CLEVELAND — Northeast Ohio is home to so many fun and exciting attractions year-round and the fun doesn’t stop when the cold weather arrives.
3News' Kierra Cotton met up with Cleveland Magazine Editor Dillon Stewart, who shared the nearly 50 ways they're encouraging Northeast Ohioans to embrace this year's winter season.
"We have seven months of cold weather. Are you gonna hide inside the whole time?" asked Stewart.
Stewart posed this question to all of Northeast Ohio. He says coming off the pandemic, there’s no better time than now to explore our region.
"I don't think it's time to go hibernate again. You know, I think there's so many diverse ways, no matter what you're into, no matter, how picky you are. There's so many diverse ways to get out and enjoy your winter," he explained.
With that in mind, Cleveland Magazine curated a list of 45 ways to make the most of this year’s winter season.
"We really wanted to narrow it down to the best. So rather than 150, rather than 200, we set it on 45," Stewart said.
It's broken down into six categories:
- Ten most Cleveland Winter Activities
- On the stage
- Full Circle
- Holiday Happenings
- The Great Outdoors
- Comfort Foods and Winter Warmers
The goal of the list, have an activity or event for everyone.
"We wanted to try to find something every month of the year, for every type of person, for the foodie, for the someone who wanted to embrace the holidays, for the kids, for, you know, adults who like us, who can come enjoy a, a Christmas ale," said Stewart.
And speaking of Christmas Ale, a visit to Great Lakes Brewing Company, the birthplace of the festive drink, is where Stewart and Cotton hosted their conversation.
"So, um, 30 years ago, they found this perfect combination of cinnamon, honey and ginger. It's all-natural. It's just this great taste of the season," Stewart explained.
While the cold temperatures may deter some, if you’re a lover of the great outdoors, there’s plenty of fun to be had.
"You know, ice skating, tobogganing, snowshoeing, and I mean, you know, I, I know that there's some freeze babies out there, there, but I mean, come over to my house, you can borrow my coat," joked Stewart.
If you’re looking for tradition, Downtown Cleveland is definitely a must-see.
"We also have things like Winterland, which is your annual, tree lighting ceremony with the Public Square, the lights getting all together, counting it down, and really kicking off the holiday season," explained Stewart.
And when you’re talking about Cleveland, you can’t forget to include music.
"Brite Winter is one of my favorites. Um, you know, that's, that's our outdoor music festival in the Flats," said Stewart. " I really feel like it's, it's one of those things that defines the idea of Cleveland tough is getting out there. I mean, where else can you say that the city's music festival is outside in the middle of February."
And if you’re worried about costs, you don’t have to break the bank to have a good time.
"I mean, one of the things we ask you to do is find the nearest till and go sledding. I mean, it doesn't have to, you don't have to spend a lot of money to have fun in the winter," said Stewart.
Whether you’re a native or new to the area, winter is a great time to explore all that Northeast Ohio has to offer, I mean, they don’t call it the most wonderful time of the year for nothing.
To read the complete Cleveland Magazine article, click here.
*Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.