Winter: some people bundle up and head outside… others bundle up and stay inside. Either way, Shores & Islands Ohio has you covered. From snowy adventures and frosty festivals to warm, cozy indoor escapes, there’s something for every kind of winter personality. Check out our picks for both the cold-loving and the cocoa-sipping crowd!
Embrace the Season
Fresh air, rosy cheeks, and winter adventures worth bundling up for. You love winter! Here are some things to do in Shores & Islands Ohio:
Ice Fishing – Lake Erie is nearly fully frozen this year! Ice fishing enthusiasts are having a banner season for fishing on our lake and bays. Remember, always go with a trusted ice fishing professional – a list of licensed guides, transportation options, and safety tips are available in our Ice Fishing Guide – stop by one of our welcome centers or contact us for this invaluable resource!
Sledding – The area has a number of popular sledding hills. Grab the family, bundle up, and hit our version of the slopes. Twin Oast Brewing in Catawba even created a sledding hill for family fun! Warm up after by reserving one of their igloos!
Winter Hiking – Many of our parks and natural areas welcome winter hikers – just be sure to dress appropriately and hike with a friend! Erie MetroParks even hosts some winter group hikes such as Date Night in the Park on February 12 – enjoy a cozy evening outdoors with a guided evening hike at Osborn MetroPark, followed by cocoa and a campfire. A similar event, Cabin Fever Hike and Hot Cocoa!, invites outdoor adventurers to warm up FIRST with hot cocoa followed by a hike at The Coupling MetroPark on February 27th.
Race Through the Season – If you like to hike in the chilly weather, you may like to run in the cold also! Check out the Osborn MetroPark parkrun every Saturday morning - a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Or, you can enter the Presidents’ Day 5K on February 14th at the home of former President Rutherford B. Hayes. Run or 
walk in your favorite patriotic garb to commemorate the holiday weekend.
Escape the Season
Warm spaces, cozy moments, and ways to enjoy winter without the chill. Go ahead, stay IN.
Swim and Slide – Yep, swim! Shores & Islands Ohio is the Midwest’s waterpark capital! Just ignore winter altogether and enjoy some warmth. Check out Castaway Bay, Great Wolf Lodge, and Kalahari Resorts & Conventions for cozy overnight getaways or day passes.
Cure the Zoomies – Need some indoor play options for kids of all ages with a bit of pent-up energy from spending so much time indoors? Take the fam, or meet some friends, for fun and games at Clubhouse No. 3 SportSocial, Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, and Tilt Studio. Get some steps in with the indoor walking track at the Cedar Point Sports Center or get your steps creatively with a game of bowling at Twin Star Entertainment or Twin Star Port Clinton.
Learn (or perfect) a New Skill – If you’ve been watching the Winter Olympics and are inspired by the athletes in the Biathlon to perfect your shooting skills, take a turn with the targets at the Civilian Marksmanship Program at Camp Perry or at Lake Erie Arms, both with rentals available. Don’t forget that event includes cross-country skiing though, so maybe you’re better off with the Summer Olympics. Maybe see some future competitors at the 2026 JROTC Regional Championships at the CMP.
Treat Yourself – One way to survive the winter season is with a SPA DAY! Relax and let yourself totally forget about what’s happening outdoors with a spa treatment. Reset with a calming and centering yoga or cycle class. Or, just treat your body well with a healthy snack or meal. Check out local spots to support your Health & Wellness.
Cheers to Cozy – What’s better than sitting by the fire, chilling out with a glass of wine? The wineries and breweries of the Shores & Islands Ohio Cheers Trail are poised to welcome guests for wine tastings, snacks, live music, and special events this winter.
Warm Up Activities – Looking for fun events to do inside? Learn something or appreciate art at a local museum…a great time to start your quest to complete our America 250 trails! Support a great cause at Wine & Whiskers February 23, or find a new cause to support at Speed Volunteering on February 24.
Send Winter Up in Smoke – When you’re ready to kiss winter goodbye and set your eyes toward spring, head to the Burning Snowman Fest in Port Clinton on February 27 and 28. In addition to great music and fun food and drinks, the event features fire dancers and a 25-ft snowman on the beach, which will be set aflame at the end of the party.
No matter which camp you fall into — counting snowflakes or counting down to warmer days — winter in Shores & Islands Ohio has you covered. Check out our Winter page for more ideas on how to experience the season. And if you’re already dreaming of sunshine, hang in there… spring is just around the corner, bringing even more reasons to come back and explore.
