5 Fall/Winter Things to Do

This beautiful snow leopard can be seen at the Asian Highlands exhibit.

KYLE LANZER / CLEVELAND METROPARKS

CLEVELAND METROPARKS

CLEVELAND METROPARKS

Fall / Winter

From indulgent indoor comforts to adrenaline-spiking snow play, Northeast Ohio has family fun no matter the mood (or weather)! Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Take a Walk on the Wild Side

CLEVELAND METROPARKS ZOO AND RAINFOREST (Cleveland Area) 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland 44109; 216.661.6500

Gather your herd and head to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, where you can learn about animals from all over the world and the conservation efforts in place to protect them. With dynamic exhibits including the Asian Highlands, Rosebrough Tiger Passage, Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter (where you can feed giraffes!) the Australian Adventure and more, animal lovers of all ages can spend a whole day exploring.

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Many animals are more active on cooler, mild days. And if the weather really isn’t cooperating, The Rainforest & the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building offer warm escapes.

The RainForest showcases more than 10,000 plants and over 600 animals from the jungles of Asia, Africa and the Americas, including this momma and baby Orangutan.

2. Learn, Play and Interact on a Farm

Farms of all kinds abound in Northeast Ohio, and harvest season is the perfect time to get a taste of agriculture at its best. Kids and adults alike will enjoy close encounters with goats, horses and pigs while learning about life on the farm. Pumpkin patches, apple orchards and corn mazes are also popular this time of year.

MAPLESIDE FARMS (Between Cleveland and Akron Areas) 294 Pearl Road, Brunswick 44212; 330.225.5577

HALE FARM & VILLAGE (Akron Area) 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath 44210; 330.666.3711

NANCY BALLUCK

ARROWHEAD ORCHARD (Canton Area) 11724 Lisbon Street NE, Paris 44669; 330.862.2733

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Check each farm’s daily activities calendar for special events and animal encounters.

Ride the 311-ft "super-slide" at Mapleside Farms

Pumpkin patches abound in the fall in Northeast Ohio.

Learn about life on a farm at Hale Farm & Village

Campbell's Sweets Factory

OHIO & ERIE CANAL TOWPATH TRAIL

Fannie May/Harry London Chocolate Factory

3 Treat Your Sweet Tooth

Channel your inner Charlie Bucket and take a dream tour of a delightful chocolate, or gourmet popcorn factory. Both Fannie May’s Chocolate Factory and Campbell's Sweets Factory offer free — yes FREE — tours. Learn about the history of the factories, see them in motion, and of course, sample some of the goods.

FANNIE MAY/HARRY LONDON CHOCOLATE FACTORY (Canton Area) 5353 Lauby Road, North Canton 44720 800.321.0444 ext. 119

CAMPBELL'S SWEETS FACTORY (Cleveland Area) 2084 W. 25th Street, Ohio City 44113 216.965.0451

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Call ahead for available tour dates and times and to make reservations.

4 Leaf-Peep and Trail Hike

OHIO & ERIE CANAL TOWPATH TRAIL (Cleveland, Akron and Canton Areas) More than 50 trailheads starting at Harvard Avenue, Cleveland (North) to Canal Lands Park, Dover (South); 330.374.5657

The Towpath Trail offers 110 miles of breathtaking scenery by bike or hike through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and beyond. It’s a year-round attraction, but during Northeast Ohio’s show-stopping autumn color season, it gets downright dramatic. Choose from 50 trailheads for a variety of views from urban to rural and cliffs to woods.

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Check for closures or detours before you embark on your adventure. And be sure to bring bug spray, binoculars and comfy shoes!

Brandywine Ski Resort has both ski and tubing slopes.

MICHELLE HUSHION

The toboggan chutes at The Chalet offer an icy adventure!

CLEVELAND METROPARKS

Snow Boarding

CLEVELAND METROPARKS

5 Chill Out (or Amp Up!)

Embrace the cold with a number of fast- or slow-paced activities for any style or skill level. Northeast Ohio’s hilly terrain is ideal for thrills on the ski, sled or tubing slopes, while our vast fields and wooded trails are the backdrop for scenic snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Mill Stream Run in Strongsville has refrigerated toboggan chutes for a different sort of icy adventure!

BOSTON MILLS SKI RESORT (Akron Area) 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula 44264; 800.875.1241

BRANDYWINE SKI RESORT / POLAR BLAST TUBING PARK (Akron Area) 1146 W. Highland Road, Sagamore Hills 44067; 800.875.1241

THE CHALET AT THE MILL STREAM RUN RECREATION AREA (Cleveland Area) 16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville 44136; 440.572.9990

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Before you go, check the websites for reservations, requirements and available amenities! The ski resorts offer food, beverages, rental equipment and cozy fires in the lodge.

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