We tend to get stuck in the mindset of being stuck inside or having nothing to do during winter. For most throughout the state of Michigan, it’s dreary, cold, and there’s rarely any sun. But Michigan, itself, doesn’t stop during winter. There are so many wonderful winter activities to keep you and your family busy throughout the whole season, so let’s get out this winter!

Eat in a Pop-Up Igloo

Pop-Up Igloos took the state by storm during the winter of 2020 and have now become a winter staple. You can find them all over the state from luxury dining experiences to cozying up by the fire for a drink. Whatever the occasion, spending a dinner outdoors this winter can bring you some fresh air and fresh excitement for the season.

Visit A Holiday Market

Traditional outdoor Christmas Markets are beginning to pop up all across the state. You can find some with cultural influences such as Ann Arbor’s KindleFest, Frankenmuth’s Christkindlemarkt, and Holland’s Kerstmarket or some outdoor markets surrounded by stunning scenery such as the Canterbury Village Markets, Rochester Kris Kringle Market, and Downtown Detroit Markets. Whether you are headed out to do some window shopping and enjoy great food, or pick up last minute gifts for the family, you’re sure to find something for everyone and locally made products that support small families.

See The Best Christmas Light Displays

There’s nothing quite like the magic of glowing Christmas Lights. Christmas light displays have been an old tradition for families and now whole cities are even partaking the homey tradition. You can find individual homes, whole neighborhoods, and even city light experiences across the state to lighten your mood this winter.

Hit the Slopes

Michigan is well known for its lake effect snow arriving in abundance, this makes the state second in the nation in the number of ski areas. You can head to Crystal Michigan, Boyne Mountain Resort, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, or Mount Ripley, among many other wonderful resorts for skiing, snowboarding, and other things depending on the resort.

Enjoy a Nordic Spa Experience

After you finish hitting the slopes at Mount Bohemia, you can head to their Nordic Spa to enjoy winter in a rejuvenating traditional way. By alternating between hot and cold water exposure, followed by a relaxation period, you can promote longevity, beat the winter blues, and improve your health the Nordic way. You can enjoy a heated pool, cold pool + waterfall, Eucalyptus steam room, outdoor wood fired cauldrons, log cabin bar, and Finnish Sauna.

Try Fat Tire Biking

If you’re an active biker during the three other seasons, then winter shouldn’t stop you either. Fat tire biking can take you through the frozen landscapes. Crystal Mountain resort offers fat tire bike rentals, you can find many places in Marquette, Traverse City on the Winter Sports Singletrack, and many other trails at Michigan ski resorts.

Watch The Sled Dog Races

Each year, Marquette and the Keweenaw Peninsula gear up for their sled dog races after the holiday season, when snow is heaviest. Sometimes they even set up pre-race events to allow kids a chance to ride in a dog sled. These huskies are geared up and ready to run. They’ll have a blast getting out and working, you’ll have a blast enjoying the festivities.

Climb A Frozen Waterfall

Climbing a frozen waterfall is a major Michigan winter bucket list item. You can head to Munising to ice climb frozen waterfalls along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore or enjoy the Michigan Ice Fest with ice climbing opportunities for both beginners and experienced climbers.

Hike to the Eben Ice Caves

The Eben Ice Caves are becoming an ever popular destination mid-winter. Over the winter, the snow melts and then freezes over the Eben Caves, forming the Ice Caves pictured above. Although the caves themselves are in the Hiawatha National Forest, the trailhead is located on private property. They offer a small area for parking, porta pottys, and a snack bar. This private property allows for hikers to see the Ice Caves in about 3/4 of a mile, whereas it would’ve been much longer had the trailhead been located inside the forest. I highly recommend wearing ice cleats or renting them from Blue Moon Bar.

Go Snow Tubing

Snow Tubing is the latest craze taking over sledding hills. It’s just like sledding, without the snow in your face (and a much more comfortable ride down). You can find snow tubing at many ski hills, like Mount Ripley, Mt. Zion, and Snow and Snake. Many parks across the state are offering tubing only hills now too.

Enjoy Ice Skating

Campus Martius in downtown Detroit puts on a spectacle for the winter season, including a wonderful skating rink. The Dee Stadium in the Keweenaw offers free skating (no skate rentals). Or, you can find skating spaces in nearby parks! Make sure to pack a thermos of hot cocoa, bring your skates, and enjoy this winter activity.

Experience Snow Shoeing or Cross Country Skiing

The easiest way to get out of the house this winter is to just go find a trail and bring your snowshoes or cross country skis. Head north this winter to enjoy some groomed trails and wintery scenery around the Traverse City area, the Keweenaw Peninsula, or anywhere in between.

Staying Inside? Plan A Weekend Away

If getting out of the house feels like too much but much needed at the same time, maybe it’s time to plan a staycation. You can head to a winter cabin getaway somewhere or enjoy a stay at one of the many resorts and indoor waterparks across the state. Frankenmuth boasts two indoor waterparks that are perfect for families! The Grand Traverse Resort or Crystal Mountain Resort offer spa packages, fitness centers, and restaurants all on the property, making the perfect couple’s retreat.

Visit A Winter Event

From Michigan Technological Universities Winter Carnival to Grand Rapid’s World of Winter Festival, there are an amazing array of winter events throughout the season to keep those winter blues at bay and get you out of the house.

See The Blue Ice

It doesn’t occur every year, but some years you may be lucky enough to see the giant shards of light blue ice buildup around Michigan, with the most popular being at Mackinaw City. The ice appears blue due to the lack of air bubbles and how the eye perceives the ice, allowing the light to be undisturbed as it passes through the giant shards. Although this phenomenon is amazing to witness, be sure to take caution. The ice can be slippery, stack of shards may not be stable, and there’s always the danger of falling in hidden holes or thin ice.

Attempt To See The Northern Lights

Although you’re never guarantied to see them, November through February offers the darkest skies and longer evenings making it the perfect time for sky-gazing. If you can brave the dark chilly nights, keep an eye on the Aurora forecast because winter offers the best time to see the lights.

I would love to know, what’s your favorite activity in winter?

Ultimate Winter Bucket List For Michigan