Mahoney State Park is fun in the summer and the winter! Whether you go on an unseasonably warm winter day (like we did) or on a snow-covered landscape kind of day there are activities for your family and you.
| Indoor Winter Activities at Mahoney State Park |
The Activity Center houses a giant indoor playground, an ice skating rink and a rock climbing center. The activity center has a cafe with the usual fast food fare: pizza, ice cream, drinks.
Indoor Playground
If you have lived in Lincoln for more than five years then your probably remember the Ager Center. Oh, how I miss it! Imagine the largest indoor McDonals-like playground and you have it. Turns out, there is an even bigger indoor playground at Mahoney. It is large enough for your older age elementary/early middle school kids to enjoy. There were parents climbing around in there (not my husband and I). There are fun tubes, slides, net bridges and ball pits. Cost to enter is $3 for kids ages 3-12 and $2 for anyone over 12 years old. Kids under 3 years old are FREE. Yes, adults do have to pay.
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Ice Skating Rink
Attached to the indoor playground is an outdoor ice skating rink. I really like this set-up because you can have kids at the play center and walk over and see the ice skating rink. Admission is $2 for kids and $3 for adults. Skate rental is $3 per person.
Rock Climbing Center
The rock climbing wall is enormous. My kids could do this for hours. It is not inexpensive but it is an all-day pass so if you want to do it a couple of times you can. The cost is $11 for adults and and $10 for children ages 12 and younger. Combo package for both areas (playground and rock climbing) is $12/person.
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| Outdoor Winter Activities at Mahoney State Park |
Sledding
Near the Activity Center is a sledding hill. The sledding hill is free (yeah!) Just bring your fastest sled and fly down the hill. There are no trees in the area to worry about your children running into which is a relief if you've ever had a child have a run-in with a tree while sledding. If there isn't snow on the hill, they will often make snow.
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Hiking
If it isn't too cold, Mahoney is a great place to just hike and walk. We like to stop at different playgrounds along the way and take in the sunshine and warm winter temperatures.
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Other Winter Activities
Depending on the weather there is also cross country skiing, ice skating, and ice fishing.
Where is Mahoney State Park?
Mahoney State Park is about halfway between Lincoln and Omaha. It takes us about 35 minutes to arrive at Mahoney. We live in central/south Lincoln. You drive East I-80 towards Omaha and take Exit 426. The signs will lead you to the park. Once inside the park, just follow the main road around to the aquatic center. You are able to see it from the road at various points. There is a huge parking lot next to it. There is a $7 day fee to enter Mahoney State Park or you can buy a year pass for $36.00.
