Don’t let the colder weather keep you from having an awesome adventure.
During the winter season, there are still plenty of fun things to do around Cincinnati, Ohio.
I’m sharing more about the top things to do in Cincinnati in the Winter that you’ll want to add to your list.
This article contains affiliate links.
Visit a Cincinnati Museum in the Winter
Cincinnati has SO MANY museums! There is truly something for everyone, ranging from history, art, sports-themed, unique, and more!
Museums at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal –
(Save on admission with the POGO Pass)
- The Museum of Natural History & Science
- Duke Energy Children’s Museum
- Cincinnati History Museum
- The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center
Additional Historic Museums in Cincinnati
- National Underground Freedom Center – (On the POGO Pass)
- Cincinnati Fire Museum
- Greater Cincinnati Police Museum
- Harriet Beecher Stowe House
- Skirball Museum in Cincinnati
- The Betts House
- The German Heritage Museum
- Cincinnati Aviation Heritage Society Museum
Sports-themed Museums
Unique Museums in Cincinnati
Art Museums in Cincinnati
Museums in Northern Kentucky
Take a Local Food Tour
A food tour is a great way to discover local restaurants you’ll want to return to. You get quality and quantity as you sample your way through the city.
During a food tour, you’ll eat great food, learn more about local history, and get the stories behind the local restaurants you visit.
Book a group tour with Cincinnati Food Tours or Riverside Food Tours.
Book a Cininnati Food Tour Here
Experience Indoor Skydiving at iFLY Cincinnati
7689 Warehouse Row, Liberty Township, Ohio
Enjoy the thrills of skydiving without jumping out of a plane at iFLY Cincinnati.
Flyers as young as 3 and up can experience what it’s like to float on a column of air from a vertical wind tunnel.
Ice Skate at Elm Street Plaza
150 West Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH
November 22, 2025 -February 16, 2026
Ice skating has been relocated from Fountain Square to Elm Street Plaza, a short walk away.
All skates and push-along Zambonis are brand new.
Admission is $12 and includes skate rental. Kids ages 5 and under are free with a paid adult admission.
Heated Igloos for 8 and pergolas with a fire pit (both seat up to 8) are available for rent. There’s also a warming hut, additional fire pits, and a Pavilion Bar with drinks and snacks.
Additional Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks Around Cincinnati
Check their websites for specific dates of operation.
- Fifty West Burger Bar Ice Rink – read more
- Ice Rink at Summit Park
- Kings Island Winterfest
- Civic Park Pavilion (Lawrenceburg, Indiana)
Indoor Ice Skating Rinks Around Cincinnati
Winterhaus at Fountain Square
520 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH
Enjoy cozy vibes at Winterhaus, a heated, glass-enclosed, 65ft x 65ft tented retreat in the heart of Downtown Cincinnati at Fountain Square.
Be on the lookout for daily events at the full bar.
Solve the Puzzles in an Escape Room
Put your mind to the test in an escape room with friends or family. Escape rooms have a series of clues, challenges, and puzzles to solve.
Your team earns bragging rights if you can solve the puzzles and escape before your time runs out.
Escape Rooms Around Cincinnati
- The Escape Game Cincinnati
- Breakout Games
- OTR Escape
- Sherlock’s Escape Rooms
- Escape Room Family LLC
- Delhi Who Dunnit
- Great Room Escape
Winter Discount Days at the Cincinnati Zoo
3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH
Enjoy observing the animals at the zoo who love the colder weather and lighter crowds after the holidays at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Take advantage of special discount offers at the Cincinnati Zoo during Winter Discount Days.
*The Cincinnati Zoo is also on the POGO Pass.
Purchase Discounted Tickets for the Cincinnati Zoo here
Try Something New at Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati
2940 Highland Ave #230, Cincinnati, OH
What is Fowling?
Fowling is a fusion of Cornhole and bowling…with a football.
The goal is to knock over the opponent team’s bowling pins on their board. Each player gets a turn. It’s harder than it looks to knock down those pins, but it’s also really fun!
Cincinnati Fowling Warehouse is on the POGO Pass.
Find Garden Inspiration at the Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH
There are over 3500 plant species on display from around the world at the Krohn Conservatory.
Located in Eden Park, the conservatory brings the beauty of the outdoors indoors, allowing guests to enjoy it year-round.
Check the Krohn Conservatory website for hours and special events.
More Greenhouse Vibes
Enjoy the outdoors indoors with these options.
- Class at Fern Shop
- Class with Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati
Try Archery Dodgeball at Archery Arena
What is Archery Dodgeball?
Archery dodgeball is similar to dodgeball and paintball, but you’re using foam-tipped arrows to tag each other instead.
At Archery Arena, you get 15 minutes of training followed by 60 minutes of gameplay, creating a 75-minute session.
Take a Wine, Brewery, or Distillery Tour
Winter is a great time to take a tour of your alcohol of choice. For the best value, take a guided tour with multiple stops.
Wine, Brewery, and Distillery Tours Around Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Wine Wagon
- Cincinnati Brew Bus
- Brewing Heritage Trail
- Rhinegeist Brewery
- New Riff Distilling
- Pensive Distilling Co.
- Second Sights Spirits
- Boone County Distilling
Bourbon Blending Experiences
Get Your Passport Stamped on the B-Line
Experience the perfect complement to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, in Northern Kentucky, located a short B-Line away.
The B-Line has an assortment of bourbon-themed restaurants, bars, and distilleries that meet the specific criteria to be listed on the official B-Line passport and trail.
You can attempt to make as many stops as possible in one day or stretch out your visits over time and give yourself something to look forward to in the future.
Tour With Us KY offers great customized bourbon tours, too.
Take a Guided Bus or Walking Tour of Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky with American Legacy Tours
Gain access to areas not open to the public, like the former cellar and lager tunnel pictured above, on a guided tour with American Legacy Tours.
You can’t go wrong with any of the American Legacy tours. The tours range from historic, underground, food and drink, and haunted. I’ve taken several of their tours, and I always learn something new each time.
A few of my favorite American Legacy Tours are:
- Newport Gangster Tour
- Queen City Underground Tour
- Under the Market Tour
Play a Round of Top Golf
9568 Water Front Dr, West Chester Township, OH
Topgolf allows you to experience the best part of golf besides driving the golf cart in a casual environment, as competitive as you choose.
Players have different games and difficulty levels to choose from as they try to hit the target. Topgolf also has fantastic food options to enjoy at your heated bay while you’re waiting for your turn to swing.
Visit an Indoor Trampoline Park or Action Park
Show off your old moves or attempt a new one at a trampoline park.
You can bounce, challenge your friends to a game of dodgeball, show off your dunking skills, attempt a ninja skill, or try a new trick in the foam pit.
Trampoline Parks and Action Parks Around Cincinnati
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park
- Rockn’ Jump
- Nova Adventure Park
- Get Air Trampoline Park
- Altitude Trampoline Park
- Urban Air Adventure Park
- Slick City Action Park (read more here)
- Silverlake The Family Place (*Non-members can book for birthday parties)
Adventures for Younger Families
Check out my ultimate guide for ideas for local adventures for younger families here.
Try Duckpin Bowling
Duckpin bowling is similar to traditional bowling, but uses smaller balls that weigh under 4 pounds without finger holds that you can easily hold with one hand.
The bowling pins are attached to strings, and bowlers get 3 rolls per frame. Duckpin bowling is easy to play for all ages and abilities.
Where can you try Duckpin Bowling in Cincinnati?
Go Indoor Go Kart Racing
Indoor Go Kart Locations Around Cincinnati
Fulfill your need for speed by racing your group around the track in a go-kart. With some venues where speeds can go up to 40 mph for adult karts, you get a rush that’s way more fun than rush hour.
- Full Throttle Adrenaline Park
- The WEB Extreme Entertainment (This attraction is on the POGO Pass)
- Scene 75 Entertainment Center
Try Axe Throwing
Ax-throwing is safer than you would anticipate and definitely more FUN! This is also a great activity for groups.
Ax Throwing Locations Around Cincinnati
There are several locations around Cincinnati where you can try ax-throwing
Drink or Dine in a Rooftop Igloo
Enjoy scenic city views during a unique adventure inside an igloo.
You can reserve a rooftop igloo in advance in Cincinnati or Covington, Ky.
*Most igloos have a minimum spending amount and a set amount of time.
Rooftop Igloo Rentals Around Cincinnati
- Upper Deck at the AC Hotel
- The View at Shires’ Garden
- Elm Street Plaza
- Moerlein Lager House
- Braxton Brewing (Covington, KY, Union, KY, Factory 52)
Learn to Curl at Cincinnati Curling Club
5150 Duff Drive, West Chester, OH
Learn the basics of the winter Olympic sport of curling during a “Learn to Curl” session with Cincinnati Curling Club.
This is an adventure that is fun for a variety of ages and skill levels.
Try Skiing, Snowboarding, or Snow Tubing at Perfect North Slopes
(812) 537-3754
19074 Perfect Pl Ln, Lawrenceburg, IN
You can enjoy winter fun and play in the snow in Southeast Indiana. If there isn’t snow in Cincinnati, it’s not a problem. Perfect North Slopes has snow thanks to its fantastic snowmaking machines.
Guests can ski, snowboard, or go snow tubing. If you are new to winter sports, I highly recommend taking a ski or snowboard lesson.
Ski or Snowboard Lessons are great confidence builders for first-timers. Lessons are also a nice refresher if it’s been a while since you’ve been on the slopes.
Snow tubing is a great multi-gen adventure that your group can experience together.
Explore Newport Aquarium
1 Levee Way, Newport, KY
Walk across the Shark Bridge, touch sharks, watch penguins play, and walk through tunnels where you can view incredible sea life from around the world at the Newport Aquarium.
Purchase Discounted Tickets for Newport Aquarium here
Attend a Cyclones Hockey Game
Heritage Bank Center
100 Broadway St, Cincinnati, OH
*Cincinnati Cyclones 2023-2024 ECHL Season
Enjoy watching a professional hockey game. For a great value, check out one of their ticket package specials.
Cincinnati Cyclones games are very family-friendly. Kids and adults love the entertaining intermissions between the periods of the game.
Play a Round of Mini Golf at a One-of-a-Kind Course at PAR3
The indoor mini golf course has 27 custom, creative holes. Each of the three 9-hole mini golf courses has creative elements and unique challenges.
Thanks to their digital scoring system, you don’t need to carry a scorecard.
This is a fun experience for adults and kids. Be on the lookout for several photo ops along the course.
Note that Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights after 9PM are for ages 21+ & up.
If you want to grab a bite to eat before or after, their food is fantastic too.
Take a Cooking Class
This is the only way that I enjoy cooking. I like that it’s social, and I’m less likely to screw things up with a professional nearby.
Cooking classes are enjoyable for novices and skilled foodies. If you’re really inspired, you can even attempt to recreate the meal from your cooking class at home in the future.
Cooking Classes Around Cincinnati
- Tablespoon Cooking Co.
- Sur La Table
- Del Gardo’s – (Private Cannoli-making class)
- Carobello Coffee shop (Coffee classes or try a Tasting Experience at their Analog Coffee Bar)
- The Learning Kitchen
- Out of Thyme Kitchen Studio
- Afromeals
Explore Jungle Jim’s International Market
Foodies can take a tour, sign up for a cooking class, or wander the supermarket with food from around the world. This grocery store is unlike any grocery store in the country!
Envision the fusion of a quirky theme park and a grocery store.
There are two locations in the Cincinnati Metro with over 500,000 sq. ft of combined shopping space and 180,000 products.
Each location has local, regional, and international products from over 70 countries.
- Jungle Jim’s International Market – Original Location – 5440 Dixie Hwy, Fairfield, OH
- Jungle Jim’s International Market Eastgate – 4450 Eastgate S Dr, Cincinnati, OH
Make a Custom Candle
The process of making a hand-poured candle is pretty simple. The most difficult part of the experience is narrowing down all your scent choices. A custom candle is a perfect gift for yourself or for someone special.
Where You Can Make A Custom Candle Around Cincinnati
Tap into Your Creative Side
These Paint and Slip Classes are a great experience gift for someone who enjoys being social while tapping into their creative side.
- Not Your Average Paint and Sip Class
- A Stroke of Art
- Soul Palette
- Painting with a Twist
- Pinot’s Palette
- Board & Brush Creative Studio – Crestview Hills
Splatter Paint sessions are great for groups to experience together who enjoy making art out of a mess.
Splatter Paint Experiences Around Cincinnati
Take a Winter Hike
Enjoy fresh air during a winter hike at one of the parks around Cincinnati.
- Cincinnati Nature Center
- Devou Park
- Bender Mountain Nature Preserve
- Winter hike events at one of the Great Parks of Hamilton County (Winton Woods, Sharon Woods, Woodland Mound, Shawnee Lookout, and Miami Whitewater Forest)
Visit a Cat Cafe
Enjoy a beverage on the cafe side and then interact and play with adorable cats on the other side of the building.
Which Winter Adventure Do You Want to Cross Off Your List First?
These winter adventures are also creative experience gift ideas for the holidays, birthdays, or just because.
You can save the checklist to your phone or download the free printable.
