With inches of snow coating the grounds around Greater Cincinnati, traversing the roadways may not be in everyone’s best interest.
However, anyone who wants to try it can enjoy several indoor activities while avoiding the snow. There are also some outdoor options for those who enjoy winter activities.
In the wake of this ongoing winter weather, CityBeat has put together a list of five activities to help you escape the snow.
Krohn Conservatory
Need to find a warm, indoor environment to escape the frigid temperatures and the sloppy, snowy conditions? Consider visiting Krohn Conservatory, Cincinnati’s historic botanical garden in Eden Park. Housing over 3,500 plant species from around the world, Krohn gives visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse environments surrounded by exotic plant life.
Currently, Krohn is hosting Moonlight Menagerie, which opened Jan. 17 and runs through April 19. The exhibition transforms the conservatory into a night-blooming garden. Some of its marquee features include a nocturnal symphony, specialized bioluminescent lighting, and artistic renderings of Ohio’s nighttime animals by artist Mike DeMaria.
Krohn Conservatory is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with admission priced at $10 for adults and $7 for children ages five through 17. Children under four years old enter for free. Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash, Visa, or Mastercard, or online by clicking here.
Perfect North Slopes
Let’s say you don’t actually hate the snow, but instead embrace it. In fact, you thrive in it. If this describes you, then what’re you waiting for!? Get to Perfect North Slopes in Lawrenceburg, Ind.
For $84, people aged 13 and older can purchase a lift ticket to shred the gnar on their skis or snowboard. Lift tickets cost $64 for kids under 12, seniors over 60, and active-duty military.
If shredding isn’t your thing, you might prefer snow tubing, which costs $34 for ages 13 and up and $29 for ages 12 and under, seniors over 60, and active-duty military.
Madison Bowl
Bowling is another great option to get out of the snow. With numerous options throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, you’re unlikely to make a bad pick. Still, we believe Madison Bowl at 4761 Madison Rd. is an excellent choice this week. Featuring 32 full-size lanes, a full-service bar, and an on-site diner, Madison Bowl is a blast from the past.
Opened in 1957, Madison Bowl is cherished as a local staple. Inside the bowling alley is the Madison Dine, which serves classic comfort-food burgers and breakfast, the perfect food to relax on a snow day.
Madison Bowl is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with extended hours until 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Newport Aquarium
If you want to feel tropical, check out the Newport Aquarium, which is home to countless aquatic species that may put you in a sun-soaked state of mind. The aquarium, located at Newport on the Levee in Northern Kentucky, is home to thousands of sea creatures in over one million gallons of water.
Visitors can dive into a range of interactive experiences, from petting sharks and stingrays at the touch tank to walking across Shark Bridge, a 75-foot suspended rope bridge hanging just inches above sharks and rays. Newport Aquarium also features more than 200 feet of underwater acrylic tunnels, including the Coral Reef and Amazon tunnels, offering 360-degree views of marine life.
Newport Aquarium is typically open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, with extended weekend hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets operate on a “Plan-Ahead Pricing” system, so prices are lower when bought earlier. Adult tickets–ages 13 and up–usually cost between $23 and $40, while children’s tickets–ages 2–12–range from about $15 to $32. A timed-entry reservation is necessary for general admission.
American Sign Museum
For a stimulating visual–and educational experience–people should check out the American Sign Museum, located at 1330 Monmouth Ave. in Cincinnati’s Camp Washington neighborhood.
The museum showcases more than 100 years of signage history, with more than 20,000 square feet of neon, porcelain enamel, and plastic signage. It is the largest public museum in the United States dedicated to signs.
Explore some of its most famous items, such as the 1963 McDonald’s sign with a single arch that stands over 20 feet tall, showcasing the iconic “Speedee” mascot.
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is $20 for adults. Seniors 65 and older, students, and military members receive discounted rates ranging from $10 to $15. Children 12 and under are admitted free, with up to three children allowed per paid adult.