It seems as though, as the chill approaches, the more likely we all are to take refuge in whatever shelter we are able. And, while that is understandable and the overwhelming ideal, it’s as though we’re finished being outdoors for the cold months; to reemerge only once spring arrives.
Places like Minneapolis and Scandinavia have events throughout the cold season, so why shouldn’t we? [Spoiler: it has a lot to do with The Winter Mindset.] Below are several ideas for great winter activities to keep us socially active despite the cold and resources to be protected from the elements when needed.
Igloo Rentals
Beer Garden Domes
Narrow Path Brewing (Loveland)
Heated igloos with space for up to 8 people. $25 reservation fee for 45 minutes (will be applied toward your tab).
Bubble Tent
Sunday Afternoon Picnics
Add on a bubble tent to your Sunday Afternoon Picnic for $40 during the cold season.
Igloo
Frosthaus Covington
Outdoor dining experience accommodating up to 8 people, including adults and children.
Book appointment here
IGLOOBAR
Braxton Brewing Company
Each heated igloo can accommodate up to 8 people comfortably and features cushioned seating and a dedicated Bluetooth speaker (upon request). Can be reserved for 2.5 hours (drink serve for two hours). Enjoy food from Dewey’s and beverages from Braxton. $35 non-refundable reservation fee required.
21+; reservations here
through March 2
Igloo Dining Experience
Catch-A-Fire Pizza (Blue Ash, Lebanon)
Reservable for two-hour time slots. Igloos seat up to six people and require a $25 non-refundable booking fee.
November 7–March 23, 2025
Rooftop Greenhouse Experience
Shires’ Rooftop
Views of the riverfront from their 10th-floor terrace. Heated greenhouses provide the perfect private setting for groups of 2 to 8. Elevate your evening with their carefully curated menu and an extensive cocktail and wine list.
$25 per person; reservations here
November 7–March 23, 2025
Rooftop Igloo Experience
Shires’ Rooftop
Views of the riverfront from their 10th-floor terrace. Heated igloos provide the perfect private setting for groups of 2 to 8. Elevate your evening with their carefully curated menu and an extensive cocktail and wine list. Secure your reservation with a minimum spend deposit, which will be credited toward your final check.
$300 per party; reservations (two-hour time slot) here
November 13–March 31, 2025
Igloos on the Vista
Rusk Kitchen + Bar
Heated rooftop igloos overlooking Woodburn Avenue for up to 8 guests. Full menu, wine, bourbon, and festive cocktails available for purchase.
$50 per party; make reservation here
Glow Pods
AC Upper Deck (The Banks)
Each pod, accommodating up to 8 guests, has its own unique theme, creating the perfect atmosphere to enjoy views of the Ohio River, Roebling Bridge, and Great American Ball Park. A non-refundable $30 reservation fee is due at the time of booking.
Alpen Globes
Vista @ The Lytle Park Hotel
Private, heated two-hour dining experience with panoramic city views for up to 8 guests.
Reservations here
Outdoor Events and Dining
Blind Lemon
Winter-themed cocktails, live music, and a cozy, wood-burning fireplace on the patio.
Fifty West Brewing Company
Bonfires, heated tents, hot chocolate bar, and ice skating at Wooster Pike. Book your skating session here.
Little Miami Brewing Company
Milford
Fire pits with views of the Little Miami River.
MadTree Brewing
Oakley
Covered, heating seating as well as fire pits outside.
Pins Mechanical
OTR
Fire pits on the rooftop patio.
The Porch
Washington Park
Standing heaters to enjoy beer, seltzers, and drinks from local breweries and distilleries.
Hike for Your Health
Cincinnati Nature Center
Pick up a Hike for Your Health passport at Rowe Visitor Center for $4. Enjoy the many health benefits of hiking and, after completing each trail, get an official boot stamp at the Visitor Center on your passport. After hiking all 17 trails at Rowe Woods and Long Branch Farm & Trails, bring your passport back to the Rowe Visitor Center to receive a Trailblazer prize. (There are incentive prizes along the way, too!)
December 29
High Noon Sightseeing Cruise
BB Riverboats, 12–2p (boarding at 11:30a)
January 9–February 26
Winter Discount Days
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Discounted admission courtesy of US Bank, with tickets for as little as $9 for adults and $6 for children on select days. Learn more about the winter-hardy animals at the Zoo and the natural adaptations that prepare them for the cold.
January 9
Music and Sunset Sightseeing Cruise
BB Riverboats, 7–9p (boarding at 6p)
January 11, 18, 25 and February 1, 8
Winter Hike Series
Great Parks
Annual series of challenging and educational hikes, ranging from four to 5.5 miles, with informative stops to explore the parks’ natural history and unique features. All hikes last about two hours and conclude with soup, cookies and camaraderie.
January 11: Winton Woods
January 18: Sharon Woods
January 25: Woodland Mound
February 1: Shawnee Lookout
February 8: Miami Whitewater Forest
$10 registration (ages 5+)
January 24 and February 1, 8
Fire & Ice Returns
Moerlein Lager House
Ice bars, fire performers, themed dinners, igloos, and ice sculptures.
Friday, January 24, 6–10p
Saturday, February 1, 6–10p
Saturday, February 8, 6–10p
February 15–16
Mittenfest
Washington Park
Craft beers from local tri-state area breweries, a DJ, tented food vendors, and other surprises.
March 7–9
33rd Annual Bockfest
Celebration of the coming spring. Bockfest returns to its roots in the neighborhood with four partners hosting events as their official Bockfest Halls: Moerlein Lager House, Northern Row Brewery & Distillery, Rhinegeist Brewery, and new for 2025, Rosedale OTR. Parade is on Friday and 5K on Saturday.
March 12
Historic Cincinnati Sightseeing Cruise
BB Riverboats, 3–4:30p (boarding 2:30p)
$5 kids admission on Tuesday/Wednesday
March 15
High Noon Sightseeing Cruise
BB Riverboats, 12–2p (boarding 11:30a)
Ice Skating and Skiing
UC Health Ice Rink
Fountain Square
Open Skate is $10 and includes admission and skate rental. Children under 4 free. Bumper cars operate on limited hours on weekends from 10a to 3p. Bumper car punch cards are available for $10 and are valid for 5 rides each.
November 11–January 7
Warm 98.5 Ice Rink
Summit Park
Skate sessions are only $7 per person with skates included. Children 3 and under free. Open daily except for holidays.
November 22–February 26
Ice Skating & Curling
Fifty West Brewing Co
$10 per person includes includes ice time and skate rentals. Children 4 and under free.
The Rink
Oakley Greens
$10 for adults; kids under 4 free
Ski and Snow Tubing
Perfect North Slopes
Five chairlifts, 23 trails, two terrain parks, and 25 tubing lanes, as well as a lodge with food and drink, loft shop, and more.
Lift tickets; snow tubing tickets
Protection From the Elements
Part of being able to enjoy the cold season is a result of having the resources and clothing to protect from the elements. Some places to look for clothing—items for layering, coats, hats, gloves, and boots—and winter supplies include:
Once Upon a Child Locations
Gently used children’s clothing, toys, and accessories.
Clothes Mentor Anderson, Fields Ertel, Florence, Hyde Park, West Chester
Gently used women’s clothes and accessories.
Plato’s Closet Anderson, Colerain, Florence
Gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Play it Again Sports Colerain, Deerfield Twp, Florence, Madisonville, Springdale, West Chester
Buy, sell, and trade quality used sports and fitness gear, such as skiing, camping, and more.
Secondhand and Thrift Stores
- St. Vincent de Paul [8 area locations]
- Valley Thrift [Evendale]
- Greater Cincinnati Goodwill [20 area locations]
Being able to enjoy the cold is a privilege. There are many people in our city who are experiencing homelessness, including over 8000 children in Greater Cincinnati, who make up 39% of the unhoused population in Cincinnati.
If you or someone you know is put out this cold season, here are several resources to find respite from the extreme cold:
Cincinnati Recreation Commission
In the event of extreme cold events, several CRC recreation centers serve as warming centers during regular business hours. Check their social for information.
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
CHPL locations are open to residents and visitors who need to avoid the cold. CHPL also offers free weatherization kits and has partnered with organizations to offer free winter coats and free health screenings.
[Follow @linsinnati on Instagram for real time shares and information about warming centers on extremely cold days.]
UpSpring
UpSpring is the region’s only nonprofit exclusively serving the needs of children experiencing homelessness and offers a resource collaborative to impacted children. Items include bus passes, gas cards, coats, school supplies, book bags, personal hygiene items, and more.
Interested in donating items? Click here for more information.
Interested in attending or contributing to the UpSpring Benefit Bash, UpSpring’s largest annual event that raises funds for after school programs, summer programs, and other opportunities for education and enrichment? Click here.
More Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness
Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition
Lighthouse Youth & Family Services
Shelterhouse Cincinnati
Strategies to End Homelessness
YWCA Cincinnati
There are many other events going on not mentioned here that will appear in the Weekend Rundown. If you have not yet already, sign up to have the Weekend Rundown weekly newsletter, featuring detailed events, delivered directly to your inbox every week. Simply go to tourdecincinnati.com where you will be prompted to subscribe.
Have any questions or want specific recommendations about things to do? Just ask!
