CLEVELAND (Feb. 15, 2017) - As cold temperatures persist and the snowflakes continue to fall, the urge to stay indoors and avoid Old Man Winter's wrath increases. Instead of curling up on the couch, residents should kick off the blankets and take on the North Coast winter in Cleveland style. From tobogganing at the Metroparks to jamming out at Brite Winter, Destination Cleveland's list of winter weather activities will shake any case of the winter blues.
Take Advantage of the Outdoors
Tobogganing at Mill Stream Run Reservation Who says sled riding is just for kids? Certainly not the Cleveland Metroparks. Located 30 minutes outside of Downtown, Mill Stream Run Reservation offers sled riding lovers of all ages the chance to slide down Ohio's tallest and fastest ice chutes, reaching speeds of 40 mph. After an icy plunge, stop at the Chalet next door and warm up with hot chocolate and snacks. Passes for both single and unlimited rides are available.
16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, 44136
Boston Mills/Brandywine Ski Resort Skiing and snowboarding are among the most popular winter sports, and Clevelanders can take to the slopes right in their own backyard. Featuring 88 acres of downhill adventure right in the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Boston Mills/Brandywine caters to winter enthusiasts of all abilities with bunny slope runs to black diamond adventures between the two resorts. There are also 20 lanes of snow tubing for non-skiers to enjoy.
7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula, 44264
Race to the Rink
Cleveland Monsters Games
The 2016 Calder Cup Champion Cleveland Monsters are off to a strong start this season and continue to conquer at The Q. Perfect for a night of family fun, attendees can enjoy three periods of exciting ice hockey action as well as contests, activities and giveaways in between periods and during timeouts. Guests can take advantage of the home game promotions such as College ID Nights, Special Jersey Nights or 1-2-3 Fridays, which means a special price on food and drinks. Tickets start at just $10. Group discounts available. Quicken Loans Arena, 1 Center Ice, Cleveland, 44115
Fill Your Plate with Cleveland Dining Delicacies
Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week
From Feb. 17-26, Downtown Cleveland will be the destination for diners. Thanks to Downtown Cleveland Alliance's 10th Annual Restaurant Week, foodies have the unique opportunity to select from specially crafted three-course meal options (priced at $15, $30 or $40) at more than 50 restaurants. Guests will be asked to vote for their favorite meal in each of the following award-winning culinary categories: "Judge's Choice," "Best New Restaurant," "Restaurant of the Year" and "Best Dining District." In the spirit of friendly competition, the week is themed The Hungry Games - Battle of the Districts. May the odds be ever in the restaurants' (and diners') favor. For additional restaurant options throughout the Greater Cleveland area, diners can check out Cleveland Independents Restaurant Week from March 3-16. More details will be announced before the event.
Downtown Cleveland, various locations
Skip the Bar Crawl and Stay Put
Tabletop Board Game Café
Take game night to the next level at the Tabletop Board Game Café in Ohio City. Bring a crew and challenge them to play one (or five) of more than 1,000 games offered. Game choices include classics like Clue and Pictionary and modern favorites like Cards Against Humanity. Staff members are available to facilitate game play or demonstrate how to play a new or unfamiliar game upon request. Beer, wine and food can be purchased to round out an evening of friendly competition.
1810 W. 25th Unit 3, Cleveland, 44113
The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar
Too tired to dance the night away? Residents can instead rock out at The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar. Two pianists go head-to-head performing songs hand-picked by the audience, which guarantees that no show will be alike. Performances are full of energy, and the audience is strongly encouraged to sing and dance along, if the music moves them.
1163 Front Ave., Cleveland, 44113
JACK Cleveland Casino
At JACK Cleveland Casino, visitors can press their luck at 1,600 slot machines, 125 table games, or in the 30-table poker room. And, when stomachs start to grumble, both bottomless and locally focused dining options are available. JACK Cleveland Casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week which means visitors can gamble anytime they want - even at 3 a.m. on a Monday. Need a break from the slots and tables? Step right outside and take a spin around the Cleveland Foundation Ice Rink in Public Square.
100 Public Square, Cleveland, 44114
Splash through the Weekend at an Indoor Water Park
Great Wolf Lodge
When there's a 33,000-square-foot indoor water park an hour west of Cleveland, summer fun is always nearby. More than an indoor playground, Great Wolf Lodge is a complete recreation hub with a 42,000-square-foot entertainment area, a full-service hotel, five dining options, 100-game arcade, plenty of children's activities, a spa and a fitness center.
4600 Milan Road, Sandusky, 44870
Cool Celebrations to Warm Up the Weekends
Brite Winter Music Festival - Saturday, Feb. 18, 3 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Think outdoor music festivals are best held in warm weather? Think again. Brite Winter, an annual celebration of Cleveland's creative culture, features more than 35 bands and artists performing at six different indoor and outdoor stages. The free event will feature plenty of music as well as ice carving creations, food trucks, fire pits, s'mores making, a wintertime beach party and much more. Festival performers include local favorites such as The Lighthouse and the Whaler, The Modern Electric, Ottawa, Wesley Bright & the Honeytones, Big Jul Green and Morgan Mecaskey.
The Flats West Bank, 1153 Main Ave., Cleveland, 44113
Cleveland Kurentovanje - Monday, Feb. 20; Tuesday, Feb. 21; Friday, Feb. 24; Saturday, Feb. 25
Cleveland Kurentovanje is a four-day festival that celebrates the Slovenian heritage and their cultural figure the Kurent, which is believed to chase away winter and welcome the springtime. As the home of the highest concentration of Slovenians outside of Slovenia, there is no better place than Cleveland to experience this annual event. The free festival will showcase dancers in authentic Slovenia attire, ethnic food and drink, musical and cultural performances, and a parade led by dancing Kurents.
6409 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, 44103
DON'T FORGET: Destination Cleveland's Cleveland Concierge Team is also available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact our team through email at cleconcierge@destinationcle.org, live chat at www.thisiscleveland.com, or stop in the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 44114) Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. to plan your adventure.
To learn more about Destination Cleveland or to keep up-to-date on new developments and activities, please visit thisiscleveland.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to us on YouTube and Pinterest.