Detroit and the surrounding areas are known for having tough winters. From frigid temperatures to sometimes wild snowstorms, it might seem miserable in the area, but it doesn’t have to be.
In Detroit and the counties surrounding the city, there are a variety of things that people of all ages can do to have an incredible time in the winter. Fun events and things don’t have to take a break during the winter, and we’ll show you how to have fun.
The Rink at Campus Martius Park is open all throughout winter in the heart of Downtown Detroit with ice skating for everyone.
For those looking to be a little competitive, there is a broomball league every Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 10 pm. With all equipment provided.
Located right along the Detroit River, one of the newest parks in Detroit is hosting its second annual Winter at Valade every weekend through the end of February.
Every weekend features sledding, hot drinks for kids and adults, winter games like curling, fires, roasted marshmallows and much more. Best part, entry is free!
On top of the event every weekend, there are several special event weekends. Check out some of the ones to look forward to:
Jan. 14-16: Fire and Ice – Ice carving, an ice throne, techno dance party and more
Jan. 28-30: Winter around the World – International food trucks, curling demos, parade of nations
Feb. 11-13: Motown Love – Live music, carriage rides, date night in the park
Feb. 25-27: Mardi Gras at Valade: Second line Band, mask make, Creole-inspired cuisine and more
One of the biggest winter festivals of the year is in Downtown Plymouth. The Plymouth Ice Festival runs Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 14 with ice carving, ice festival bingo, different vendors and a ton of places to eat and drink. The sculptures will be available to view 24 hours a day and will also remain up after the event.
If you’re looking for a break from the cold, the historic Redford Theatre in Detroit has a variety of shows throughout the winter.
The theatre opened in 1928 and still has its original theatre organ, now taken care of by the Motor City Theatre Organ Society.
You can see a movie right in the heart of Downtown Detroit at Bedrock’s Monroe St. Drive-In. Next to Campus Martius, the theatre will hold movies every weekend through the spring with space for dozens of vehicles. There are also seating pods available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and concessions are available on site. Tickets are $20 per car, and walk-ins are available for free.
The Ford-Wyoming Drive-In in Dearborn is also open every weekend offering new movies and double-feature movies.
Photos courtesy of: Bedrock Detroit and Downtown Detroit Partnerships
In January and February, Bowers School Farm, part of the Bloomfield Hills School District, hosts a winter park with food, fire and much more.
One of the most popular things to do is snow tubing, which you can do during the day and under the lights. Tickets have to be purchased ahead of time, and cost $14 for a 50-minute tube rental each hour.
For those who just want to hang out with less action, there’s the Bowers Farm Kitchen. You can get hot coca, popcorn and specialty pizzas. You can also warm up next to the fire and roast s’mores, which you can also purchase from the farm kitchen.
Winter Blast is moving from Downtown Detroit to Royal Oak in 2022 but still keeping many of the same traditions. This year, it will take place from Feb. 4-6, 2022 near the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market and Centennial Park.
Organizers said while the location is new, the activities have not changed, and you can expect to see an outdoor ice rink, ice sculptures, live music, family activities, the winter slide and much more. Admission is free!
The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is open 362 days a year. In the winter, they are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and it will provide you a unique experience seeing some of the animals in the winter. In all, the zoo has more than 2,000 animals representing 237 species of amphibians, mammals, birds and reptiles. This time of year, the annual Wild Lights covers the park in holiday lights, making it the perfect experience for all ages and some really great Instagram photos.
Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill, located in Armada, is one of the best places to celebrate winter in the northern parts of metro Detroit for people of all ages. The Winter Wonderland features a synthetic ice-skating rink that is more than 2,000 square feet, a 25,000 square-foot outdoor gathering space with an open-air tap room with hard cider and beer, igloo dining, donuts, delicious food and more.
You can buy 50-minute skating passes for $15 skate rental is available for $5 as well, but you can bring your own skates.
Photos courtesy of Detroit Zoo and photo by Mark M. Gaskill, Winter Blast by Quicken Loans and photo by Bill Bowen
For those looking to have some thrills, metro Detroit and its surrounding areas have great hills for skiers and snowboarders, and even for those wanting to learn. Check out some of the best below.
Located in Clarkston, Pine Knob is open throughout the winter and has lift tickets for those who have their own gear, and also rentals for those who want to try it.
There are more than a dozen routes for everyone from beginner to experts.
In White Lake, Alpine Valley has 25 different slopes – 11 of which are beginner, 6 intermediate and 8 advanced. They also have rental gear available, and freestyle terrain parks for people to try some more advanced tricks.
In northern Oakland County, Mt. Holly also has more than a dozen different hills for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.
On the western edge of metro Detroit, Mt. Brighton has 24 different trails, 30% for beginner, 40% for intermediate and 30% for advanced and experts.
If you’ve ever wanted to try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, there are a ton of parks around metro Detroit where you do so! Belle Isle Park right in Downtown Detroit has plenty of opportunities and places to snowshoe or cross-country ski. There’s the Maybury Hiking Trial at Maybury State Park in Northville or the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area in Oakland County.
Also, there are Huron-Clinton Metroparks around metro Detroit with more than a dozen, so there are many close to you. They have plenty of opportunities to snowshoe, cross country ski or other fun.
Metro Detroit is filled with some of the best museums in the state and the country. If you want to escape the cold, there are plenty of things to do. Learn about the history of Detroit at the Detroit Historical Museum. You can learn more about African American history and culture at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The Detroit Institute of Arts features world-class art collections and a historic Diego Rivera mural. Finally, see some of the oldest and craziest artifacts from America at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.
Photo by Bill Bowen
While you might not be able to golf outdoors in metro Detroit during the winter, there are ways to keep your swing loose and fresh. Carl’s Golfland has two locations – one in Bloomfield Hills and one in Plymouth – where you can hit balls outside in heated bays. There are also a variety of indoor golf simulators like X-Golf with locations around metro Detroit. If the weather is warm enough, some courses might even be open!
Photos courtesy of Detroit Institute of Arts Rivera Court by Bill Bowen, Huron Clinton Metroparks cross country skiing photo courtesy of Huron Clinton Metroparks, photo courtesy of The Henry Ford
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