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November
3
3
14 Things to Do With The Kids Over Winter Break in Cleveland
The kids are out of school again, which can only mean one thing — winter break is here. Your little elves are reveling in the opportunity to sleep in and play in the snow, and they have long forgotten about homework. It certainly is a joyous time of year, assuming you're the kind of parent who is prepared with ideas and activities to keep those kiddos entertained!
Around this time of year, it's important to spend quality time with the family. Luckily, our town makes it easy to do so! We created a list of the best things to do with your kids over winter break in Cleveland, including ice skating, decorating, baking and exploring holiday attractions around the city. These ideas are kid-tested, parent-approved, and are sure to land you on your child's "nice list." Have fun out there!
The holiday season wouldn't be complete without a tour of Cleveland's many-splendored light displays. Take a walking tour around your neighborhood once the sun sets, or go out on the town and see what the rest of the city has to offer.
Here are some the best places to find Christmas lights in Cleveland:
You'd best have something to put next to the fireplace when Christmas Eve rolls around, and we hear homemade cookies are Santa's favorite. Whether you're using a tried-and-true family recipe or trying something new, stay in on a snowy day this winter and fill the house with the smell of fresh-baked cookies.
We particularly love this recipe for Italian Pignoli Cookies from local blogger Eat Drink Cleveland.
Whether it's skiing, snowboarding or tubing, winter break is the perfect time to get out on the slopes and try something new. The nearby Alpine Valley Ski Resort offers several runs for beginners, as well as an expert run to challenge yourself. Additionally, kids and adults alike will love the Polar Blast Snow Tubing area! Enjoy a thrilling day filled with fast-paced runs, and a convenient conveyor to transport you and your tube back up the hill. For more difficult terrain, head to Boston Mills and Brandywine, which both offer a few more blues and blacks than Alpine Valley.
Experience Rockin' The Holidays on December 16
Photo courtesy of The Ohio City Singers
The Ohio City Singers have long established themselves as a seasonal staple. Comprised of an all-star cast, the 10-member group will celebrate a decade of making music at this all-ages concert at House of Blues Cleveland. Bring the whole family to hear seasonal favorites performed in an Indie-Rock style, including "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," and "Heat Miser." If you love Christmas and Rock 'n' Roll, you won't want to miss it!Go to a Show at Playhouse Square
Photo courtesy of ProudDad72 Photography
During the holidays, the stages at The Playhouse Square will come alive with musicals, plays, concerts and the like. The Square is the country's second largest performing arts center and one of Cleveland's most beloved landmarks — so it's no wonder that locals and visitors alike flock here for top-notch entertainment! You can expect to find a wide variety of performances almost nightly during the holidays, including family-friendly choices like A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, Peanuts Meet the Grinch, and the Nutcracker Suite.Visit the Cleveland Museum of Art
A visit to the Cleveland Museum of Art is always a special event, allowing families the opportunity to view pieces and exhibitions from all over the world. During the holiday season, however, the museum is truly a spectacle to behold! Come join in the fun at the Winter Lights and Lantern Displays, which will showcase cross-cultural traditions, colorful lantern displays and more!See the Holiday Lights
The holiday season wouldn't be complete without a tour of Cleveland's many-splendored light displays. Take a walking tour around your neighborhood once the sun sets, or go out on the town and see what the rest of the city has to offer.
Here are some the best places to find Christmas lights in Cleveland:
- Nela Park: General Electric will display more than half a million lights in the park this season, and the display is free and open to the public. While this exhibit has been popular for years, General Electric has recently announced the sale of Nela Park, so this season might be your last chance to catch the show!
- The Playhouse Square: This popular theatre district will be a winter wonderland through the end of January!
- Strongsville Winter Wonderland: The display in Strongsville, located in the city's public square, is consistently rated as one of the best in Ohio.
- The Crown Point Festival of Lights: Also located in Strongsville, the Crown Point Festival of Lights never fails to impress. In fact, it was featured on ABC's "Great Christmas Light Fight" in 2015!
- Taggs Candy Cane Lane: This display in Mayfield Heights has been a fan favorite since its inception in 2004. Enjoy more than 8,500 lights synchronized to holiday music! You can enjoy the display through New Year's Eve.
- The Chrystal Tours Family-Friendly Holiday Light Tour: Enjoy hors d'oeuvres before embarking on a family-friendly limo tour around the city!
Experience the Tallest, Fastest Ice Chutes in Ohio
This winter, Cleveland Metroparks will celebrate 50 seasons of successful, fun-filled tobogganing! Experience the icy thrill for yourself at the Chalet in Strongsville. Here, you'll find two 700-foot chutes, and plenty of kids having the time of their lives.Seas'n of Play at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Photo courtesy of the Greater Cleveland Aquarium
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium, located in Cleveland's historic Flatts neighborhood, hosts a number of fun-filled events throughout the year, but we have to admit that the Seas'n of Play is one of our favorites. The aquarium will be transformed into a spectacular explosion of lights, and Santa himself will be swimming with the fish!Play Laser Tag at Arena 51
Laser tag is a great way to have fun indoors when the weather outside is frightful. The state-of-the-art laser tag at Arena 51 arena features mazes, obstacles, targets, and more for a competitive and thrilling experience, and even offers all-day passes for unlimited adventure. Run, hide, dodge and shoot your way to a day filled with family fun!Stay In And Make a Batch of Cookies
You'd best have something to put next to the fireplace when Christmas Eve rolls around, and we hear homemade cookies are Santa's favorite. Whether you're using a tried-and-true family recipe or trying something new, stay in on a snowy day this winter and fill the house with the smell of fresh-baked cookies.
We particularly love this recipe for Italian Pignoli Cookies from local blogger Eat Drink Cleveland.
Visit the Cleveland Zoo
There are zoos, and then there's the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The 183-acre space is filled with more than 2,000 animals from all over the world and countless attractions. After visiting the lions, tigers and bears, take the opportunity to get a picture with Santa and tell him what you're wishing for this year. He will be visiting from the North Pole on weekends from December 2-17 starting at 11 am! More details here.Visit the Christmas Story House
Photo courtesy of the Christmas Story House & Museum
A Christmas Story (1983) is on the top of everyone's list for must-watch family movies during the holidays! After the movie is over, relive all of Ralphie's greatest adventures at the Christmas Story House & Museum, which features the Parker home restored to its original movie splendor. You'll find original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film, as well as hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos. Want to extend the experience? Make a weekend of it and stay overnight!Conduct an Experiment at the Great Lakes Science Center
You could say the Great Lakes Science Center has fun down to… well… a science. Here, you and the family can gaze at the stars in the planetarium, engage with hundreds of fun and educational exhibits, and even make things explode — under the supervision of experts, of course. See? Learning really can be fun.Try a New Snow Sport
Whether it's skiing, snowboarding or tubing, winter break is the perfect time to get out on the slopes and try something new. The nearby Alpine Valley Ski Resort offers several runs for beginners, as well as an expert run to challenge yourself. Additionally, kids and adults alike will love the Polar Blast Snow Tubing area! Enjoy a thrilling day filled with fast-paced runs, and a convenient conveyor to transport you and your tube back up the hill. For more difficult terrain, head to Boston Mills and Brandywine, which both offer a few more blues and blacks than Alpine Valley.
Take a Scenic Train Ride
Trains might not be the most convenient way to travel, but they certainly are the most fun! Enjoy a nostalgic train ride through Ohio's winter wonderland on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. While any route comes with its fair share of adventure, we are particularly fond of the Polar Express rides throughout November and December, which allow families to don their pajamas and journey to the North Pole.Update: The Polar Express rides are now sold out, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad will not be resuming regular train rides until January 20. The train will host many fun excursions in January, and pre-purchased tickets make the best holiday gifts! Visit cvsr.com for more details.
Go Ice Skating
Photo courtesy of the Wade Oval
There's nothing more magical than carving new ice on skates — especially when surrounded by festive lights and holiday music. Northeastern Ohio is filled with a number of indoor and outdoor skating rinks, all of which offer the perfect opportunity for a winter adventure with the family. Here in Cleveland, our favorite place to skate outdoors is the Wade Oval, which is open from early November to early March (weather depending), and boasts free skating lessons on Saturdays at noon.Happy Holidays!
From all of us at Cutler Real Estate, we hope your days are merry, bright and filled with holiday fun. Tag us in your Instagram photos (@cutler_real_estate) for the chance to be featured!
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