Visitors to and residents of Cincinnati can find a variety of attractions within the city, including some that are most enjoyable during the winter months. The city offers outdoor recreational activities in its downtown area, and others can be found in the surrounding suburbs. In addition, Cincinnati has free indoor activities to participate in when the weather is too cold or snowy to spend much time outside.
The Beach Waterpark is on Water Park Drive, off Kings Mills Road in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason. Its location is 23 miles northeast of Cincinnati, approximately 28 minutes away by automobile. The facility hosts its annual The Beach on Ice every winter.
A main feature of The Beach on Ice is the skating rink, which the facility advertises as the largest in Ohio. Another yearly attraction is the toboggan slide. Children can visit the North Pole Corral petting zoo area. Santa Claus is on-site during the days leading up to Christmas. The park also offers horse-drawn carriage rides.
The Beach on Ice typically opens in December and runs at least through mid-January. The park operates daily during the season. For the 2010-11 season, general admission was $9. Children and seniors receive discounted admission rates. Food concessions are featured each year. On-site parking is available, but carries a flat fee per car.
Fountain Square is located in downtown Cincinnati at the corner of Fifth and Vine Streets. The public space is a well-known destination throughout the year and during the winter months hosts the U.S. Bank Ice Rink on Fountain Square.
The rink is outdoors and uncovered, allowing visitors to skate in the open air. Skate rentals are available as well as lockers. Adjacent to the skating area is a heated tent with vending machines. Area restaurants also offer food concessions during select times of the season.
The U.S. Bank Ice Rink on Fountain Square operates from late November through late February. The rink is open daily during that time, with hours of operation varying throughout the season. Inclement weather can cause the rink to close. For the 2010-11 season, general admission for all visitors was $3. The Fountain Square Parking Garage is on-site with ample spaces available, for a fee.
The Public Library of Cincinnati has its main library location on Vine Street between East Ninth and East Court Streets in downtown Cincinnati. When the weather is inclement, the library serves as a destination for indoor activities.
Toddlers and preschoolers can attend weekly storytime sessions. After listening to a story, children participate in activities like songs and dramatic play related to the book. The library also hosts one-night performing arts classes, Lego block-building clubs, parties for children and other events throughout the winter. The library sponsors book clubs for teenagers and offer special activities such as movie and game nights. Adults can attend special craft-making sessions, lectures, instructional courses and book clubs.
The Public Library of Cincinnati is open daily. Days and times for the programs at the Main Library vary. Some events require advance registration. Most programs are free. The library maintains an online listing of events and has paper copies available. A public, pay parking garage is located at East Ninth and Bowen Streets and is the closest parking facility to the Main Library.
