By Melanie Mohler | Last updated Feb. 2026
Winters in Akron can be dreary, but there is still plenty to do! To help combat the winter blues, we’ve compiled a list of free and cheap ($10 or less) things to do in the Akron area during winter.
Outdoor Activities
Even though the leaves are gone and snow may be on the ground, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get outside. Here are several outdoor activities that you can do in the winter.
Go for a walk
Most trails and walking paths are open year-round and are oftentimes less busy in the winter months. Just remember to bundle up!
Want to change up your walk? Summit Metro Parks offers free snowshoe rentals at Liberty Park Nature Center.
Birdwatching is also popular in the winter. It’s a lot easier to see birds when there are no leaves on the trees!
Check out upcoming programs and events that Summit Metro Parks and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park offer, including hiking, birdwatching, and other wintry activities.
If you’re looking for more urban scenery, take a walk around downtown Akron and enjoy the lights. You’ll find lights lining Main Street between Cedar and Perkins, as well as in the Northside District, Lock 3, and Lock 4. You’ll also find public art displays in downtown storefronts, thanks to Curated Storefront.
Sledding
Sledding will require snow of course, but it’s a great reason to get outside. Your neighborhood may have its own popular sledding hill. If you don’t know of any, try checking neighborhood Facebook groups or Nextdoor for more information.
If you don’t have a prime sledding hill nearby, Summit Metro Parks and CVNP have several hills that are popular in following parks:
- Cascade Valley Metro Park
- Firestone Metro Park
- Furnace Run Metro Park
- Goodyear Heights Metro Park
- Munroe Falls Metro Park
- Sand Run Metro Park
- Kendall Hills on Quick Road
Ice skating
Similar to sledding, ice skating is weather-dependent. Brushwood Lake in Furnace Run Metro Park is free to skate on (make sure the conditions are safe).
Ice skating at Lock 3 offers ice skating in downtown Akron. There’s a $5 entry fee and an additional $5 charge for skate rentals.
Cuyahoga Falls also has an ice skating rink in their downtown area during the winter months. Admission is free and skate rentals are $5.
Indoor Activities
Maybe the cold and snow aren’t your thing, so you’d like to stay warm inside. Consider these indoor activities and events to enjoy during the winter!
Check out your local library or community center
The library always has something going on! Winter reading programs, free movie screenings, knit or crochet groups, and book clubs are just a few of the types of events you can find at one of your local libraries.
Here are links to upcoming events for local libraries:
- Akron-Summit County Public Library
- Barberton Public Library
- Cuyahoga Falls Library
- Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library
Of course the library always has books, movies, and more that can be checked out as well – think baking equipment, art for your gallery wall, and even accessibility tools.
If the weather is bad, you can always access digital materials from home. You can even apply online for a library card at most libraries. (Note: Some libraries may only allow you to access digital materials with this card.)
Your local community center may also have free or low-cost events and activities. Check out Akron’s community centers for programs such as knitting and crochet clubs, make and take crafts, chess, and more.
Go roller skating
Springfield Lake Roller Rink offers open skating on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Admission ranges from $5-$10 depending on the day and time, and skate rentals are $4 (or bring your own!).
Test your skills at free local trivia
Although most trivia nights in Akron are hosted at venues like breweries or bars where the food and drinks cost money, the activity itself is typically free. The added bonus? If you and your team wins, the prizes are often gift cards to the local businesses!
Weekly trivia is played at:
- Tuesdays: Eighty Three Brewery and Frank’s Place on Market
- Wednesdays: Akronym Brewing
- Thursdays: Missing Falls Brewery
- And more in the Akron Regional Area
P.S. Maybe bingo is more your thing? Eighty Three Brewery hosts bingo Wednesdays at 7pm
Arts & Culture
The Akron Art Museum is free to visit on Thursdays and is always a treat.
Check out the exhibits and artist studios at Summit Artspace. Admission is free.
Just across the street, there is Full Grip Games, a board game and hobby shop that hosts group gaming events several times a week. These events typically cost $10 or less per person to enter.
The Cummings Center for the History of Psychology houses the National Museum of Psychology and Institute for Human Science and Culture, two interesting museum spaces that explore the history of psychology and the human experience. Admission is free for veterans, active military, and University of Akron staff and students. General admission for adults is $10, $5 for college students and children under 18, and $3 for Museums for All program.
Community & Connection
Another amazing way to spend your time and learn more about Akron is to attend your local Ward Meeting or the weekly City Council meetings. If you’re interested in taking notes or recording audio, become a Signal Akron Documenter and get paid!
Looking for free and under $10 things to do in the summer? Get some ideas from this blog post.
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