Michigan's best winter spots listed in must-try USA Today road trip

Winter in Michigan may be cold and snowy, but it also offers plenty of opportunities to see beautiful sights and enjoy a variety of fun activities with family and friends.

USA Today has compiled some of the best winter locations in western and northern Michigan for locals to explore. The road trip starts in the beautiful Upper Peninsula and weaves its way south — all the way down to southwest Michigan.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Address: 41382 W. M-123, Paradise

Michigan’s second largest state park includes 46,179 acres of land in the eastern Upper Peninsula. The park has two falls — the upper falls are about 200 feet across with a drop of almost 50 feet. About four miles downstream, you'll find a series of five smaller falls clustered around a small island. The park is accessible year-round and park workers provide a lantern-lit snowshoe path in the winter.

Headlands International Dark Sky Park

Address: 15675 Headlands Road, Mackinaw City

The grounds, trails and viewing areas of Headlands are accessible year-round. Visitors can stay throughout the night to view the stars, catch celestial events or glimpse the ever-elusive Northern Lights — but camping isn't permitted. The park has a stargazing house available for overnight rent. Visitors are asked to use red-filtered flashlights during their visit.

The stars aren't the only reason to visit Headlands. The park contains 600 acres of old growth forest, plus five miles of trails for snowshoeing. The Dark Sky Discovery Trail — a mile-long paved trail — features "cultural docents" from various points in history, indigenous artwork and regional photography.

Skybridge Michigan

Address: 1 Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls

The world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge opened in October and is available to cross year-round. The 1,200-foot bridge is 118 feet up and suspended between the peaks of McLouth and Disciples Ridge. The walking surface is five feet wide and includes a stretch of glass platforms halfway across for pedestrians to see the ground and chairlift below them.

Anyone who doesn’t want to cross the bridge on foot can see it from the ground. The bridge was constructed with LED lights that light up with various colors after dark. Learn more at boynemountain.com/skybridge-michigan.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Address: 9922 Front Street, Empire

One of the most popular travel destinations in northern Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes offers plenty of land for winter activities. Snowshoeing is allowed on all snow-covered dunes, fields and forests in the park, and guided snowshoe hikes are available.

There are also opportunities for skiing, sledding and ice fishing. Camping is available year-round. Learn more at nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/winteractivities.htm.

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

Address: 1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids

Meijer Gardens is a popular year-round attraction as a botanical garden and art museum. It also hosts a variety of winter displays and events.

The Seasonal Light Experience at Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater takes place through December. The “University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas and Holiday Traditions” exhibit runs through Jan. 8, 2023, featuring more than 40 international trees and displays.

Learn more at meijergardens.org.

Rosa Parks Circle Ice Rink

Address: 135 Monroe Center Street NW, Grand Rapids

Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids transforms into an ice rink during the winter months — offering a fun winter activity for the public. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children. The rink is open for the season until Feb. 26, 2023.

Skates are included with admission and are first come, first served. Skating sessions are 90 minutes each with resurfacing afterward. Learn more at grandrapidsmi.gov.

Downtown Holland

Address: Eighth Street, Holland

Downtown Holland’s unique snowmelt system allows for clear sidewalks during the winter months. There are more than 100 stores downtown and a variety of restaurants that attract visitors year-round, plus an ice sculpting event returning in early 2023.

Learn more at holland.org.

Ice Breaker Festival

Address: Downtown South Haven

The 29th Annual Ice Breaker Festival takes place Feb. 3-5 in South Haven. The event features ice sculptures, a chili cook-off, a cardboard sled race, a pub slide, outdoor ice skating, a disc golf tournament, s'mores roasting, a snowsuit fashion competition, a frozen fish fling and more.

Festival proceeds help local nonprofits and programming. Learn more at southavenmi.com.

Magical Ice Fest

Address: Downtown St. Joseph

The annual Magical Ice Fest in St. Joseph is also set for Feb. 3-5 in St. Joseph — offering a fun weekend of winter events. A professional individual carving competition takes place the first night, while a professional team competition takes place Feb. 4.

Other ice-centric activities take place that day, including tic-tac-toe, fish toss, ice bowling and ice throne (available all weekend). Magician John Dudley will perform three shows on Feb. 4. Visitors can see the completed sculptures Feb. 5. They can also participate in a scavenger hunt all weekend.

Learn more at stjoetoday.com/icefest.

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan. Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter, @Tess_Petoskey.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Michigan's best winter spots listed in must-try USA Today road trip