Winter Activities in Toledo Ohio

Toledo Winter Activities

Winter is the time of year when everyone starts to have problems finding new things to do in order to get them out of the house. This is especially true in the Midwest. The weather is cold and there may be snow or ice on the ground which can make the idea of going outside unattractive for some. If the cold does not faze you, there are plenty of ways to pass the time outdoors within the Toledo Metroparks system. For those that are not fans of cold weather, there are also plenty of indoor winter activities in Toledo Ohio that will keep you entertained throughout the whole season.

Visiting during the warmer months? Don’t forget to explore all the summer activities Toledo has to offer too!

Outdoor Activities in Toledo

Toledo Metroparks has won national recognition by being awarded the 2020 National Gold Medal Award in parks and recreation. Even in winter, it is easy to see why this park system is so amazing. Throughout the year, they offer multiple programs to help get people outside and introduce them to the outdoors and new activities. You can reserve your place on different types of guided hikes where you can learn about the various native trees, plants, and animals that you may see or hear. 

There are three parks with lighted designated sledding hills where you can take advantage of if there is snow on the ground after dark; Sidecut, Glass City, and Pearson. During the day Blue Creek also has a hill available for sledding.

Ice Skating

There are ice-skating rinks at Oak Openings and Pearson Park available. Just make sure to check the website to make sure they are open and that the ice is safe enough to skate on.

Skiing

If you are interested in cross country skiing, there are two parks with designated trails: Oak Openings and Secor. If you do not own your own skis, stop by Mountain Man Sports where you can rent or buy cross country skis. It costs $19.99 to rent a pair of cross-country skis for a 24-hour period and they are first-come, first-serve.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is another fun option that the Metroparks offer when the weather allows it. For a small fee, you can rent snowshoes to use in the parks on your own or while going on a guided hike. They move the location for this activity around to different parks to give everybody an opportunity to enjoy it without having to drive too far.

The Metroparks system also hosts other events like archery, tree climbing, and longer day hikes throughout the year and they have been known to combine them with smores and hot chocolate in the winter months.

Toledo Ohio Museums

If you like to visit museums or if you are interested in local history, you will definitely want to spend time in and around Toledo. It seems like this area has a museum for everything. You can find a place to learn about the area’s local history in general or focus on more specific interests such as art, local police, firefighters, or the great lakes. There are even museums that house unique collections like lithophanes.

Toledo Museum of Art

Toledo Museum of Art is an internationally known art museum that has over 40 galleries inside. The museum is home to works of art by famous artists such as Van Gogh, El Greco, Picasso, and Rembrandt. The art museum also has different traveling exhibits in addition to rotating the pieces that they show on the floor. This means you will have the opportunity to see something different each time you visit. The museum is typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and there is no entrance fee. There is a fee if you park in their lot though. Some of the traveling exhibits may have a separate admittance fee.

Across the street from the museum is the Glass Pavilion where you can see countless glass-blown art on display and even be able to watch live demos of the artists at work. You will also have the opportunity to sign up for classes to learn the basics of glass blowing yourself.

Toledo Police Museum

Toledo Police Museum is a fascinating stop if you are interested in learning more about the criminal history and the police in Toledo. You can access historical criminal records of infamous Toledo locals, some of which had ties to larger criminal enterprises. It is not all about crime though, you can also learn about Toledo’s first police dog and different historical moments of the police force in the city.

Toledo Firefighters Museum

Toledo Firefighters Museum is only open on Saturdays from 12-4 and is run completely by volunteers and donations. Most of the volunteers are retired or active firefighters. This museum showcases the history of firefighting in Toledo and has several interactive displays that educate children on fire safety. There are also several antique fire trucks and you will be able to see how fires used to be reported to the different fire stations in the city.

Imagination Station

Imagination Station is a children’s museum with a ton of hands-on exhibits that teach science through fun real-world examples. There are standard interactive displays like magnets and water tables, but this museum also has some harder-to-find experiences like BOYO, where you are the yo-yo and can be propelled up to 13 feet in the air. There is also the High Wire Cycle where you ride a bike on a high wire 20 ft in the air while being attached to a counterweight. Imagination Station is also home to a new Discovery Theatre where they have the ability to show high-quality 3D movies and different educational films.

You can buy a ticket to either the Science Center for $14, the theatre for $6.50, or a combo ticket for $19. These amounts are for adult tickets, kids and seniors will pay less.

Toledo History Museum

The Toledo History Museum is a great place for local history buffs. It is home to numerous collections such as pictures, period clothing, industrial tools, and household goods from throughout Toledo’s history. They are open on Saturdays from 12-5 pm and Sundays from 1-5 pm so you can learn more about local history. The tours are available free of charge.

The Maumee Valley Historical Society

The Maumee Valley Historical Society is made up of seven buildings from different time periods in the Maumee region. You will find the Welcome Center inside the Frederick House as well as the Wolcott house, a log cabin, the Gilbert-Flanigan House, Maumee Clover Leaf Depot, Box Schoolhouse, and the Monclova Country Church. The historical society provides another opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of Northwest Ohio and is also home to a unique doll collection. Tours are $6 per adult and are available on Saturdays at 12:30 and 2:30 pm.

National Museum of the Great Lakes

National Museum of the Great Lakes not only has a museum but seasonally also has 2 different vessels that you can explore. The museum showcases the history of the Great Lakes and the different types of boats that traveled on them. It is a great opportunity to learn about how and why we have come to depend on these bodies of water and how they contribute to the surrounding ecosystems.

The two boats, Museum Tug Ohio (an old fire tug) and the Colonel James M Schoonmaker (a flagship for a furnace company) both have apps so you can take a self-guided tour. This attraction is closed on Tuesdays and you can either get a ticket to just the museum for $10 or a combo ticket for both boats and museum for $16. Remember to check ahead of time to see if the boats are currently open to the public.

J.H. Fentress Antique Popcorn Museum- now closed

 J.H. Fentress Antique Popcorn Museum is a fantastic spot for those who like unique places and lovers of popcorn. This museum boasts one of the largest collections of popcorn-related memorabilia. It has it all, from tins, boxes, bags, to machines. If you are trying to restore an older popcorn machine, they even have old guides and are open and available to help answer and troubleshoot any questions you may have. Unfortunately, the museum recently closed at the end of August 2022.

Fun Things to Do in Toledo

Believe it or not, there are plenty of other fun things to do in Toledo other than museums and the outdoors. Stay warm while enjoying the theatre, learning a new hobby, or playing games while meeting new friends!

Go Rock Climbing

Climb Toledo is a great new indoor option for anyone interested in rock climbing year round or that wants to try this particular sport out for the first time. It is a small gym that focuses specifically on bouldering (rock climbing without equipment on smaller boulders and rock faces).

It is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 6 pm- 10 pm and Saturdays from 12- 4 pm. Due to the smaller size, you will need to reserve your spot beforehand. The price is very affordable at $8 for a 2-hour session and an additional $2 to rent climbing shoes if you don’t have your own.

In the summer months, Blue Creek Metropark has a bouldering area and Wildwood Metropark has recently installed a small man-made bouldering area its FitPark area.

Enjoy the Theatre

There are several locations where you can watch a play or musical like the Collingwood Arts Center or the Stranahan Theater.

Catch a Hockey Game

Hockey fans will want to catch a Walleyes Game at the Huntington Center in downtown Toledo. The Toledo Walleyes are a professional hockey team that is affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings.  You can catch all the excitement found at an NHL game for a fraction of the price!

Discover a New Beer

Winter is a great time to explore the numerous local breweries in the area if you are a fan of beer. They can be found all around the city. Earnest Brew Works is one of my favorites and you can almost always find a fantastic food truck parked outside for easy access. For a more complete list of breweries check out the 419 Ale Trail.

Visit an Arcade

There are numerous adult-friendly arcades in the 419 area for your enjoyment. Like most cities, Toledo does have a Dave and Busters but there are several other options to explore around town.

The Basement-Toledo’s Geekeasy is an adult-only arcade bar that celebrates everything nerd. It is located on the bottom floor of the Distillery Bar. They host weekly pinball tournaments and have a nice selection of games to play. They serve drinks from or inspired by movies and shows for your enjoyment such as Narragansett Beer from the movie Jaws. This geek easy is typically open in the evenings but be sure to check their page for updated hours and events. Don’t forget to bring plenty of quarters for gameplay!

The DraftCade is home to over 60 classic arcade and pinball machines along with 40 beers on tap. Don’t worry about quarters here, you can buy a wristband that gives you unlimited play for the day while you eat and drink with your friends.

Reset is a bar and restaurant that has two different locations. Each location offers something slightly different. The Toledo location has gotten rid of their arcade games and has switched over to Duckpin bowling. The Rossford location still has some arcade games in addition to Duckpin bowling. They also have outdoor volleyball and cornhole with leagues that you can join in the summer.

Learn a Craft

Those that are looking to find an outlet for their artistic talents will have several options to choose from. The Toledo Botanical Gardens may not have much to offer in the winter, but it is home to an Artist Village where you can purchase art and sign up for an array of different art and craft classes hosted by local artists for a small fee. Just check their calendar to pick the class that interests you. Handmade Toledo is another location that offers classes in different crafts and the opportunity to purchase items made by other local artists. You can also sign up for DIY soap making at Buff City Soap located in Holland.

Why You Should Visit:

Toledo has a lot to offer, even in the dead of winter. Whether you are willing to brave the cold and explore the activities that the Metroparks system has to offer or if you would prefer to remain warm and comfortable indoors, there are plenty of options to choose from. Watch a play or a hockey game. Have fun playing arcade games or visiting local breweries with your friends. Decide to learn a new craft or skill. Visit a museum. There is no excuse to be bored during the colder months. If you are looking for fun winter activities, come visit Toledo and you will not regret it!

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