Ohio’s winter weather ranges from mildly cool to wildly frozen depending on the winter’s mood it seems. Despite the weather, Central Ohio offers a variety of family activities throughout the season. Whether you seek outdoor recreation or indoor fun, activities abound in the Columbus metropolitan area and the city’s many outlying suburbs.

For those seeking outdoor options, there are a number of recreational activities for families to consider.

Visit the Zoo The USA Travel Guide has ranked The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium as the number one zoo in the United States for 2009. The zoo is open year around with the annual Wildlights winter holiday event and activities running from late November through the first of January. Winter at the Columbus Zoo offers many special events and activities as well as ice skating, special animal viewings, Santa’s Reindeer Corral and a variety of other family friendly, holiday themed attractions.

Explore The Columbus Metro Parks The Columbus Metro Park system operates 15 parks in Central Ohio. With more than 23,000 acres of park lands and water features throughout Central Ohio, the system is easily accessible from nearly any of the Columbus suburbs. Each of the parks offers a calendar of events with a variety of hikes, nature programs, and outdoor themed activities available. While some park programs require registration, many are open to all visitors and all are free of charge.

Visit an Ohio State Park The Ohio Division of Parks operates 7 state parks within an hour’s drive of the Columbus Metro area. Unlike many state park systems, Ohio’s parks allow free park access and free parking to visitors. Each of the parks has a variety of winter themed events and recreational offerings from festivals and gatherings to snowmobiling, skiing and other winter sports.

Check Out Local Shopping and Restaurants If hiking and nature areas are not in your plans, the Short North Gallery District and Easton Town Center offer shopping, dining and entertainment options that require some walking outdoors for access to all that they have to offer. But, with such a variety from the fast food of McDonalds to coffee shops such as the Short North’s Crimson Cup and Easton Town Center’s fine dining Ocean Club, families and couples alike will find something of interest in the Columbus area.

If indoor recreational activities are desired, the Columbus area is packed with choices as well!

Play at the Water Park The Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park provides water fun year around with family friendly accommodations and trip packages.

Experience the Arts Columbus is home to number of family, cultural, arts and theatre venues. The Columbus Museum of Art offers a number of activities geared toward families throughout the year. The Palace Theatre, The Ohio Theatre, and the newly restored Lincoln Theatre offer a variety of musical events and performances. The Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents many family programs throughout the orchestra season.

Head to the Library The Columbus Metropolitan Library offers much more than just rows of books! The library has a full calendar of events offered at the many branches throughout the metro area. Due to budget constraints, the library system cut back weekend hours, but weekday visitors to the city may attend author visits, story times, magic shows and other family oriented activities often without registration requirements.

Winter Sports Columbus Blue Jacket Hockey, indoor ice skating at the Nationwide Arena Ice Haus and the Chiller arenas, and youth hockey games provide winter indoor sport and entertainment. The area ice rinks offer special "open skate" events complete with ice skate rentals at a fairly low cost for families.

Check Out Local FavoritesVisitors cannot forget standard Central Ohio favorites such as The Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Franklin Park Conservatory, the Santa Maria replica and family friendly gaming centers like Chuck E. Cheese, Magic Mountain, and GameWorks.

The city’s many activities, events, restaurants, and family friendly venues make Columbus a great place to visit with a family, even during the unpredictable Ohio winters.