Curing cabin fever: 6 activities to beat those winter blues in Champaign County!

​Brrr! The wind is howling, the sky is gray, and it's colder than a polar bear's toenails. But hey, let's not let that stop us from having a blast in Champaign County! Here are 6 winter-wonderful activities to cure our cabin fever.

1. Catch A movie

The historic Gloria Theatre in the heart of Downtown Urbana is the perfect place to watch the latest hit movies. They’ve recently announced their 2024 Stars on Stage Concert Series which features an exciting line-up of live entertainment from national & international touring artists, with a little something for everyone! First up - the Celtic Angels Ireland on Friday, February 22 - 7:30 pm.
For more information on the Gloria Theatre and all of the events, visit their website by clicking on the picture!

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2. Take a Hike

Nothing beats the winter blues like a little bit of movement and a little bit of nature! Davey Woods State Nature Preserve is a mature forest woodland and is one of the best woodlots remaining in this part of Ohio. Named in honor of the Davey Tree Expert Company which, through The Nature Conservancy, provided half the funding to acquire this site in 1989. The terrain, hilly for this part of Ohio, offers 1.5 miles of hiking trails and is the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful winter landscape.

Open 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset
Stay on designated trails
Pets are not permitted
No restrooms

Click on the picture for directions to Davey Woods State Nature Preserve.

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3. Tour a Museum

Newly re-opened in November 2023, the Johnny Appleseed Educational Center and Museum holds the largest collection of memorabilia and written information about the life of John “Appleseed” Chapman in the world. Complete with a computer research database and a family history and National Registry of Johnny Appleseed’s relatives, The Johnny Appleseed Educational Center and Museum is a wealth of history and a lot of fun! 
The museum is open Tuesday - Friday 10AM-4PM and on Saturday from 10AM-2PM. For more information, click on the picture!

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4. Go Bowling

Get ready to strike some fun into your winter! Champaign County boasts three bowling hotspots. Mechanicsburg is home to Goshen Lanes in the east, while Urbana is where you'll find the Southwest Bowling Center in the heart of the county. For those in the west of the county, St. Paris is where you'll find Coral Bowling Lanes. Each of these locations offers a fantastic family-friendly setting with plenty of exciting events to join in on. It's the perfect way to bowl away those winter blues!

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5. Dine in an Igloo

​Winter just got cooler with Urbana Brewing Company's igloo-tastic experience. Take your squad on a snow-capped journey for just $29, and reserve your spot on their rooftop! It's the ONLY igloo experience in town, so hurry and book your spot by clicking on the picture. Don't miss out on this frosty wonderland of fun!

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6. Explore a Cave

Let's go underground this January and explore caves and caverns! It's the perfect time for a chill adventure since crowds are low, giving you a private tour of the hidden wonders of the earth. Plus, the constant 54° F temperature underground is a welcome escape from the frosty chill outside! Ohio Caverns is your go-to destination, open every day from 10 am to 4 pm, so let's go spelunking!