If you’re looking for a “snowcation” destination, West Michigan is a great place to visit. You can experience a winter wonderland that offers both indoor and outdoor activities.
I’m sharing more about fun things to do in West Michigan in the winter including some of my favorite places for your next winter getaway.
Try the Luge or the Ice Skating Trail at Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Complex
462 N Scenic Dr, Muskegon, MI
(Located in Muskegon State Park)
I’ve visited Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park several times year-round. I can’t say enough great things about it!
It’s one of the best places for the whole family to try winter sports for an affordable price.
An entire family can try various winter activities at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex.
Thrill seekers will definitely want to sign up for a “Learn to Luge” clinic where you can ride down the luge track.
If you prefer a slower pace than the luge you may want to try cross-country skiing.
There are both easy and advanced trails for cross-country skiers. The trails are lit up every night until the park closes in case you want to ski after dark.
There is a large natural outdoor ice rink where you can ice skate and play pond hockey.
You’ll also want to go on the ice skating trail through the woods on two acres of outdoor ice that’s also beautiful under the lights at night.
You can take a snowshoe on the Highlands Loop for a great view of Lake Michigan after a dune climb to the top.
If you need to warm up for a bit, hot chocolate is available for purchase onsite and there are fire pits for guests to enjoy during the day and at night.
If you have a large family the family season pass for Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Complex is an incredible deal. Everyone in the family household can enjoy cross-country skiing, skating, and snowshoeing all season long.
Visit Lake Michigan in the Winter
A visit to Lake Michigan in the winter is typically very cold and windy so be prepared!
It’s also an opportunity to see scenic sand dunes and beautiful formations along miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.
Depending on when you visit, you may see a beautiful beach or the beach could be covered in several inches of snow.
Our family loves to visit the pier at Grand Haven when we come to town in the winter.
The conditions for walking on the pier in the winter can vary depending on the weather. Sometimes the pier is walkable, and other times it can be dangerous, covered in solid layers of ice.
If you want to try ice fishing you’ll need to do that on one of the inland lakes.
A short drive from the Grand Haven pier, there is a local ski hill at Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl that you might want to check out.
Parents with kids always ski FREE for the WIN! The ski bowl has 5 rope tows to connect to 6 ski slopes with adjoining trails. Mulligan’s Hollow also hosts a Cardboard sled race in late January.
Visit a Local Craft Brewery in Grand Rapids
If you love craft beer, Grand Rapids has plenty of options earning the nickname “Beer City USA.”
The city boasts 80+ breweries on its Beer City Ale Trail that stretches beyond the boundaries of Grand Rapids in every direction.
Download the Beer City Brewsader app on Google Play or the App Store for more details.
If you use the app to check in to eight of the 40+ Brewsader breweries in and around Grand Rapids, you’ll earn an exclusive Brewsader t-shirt.
The app is also helpful for finding breweries, beer events, and beer brewery production tours.
Many breweries also have live music so check their website or Facebook page for upcoming events.
If you visit City Built Brewery, make sure you try their tacos and the “Brussels & Belly” appetizer!
If beer isn’t your thing, there are still plenty of local cideries, distilleries, and meaderies in the Grand Rapids area to choose from.
Attend the World of Winter Festival in Grand Rapids
January 10 – March 2, 2025
Downtown Grand Rapids
Bundle up and discover interactive outdoor art installations all over downtown Grand Rapids.
The event is the largest winter festival in the United States, featuring 100 outdoor art installations, free events, and activities over two months.
It’s also important to note that the ice sculptures and some art installations are only on display during specific dates of the winter festival.
I would also HIGHLY recommend checking out the overview of events before your visit.
If you plan on walking downtown, I recommend wearing snow pants because it can get COLD.
The World of Winter Festival provides locals and tourists an excuse to get out and enjoy the winter weather.
Many art installations are located along the Grand River, which makes a beautiful scenic backdrop.
If you need to warm up inside in between viewing art installations there are several coffee shops in downtown Grand Rapids.
Make sure you check the event map for the locations of the installations throughout the downtown.
World of Winter Festival installations can be found in the following locations:
- Ah-Nab-Awen Park
- 555 Monroe
- Canal Park
- Sixth Street Park
Ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids
Check their website for up-to-date information on the ice skating season at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids.
Go Snow Tubing, Snowboarding, or Skiing at Cannonsburg Ski Area
6800 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Belmont, MI
You can go sled riding at one of the Grand Rapids local parks or take it to the next level by going downhill skiing or snow tubing at Cannonsburg Ski Area. Please note that reservations are required for snow tubing.
Cannonsburg Ski Area is the perfect place for a great time on the slopes, only 20 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids.
Guests can also rent Borealis Fat Bikes and Dion Snowshoes to use on 4 miles of trails, groomed in the winter.
Visit Indoor Museums and Attractions in Grand Rapids
The local museums in Grand Rapids are a great way to enjoy the arts and learn about the local history and culture of the area if you need a break from the cold.
- Grand Rapid’s Children’s Museum
- Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
- Grand Rapids Public Museum
- The Gerald Ford Presidential Museum
- Grand Rapids Art Museum
Fun Things to Do in Northern Michigan in the Winter
If you want to venture farther up north, I’ve got more great ideas and places to visit in the winter.
Driving in lots of snow isn’t a problem with an SUV or an off-road vehicle.
As a Southerner, I’ve noticed that Western Michigan does a great job keeping the roads plowed during lake-effect snow storms.
Try One of the Winter Activities at Crystal Mountain
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI
(Located less than an hour from Traverse City)
Crystal Mountain offers fat tire biking and downhill skiing, and it even has snowshoe trails that lead to a sculpture park.
They don’t have sleigh rides, but they have horse-drawn surrey rides available by reservation through the resort if you want to relax and enjoy the ride.
If you’re staying at the resort, the outdoor hot tub is a great way to end the day after participating in outdoor activities.
Save on your stay at Crystal Mountain Resort Here
Waterpark and Winter Fun Boyne Mountain Resort
1 Boyne Mountain Rd, Boyne Falls, MI
If you’re willing to venture even farther north, Boyne Mountain Resort has a lot of winter activities. The resort offers downhill skiing, tubing, fat tire biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you may want to try sno-go biking or ziplining.
Save When You Book Your Stay at Boyne Mountain Resort Here
In addition to the winter activities, you can swim year-round at Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark with 88,000 square feet of slides and rides.
