Enjoy the cold, avoid winter hibernation with these tips to get out

It's easy to let yourself hibernate in the winter. But don't forget, Iowa has plenty of fun things to do, even in the colder months.

'Things get pretty quiet in January,' said Jennifer Pickar, director of communications and marketing at GO Cedar Rapids.

'Just because it's snowy doesn't mean you have to hide away for the winter,' said Jessica O'Riley, tourism communications manager at Travel Iowa.

'We always say Iowa is fortunate to have four seasons of travel,' she continued. 'There are lots of great events and activities during winter, both indoors and outdoors across the state.'

Outdoors

If you don't mind the cold, get outside and make the most of winter with these outdoor activities.

- Check out any of Iowa's state parks — there are 28 natural areas, preserves and parks open year-round in Linn County alone.

'Many people think state parks close with snow, but that's definitely not true,' said Ryan Schlader, community outreach and marketing specialist for the Linn County Conservation Department.

Whether you go snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, or simply hiking through the park, there's still plenty to see, including wildlife in their winter nesting areas, Schlader said.

- When there's snow on the ground, check out the area sledding hills such as Thomas Park in Marion or Bowman Woods Elementary in Cedar Rapids.

- Although sledding hills aren't the best for skiing and snowboarding, it's still possible to find slopes for a snowbird getaway in the state, such as Sundown Mountain in Dubuque or Seven Oaks in Boone.

- Looking for a weekend away from it all? Some state parks offer cabin rentals in the winter, including the Red Oak Cabin in the Matsell Bridge Natural Area. While many cabins require multiple-day-rentals in the summer, in the offseason they can be rented for as little as one day or two, O'Riley said.

'Some are more rustic while others are a home away from home,' she continued. 'It's a great getaway.'

- Another way to get out, but not spend all your time outside, is to plan a day or weekend in a nearby town, where 'there are lots of cute main street areas,' O'Riley said, citing Cedar Falls as a 'great place for a girlfriend's getaway' due to its quaint boutique sops and a hotel downtown to stay and explore.

Want to stay closer to home? Check out uptown Marion for a variety of boutique and antique shops. And don't forget the chocolate shop, Pickar reminded. 'They have jars of hot fudge which are absolutely amazing,' she said.

Indoors

Want to stay inside all winter? That's OK, too.

- Tour area breweries, wineries and restaurants with GO CR's new 'Ale Trail,' which includes more than $500 in discounts to more than 25 participating venues in the area for $30 a year. Also available through Travel Iowa are maps of Iowa's wine trails.

- Check out area museums such as the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art — which has the largest collection of Grant Wood — or the National Czech and Slovak Museum, African American Museum of Iowa, Iowa Children's Museum, National Motorcycle Museum, the Vesterheim, Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum or the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, for example.

- Go see a show. With so many theaters to choose from in our area, you'll never run out of options. Some venue suggestions include Theatre Cedar Rapids, Paramount Theatre, Hancher Auditorium, Giving Tree Theater, Old Creamery Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Englert Theatre and many more.

- If you prefer sports, go to a Cedar Rapids Titans, Roughriders or a college basketball game. You don't have to go far to get close to the action.

- Missing summer? You don't have to fly to Mexico to go somewhere warm. Take a day trip to Des Moines to visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, where the dome is 70 degrees year-round, O'Riley said. 'It feels especially tropical in the winter,' she added.

- Another summery option is visiting a nearby indoor water park. You could make a weekend of it and head to Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark, for example, which is just a short walk away from the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.

- Still want a little nature but don't want to be outside? Visit Indian Creek Nature Center or Wickiup Hill Learning Center, where there are often indoor activities as well as outdoor.

Comments: (319) 398-8364; elizabeth.zabel@thegazette.com