As winter break is fast approaching as well as an influx of free time to spend with family and friends, The Knight Times has compiled a few fun activities to make your holiday season a little better.

UC Health Ice Rink

During the winter months, Cincinnati and surrounding areas host a number of amazing ice skating rinks downtown. Our most notable pick is the UC Health Ice Rink located in Fountain Square. As the holidays get closer the plaza gets crowded, but it is the perfect winter wonderland for those who plan it right. Set up dinner reservations first at one of the amazing restaurants in the area such as Morton’s Steakhouse or Hathaways Dinner, then get to the fountains early and have a blast smashing into friends and family on their new bumper cars on ice. Make the experience complete with fresh hot chocolate from the Dunkin in the plaza.

Perfect North Slopes

For those daredevils in need of a little more speed and those willing to travel a little further, Perfect North Slopes is an amazing weekend bucket list item to cross off. The ski resort is located in Dearborn Indiana and offers skiing, snowboarding, and tubing along with other fun activities and amenities for the family. 

The Christmas Ranch

The best place to see lights in the area is by far The Christmas Ranch. The ranch opens every year in Morrow and portrays over a million lights that flash to synchronized music. The ranch also includes shops for holiday ornaments and nick nacks, train rides, Santa’s Bakery and Cafe as well as life size nativity scenes. It is the perfect place to go to feel the holiday spirit with the whole family.

Festival of Lights

If you’re looking for bigger and brighter, the Cincinnati Zoo hosts the Festival of Lights annually. The walkways and surrounding areas of the zoo light up from November 18th to January 8th with four million LED lights. In addition to the Festival of Lights the zoo also includes amazing opportunities for younger siblings and cousins such as the Polar Express train rides and the chance to meet Santa Claus before the 23rd of December.

The Nutcracker

If after seeing the lights, the slopes and all the wipe-outs on the ice rink you can handle, you still find yourself in need of some seasonal joy, the nutcracker is a festive and magical story with enchanting characters. Performed by the Cincinnati Ballet downtown, it is skillfully executed and a beautiful sight you won’t soon forget.