25 things to do in Michigan this winter: ice caves, skiing, festivals, and more

By Metro Times editorial staff on Wed, Jan 19, 2022 at 12:01 am

Our friends at Awesome Mitten have shared their new #MIAwesomeList ultimate winter bucket list with us.

You can read the full list, which includes more than 25 ways to explore Michigan, at awesomemitten.com, including more detailed guides to help you plan your experience — and also enter to win Michigan winter getaway trips through Awesome Mitten's winter #MIAwesomeList partners.

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#21: Savor the flavor of a hot pasty

Spread to Michigan’s U.P. by miners from Cornwall in the U.K., pasties have become a delicacy. They make delicious meals on their own, or you can get sweet varieties for dessert. Our winter bucket list includes a handful of places to get pasties whether you dine in or order delivery, including Kaleva Cafe (Hancock) Lawry’s Pasty Shop (Marquette), Cousin Jenny’s Cornish Pasties (Traverse City), Mr. Foisie’s (Cadillac), and Uncle Peter’s Pasties (Clarkston, Orion, and Shelby).

Photo by Lee DeVito

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#22: Explore a Michigan winter market

While most farmers markets are only open from spring through fall, several in Michigan are open all year long. The next time you want Michigan-grown produce and locally made products, head to one of these farmers markets or a winter market near you, including Holland Farmers Market, Fulton Street Farmers Market in Grand Rapids, Flint Farmers’ Market, Detroit’s Eastern Market, and Ann Arbor Farmers Market.

Photo via Shutterstock

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#23: Gather with friends together

Especially through the holidays, winter is a wonderful time to get together with friends, whether it’s for an afternoon or weekend getaway. Some things that we like to do with our friends throughout the season are afternoon tea, cozy bonfires, and swimming indoors.

Photo via Shutterstock

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#24: Eat & drink in an igloo

You don’t have to forgo eating and drinking outdoors with friends just because it’s cold outside. More and more igloos are popping up at restaurants, breweries, and wineries across Michigan. Add these igloo dining experiences to your winter bucket list: Bird’s Eye Outfitters in Sault Ste Marie, Hop Lot Brewing in Suttons Bay, Harvey’s Grill & Bar in Saginaw, Lumen in Detroit, Donkey Taqueria in Grand Rapids, and Dablon Vineyards in Baroda.

Photo via Hop Lot Brewing Co. / Facebook

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#25: Go ice skating in the Detroit metro area

If ice skating in Michigan is more your speed during the winter, metro Detroit has plenty of options, including Campus Martius Park Rink in Detroit, the Adams Butzel Complex in Detroit, Hutton Ice Rink in Grosse Pointe Park, the St. Clair Shores Civic Ice Arena, the Viking Ice Arena in Hazel Park, the Southfield Sports Arena, Riley Park Ice Rink in downtown Farmington, and the outdoor rink in Barnum Park in Birmingham.

Photo via Downtown Detroit Partnership

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