Winter in Northeast Ohio
Winter in Northeast Ohio is packed with family-friendly things to do, from snowy sledding hills and twinkly ice skating rinks to indoor play spaces, Metroparks adventures, holiday light shows, and fun seasonal events. This guide helps you explore the best winter activities across Cleveland, Akron, and nearby communities with easy, kid-approved ideas for every age, every budget, and every kind of winter day.
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❄️Quintessential Winter Fun
Big winter adventures that families love across Northeast Ohio. From tubing and tobogganing to ice bumper cars and snowy outdoor thrills, here are the must-do winter activities your kids will talk about all season long.
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📍 16200 Valley Pkwy, Strongsville, OH 44136
🗓️ Open November 28 through February 22; Reservations required
Hours (see website for exceptions):
Fridays: 6-9pm
Saturdays & Sundays: 12-5pm
Prices: $15 daily admission; $13 children 11 and younger; season passes available
Note: All riders MUST be 42” or taller
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📍 1146 W Highland Rd, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067
🗓️ TBA
Hours:
Friday: TBA
Saturday: TBA
Sunday: TBA
Prices: $37/rider online & walkup
Note: 42” minimum height required for tubing
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📍 200 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308
🗓️ Open November 28 through February 15
Ice Bumper Cars
Hours:
Mondays & Tuesdays: CLOSED
Wednesday-Saturday: 4-8pm
Sundays: 1-5pm
Prices: $12 per car (10 minute ride)
Note: Ages 3–6 & under 42” must ride with an adult 18+ (no charge for additional passenger)
Ice Bikes
Hours:
Mondays & Tuesdays: CLOSED
Wednesdays & Thursdays: 11am-9pm
Fridays & Saturdays: 11am-11pm
Sundays: 11am-6pm
Prices: $10 per bike (15 minute ride)
Note: Must be 60” and taller; weight limit is ~250 lbs.
⛸️Ice Skating
Whether you want to skate under twinkle lights or stay warm inside a cozy rink, Northeast Ohio has some of the best ice skating spots around. Here are the top indoor and outdoor rinks for families across Cleveland, Akron, and beyond.
Outdoor Rinks
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📍 3 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113
💵 Pricing:
Individual: $15 (includes skate rental)
10 Pack: $130 (includes skate rental)
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📍 200 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308
💵 Pricing:
Skating (no rental): $5
Skating + Skate Rental: $10
Skating + double blade buckle slates (for children): $8
Indoor Rinks
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📍 15381 Royalton Rd, Strongsville, OH 44136
💵 Pricing:
Online: $15 per person (with or without rental)
At the door: $20 per person (with or without rental)
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📍 21018 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116
💵 Pricing:
Child: $2
Student: $6
Adult: $7
Senior (60+): $4
Skate Rental: $4 per person
Skate Sharpening: $6
Season Passes and Skate Rental Passes available
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📍 8600 Munson Rd, Mentor, OH 44060
💵 Pricing:
Adults: $9
Youth (under 18): $7
Skate Rental: $4 per person
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📍 5000 Forestwood Dr, Parma, OH 44134
💵 Pricing:
Residents: Adult $6; Student $5
Seven Hills Resident: Adult $6.50, Student $5.50
Non-Resident: Adult $7, Student $6
Skate Rental: $5 per person
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📍 26000 Lorain Rd, North Olmsted, OH 44070
💵 Pricing:
Child (3-11): $5
Student (12-17): $5
Adult (18-54): $6
Senior (55+): $3.50
Skate Rental: $2.50 per person
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📍 1 Monticello Boulevard
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118💵 Pricing:
Preschoolers (5 and under): only skate rental
Student Residents (5-18): $2
Adult/Senior Residents: $3
Non-Resident: $5
Skate Rental: $2 per person
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📍 9999 E Washington St, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
💵 Pricing:
$14 per person (includes skate rental and glider, if available)
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📍 3301 Warrensville Center Rd, Shaker Heights, OH 44122
💵 Pricing:
Toddlers (0-2): Free
Youth (3-12): $4 resident, $7 non-resident
Teen/Adult (13-64): $6 resident, $9 non-resident
Seniors (65+): $4 resident, $7 non-resident
Skate Rental: $3 per person; Skate Rental Pass: $25 for 10 pre-paid rentals
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📍 14740 Lakewood Heights Blvd, Lakewood, OH 44107
💵 Pricing (includes skate rental):
Weekday Skate: $10
Friday Night/Saturday Skate:
Resident $12
Non-Resident $15
Senior $10
3 and under are free
🌲 Metroparks Winter Adventures
The Metroparks shine in winter and offer some of the best free family activities in Northeast Ohio. Explore sledding hills, cross-country ski trails, snowshoe paths, winter hikes, and scenic snowy overlooks across Cleveland, Akron, and the surrounding area.
Cleveland Metroparks: Sledding | Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Hiking, Snowshoeing, Ice Fishing, Sledding, Cross-Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing & Snow Tubing
Lake County Metroparks: Sledding | Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Lorain County Metroparks: Cross-Country Skiing, Sledding, Snowshoeing, Winter Hikes
Stark Parks: Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Sledding, Ice Skating, Ice Fishing
Summit Metroparks: Sledding, Ice Skating, Ice Fishing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing
🧸 Indoor Winter Activities
When it is freezing, dark, or your kids need a break from the snow, these indoor activities save the day. Explore hands-on museums, indoor play spaces, and rainy-day favorites perfect for keeping little ones busy all winter long.
🎄 Holiday Magic and Light Shows
Winter really comes alive with holiday lights, festive walk-throughs, Santa experiences, and local holiday attractions. From Castle Noel to twinkling light displays, here are the most magical holiday activities across Northeast Ohio.
FREE
Candy Land: It’s Wild in Ohio
📍Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Rd, Kirtland, OH 44094
🗓️ Open November 22 - January 4; 10am-5pm
🚫 Closed 11/27, 12/24, 12/25, 12/31 at noon, and 1/1
💲FREE
Step into a life-size Candy Land adventure with a wild Ohio twist. Explore colorful hands-on exhibits, themed crafts, & scavenger hunts.
Holiday Lights at Carlisle Reservation
📍Walking Trail: Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH 44050
Drive-Through: Carlisle Equestrian Center, 13630 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH 44050
🗓️ Open November 28 - December 21; 5:30-9pm
🚫 Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
💲FREE
Celebrate the holidays this year with a mile-long drive-through or ½-mile walk of holiday lights. Little Green Choo rides, Santa visits, balloon twisting, and a Santa gift shop also offered on select nights.
Lights on the Lake
📍Lakeview Park, 1800 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052
🗓️ Open November 29 - January 7; 5:30-9pm
💲FREE
Experience a FREE lakefront drive-thru lighted holiday display at Lakeview Park! Select Santa Nights include hot chocolate, cookie decorating, crafts, and a photo opportunity
Puritas Nursery Holiday Trains
📍Puritas Nursery, 19201 Puritas Ave., Cleveland, OH 44135
🗓️ Open November 28 - December 31; Monday - Friday: 9am-8pm; Saturdays & Sundays: 9am-6pm
💲FREE
A truly unique landscaped holiday model train display that captures the spirit of the season and brings out the kid in all of us.
Tower City for the Holidays
📍Tower City, 230 W Huron Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113
🗓️ Open November 29 - December 21; Saturdays & Sundays: 12-4pm
💲FREE
Tower City transforms into a holiday hotspot filled with family-friendly fun:
Bruce the Spruce’s Forest
VR Sleigh Ride
Sock Skating Rink
The Snow Show
The “Story” Slide (Open until 12/31 during Tower City hours)
PAID
Castle Noel
📍260 S Court St, Medina, OH 44256
🗓️ Year Round (except 1/15-2/15); hours vary
🚫 Closed Mondays, 11/27, 12/24, 12/25, 12/31, 1/1
💲Children (12 and Under): $25; Ages 13+: $28-$30; Babies in carriers are free, strollers include a charge
Castle Noel is the largest indoor, year-round holiday entertainment attraction.
Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet
📍Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303
🗓️ Open November 28 - December 30; 3-8pm
🚫 Closed 12/1-12/3, 12/24-12/25
💲Adults: $24-$28; Children (3+): $13-$15; 2 and under: Free; Discounted member pricing
Deck the Hall features 1.4 million lights across the estate, plus Santa visits, a courtyard café, and gift shop.
Frost at Cleveland Botanical Garden
📍Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
🗓️ Open November 22 - January 4; Sunday: noon-6pm; Tuesday & Wednesday: 10am-6pm; Thursday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
🚫 Closed Mondays, 11/27, 12/25, 1/1
💲Adults: $7-$28; Children (3+): Free - $17; 2 and under: Free
Frost is a shimmering, music-filled, gingerbread-scented celebration of winter’s magic.
Ohio Christmas Factory
📍4125 Mahoning Rd NE Suite B, Canton, OH 44705
🗓️ Open November 28 - December 23; hours vary
🚫 Closed 12/1-12/4, 12/8-12/11, 12/15-12/17
💲Kids (ages 3-12): $20-$26; General (13+): $28-$30; Under 2: Free
Over 50,000 sq ft of holiday magic with lights, immersive illusions, a giant gingerbread mansion, snowball zone, and more.
Kringle’s Inventionasium
📍Tower City, 230 W Huron Rd #7294, Cleveland, OH 44113
🗓️ Open November 22 - December 24; hours vary
🚫 Closed 11/24-11/27, 12/1-12/3, 12/8-12/10, 12/15-12/16
💲$21-$57/person
Bring the season’s magic to life with a hands-on journey through Mr. Kringle’s toy lab with Kringle’s team of toymakers.
Santa Trains 2025
📍Wellington Station, 46485 State Route 18, Wellington, OH 44090
🗓️ Open November 29-30, December 6-7 & 13-14
💲Infant (under 2): $5; Children (3-12): $16.75; Adults: $22.75; Seniors (60+): $16.75
Enjoy a 30-45 minute train ride and visit with Santa through the woods near Wellington.
Magic of Lights Wonderland Walk
📍Victory Park Ohio, 7777 Victory Ln, North Ridgeville, OH 44039
🗓️ Open November 27 - January 3; Sunday-Thursday: 6-10pm; Fridays & Saturdays: 6-11pm
🚫 Closed 12/1-12/4
💲Kids (ages 3-12): $9.43-$12; General (13+): $13.97-$23; Senior (65+): $9.32-$15; Under 2: Free
Walk-through holiday light display with festive scenes, digital animations, and light tunnels.
Warm Winter Wishes
📍Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Rd, Avon, OH 44011
🗓️ Open November 28 - December 30; 10am-5pm
🚫 Closed 12/24 & 12/25
💲Ages 3+: $2/person; 2 and under: Free
Tropical warmth meets wintery cheer with holiday scenes at the Conservatory. Enjoy seasonal sights, sounds, smells, and educational components for all ages!
Wild Winter Lights
📍Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109
🗓️ Open November 18 - December 30; 5-9pm
🚫 Closed 11/27, 12/24, 12/25
💲Walk-Through: $24-$30/person; Drive-Through: $49-$59/car
Choose between a walk-through or drive-through experience along dazzling holiday-themed trails. Walk-through nights include unlimited carousel rides and 4-D showings of Rudolph.
📅 Winter Events
Looking for something fun to do this week? Find the best family-friendly winter events happening across Cleveland, Akron, and the surrounding communities. Visit the Events Calendar for all events.
