a vision when blanketed with a fresh flurry of snow, its natural features and wildlife all the more beguiling within this real-life winter wonderland.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
The Cincinnati Zoo may have fallen off your radar after the Festival of Lights — but it shouldn’t. Going to the Zoo when it’s cold is magical — you see lots of animals that you wouldn’t normally get to see. Bears! Big cats! And penguins. Lots of penguins. During the Zoo's annual "Penguin Days," these little tuxedo-clad creatures are the stars of the show. Special encounters and reduced admission are all well and good, but nothing compares to the penguin parades that happen from January through March!
10610 Clay St, Montville, OH 44064, USA
The cold, clear skies of winter make the stars shine all the brighter, and there's no better place to marvel in the infinite universe than Ohio's Observatory Park. This Ohio destination has the rare distinction from the International Dark-Sky Association as being a Silver Tier Dark Sky Park -- one of just 77 in the entire world!
Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH, USA
We never need an excuse to visit Hocking Hills State Park, a place that truly dazzles all year long. This park is located in one of the most resplendent regions of the Buckeye State, offering some of the most sublime scenery and bucket-list-worthy outdoor recreation. The hiking here is second to none, especially if you’re a hopeless waterfall chaser like us. While spring rainfall and fall foliage make these waterfalls extra glorious, the chance to happen upon frozen waterfalls at Hocking Hills State Park is one you shouldn't pass up!
What are your favorite winter day trips in Ohio? Share them in the comments below so fellow readers can experience the best of winter in the Buckeye State!
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