Top Winter Things to Do in Butler County

Even on snowy and cold days, there’s always exciting things happening in Butler County! From warm indoor activities to exhilarating outdoor activities, we’ve got you covered.

So grab your coat and scarf and explore the many ways to enjoy Butler County during a winter wonderland.

#ButlerCountyExploreMore #LoveButlerCounty #ButlerCountyPA

Pictured Photo Contest Entry (Jan McElhinny)

Outdoor Adventure

For snow-lovers and adventure-seekers, we have an array of cold-weather activities that will get you outside this winter! Check out all that these parks have to offer:

Jennings Environmental Education Center offers excellent trails for cross-country skiing, and with adequate snow cover, it is also a great destination for snowshoeing. With snowshoes available to borrow, it’s a perfect winter activity to get all ages out and moving!
Moraine State Park offers various cold-weather activities, with great trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, and hills for sledding. Some other activities include iceboating, ice fishing and ice skating in specified areas. (Please use precaution. Ice thickness is not monitored.)
Glade Run Lake is a 50-acre man-made lake, surrounded by 100 acres of luscious woodlands and farmlands. Enjoy winter hikes on their trails that encompass the lake and possibly a game of ice hockey when conditions are favorable. (Please use precaution. Ice thickness is not monitored.)
The North Country Trail Association-Butler Chapter hosts several guided hikes throughout the year along the North Country National Scenic Trail, which runs through parts of Moraine State Park and Jennings Environmental Educations Center. Check their Facebook page for updates.

Pictured Glade Run Lake (left), Jennings Environmental Education Center (right)

Indoor Activities

Don’t let the snowy and cold days keep you at home; winter is the perfect time to enjoy indoor activities with family and friends!

Escape Rooms & Axe Throwing

Mystery Mayhem Escapes and Axe Throwing

Bowling Alleys

Entertainment Centers

Active

Yoga Studios - Shakti Yoga & Pilates, Studio Z Yoga and Yoga On Main
CrossFit Recreate
YMCAs - Butler YMCA and Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA

Pictured Urban Air (top), LumberjAxes Axe Throwing (bottom)

Ice Skating

There’s a few different ways to hit the ice this winter. Head over UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex for a fun afternoon or evening of public skating. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and hockey and figure skates available to rent.

If you’re looking for a unique way to go ice skating, Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park offers plenty of options when the lake is frozen over. (Please use precaution. Ice thickness is not monitored.)

Pictured Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park

Museums

From Asian art to historic treasures, enjoy a day of discovery at one of Butler County's museums.

Historic Harmony - Harmony Museum
Maridon Museum
Saxonburg Museum/Cooper Hall
Zelienople Historical Society - Passavant House and Buhl House

Art Galleries

Butler County’s art galleries offer unique items available for purchase and hands-on workshops where you can make your own masterpiece.

Hands-On Experiences

Discover meaningful experiences that will create opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends. There are many hands-on workshops and activities that you can enjoy in Butler County, such as creating handmade art and stained glass, making edible treats, pottery classes and more! Perfect for family fun, girls’ nights, dates, and me time — these experiences will teach you new skills, create lifelong memories, and give you the joy of living in the moment.

Darn Yarn Needles and Thread
All About Reclaimed
Appalachian Outpost
Spring Street Studios
CURIO
Steele’s Brushes and Ceramics
Bottlebrush Gallery & Center for the Arts
Ooh and Aah
Glass Blowing Center
Speckled Hen Chocolate Company
Three Rivers Art Glass
Suite Thyme
Little Foot Quilt Shoppe

Pictured Three Rivers Art Glass (top-left), Steele's Brushes and Ceramics (top-right), Ooh and Aah (bottom-left), CURIO (bottom-right)

Bed and Breakfast

Spend a night cozied up at one of Butler County’s premier Bed and Breakfast locations. Watch the snow fall and enjoy relaxing with family and friends.

Pictured Suite Thyme (left), Suite Retreat Bed & Biscotti Lodging (right)

Deck the Halls

Get in the holiday spirit by sprucing up your home with festive decorations from local shops throughout Butler County. You’ll find unique homegoods, beautiful poinsettias, fresh Christmas trees and more!

Explore Our Tasty Trails

Butler County Sweet Tooth Trail - Desserts are even more delightful on Butler County’s Sweet Tooth Trail, a self-guided tour of local bakeries, ice cream shops, and candy stores. Visit all 18 locations and savor the flavors of the area’s finest chocolate, baked goods, frozen treats and more!

Butler County Coffee Connection - Rise & Shine, caffeine lovers! Enjoy your favorite latte, frappé or chai tea along the Butler County Coffee Connection, a self-guided tour of local coffee shops. This aromatic adventure features 11 stops throughout a variety of charming towns, and is the perfect way to conquer your caffeine quest!

Butler County Beer Circuit - Grab your “Passport to Hoppiness” and navigate your way through the Butler County Beer Circuit, a self-guided trail of local brewpubs. This trail features 13 different brewpubs, a taproom, and a canning facility; all offering a variety of unique and local craft beers year-round.

How Our Trails Work - Create your own itinerary on these tasty trails and fill up your passport with a specially designed symbol from each participating location. Move on to the next spot at your leisure. Once your passport is complete, bring it to Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau to claim a commemorative prize!

Passports can be picked up at participating locations, the Tourism Bureau in Zelienople or any of the Bureau's 35 brochure racks throughout the county.

Support Local Businesses by Giving Unique Gift Options

Purchase Butler County Gift Certificates, valid at nearly 100 local businesses or a Best of Butler County Gift Basket filled with locally-made goodies including chocolates, spices, coffee, condiments, and more!

Photo Contest

Capture the beauty of winter by entering our Butler County Tourism Photo Contest for your chance to win Butler County gift certificates! Each quarter, we award $100 to first place, $75 to second and $50 to third. The theme is tourism-related photos, so we're looking for events, the great outdoors, arts, history and more. The next deadline for submission is March 31.