News

Let’s Go Play in the Snow!

West Michigan’s winter wonderland brings a world of adventure and fun. From hitting the slopes at popular ski resorts to enjoying the thrill of high-speed tubing, there’s something for every snow lover. Ice skating aficionados can lace up their skates, while cross-country skiers can explore picturesque trails in the area. And if exploring the outdoors isn’t your thing, West Michigan offers a plethora of indoor activities like; game nights, ropes courses, escape rooms, and more! West Michigan’s winter season is all about embracing the chill and making lasting memories with family and friends.

Click here to find more winter adventures.

South West Michigan

Harbor Country may look different in the winter versus the summer, but the mix of indoor and outdoor activities make it a year-round destination! Garden Grove Inn is a 7-room boutique Bed & Breakfast in the heart of Harbor Country, and they’ve got a solid list of reasons to visit this area all winter long! From hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing to beer, wine & spirit tasting, movies, culture & more – they’ve got you covered. 

Join Vineyard 2121 in Benton Harbor for game nights every Thursday. On the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, they deal the cards and shuffle up some Euchre fun. It’s a great way to test your strategic skills and build camaraderie with fellow players. If board games are more your style, mark your calendar for the 2nd Thursday of the month. Their Board Game Night offers a plethora of options, from classics to modern favorites. And for the ultimate challenge, the 4th Thursday is reserved for Trivia Night. Gather your team and prepare to test your knowledge in a fun and competitive environment. Game nights are a fantastic opportunity to unwind, socialize, and indulge in some friendly rivalry. 

Outdoor enthusiasts are sure to appreciate the winter activities that can be enjoyed in Saugatuck/Douglas. There’s simply nothing as invigorating as snowshoeing or cross-country skiing where you’ll get to explore miles of spectacular scenic trails that are incredibly stunning this time of year. For those looking for a bit of thrill and nostalgia, bring your sled for some frosty downhill fun for the whole family. For a more relaxing yet equally spectacular outdoor adventure, take a private horse-drawn sleigh ride through magical snow-covered woods. So bundle up and get ready to feel the crunch of snow beneath your feet.  

Coldwater’s Annual Winter Fest, Saturday, January 27th is fun for the entire family with cardboard sled races, live wood carving demonstrations, sled dog demos, a pop-up ice skating pond, and more! With more than 100 lakes, Coldwater Country offers countless opportunities for anglers. Need an incentive to drop a line this winter? Try it as part of the Free Fishing Weekend, February 17th & 18th. This annual weekend provides two days where no fishing license is required for residents or non-residents.So get outside and celebrate the winter season in Coldwater Country!

This holiday season, if you’re looking for thrills and adrenaline-fueled adventure, head to the heart of West Michigan and discover Allegan Event! Allegan Event is Michigan’s largest indoor high ropes course and offers endless adventurous activities for families and guests of all ages to explore. Attractions include the heart-pumping bi-level Sky Trail® ropes course, a smaller Sky Tykes® course for little children, and Clip ‘n Climb® walls. Stop by the arcade for more fun and games, refuel in the food and beverage area. The Grinch is coming to Allegan Event on Friday, December 22nd. Join your favorite green grump while he climbs, zips, and explores. He’ll be accepting high fives, posing for photo ops, and would like help spreading all the holiday cheer possible. 

Exciting winter activities in and around the Kalamazoo area! Whether you’re a fan of skiing, tubing, sledding, or skating, there are fantastic options to enjoy. Timber Ridge, Swiss Valley, and Bittersweet are fantastic choices for skiing and tubing, offering something for the entire family. For an adrenaline rush, don’t miss Echo Valley, where you can experience the thrill of tubing and tobogganing, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph. If ice skating is your passion, head to Millennium Park in Portage for a delightful and frosty experience. Winter enthusiasts of all ages will find Kalamazoo and its surroundings a haven for cold-weather fun.

This year Crane’s Orchards and U-Pick & Corn Maze in Fennville  is excited to announce their first ever drive-thru Holiday Light Show. Beginning November 29th through New Years Eve, load up the car with friends and family and join them for a scenic one mile drive through their orchard lit with holiday lights, decor, and props. Every prop has been laboriously hand-crafted, painted, and lit by Santa’s helpers; so a lot of love has been poured into creating a special experience for you and your family.

Central West Michigan

Full facility tours at IndiGrow in Muskegon are the perfect winter activity. Escape the blistering cold and enjoy their warm grow rooms filled with aromatic landrace strains. IndiGrow tours offer you a unique immersive experience into the world of commercial cannabis. Aimed at educating consumers and offering an experience like no other, IndiGrow tours are fit and fun for anyone 21+. 

Come celebrate your holiday party here at The Great Escape Room Grand Rapids. They have 6 exciting escape rooms and can accommodate groups of 2-15 per room, depending on the room theme you choose. All escape rooms are made private for your group! They also have gift certificates available to purchase online. They are open every day this holiday season except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 

Ludington’s numerous hiking trails turn into perfect playgrounds for winter sports when the snow flies. One of the most popular places for a winter sojourn is at 5,300-acre Ludington State Park. With 24 miles of hiking trails, multiple trails are groomed for cross country skiing, and other trails available for snowshoers to explore.

Earlier darkness in Grand Rapids means more time being dazzled by bright lights of the city, murals that transform under colors, a magical ice skating park & the Grand River bridges coming alive. Tours Around Michigan offers city tours that allow you to enjoy a mix of history, culture, and architecture. Learn about what makes this city so unique with stories from its past and present. Book your tour today.

Don’t let the winter weather slow you down. Holland provides the perfect landscape for outdoor enthusiasts. They have over 1,800 acres of parks for hiking, fat-tire biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Start your morning off by exploring the 2 miles of rich wooded dune trails and high bluffs that Mt. Pisgah offers, along with breathtaking snowy views of the beach and lighthouse, “Big Red.” These trails offer the perfect west coast winter adventure, but make sure you head back to town to re-fuel and drink, dine, and get cozy at any one of the restaurants in town. And never underestimate the amenities and luxury of a good hotel stay. For those who would prefer to stay out of the elements, enjoy downtown Holland’s one-of-a-kind boutiques and galleries, and hop from microbreweries to restaurants like Boatwerks Waterfront or the RedRock Grille for a culinary adventure.

Looking for something fun this winter to stay active? Eat, drink, and tee off at RedWater’s LiveGolf Studios. Whether you’re looking for a night out with friends, a unique date night, or entertainment for the whole family, LiveGolf has you covered! Complete the LiveGolf experience by enjoying delicious food and drinks while you play. Participating locations include:  LiveGolf Studios: Macatawa Golf ClubThornapple Pointe Golf Club, Thousand Oaks Golf Club, and Muskegon Country Club

Muskegon Luge & Sports Complex, Muskegon State Park is home to the only publicly accessible luge track in the country. Learn to luge on the 850′ ice track, then skate, cross -country ski or snowshoe miles of wooded and illuminated trails…right along the Lake Michigan shoreline!

Northern West Michigan & Upper Peninsula

Enjoy the great outdoors this winter by playing in the snow! Charlevoix averages around 120 inches of snowfall every winter, so you will get plenty of it to enjoy. The Charlevoix area’s winter recreation tops the charts in the Midwest with a wide variety of things to do. 

Conveniently located in Bellaire, Shanty Creek Resort offers a variety of winter experiences for the entire family. The four distinct villages within the resort – Summit, Schuss, Cedar River, and Hawk’s Eye – offer everything from downhill to cross country skiing, multiple terrain parks, a multi-lane alpine tubing park, and more.With more than 160” snowfall annually, snow-lovers love Shanty Creek. To continuously offer the best experience possible, Shanty Creek Resort is encouraging guests and visitors to plan ahead, purchase lift tickets and/or rentals online. To make reservations, visit their website.

Great news! Rentals are available for the winter season! Bellaire Property Management/ Vacation Rentals offers the perfect winter getaway for two people, families, friends and large groups. All rentals are conveniently located near Bellaire, making it easy to access all the activities and attractions in the area. Book a stay today! 

Each year, over 270 inches of lake-effect powder blankets the Keweenaw Peninsula. And as the locals know, if you don’t love snow, you won’t last very long here. So how do locals survive, and even thrive, through nearly six months of winter? Honestly, it’s all about having fun. All that snow, mixed with the region’s rolling terrain, forested wilderness, makes the Keweenaw an ideal destination for winter activities and sports like cross country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. And when it’s time to rest and recharge, stay at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, a cozy retreat that complements the winter adventure with comfort and warmth. Adventure North and see what they love about winter in the Keweenaw Peninsula. 

Newaygo County offers an extensive network of trails, encompassing more than 114 miles tailored to the winter adventurer’s delight. Whether you’re an ORV, ATV, or hiking enthusiast, their scenic routes and pathways cater to every taste. Experience the thrill of Fat Tire Biking, with trail options suitable for both beginners and experts, making it an all-inclusive experience. With its diverse terrain, Newaygo County remains a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. Come explore the natural beauty and embark on an adventure that will leave you with lasting memories.

Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville is the best place for outdoor winter activities! Ski and snowboard on 59 downhill trails including glade areas and terrain parks, enjoy 25k of Nordic ski trails, rent a fat tire bike, ice skates or snowshoes. Interested in learning a new skill? Crystal is equipped with equipment and certified snowsports instructors. With a special lift ticket deal on snow days, this is the place to be! 

One of the snowiest cities east of the Rockies, Marquette pairs a quiet town feel with fine food, award-winning craft breweries, quaint shops and an abundance of winter adventures. Marquette County is a winter wonderland featuring more than 150 miles of single-track trails for snowshoeing and cross country skiing, downhill skiing at Marquette Mountain, dog sledding and more.

Winter is on its way, and the best way to beat the winter blues in Michigan is by learning to love the snow! Head out to the Pine River Paddlesports Center in Wellston for a guided winter rafting tour through a winter wonderland. It is a unique, safe, and beautiful way to enjoy the Pine River and the snow! After your float, they offer you the option of a two mile hike along the gorgeous river-side Silver Creek Pathway back to your vehicles. Don’t feel like hiking? No problem! They’ll be happy to give you a ride back to the start. Convince your family & friends during the holiday gatherings this season to join you on a fun, snowy adventure this winter!

Nestled in the heart of Traverse City, Mt. Holiday transforms into a winter wonderland when the snow blankets the region. As the temperatures drop, this beloved destination comes to life with an array of cold-weather activities. Skiers and snowboarders carve their way down pristine slopes while taking in breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. The snow tubing hill provides exhilarating fun for visitors of all ages, and the well-groomed cross-country ski trails meander through the serene forests, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Mt. Holiday is not just a place for adventure; it’s also a cozy retreat where you can warm up by the fire, sip on hot cocoa, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow winter lovers.

During the winter months, The Highlands at Harbor Springs transforms into a picturesque snowy oasis, capturing the essence of a true northern Michigan winter. The slopes come alive as skiers and snowboarders carve their way through fresh powder, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The cozy lodge exudes warmth and comfort, making it the perfect place to relax and warm up after a day of outdoor adventures. Whether you’re a winter sports enthusiast or simply seeking a serene winter retreat, The Highlands at Harbor Springs offers a captivating escape, where the beauty of the season is on full display.