Top Winter Activities in Michigan

If I had a dollar for every complaint I've heard about Michigan winter...

When it comes down to it, we only enjoy the season as much as we allow ourselves to. Truth be told, I used to be one of those people who complain about Michigan winter. That was until I realized that there are enough winter activities in Michigan to do something new nearly every weekend in the off-season. 

If you look at the calendar, there are roughly 13 weekends between January 1st and March 1st. In honor of that "winter season," I've come up with 9 winter activities in Michigan to fulfill as many weekends as possible. 

Let's get ready for some winter fun!

1) Try Ice Climbing in Fenton 

There is an annual Ice Climbing Festival in Munising, but many don't realize you can give ice climbing a try on a manmade course right in the lower peninsula. The facility is called Peabody Ice Climbing and is the perfect place to have fun, try something new, and possibly find a new winter hobby in Michigan. 

2) Visit Grand Island Ice Caves

I know cold and brutal winters seem to last forever, but they also create some of the coolest ice caves in the United States near Munising in the Upper Peninsula. If you are looking to explore Grand Island Ice Caves, you will want to wait until late January or early February in order to give them enough time to for along the lakeshore.

In order to get to the caves, you will need to park at Sand Point caves and walk across the frozen bay of Lake Superior to the island. PLEASE do not attempt this if the ice is unsafe. 

3) Group Cabin Rental

Some of the best memories I have include grabbing a bunch of friends and renting a cabin Up North for the weekend. You can make the weekend about anything your friend group enjoys, whether that be a local brewery tour or a weekend spent hitting the slopes at Boyne Mountain Resort. 

4) Muskegon Winter Sports Complex

This is probably one of the coolest hidden gems in the entire state, The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex offers a handful of unique winter experiences that everyone can enjoy, including an ice skating trail and a luging course. You can check their trail conditions here before your visit.  

5) The Restaurant Tour 

If the weather isn't looking so great outside, I will often turn my sights to food and beer. I like to keep a running list of all the places I'd like to try and when winter comes, take a look and map out a weekend route to try a few out! 

6) Traverse City Weekend Getaway 

If you asked me to choose between visiting Traverse City in the summer vs the winter, I would choose winter 100x over. A fresh snowfall combined with the downtown lights twinkling throughout the holiday season give the town a picture-perfect Hallmark feel. Not to mention. the winter is considered the 'off-season' in TC, which means you save $$ on accommodation and you won't spend half your day fighting crowds at every location. 

7) See an Ice-covered Lighthouse

In the winter, gale force winds combined with freezing temperature often coat lakeshore lighthouses in layers of ice. If you've never seen a lighthouse in the winter elements, it should definitely be added to your winter activities in Michigan list. My favorite is Point Betsie Lighthouse: 

8) Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, or Downhill Skiing

For being a relatively flat state, Michigan has several ski resorts that offer a variety of winter activities for everyone. Even if you've never been downhill skiing (and don't care to try), ask about rentals for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, which nearly every major ski resort (Boyne, Crystal, Schuss) has.

9. Go for a Walk in The Woods 

It sounds simple, but there is something special about a pine forest during the winter season. Talk a walk into some nearby public lands and enjoy the peace and stillness that only comes during these quiet months in Michigan. It's a good place to remember to breathe and reset the mind during stressful times. 

What are your favorite winter activities in Michigan?