Plan Your Escape to Frosty & Fabulous Portage County!

We have all been locked up way too long. Time to bundle up and head outdoors. With three state parks, a county trail system and local seasonal park activities, winter is a great time to visit Portage County. Throughout the season, outdoor adventurers visit our area to enjoy winter hikes, ice skating, cross-country skiing, sledding, ice fishing, birding, winter camping and more. Area parks offer winter activities and programs, including special birding programs. For those who enjoy snowmobiling, West Branch State Park offers 20 miles of trails.  

Snowy forecast? Grab your sled and enjoy a ride down one of our area sledding hills. Make snow angels or a snowman in the fresh snow. Don’t forget your four-legged friend.  All our parks are pet friendly, and some of our hotels are as well. 

After a long day of exploring, stop at one of our many coffee shops and enjoy a cup of your favorite hot beverage or warm up with a glass of wine at one of the local wineries.  In Downtown Kent alone, you can find four local coffee shops, each offering a nice selection of coffee flavors and specialty drinks and a local bakery that has been a Kent tradition since 1949. Just down the street at Brimfield Bread Oven, you can snag a delicious chocolate croissant, tasty danish or a loaf of their amazing bread baked in a wood-fired oven. Order ahead for one of their special Saturday-night pizzas. The Oven is open Wednesday through Saturday.  

Not ready to do indoor dining? Many of our local restaurants offer takeout and curbside pick up — a perfect option if you want to enjoy a winter picnic at one of the parks or in the seclusion of your own home or hotel room. If you love burgers, Ray’s Place in Kent has been in business since 1937. Chef Michael Symon raved about its Mo-Fo burger — a double cheeseburger with bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and the works — on the Food Network. 

If you enjoy specialty ales and lagers, try our new brewery in the Mill District, the North Water Brewing Co. 

For those who enjoy shopping, our downtown main streets offer a wonderful collection of unique shops and galleries. And if that is not enough, you will find over 50 name-brand stores at Aurora Farms Premium Outlets to search for that perfect something. Make just a short drive from Downtown Kent to visit Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market and Hartville Kitchen. 

This winter, we invite you to gather your family and come enjoy our winter wonderland.  Our local hotels are working hard to offer a clean environment should you wish to spend a few days exploring our area. 

To learn more about the area, view accommodations and/or to order a free Visitor Guide, visit CentralPortageVCB.org or call 800-764-8468.