Northern michigan winter vacation
Northern michigan winter vacation
1. Crystal Mountain Resort
12500 Crystal Mountain Drive
Thompsonville, MI 49683
(877) 533-9935
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This ski, spa and golf resort is located right on the slopes for easy ski in and out access.
There are also trails for cross-country skiing. Crystal Mountain Resort has a wide variety of dining, shopping and activities make it one of the best vacation spots in the state.
Not into skiing?
No problem.
You can go ice skating, snowshoeing or take a horse-drawn surrey ride.
Of course, the spa is another nice place to spend an hour (or two, or three).
Related: Best Family Resorts in Michigan
2. Frankenmuth
Known as Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth features German architecture, annual festivals, a covered bridge and lots of dining and shopping.
Stock up on gifts and ornaments at Bronner’s Christmas store, which is open year-round.
Visit the Frankenmuth Historical Museum for a peek into the city’s German history.
Gather the whole crew and head to an indoor water park.
Feeling hungry.
Enjoy a traditional family feast at one of the city’s famous German noodle and chicken dinner restaurants.
Recommended Hotel: Marv Herzog Hotel
3. Traverse City
Traverse City, located along Grand Traverse Bay, is popular for its scenery and wide array of family-friendly activities.
It makes a great family getaway on Thanksgiving weekend with its holiday festivities that include light parades, carriage rides and a community Christmas tree.
Traverse City winter activities include the snow-covered trails of Sleeping Bay Dunes, the ski slopes of Hickory Hills and Mt. Holiday Ski & Recreation Area and tubing and sledding in local parks.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Howard Johnson by Wyndham Traverse City
4. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
12 Wood Ridge Road
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
(231) 334-2000
Located on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore features stunning views of the frozen and snow-covered Great Lake.
While the giant sand dunes back some of the best family beaches in Michigan during the summer, they make for super fun sledding and tubing hills in the winter.
Go cross-country skiing or take a guided snowshoe hike through the park.
Recommended Hotel: The Baywatch Resort
5. Avalanche Bay at Boyne Mountain Resort
1 Boyne Mountain Road
Boyne Falls, MI 49713
(866) 976-6972
If you prefer your water of the hot tub and water slide variety, rather than the frozen kind, you’ll want to check out Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark.
It’s part of northern Michigan’s Boyne Mountain S3ki Resort, making it a great choice for families with lots of different interests.
Avalanche Bay is the largest indoor waterpark in the state.
There are slides, a lazy river, a surf simulator, pools and hot tubs as well as a kid’s pool.
It’s the perfect choice for families looking for indoor and water-based things to do in Michigan in winter.
6. Grand Rapids
Michigan winter vacations for families who like city life must include a visit to Grand Rapids.
Located on the Grand River, the city offers culture, attractions and winter time fun for families, couples and groups.
Gather your gang and head to a museum, check out the local craft breweries, go cross-country skiing in Millennium Park or hit the slopes at Cannonsburg Ski Area.
Recommended Hotel: Embassy Suites By Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown
7. Mackinac Island
Looking for charming places to visit in Michigan in the winter?
You’ve found it on Mackinac Island.
From horse-drawn carriage rides and tree-lighting ceremonies to bonfires, sledding, snow golf and more, the island makes a romantic getaway or family-friendly winter vacation.
There is limited ferry service to Mackinac Island in the winter months, but it’s worth the trip for the Victorian architecture, quaint streets, winter festivals and icy views of the Straits of Mackinac and Lake Huron.
Recommended Hotel: Murray Hotel
8. Munising
Part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Munising’s nickname is the “snowmobile capital of the Midwest.”
In addition to the snowmobiles, this Lake Superior location is a popular destination for ice fishing, sledding and ice climbing at Miner’s Falls.
The winter scene at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore features sandstone cliffs covered in frosty snow and ice.
Visit Valley Spur for cross-country and snowshoeing trails.
Other sites include the Munising Waterfall and a lighthouse.
Recommended Hotel: North Star Hotel Pictured Rocks
9. Holland
A town with heated sidewalks definitely has the right idea.
Holland is just that town.
Located on Lake Macatawa, Holland offers lots of family-friendly winter activities within its charming Dutch atmosphere.
Visit the frozen beach scene at Holland State Park, and enjoy winter festivals, European Christmas markets and activities such as cross-country skiing, sledding and ice skating.
If the little ones, or you, tire of the cold and snow, visit the Holland Aquatic Center for indoor pools.
There’s also the DeKlomp Wooden Shoe and Delft Factory, the Holland Museum and the Nelis Dutch Village.
Recommended Hotel: Home2 Suites By Hilton Holland
10. Tahquamenon Falls State Park
41382 W M-123
Paradise, MI 49768
(906) 492-3415
The highlight of Tahquamenon Falls State Park in any season is its waterfalls.
Winter brings the unique opportunity to see a frozen fantasy land of sparkling sheets and spikes of ice.
The upper falls is 50 feet tall and 200 feet wide.
The lower falls feature a stunning array of five smaller waterfalls around an island.
Don’t forget your camera for this frozen spectacle of natural beauty.
If your crew enjoys cold-weather camping, you’ll be happy to know that Tahquamenon Falls offers year-round camping.
You can also take off on snowmobiling and snowshoeing excursions.
Recommended Hotel: Quality Inn & Suites