Local attractions bring some fun to the season

It may now be possible to imagine a COVID-free future, but we are still very much living in a pandemic world. With cases higher this winter than they were last spring, we’re nowhere near the return to normal for which we were hoping.

However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do! Local attractions, organizations and businesses are still finding ways to entertain us while keeping us safe. Here are four things you can still do this winter while helping to stop the spread of the virus.

Go to a Park

It may be cold outside, but you can still visit one of the region’s fabulous parks. Cincinnati Parks consists of 5,000-plus acres of park land, including five regional parks, 70 neighborhood parks, 34 natural areas, five neighborhood nature centers, 65 miles of hiking and bridle trails, and more. This year, the park system that contains beloved parks like Eden Park and Mt. Airy Forest was named the fifth best city park system in the country by The Trust for Public Land. All Cincinnati Parks remain free, and visitors are asked to practice social distancing and wear a mask when they are unable to do so.

Other regional park systems include Great Parks of Hamilton County (21 parks and reserves), Metroparks of Butler County (11 parks) and several state parks, including Hueston Woods State Park and East Fork State Park. The Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford also has several trails you can explore.

See Some Animals

Both the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and the Newport Aquarium plan to be open this winter.

At press time, visitors to the zoo were being asked to reserve their tickets and entry times ahead of time, to wear a mask and to socially distance from other visitors. But you can still view the animals in their outdoor habitats, including the African penguins in their new habitat, African Penguin Point.

The aquarium is all indoors, but to keep visitors safe, it is also asking people to reserve tickets and timeslots ahead of time and to wear a mask if they are 3 or older. You’ll also need to have your temperature taken and remain social distanced from other groups. But once you’ve done that you can explore the aquarium’s many exhibits, including Shipwreck: Realm of the Eels and Surrounded By Sharks.

Watch a Virtual Performance

Live indoor concerts and performances continue to be on hold, but the region’s arts organizations are still streaming shows for you to enjoy at home.

The Carnegie in Covington is continuing with its Tiny Concert Series, in which local artists perform for an audience of 50 in the venue’s 447-seat theater. Those who can’t be there in person can purchase tickets to livestream the event instead. Upcoming performances include Emily Martin on Jan. 9, Bethany Xan Jeffrey on Jan. 30, Feb. 3 and Feb. 6, and Tia Seay on Feb. 13.

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music has created a new digital performance series called CCMONSTAGE Online. Hosted on the school’s website and its YouTube page, the series features live student performances. Videos will feature the CCM Philharmonia, CCM Ballet, CCM Chamber Choir, CCM’s string quartet-in-residence, the Ariel Quartet, and other groups. All videos are free to view. Check with CCM for an updated release schedule.

Take a Tour

Those who want to learn more about the region’s history and food scene can continue to do so by taking guided tours this winter.

American Legacy Tours offers many different historic tours of the city and Tristate. It hosts several underground tours, the Newport Gangster Tour and Hidden Cincinnati tours. As of press time, the only tour you could book ahead of time was the Haunted Emery Theater Tour, with tours available Jan. 2, Feb. 13 and March 20. Tours are limited to 10 individuals, and everyone must wear a mask and carry sanitizer.

Food tours exploring the area’s culinary scene are also offered every week. With Cincinnati Food Tours, you can try food along the streetcar route, in Over-the-Rhine or in Findlay Market. Starting in February, you can also take the Wyoming Walk: Food + History Tour.

Riverside Food Tours also hosts food tours on both sides of the river, from Cincinnati brunch places to ethnic restaurants in OTR to a food tour of Mainstrasse Village.