COLUMBUS, Ohio (Jan. 25, 2023) — When the temperatures drop and snow is falling, it can only mean one thing: a chance to enjoy some of the winter fun Ohio has to offer. Whether you’re into outdoor pursuits such as sledding, skiing, skating, and hiking, or if you’re into indoor activities such as museums, spas, and romantic getaways, you can always find what you’re looking for in Ohio.
Ohio. Find It Here., the state’s tourism division, launched its Winter in Ohio campaign today to inspire Ohioans and visitors to get out and enjoy Ohio this season.
“Winter is the perfect time for families to find amazing adventures in Ohio and make lasting memories,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “Ohio offers many opportunities for travelers to get away without having to go too far.”
Ohio. Find It Here. also announced the launch of the new 2023 Ohio Travel Guide, featuring Ohio’s brand-new Hocking Hills State Park Lodge & Conference Center on the cover. The free guide, which is available in print and digital versions, provides nearly 150 pages of travel inspiration about Ohio’s inviting regions, famous landmarks, fun festivals, popular destinations, outdoor adventures, and more.
“The Ohio Travel Guide includes travel ideas for all seasons and is available just in time for National Plan for Vacation Day on Jan. 31,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, which oversees Ohio. Find It Here. “It’s a great tool to inspire Ohio residents and visitors from nearby states to find new places to explore and businesses to support.”
The U.S. Travel Association, a national nonprofit advocating for the travel industry, designates the last Tuesday of January as National Plan for Vacation Day.
Top Snowy Things to Do in Ohio
Building a snowman and going sledding are two popular winter activities that can be done close to home. But for those willing to travel a short distance, several other snowy adventures await, including:
- Snowboarding and downhill skiing at one of Ohio’s five ski resorts.
- Ice-skating at an outdoor ice-skating rink.
- Hiking in one of Ohio’s 75 free state parks. From East Harbor in northwest Ohio to Mohican in central Ohio, the state parks offer hundreds of miles of amazing hiking trails.
- Ice fishing on Lake Erie, state park lakes, and dozens of rivers and inland lakes across the state.
- Visiting frozen waterfalls in many of Ohio’s state and local parks that, when frozen, provide an awe-inspiring look at Mother Nature’s artistry.
Indoor Fun
For families, couples, and solo travelers who prefer the warmth of the indoors, there are plenty of options for having winter fun inside.
- Waterparks: Spend a day or two at one of Ohio’s five waterparks — Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Splash Harbor in Bellville or Sandusky’s Kalahari Resort, Great Wolf Lodge, and the recently renovated Castaway Bay.
- Museums: Ohio boasts several exciting children’s and science museums, including two of the 10 Best USA TODAY award winners: COSI in Columbus and the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. The art museums found in Ohio’s vibrant cities and charming towns offer ample opportunities to discover and enjoy treasured works of art on a cold day.
- Historic Sites: Explore Ohio’s African American History at sites across Ohio, including the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati and Ohio History Connection in Columbus, to commemorate Black History Month. In 2023, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force celebrates its 100th anniversary as the world’s oldest and largest military aviation museum.
- Spas and Saunas: Pamper yourself with a trip to the spa — a truly unique spa! Salt caves, float tanks, body wraps, and Vichy showers are just a few of the unique spa experiences waiting to help visitors rest, relax, and rejuvenate.
Romantic Winter Getaways
It might be cold outside, but Ohio has dozens of warm and welcoming inns, lodges, hotels, and bed-and-breakfasts that offer romantic winter getaways for Valentine’s Day or any day. Anyone looking to escape and reconnect should consider the following places:
- Maumee State Park Lodge & Conference Center in northwest Ohio offers a heated indoor pool, lake views, private cabins, a two-mile boardwalk, and miles of hiking trails.
- Belamere Suites Hotel in Perrysburg, which in 2022 made Tripadvisor’s list of the 25 most romantic hotels in the country, treats couples to rooms with private pools, fireplaces, and two-person showers.
- Landoll’s Mohican Castle in Loudonville, which sits on 30 wooded acres, features 15 uniquely designed suites and two cozy cottages. The inn treats all guests like royalty with spa services, fine dining, and plenty of seclusion and tranquility.
- Welsh Hills Inn in Granville, which touts itself as “New England charm in the heart of Ohio,” sits in the rolling, wooded countryside of the Welsh Hills. It boasts three guest rooms and two suites, all featuring lovely antiques and original works of art.
- Lytle Park Hotel, a AAA Four-Diamond hotel in downtown Cincinnati, is in one of the city’s iconic buildings and offers luxurious accommodations, multiple dining options, and a rooftop bar with beautiful views of the Queen City.
- Ravenwood Castle, nestled in the woods of Hocking Hills, has 21 cottages, cabins, and suites, all designed with a medieval flair. The castle also hosts murder mystery weekends and scavenger hunts throughout the year with several on tap for this winter.
Visit Hocking Hills, One of Ohio’s Six Inviting Regions
Hocking Hills in southeast Ohio might be best known for its fall foliage and summer splendor, but winter is also an ideal time to visit. The snowy trails, frozen waterfalls, and stunning ice structures transform the region into a winter wonderland.
Hocking Hills features several popular hiking trails, outstanding restaurants, and many options for lodging, from cozy cottages and rustic cabins to stately bed-and-breakfasts, the recently opened Hocking Hills State Park Lodge & Conference Center, and Glenlaurel, a Scottish country estate and inn with charming rooms, attentive staff, and world-class cuisine. Visitors can even rent a “sauna pod” for an hour or more. The barrel-shaped, cedar saunas feature a floor-to-ceiling fish-eye window providing uninterrupted views of the scenery and a perfect way to rest after a long winter hike.
Travelers can share their wintertime adventures on social media using #WinterinOhio and #OhioFindItHere. For more wintery travel ideas and inspiration, follow @OhioFindItHere on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or visit Ohio.org.
