It’s that time of year again where we intentionally sit back and really reflect on all that we are grateful for. For some families in the Toledo area, thankfulness means getting to see dear friends and family that are coming in from out of town. If you are one of those families and are looking for interesting and fun things to do to create more special memories with your loved ones, look no further. Here is a list of fun things happening in and around the Toledo area that you can mark on your calendar and get the most out of this special Thanksgiving weekend.
Ideas For Wednesday Nov 22
The Ribbon at Glass City Metro park
The Ribbon, is a 1,000-foot loop trail featuring rolling hills and soft curves for a uniquely Metro parks winter ice skating experience. The Ribbon is connected to a 5,000 square foot skating pond that offers a traditional ice rink experience for beginners and a series of special events and programs. If you decided to come for a skating excursion, be sure to stop inside The Market Hall to rent your skates and stop for a bite to eat at The Garden by Poco Piati. After skating, you can sit by the fire and warm up at one of the cabanas located along the Ribbon. This is the first official skating season at The Ribbon, and they are currently taking reservations now.
Toledo Museum of Art
The exhibits at the TMA are always being refocused and rotated, so you won’t have the same experience twice. Right now there are Three temporary exhibits on display that might pique your interest, plus one giant sculpture!
Balloon Monkey (Magenta) by Jeff Koons
This shiny sculpture is currently towering over visitors in the Libbey Court. It is a masterpiece of paradoxical power, its contradictions oscillating between mind-bending complexity and total simplicity; seriousness and play; pop culture, all 8,000 pounds of it, and yeah it is highly Instagrammable!
This sculpture, on loan to our museum until December, offers a rare opportunity to see a larger-than-life Koons up close.
The piece is produced in stainless steel with mirror-finish surfaces.
The artist lives and works in both New York City and his hometown of York, Pennsylvania.
Expanding Horizons: The Evolving Character of a Nation
This installation celebrates, complicates, and above all, aims to instill curiosity and inquiry about American art. Expanding Horizons: The Evolving Character of a Nation features more than 80 objects from TMA’s collection, exploring understudied narratives, confronting misconceptions, putting select works in conversation with each other and inviting visitors to share feedback that will help shape future installations going forward.
Jordy R Poma: Las Curiosas
Jordy R Poma: Las Curiosas is a series of sculptures inspired by women from Mishquiyacu, Peru. Curanderas or curiosas are healers and midwives who provide alternative medicine in small communities that do not have access to hospitals or doctors. They heal by using plants, the energy that surrounds a person, and knowledge that was passed on to them by their ancestors.
Alexandra Daisy Ginsburg: Machine Auguries-Toledo
The Stranahan Theater
Everyone’s favorite holiday classic comes to life in a spectacular new touring production of A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage at the Stranahan.
Kids & Families
Ultimate Dinosaurs at Imagination Station
Now-January 2024
Step into the shoes of a paleontologist and uncover some of the most significant dinosaur discoveries from the Southern Hemisphere over the last two decades. Ultimate Dinosaurs reveal a new breed of dinosaurs that evolved in isolation in South America, Africa, and Madagascar. From the tiny Eoraptor to the massive Giganotosaurus (T.rex’s bigger, badder cousin), Ultimate Dinosaurs is a fascinating and wonder-inducing study of species you have never met before.
Lights Before Christmas
When: November 17–December 31, 2023
Where: Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
Always a classic, and worth going back for more and more. The Lights Before Christmas at the zoo don’t disappoint, and they come up with new and creative ways to showcase their thousands of lights every year.
Thanksgiving Eve Nightlife Hotspots
Thanksgiving Eve can be a fun time as you catch up with old friends and prepare for a day of hardy food! So, if you are going out, here are some new places and some old favorites too.
419 Ale Trail
Tasting your way through the 419 Ale Trail is the best way to experience Northwest Ohio’s vibrant craft beverage scene! Here are just a few from the trail that have recently opened, and you won’t want to miss!
https://www.visittoledo.org/419-ale-trail/
Quenched and Tempered
1210 Jackson St., Toledo, OH
This downtown Toledo taproom featuring a beer garden was founded by a group of tradesman turned brewers who are passionate about quality craftsmanship over trending styles. Quenched and Tempered now has a regular menu of food items to pair with your brew!
Great Black Swamp Brewing Company
2250 Tedrow Rd, Toledo, OH
The second-oldest brewery in the area has a new home in south Toledo. Featuring 22 taps, wine, liquor, brewery, and tavern with one of the largest patios in town.
Earnest Westgate
3142 Central Ave. Toledo, OH
Earnest Brew Works Westgate is located in the Westgate Meadows business plaza, and is the third location which opened earlier this year. 18 beers are on draft, can be enjoyed in the taproom or out on the patio.
Wild Side Downtown
20 N St. Clair St. Toledo, OH
Built around the idea that great craft beer requires more than just water, malt, hops, and yeast. At Wild Side, they believe that people and pizza are also essential parts of the brewing experience. Enjoy craft cocktails and Detroit style pizza, among other tasty menu delights.
Toledo Nightlife Hotspots
The Alleyway
28 N Erie St.
Toledo, OH
The Attic on Adams
28 N Erie St.
Toledo, OH
Bronze Boar
20 S Huron St.
Toledo, OH
Chevy's Place
702 Monroe St.
Toledo, OH
Erie Street Rocks
117 N Erie St.
Toledo, OH
Ottawa Tavern
1815 Adams St.
Toledo, OH
Toledo Spirits
1301 N Summit St.
Toledo, OH
Ye Olde Cock n Bull
9 N Huron St.
Toledo, OH
Places to Grab a Bite
Ye Olde Durty Bird
2 S St. Clair St.
Toledo, OH
The Blarney Irish Pub
601 Monroe St.
Toledo, OH
PizzaPapalis
519 Monroe St.
Toledo, OH
THANKSGIVING DAY
Dave’s Turkey Chase
The annual Dave’s Turkey Chase 5K is the ideal Thanksgiving Day family fun run/walk. The event also includes a one-mile walk, a kids run and a virtual option — all to benefit Cherry Street Mission Ministries.
Black Friday
Recover from all that food, shop till you drop and fuel up for the day ahead while you experience exciting local events!
Rally of the Rivals
Friday, November 24, 2023 | 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. | Hensville & Fleetwoods Taproom
https://hensvilletoledo.com/rally-of-the-rivals
The rich history of the Ohio and Michigan rivalry dates back 200 years ago, when the two states battled over the coveted City of Toledo port. On Friday, November 24, generations of Buckeye and Wolverine fans will come together for the first-ever Rally of the Rivals. Join in to celebrate the historic border battle and one of the biggest rivalries in college sports.
Toledo Walleye Hockey vs. Kalamazoo Wings
https://www.toledowalleye.com/
Friday, November 24, 2023 | 7:15 p.m. | Huntington Center Arena
Don’t miss the Toledo Walleye take on the Kalamazoo Wings! Plus, Another fan-favorite is back! Stay in your seats during the first intermission as 2,000 turkey hats will be dropped from the ceiling around the arena!
See what’s brewing up in Toledo and fuel up for the day at one of the many wonderful local coffee shops.
https://www.visittoledo.org/blog/whats-brewing-in-toledo/
Shop local for that perfect gift on Toledo’s Holiday Shopping Trail. Toledo invites you to discover unique ideas and great finds among the local boutiques, malls, specialty shops and more. Make your plans today to shop the Toledo area!
https://www.visittoledo.org/blog/toledo-s-holiday-shopping-trail/
Among this list, I hope you found at least one thing you and your family can experience this Thanksgiving weekend. May your Thanksgiving and year bring abundance and joy. I hope Thanksgiving brings you reasons to be grateful, as I am so grateful for all of you that faithfully read this blog. Wishing you a harvest of blessings, good health, and good times.
