A winter vacation in Michigan has activities for people of all ages and interests, including cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and resting by a roaring fire.
A few enjoyable winter activities in Michigan include walking through snow-covered woodlands in the winter, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and frozen waterfalls.
If you’re seeking activities and cities in the Midwest, keep reading about the best family vacations in Michigan during the winter.
- Crystal Mountain Resort
Bottom of Form
This ski, spa, and golf resort location allows for simple ski-in and ski-out access.
Additionally, cross-country skiing trails exist. The abundance of dining, shopping, and activities at Crystal Mountain Resort makes it one of the top vacation destinations in the state.
You’re not a skier.
No issue.
Ice skating, snowshoeing, and horse-drawn surrey rides
- Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth, dubbed “Little Bavaria” of Michigan, is home to German architecture, yearly celebrations, a covered bridge, and various dining and retail options.
Bronner’s Christmas store, open all year long, is a great place to stock up on gifts and decorations.
Discover the German heritage of the city by visiting the Frankenmuth Historical Museum.
Go to a water park that is indoors with the entire group.
Visit one of the city’s renowned German noodle and chicken supper restaurants to indulge in a classic family feast.
- Traverse City
The “Little Bavaria” of Michigan, Frankenmuth, is known for its German architecture, annual festivals, covered bridge, and selection of dining and shopping establishments.
At Bronner’s Christmas, open all year long, it makes sense to stock up on gifts and decorations.
Visiting the Frankenmuth Historical Museum will help you learn more about the city’s German background.
Visit an indoor water park with the whole party.
Go to one of the city’s well-known German noodle and chicken dinner eateries for a traditional family meal.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
It is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan. Sleeping Bear Dunes, National Lakeshore offers breathtaking vistas of the frozen and snow-covered Great Lake.
While enormous dunes back Michigan’s best family beaches in the summer, these same dunes also serve as fantastic sledding and tubing hills in the winter.
Take a guided snowshoe stroll through the park or go cross-country skiing.
- Avalanche Bay at Boyne Mountain Resort
You should visit Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark if you prefer warm water—such as from a hot tub or a water slide—to cold water.
It is a fantastic option for families with a wide range of interests because it is a part of the Boyne Mountain Ski Resort in northern Michigan.
The biggest indoor waterpark in the state is Avalanche Bay.
In addition to a kid’s pool, there are slides, a lazy river, a surf simulator, pools, and hot tubs.
It’s the ideal option for Michigan families seeking water- and indoor-based winter activities.
- Grand Rapids
Families that enjoy urban living must visit Grand Rapids for a winter vacation in Michigan.
On the Grand River, the city provides entertainment during the winter for parties, families, and couples.
Visit a museum, explore some craft breweries nearby, go cross-country skiing in Millennium Park, or hit the slopes at Cannonsburg Ski Area with your friends.
- Mackinac Island
In search of lovely winter destinations in Michigan?
It is located on Mackinac Island.
The island is a romantic getaway or a family-friendly winter holiday destination, offering everything from horse-drawn carriage rides and tree-lighting ceremonies to bonfires, sledding, snow golf, and more.
Winter ferry service to Mackinac Island is sparse. Still, the island’s Victorian architecture, charming alleys, winter festivals, and frosty views of the Straits of Mackinac and Lake Huron make the trip worthwhile.
- Munising
Munising, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, is known as the “snowmobile capital of the Midwest.”
Along with snowmobiles, Miner’s Falls on Lake Superior is a well-liked place for ice climbing, sledding, and ice fishing.
Sandstone cliffs blanketed in icy snow and ice make up Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore’s winter landscape.
For cross-country and snowshoeing paths, go to Valley Spur.
The Munising Waterfall and a lighthouse are among the other locations.
- Holland
A community that has heated sidewalks is undoubtedly on the right track.
The town in question is Holland.
On the shores of Lake Macatawa, Holland provides a wide range of fun winter activities for the whole family.
Visit Holland State Park’s frozen beach setting and participate in winter activities, including cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice skating, as well as winter celebrations and European Christmas markets.
Visit the Holland Aquatic Center’s indoor pools if you or the kids become sick of the cold and snow.
Other attractions include the Holland Museum, the Nelis Dutch Village, and the DeKlomp Wooden Shoe and Delft Factory.
- Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Every season, the waterfalls at Tahquamenon Falls State Park are the park’s main attraction.
Winter offers the one-of-a-kind chance to visit a frozen fantasy world with shimmering ice sheets and spikes.
The 200-foot width and 50-foot height of the upper falls.
Around an island are five beautiful smaller waterfalls that make up the lower falls.
Bring your camera so you may record this frozen display of pristine beauty.
Tahquamenon Falls offers year-round camping, which will please your group if they like to camp in the cold.
Excursions for snowshoeing and snowmobiling are also possible.
