7 Things to Do in Detroit This Winter to Get You Out of the House

We challenge you to brave the Michigan winter. It can be so tempting to pile up with blankets and hibernate during these cold winter months. However, there is still so much to do in Detroit from January through March! From fun winter festivals to indoor rock climbing; boozy brunches to museum exhibitions, there are plenty of reasons to get out of the house and enjoy Detroit this season.

Get Active

We know the temperatures are frigid, but there are dozens of opportunities to get your heart pumping in Detroit this winter. Try the classic ice skating at Campus Martius Park, or branch out and give indoor rock climbing a try at Gripz Gym. Or you could head to the Fowling Warehouse in Hamtramck and try fowling – a combination of football and bowling! It will take a minute to get used to hitting bowling pins with footballs. But once you do, victory is yours!

Brunch in Detroit with Your Friends

Detroit is home to some must-try brunch spots. Grab your friends and head out for an indulgent meal at restaurants like Red Dunn Kitchen or Hudson Café. There’s also FOLK, a trendy cafe in Corktown that serves up a rotating seasonal menu. And we can’t forget the Dime Store, which is arguably the most iconic Detroit brunch destination.

Go to a Detroit Festival

There are lots of reasons to celebrate in Detroit throughout the winter. Try the much-loved Fire & Ice Festival in Rochester in early January, where the skies are filled with fireworks and the streets are filled with snowshoeing, tubing, dog sledding, and food tents. In February, you can also check out the Quicken Loans Winter Blast in Campus Martius, complete with a massive slide, skiing, snowboarding, crafts and even a zip line. Or if you’re looking for something more musical, check out the Hamtramck Music Fest at the end of February, where some of Detroit’s favorite local bands rock out every year.

Quicken Loans Winter Blast

Check Out a Detroit Museum

Stay indoors and warm and explore Detroit’s museum scene. There are plenty of museums in Detroit. Some of the most popular include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Motown Museum, the Wright Museum of African American History, and the The Henry Ford museum.

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

Cozy Up with a Cup of Coffee

A hot cup of coffee is just what you need to cope with the freezing temperatures. Detroit is home to a thriving specialty coffee scene. Try the Narrow Way Café for a taste of true Detroit community and entrepreneurship, located on the Avenue of Fashion. Alternatively, Madcap Coffee in downtown Detroit is a Michigan staple for ethically sourced, unique brews. And if you’re near Eastern Market, be sure to pop into Cairo Coffee – perhaps Detroit’s coziest café.

Narrow Way Cafe & Shop

Go to the Movies

Winter is the best time of year in Detroit to catch a movie on the big screen. There are quite a few movie theaters in Detroit where you can settle in with your popcorn and pop for a blockbuster film. If you’re looking for something more unusual, the Maple Theater is your best bet for indie films, whereas the Redford shows classic films in a building that’s been standing since 1928.

Test Out a Craft Cocktail

It’s no secret that the craft cocktail scene in Detroit is blowing up. Bundle up and take the evening for a mini cocktail-crawl of the city. There are so many options to choose from, but Sugar House is always a top pick as one of Detroit’s original cocktail bars. Current favorites also include Evening Bar, Candy Bar, and Bad Luck Bar.

Don’t let winter pass you by. There is plenty to do in Detroit this season, so pull on your winter coat and boots and get out there