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Fun Things to Do in Cincinnati in the Winter

During the winter season, there are still a lot of fun things to do around Cincinnati, Ohio.

Don’t let the colder weather keep you from having an awesome adventure.

I’m sharing more about the top things to do in Cincinnati in the Winter that you will definitely want to add to your list.

Cincinnati Museum Center e1576642496591

This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you click a link and purchase something we have recommended at no additional cost.

*Make sure you visit each museum/attraction/business’s website before you go. Their operating days and hours vary so you will want to plan accordingly.

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)

Additional Historic Museums in Cincinnati

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame

Sports-themed Museums

Lucky Cat Museum in Cincinnati

Unique Museums in Cincinnati

Cincinnati Art Museum

Art Museums in Cincinnati

Vent Haven Museum

Museums in Northern Kentucky

self guided tour of Findlay Market with Cincinnati Food Tours

Take a Local Food Tour

A local food tour is a great way to discover local restaurants that you will want to return to. You get both quality and quantity as you sample your way through the city.

During a food tour, you eat great food, learning more about local history, and the stories behind the local restaurants that you visit.

You can take a self-guided tour at Findlay Market.

Or sign up for a group tour with Cincinnati Food Tours or Riverside Food Tours.

iFLY Cincinnati Indoor Skydiving

Experience Indoor Skydiving at iFLY Cincinnati

7689 Warehouse Row, Liberty Township, Ohio

Enjoy the thrills of skydiving without having to jump 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.

Bumper cars on the ice at Fountain Square in Cincinnati

Ice Skate or Try Bumper Cars on the Ice at Fountain Square

(513) 621-4400

520 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 

Make a reservation for an ice skating session or a combo ice session with bumpers + skating. Ice skating sessions also include ice skate rentals.

Ice bumper car riders must be 5+ years old, at least 42 inches tall, and under 300 lbs. All rink sessions at Fountain Square are 60 minutes on split or full ice.

outdoor ice skating rink at Fifty West Brewing

Additional Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks Around Cincinnati

Indoor Ice Skating Rinks Around Cincinnati

The Lab Houdini's Escape

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.

If you can solve the puzzles and escape before your time runs out, your team earns bragging rights.

Escape Rooms Around Cincinnati

Penguin Parade at the Cincinnati Zoo 9

Watch the Penguin Parade at the Cincinnati Zoo

3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 

Watch the cuteness of the penguins in action as they waddle from their habitat at Children’s Zoo to the Wings of the World habitat.

You can watch the Penguin Parade from January 13 – February 25 at 11am on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in 2024.

 (Special walks on MLK Day, Monday & Presidents’ Day)

The Penguin Parade takes place when the weather temperatures are below 50 degrees for the penguins to walk.

You can also take advantage of special discount offers at the Cincinnati Zoo during the winter months too.

Purchase Discounted Tickets for the Cincinnati Zoo here

The Cincinnati Zoo is also on the POGO Pass.

Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati

Try Something New at Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati

(513) 900-0959

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 off all of the other 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.

Krohn _Conservatory_ in _Cincinnati

Garden Goals Inspiration at the Krohn Conservatory

(513) 421-4086

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 for guests to enjoy year-round.

Check the Krohn Conservatory website for hours and special events.

More Greenhouse Vibes

Enjoy the outdoors indoors with these options.

Adventure Mom at Archery Arena in Cincinnati

Try Archery Dodgeball at Archery Arena

What is Archery Dodgeball?

Archery dodgeball is similar to dodgeball and paintball but you are 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.

Henke Winery in Cincinnati

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

brewery tunnels in Cincinnati Ohio

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 lager tunnel pictured above on a guided tour with American Legacy.

You can’t go wrong with any of the American Legacy tours ranging from historic, underground, food and drink, and haunted. I’ve taken several of their tours and I learn something new each time.

A few of my favorite American Legacy Tours are:

Top Golf

Play a Round of Top Golf

 (513) 342-6249

9568 Water Front Dr, West Chester Township, OH 

The best part of golf minus driving the golf cart, Topgolf allows you to experience golf in a casual environment that can be 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 served at your heated bay while you are waiting for your turn.

Get Air Indoor Trampoline Park

Visit an Indoor Trampoline 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 Around Cincinnati

Pins Mechanical Co Duckpin bowling

Go Duckpin Bowling

Similar to traditional bowling but with smaller balls that weigh under 4 pounds without finger holds so that you can hold the ball in one hand.

The bowling pins are attached to strings and bowlers get 3 rolls per frame. Duckpin bowling is a great adventure that’s pretty laid back and easier to play for all ages and abilities.

Where you can try Duckpin Bowling Around Cincinnati

Regular Bowling and an Indoor Bocce Court

Full Throttle Indoor Karting

Go Indoor Go Kart Racing

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.

Indoor Go Kart Locations Around Cincinnati

Class Axe Throwing

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

Illuminated Igloo at AC Hotel Upper Deck in Cincinnati Ohio

Drink or Dine in a Rooftop Igloo

Enjoy scenic city views during a unique adventure inside an igloo.

You can make a reservation for a rooftop igloo in Cincinnati or Covington, Ky.

*Most igloos have a minimum spending amount and a set amount of time.

Rooftop Igloos Around Cincinnati

Learn to curl at Cincinnati Curling Club

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 abilities.

snow tubing at Perfect North Slopes in Indiana

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 their 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.

the B-Line in Northern Kentucky

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 each have specific criteria to be on the official B-Line passport and trail.

You can try to make as many stops as possible in one day or you can stretch it out over time. Giving you something to look forward to over a longer time.

Tour With Us KY offers great customized bourbon tours too.

Newport Aquarium in Newport Kentucky

Explore Newport Aquarium

1-800-406-3474

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
Cincinnati Cyclones hockey

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.

balancing a ladder at Family Matinee Circus and Workshop at Bircus Brewing Company

Attend a Family Circus Performance and Class at Bircus Brewing Co.

322 Elm St, Ludlow, KY

You can watch a family-friendly Circus Performance and then learn a few circus skills during a workshop.

cooking class

Take a Cooking Class

This is pretty much 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 fun for both novices and foodies. If you are really inspired you can attempt to recreate your meal at another time at home.

Cooking Classes Around Cincinnati

Jungle Jim's International Market in Ohio

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 other grocery store in the country!

The Candle Lab 7

Make a Custom Candle

The process of making a hand-poured candle is very simple. The hardest part is narrowing down all of 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

The Brickery Cafe and Play

Rent a LEGO Set to Build

The Brickery Cafe & Play

Newport on the Levee- Newport, KY

Tap into your creative side at the LEGO-themed cafe for all ages.

hiking trail at Cincinnati Nature Center

Take a Winter Hike

Enjoy fresh air during a winter hike at one of the parks around Cincinnati.

cat at Puurfect Day Cat Cafe in Covington KY

Visit a Cat Cafe

Enjoy a beverage on the cafe side and play with adorable cats on the other side.

Cincinnati Ohio skyline

Which Winter Adventure Do You Want to Cross Off Your List First?

These winter adventures are also great experience gift ideas for the holidays, birthdays, or just because.

You can save the checklist to your phone or download the free printable.

Cincinnati Winter Bucket List

Free Cincinnati Winter Bucket List Printable

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