26 Lake County Things To Do In Winter 2026❄️🛷
Eat, Drink, and Be Cozy This Winter!
Lake Erie Bluffs
Experience 26 things to do in winter right here in Lake County, Ohio! Enjoy outdoor adventures snow-covered landscapes, ice wine tastings, snowshoeing, cozy beverages, and 11 charming towns! Local parks and trails transform into winter wonderlands, offering peaceful escapes while the Grand River Valley wineries offer warm fireplaces and decadent tastings!
Where will you start your winter tour in Lake County?
Wes Point Park Willoughby, OH
1) Celebrate Winter at an Ice Festival
The City of Mentor and Wickliffe Recreation Department will both be hosting their annual winter celebrations featuring ice sculptures, entertainment, music, food, and more!
Mentor Chill Out is on Saturday, January 17th from 1 PM - 6 PM at the Mentor Civic Center Complex.
Wickliffe Winterfest is on Saturday, January 17th at the Wickliffe Recreation Department - (1-4PM @ Green Ridge Golf Course)
Penitentiary Glen Reservation
2) Visit a COOL Waterfall
Some of these cascades are easily accessible, while others require a bit of a hike to view! Find the list.
📸by Chris Frisbie
Vincent William Wine
3) Lake Front Winter Getaway
Experience the winter on Lake Erie at Vincent William Wine! Enjoy elegant rooms with private bathrooms, plush linens, and stunning winter lake views.
Stay for a romantic weekend or enroll in the Winter Wellness retreat January 15-17th including yoga, meditation, nutrition seminars, and seasonal meals.
Snowshoeing
4) Try Snowshoeing
Experience something new this winter with the whole family and go snowshoeing at one of the four locations right here in Lake County! Lake Metroparks offers visitors opportunities to snowshoe on a variety of terrain throughout the park district.
Laurello Vineyards
5) Sample Ice Wine at the Ice Wine Festival
Join the wineries of the Grand River Valley: Debonné Vineyards, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant, Laurello Vineyards, Cask 307 Winery plus South River Vineyards and Red Eagle Distillery for an afternoon of ice wine sampling perfectly paired with appetizers for $10 at each location.
Fairport Harbor Creamery
6) Embrace the chill with the coolest Ice Cream in Lake County!
Try Fairport Harbor Creamery’s unbelievably delicious ice cream! Try their sampler and choose 4 unique flavors.
Mentor Ice Arena
7) Enjoy Ice Skating
The Mentor Ice Arena is open year round and offers something for everyone who enjoys skating.
Chapin Forest Reservation
8) Go Sledding
Sledding is one of the most popular winter activities in our parks! Sledding hill locations include:
Stonegait Winery
9) Share a Glass With A Fireplace
Within a 10-mile radius you’ll find the area’s finest boutique and estate wineries, where you can sip and sample award-winning Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and our region’s famous Ice Wine.
Julbeans Coffee and Crêpes
10) Grab a Seasonal Drink
Julbeans Coffee and Crêpeis an unique and itty bitty coffee shop serving espresso based drinks, teas, and crêpes.
Headlands Beach State Park
11) Catch An Icy Sunset on Lake Erie
Lake Erie is lovely all-year long, but there is something eerily beautiful about the lake during the winter! Bundle up and catch a sunset on the lake!
Arabica Coffee House
12) Finish The Hot Chocolate Trail
Sip your way through this sweet expedition! Earn your limited-edition #TourLakeCocoa mug when you visit 10 locations.
The Helicopter Daughter Boutique
13) Jump Start Your New Year with a Restorative Tea Session
Helicopter Daughter offers personalized appointments once a week in-person or virtually to help you discover a tea blend that supports your self-care or wellness routine, right where you are.
Lake Metroparks Farmpark
14) Start homesteading
Farmpark will transform into a campus of learning January 17th & 18th, allowing you to investigate different areas of the park to learn something new or improve your knowledge during Homesteading Weekend.
Visit with local speakers, organizations and vendors. Topics will include plant health, soil health, homestead planning, maple sugaring, equipment usage and maintenance, care of horses and livestock, food preparation and preservation. No matter what age or experience level programs of interest will be available. All participants must be registered. Registration $35 per day includes lunch.
Coco Locos- Willoughby
15) Start the Lake County Taco Trail
With over 23 family-owned taquerias and restaurants to choose from, the Lake County Taco Trail pass helps you celebrate the county’s Hispanic community! Explore each destination, challenge yourself to try bold flavors, and savor the authenticity of every Taco Trail location!
Lake Metroparks
16) Explore The Trails
Lake Metroparks offers 39 diverse parks and maintains more than 60 miles of trails throughout Lake County.
Standing Rock Farms
17) Book Your Stay at a Rustic Winter Cabin
Adventure through snowy landscapes, feel the crisp winter air, and make the most of the season by staying in a beautiful, rustic cabin at Standing Rock Farms.
Fossil Creek Winery
18. Relax with live music at one of the Grand River Valley’s Newest Wineries - Fossil Creek.
Visit one of the Grand River Valley’s newest wineries in Madison OH, Fossil Creek. A contemporary winery, secluded in scenic woods and vineyards, serving charcuterie, flatbreads, and local liquors, brews, and wine.
Friday, January 16 | Nick 2 5-8pm
Friday, January 23 | Duo-ly Noted 5-8pm
Saturday, January 24 | Stamper Starr 4:30-7:30pm
Friday, January 30 | Bob Potts 5-8pm
Saturday, January 31 | Art Michaud 5-8pm
Ferrante Winery & Ristorante
19) Visit the ICED OUT Winebar
ICE Wine Cocktails, Martinis, “Cold-Fashion”, Winter Blues Cocktail & more!
Chef Kelly’s Chilled Out Menu
Photo Opportunities & more
Stay posted and follow us for more sneak peaks and the official opening of our Iced Out Winebar!
Cask 307
20) Attend a 5-Course Dinner at Cask 307 Winery
"Romance Optional: A Classic Broadway Revue" Get ready for an unforgettable night in person featuring timeless tunes from Broadway's greatest hits! Romance Optional brings you a fun and lively review packed with classic songs and show-stopping performances accompanied with a 5-course dinner. 6-8:30pm.
Corkscrew Taphouse & Winery - Grand River Valley
21) Hop on the Winter Warmer Wine and Cocktail Trail
The Winter Warmer Wine & Cocktail Trail pairs comforting foods with wines from four local wineries, along with a mini cocktail from Red Eagle Distillery and Black Door Tavern. For just $7 at each participating location, guests can enjoy unique offerings at each stop.
Plan your stay with overnight packages including a wine shuttle from the Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express in Madison, OH. Weekday packages include a bonus $15 Food Voucher.
The Holden Arboretum
22) Go on a Guided Hike
Experience the wonders of the woods on a guided hike through one of Holden Arboretum’s preserved natural areas.
The Willoughby House
23) Book Your Stay at the Willoughby House and Explore Historic Downtown Willoughby
Winter at Willoughby House is a sight to behold. Indulge in the quiet beauty of the season and let the charm of the historic inn warm your soul. Enjoy lunch or dinner at their onsite restaurants, Julia’s 1902!
Stella’s Art Gallery
24) Go On An (art)venture at Stella’s
Enjoy high quality artwork and sign up for various classes with local artisans.
Steele Mansion Inn
25)Solve a murder mystery at Steele Mansion
Attend the CLUE Murder Mystery at the historic Steele Mansion Inn & Gathering Hub. Cocktail Hour/Appetizers 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm
Show 6:30 p.m.
$90 per person, pre-paid. Limited Space.
Fee includes dinner and performance.
Fairport Harbor Sand Sculpture Trail
26) Book Your Summer Vacation in Lake County!
It’s never too early to start planning your travel plans! Check out some of our curated itineraries that highlight top attractions, accommodations and culinary hot-spots!
New 2026 Visitor Guide coming soon!
Are you interested in partnering with us? Email elyse@tourlakecounty.com to learn more!