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Uncover the wonder of Michigan in winter with our complete travel and activity guides. Find the best spots for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, and festive winter events across the state. From charming small towns to breathtaking snow-covered landscapes, our winter category helps you plan family trips, holiday escapes, and seasonal adventures in Pure Michigan.
No matter where your interests lie, there are fun things to do in Michigan. Michigan attractions range from the natural (think towering sand dunes or Isle Royale) to popular tourist attractions like the Detroit Institute of Arts or the Henry Ford Museum. You kind visit a Michigan museum or discovery center, or try exciting outdoor activities like boating, swimming, hiking, and even dog sledding.
If you’re in need a romantic getaway or relaxing beach vacation, the cozy Saugatuck hotels and Bed and Breakfast’s are just what you need.
The winning combination of stunning landscapes studded with sandy dunes and Lake Michigan combined with a vibrant downtown filled with one-of-a-kind boutiques and wineries, breweries and restaurants has everyone planning an escape to this vacation hideaway in west Michigan, not far from Grand Rapids, MI.
Traverse City is located in Michigan’s Northwest Region of the Lower Peninsula and is home to miles of picturesque hiking and biking trails, endless local breweries and wineries, miles of sandy shores along turquoise blue waters, and a quaint downtown life perfect for shopping, enjoying local restaurants, and family fun!
Detroit’s Belle Isle Aquarium is one of southeast Michigan’s best-kept secrets.
Want to go eye-to-eye with a Moray Eel? Or have an unforgettable encounter with an Albino African Clawed Frog? How about peeking in on some Michigan Gar Pike?
You can do all of these things at the Belle Isle Aquarium, a family-friendly aquarium on Belle Isle in Detroit. You’ll find a huge collection of fish from the Great Lakes region, and get an up close look at some local species of fish and other aquatic life.
Read on to discover everything you need to plan a visit to this amazing public aquarium in southeast Michigan.
Welcome to Holland, the west Michigan home to tulips, beach towns, and one great trip idea! When you visit Holland, there are some essential things you have to do before you leave. We know the highlights of this beautiful little town, and we don’t want you to arrive unprepared.
Whether you’re going for a Holland day trip or planning to stay a few nights, we’ve got you covered.
For Metro Detroiters, the perfect destination for a quick getaway is a short drive to downtown Detroit to visit the jewel of the city, Belle Isle.
Belle Isle State Park, a spectacular 982-acre island in the middle of the Detroit River, is the perfect example of natural beauty in the midst of a metropolis.
Quick Answer: Michigan offers winter experiences you simply can’t find in most states: riding an Olympic-style luge at Muskegon…
The Ice Festival in Plymouth is a great opportunity to bundle up and embrace Michigan’s winter weather while you wander Plymouth taking in the icy works of arts from world-class ice sculptors. I’ve spent a lifetime in Plymouth and can tell you that the Plymouth Ice Festival is truly a highlight of the winter season.
These Michigan winter resorts and hotels are a perfect escape when the cool weather hits and snowy winter sports beckon. The best news? They all have different price points, so you can find the one that fits your budget best and still have lots of winter fun.
Sure, you may have visited these spots in the summer, but winter brings even more opportunity to get outdoors and explore. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend trip idea or simply craving a cool outdoor adventure, there are plenty of hotels and resorts in Michigan for you to enjoy a fun winter activity or relax and take in the stunning beauty of Michigan in the winter.
There’s no better way to take in the natural beauty of Michigan than on a pair of cross country skis.
Imagine gliding through pristine forests under snow-capped pines and a bright blue sky; the peaceful sounds of nature surrounding you. It’s no wonder that cross country skiing in Michigan is one of the fastest-growing winter activities. It’s almost the perfect winter sport: easy to learn; relatively inexpensive (especially compared to downhill skiing and snowboarding); and great exercise.
There’s nothing quite like wintertime in Michigan, when the frozen lakes and fresh snowfall turn the whole state into a sparkling winter wonderland.
Along the Great Lakes coastlines, the icy-blue water rolls onto the shores and piles up to create naturally-spectacular scenery that is both breathtaking and other-worldly.
The rolling hills and forests are also softly blanketed in snow and make a giant winter playground for kids and adults alike.
Winter is a great time to travel Michigan, exploring some favorite places, and discovering new
As the snow begins to fall across Michigan, it’s time to gear up for some Michigan-style winter fun.
Whether that means relaxing at a cozy bed and breakfast with a warm whirlpool tub, taking a sleigh ride across a snowy field of rolling hills, or skiing down a perfectly-groomed mountainside, you can find a perfect winter getaway in Michigan.
Forget the crowded slopes of the Rockies or the exorbitant price tags of the Alps and head to these aweseom Michigan ski resorts. Michigan, affectionately nicknamed the “Mitten State,” holds a secret weapon in its winter arsenal: pristine powder, thrilling downhill runs, and a cozy charm that warms the soul.
We all know that Michigan State Parks are a special treat for summer visitors, but did you also know that they’re a perfect spot for a wonderful winter getaway?
Michigan State Parks are a special place in winter: the cabins become cozier, the trails become calm and the still silence of the woods is broken only by the crunching of snow underfoot as you explore the awesome beauty of the open land.
My first Michigan winter festival memory is etched in frost: bundled up like a marshmallow, giggling as I tumbled…
Quick Answer: Michigan has 25+ amazing snowshoeing trails across all regions. Best overall: Sleeping Bear Dunes (stunning Lake Michigan…
Once the crisp winter Michigan air sets in, it’s time to break out our favorite hot cocoa mug and start making plans for snow days even before they happen.
Snow tubing is one of the most exhilarating ways to spend a snowy afternoon in Michigan. The best part of snow tubing? The lack of skill you need to have the most fun you’ll ever have: sit on a tube atop a snowy hill and down you go!
Make one of these pure Michigan spots your go-to snow day location. Whether you’re more of a thrill-seeker or whether you like a leisurely ride down a scenic mountain, you’re sure to fall in love with it.
If you need a winter escape or quick getaway to reset, look no farther than New Buffalo, Michigan, in southwest Michigan’s Harbor Country. While a lot of people flock to the shores of this Lake Michigan beach town in the summer, I like to visit off-season, when it’s a little less crowded.
A toboggan is a simple flat-bottom sled made with wooden boards that curl up at the front. Traditionally a toboggan was used by the Innu and Cree tribes of northern Canada for transportation, but now it’s often used to slide from the top of the hill, all the way down its snow-covered slope for fun and thrills.
Michigan winters are truly special, with vast evergreen forests blanketed with layers of white, fluffy snow creating a perfect icy backdrop. During the winter months, areas along the Michigan coastline become a snowy tundra as the Great Lakes freeze and become even greater.
Michigan transforms into a winter wonderland during the holidays, offering unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else. From heated…
Visiting Michigan Christmas markets is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and start your holiday shopping. If you’re a fan of Michigan-themed gifts and/or artisan-made items, these markets are a great place to find special goods.
Whether you’re bundled up and enjoying a bustling outdoor holiday market or browsing an indoor market, visiting an amazing Michigan Christmas is one of my favorite ways to get in the holiday spirit.
Read on for 20 Amazing Top Michigan Christmas Markets.
For a family-friendly Christmas celebration, head to the mid-Michigan and the Village of Ashley’s Country Christmas soon. This charming small town, just northeast of Lansing MI, turns into a Christmas village with decorations so festive that you’ll think you’ve landed at the North pole.
You don’t have to look far for the best Christmas towns in Michigan, especially during the holiday season. The entire state is practically a Hallmark Christmas movie come to life, especially once the Christmas lights go up and that first snow sticks to the ground.
All around the state, communities large and small celebrate the season in their own unique and charming ways, from one-of-a-kind train rides, to year-round Christmas cheer, and everything in between. With twinkling Christmas light displays, Christmas markets and holiday cheer all around, these Christmas towns in Michigan become a Christmas wonderland.
Over the past few years, I’ve developed a stong affinity for Michigan wines. Starting with the popular Blue Heron from St. Julian Wineries, I explored the whites from Leelanau Cellars’ Winter White to the award-winning Late Harvest Reisling from Grand Traverse, before moving to the reds like Red House Red by Black Star Farms.
Michigan Destinations for Budget-Friendly Getaways If you’re like me, you want to experience the best of Michigan without worrying…
Planning your Michigan girls weekend getaway?
You’re in for a treat. There is no better place to unwind and celebrate friendship than with a pure
Michigan girls’ trip!
Whether it’s southwest Michigan’s art coast, exploring the northern Michigan wineries or hiking through
the trails Sleeping Bear Dunes, there is no shortage of fun getaway ideas for a much-needed girls’
weekend.
Have you ever been to a maple syrup festival in Michigan and seen how pure maple syrup is made? Delicious maple syrup doesn’t come from a log cabin: it comes straight from the maple tree.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of the most well-known treasures of Michigan in the warmer months of the year, but many people don’t realize all of the things to do in Sleeping Bear Dunes in the winter. Northern Michigan is a site to see any time of year, but the dunes are a must-do activity for the whole family in the wintertime. There’s no need to stay cooped up inside when you have 65 miles of shoreline and 100 miles of trails stretching from Empire to Glen Arbor to experience.
Located just 30 minutes from Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes is perfect for a winter romantic getaway, a kid friendly outdoor adventure or even family reunions and holiday events. If you’re looking for some perfect winter trip ideas, follow the winter trail to Leelanau County and the snowcovered dunes of Sleeping Bear Dunes. I’m sharing a visitors guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes winter activities, so get ready for some pure Michigan fun.
Michigan’s cozy location, nestled between the Great Lakes, has fostered a strong sense of maritime culture and history.
Our coasts are sprinkled liberally with more lighthouses than any other state in the U.S. and many of those lighthouses are now considered historic treasures. For ages, these beacons of safety have warned sailors of hazards and guided them through perilous waters to shelter.
As the snow begins to fall across Michigan, it’s time to gear up for some Michigan-style winter fun.
Whether that means relaxing at a cozy bed and breakfast with a warm whirlpool tub, taking a sleigh ride across a snowy field of rolling hills, or skiing down a perfectly-groomed mountainside, you can find a perfect winter getaway in Michigan.
If you’re looking for the most extreme skiing in Michigan, head to Mount Bohemia, home to the largest vertical drop in the Midwest. It’s true: Keweenaw County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is black diamond heaven for expert skiers.
One of the things that I love best about visiting Michigan’s Harbor Country in the winter is that I feel like I have the place to myself. Of course, that’s not true but it’s just so peaceful here. The pace slows down, and the snow gives the area a winter wonderland effect. New Buffalo, Sawyer, Grand Beach and all of the other towns along the shore of Lake Michigan that make up Harbor Country really do look like a magical fairyland.
Tucked away in northeast Michigan along the shores of Lake Huron, Alpena may be one of Michigan’s best-kept secrets. Surrounded by the Great Lakes, inland lakes, rivers, and natural forests, there’s a lot of outdoor fun to be had here in the winter.
Looking to hear those sleigh bells jingling this winter? And maybe hear them ring tingle tingling, too?
You’re not alone: Michigan is one of the top spots in the country to take a fairytale-like ride through a wintery wonderland.
There’s nothing quite like dashing through the snow on a glee-filled joy ride with that special someone, and Michigan offers countless places to enjoy an exhilarating winter Sleigh Ride.
Whether you’re looking for trip ideas, a special Michigan holiday activity, quick winter getaway, or simply a winter activity road trip, check out these fabulous sleigh rides in Michigan.
From the Upper Peninsula to northern and west Michigan, these affordable Michigan sleigh rides will be a highlight of your Michigan winter.
Shhhh…we’re going to let you in on a Michigan best-kept secret: Alpena, MI.It’s one of Michigan’s best beach towns, and it’s tucked away on the Lake Huron coastline in a tiny pocket of northeast Michigan in Alpena County. Set on the dramatically scenic and aptly named Thunder Bay, the city of Alpena MI is an outdoor-lovers paradise and pure Michigan natural beauty.
With the end of summer comes the end of swimming at the great beaches of Michigan, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of swimming and water fun all together.
Michigan is home to many water parks so you, your friends, and your family won’t have to say goodbye to aquatic fun just yet.
Whether you’re a chaotic date night enjoyer, or you’re looking for a fun family activity, Michigan’s indoor waterparks are a perfect choice.
Looking to plan an unforgettable vacation at a Michigan resort?
Whether you’re a Michigan native or visiting from out of state, these pure Michigan resorts are guaranteed provide a dream getaway and leave you with cherished memories.
Discover a world of adventure and relaxation as you explore the picturesque surroundings, engage in thrilling outdoor activities like relaxing on a Michigan beach, cross-country skiing and hiking, indulge in rejuvenating spa treatments, or perfect your swing at one of the premier golf resorts.
As the largest of Michigan’s grape-growing regions, the southwest corner of the state is home to some of the best wineries in Michigan.
Located in the Lake Michigan Shore AVA ( American Viticultural Area), this wine region produces some of the most diverse wines in the state, thanks to the “lake effect” weather along the Lake Michigan coastal area.
Collectively, these southwest Michigan wineries make up the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, a cluster of wineries surrounded by endless Michigan vineyards, farms, and orchards.
We’re not ALL about the beaches in Michigan: we’ve got more than 25 zoo’s and aquariums throughout the state just waiting for your to explore. So take a walk on the wild side and explore one of these spectacular sanctuaries of wildlife.