Are you bored of hanging out inside during the holidays? Bundle up and get out to explore all the Greater Cincinnati region has to offer!
LINK nky has compiled a list of five cold-weather activities to enjoy this winter. Options are included for adults and families with young children.
Drinking
This time-tested, tried-and-true activity is perfect for any time of year, especially the holiday season. Luckily for you, the Greater Cincinnati area features a large number of drinking establishments to explore this winter.
If you’re into breweries, Northern Kentucky has plenty to offer, such as Braxton Brewery in Covington, Darkness Brewing in Bellevue or Alexandria Brewing Company.
If cocktails are more your thing, check out The Lackman or Ghost Baby in downtown Cincinnati. On the Northern Kentucky side, Three Spirits Tavern in Bellevue, plus Second Story and Coppins in Covington, are good options.
Hiking
For some, winter is a great time to throw on boots, gloves and a thick coat and hike some trails.
Some of the best hiking options in Greater Cincinnati are the Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford, which features over 16 miles of trails through forests and fields. Another option on the Ohio side is Mt. Airy Forest, which boasts over 1,400 acres of wooded trails.
In Northern Kentucky, hikers can traverse hilly Devou Park, located near downtown Covington, or the challenging Tower Park Trails in Fort Thomas.
Snow tubing, skiing or snowboarding
If you’re a winter sports fan, head on over to Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, to get your fix. It’s only around 30 minutes from downtown Covington, making it the closest ski resort to NKY.
Skiers and snowboarders have access to 23 different trails, which range in skill level and difficulty. Equipment rentals are available for those who don’t already own gear.
Perfect North has a large snow tubing park for families with children. This activity requires no skills; hop on the inner tube and slice down the hill.
Ice skating
Ice skating is the perfect date night activity for couples around the region. The most popular place to skate in Greater Cincinnati is located downtown in Fountain Square.
This outdoor rink is in the heart of the city, offering skaters views of towering skyscrapers and city lights while on the ice. Admission and skate rental costs only $10, and the rink is open to skaters of all ages, according to the Fountain Square website. The rink closes for the season on Feb. 17.
If you don’t want to brave the cold, head over to the Northern Kentucky Ice Center. This facility in Crescent Springs is the only all-year indoor ice rink in Northern Kentucky.
Public skating sessions, open to all ages and skill levels, are available most days of the week, but it’s best to check the calendar in case of events and practices.
The Northern Kentucky Ice Center is located at 2638 Anderson Road in Cresent Springs. Admission for public skating is $10 and $9 for those under 10, with a $3 rental fee.
Check out some festive lights
If you haven’t checked out Deck the Y’alls yet, you still have a chance. Thomas More Stadium is decked out in over two and a half million lights in celebration of the festive season.
This is the third annual iteration of this holiday extravaganza, and this year, there are eight immersive themed displays, plus an ice skating rink and more.
The event runs through Jan. 1, 2025. Tickets start at $9 for kids, $13 for adults and $11 for military/seniors; kids under 3 are free. Find more information at decktheyalls.com.
Another popular option is taking in the Cincinnati Zoo’s annual Festival of Lights, an annual tradition in the region.
Five million lights are strategically placed throughout the campus, making it the perfect opportunity for families to get out and explore the zoo. Of course, visitors can see the animals who live at the zoo, but also view Christmas-themed displays and other art installations.
Admission to the Festival of Lights is included with the purchase of a zoo ticket. The festival is set to end on Jan. 5.