30 reasons to love winter in metro Detroit

By on Sun, Jan 22, 2023 at 9:53 am

A beautiful snowy day on Belle Isle.
Evan Gonzalez, Detroit Stock City
A beautiful snowy day on Belle Isle.
We’re not going to lie: winter sucks, but if you can survive a Detroit winter, you can (probably) survive anything. The key to making it through the coldest and darkest days of the year is to laugh in the face of them and fully embrace the season. Here are some of the ways we keep busy as we count down the days until spring.
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Indulge in comfort foods Sometimes all you want is a nice home-cooked meal to make the winter blues disappear — even if it’s temporary. While your mom’s soup might sound amazing, you might not be in the mood to gather ingredients or cook for yourself. Fortunately for us, many Detroit restaurants offer the feel good foods of home without the exhausting meal prep. If you’re in the mood for soul food, head to Cornbread Restaurant & Bar (formerly Beans and Cornbread) or Urban Soul for all the feelings of grandma’s kitchen. If you need a vegan or vegetarian option, try out Seva or Detroit Vegan Soul. Or if you want to dive into a sweet escape, grab dessert from Good Cakes and Bakes, Cake Crumbs, or Detroit Cookie Co. —Alex Washington
Shutterstock

Indulge in comfort foods

Sometimes all you want is a nice home-cooked meal to make the winter blues disappear — even if it’s temporary. While your mom’s soup might sound amazing, you might not be in the mood to gather ingredients or cook for yourself. Fortunately for us, many Detroit restaurants offer the feel good foods of home without the exhausting meal prep. If you’re in the mood for soul food, head to Cornbread Restaurant & Bar (formerly Beans and Cornbread) or Urban Soul for all the feelings of grandma’s kitchen. If you need a vegan or vegetarian option, try out Seva or Detroit Vegan Soul. Or if you want to dive into a sweet escape, grab dessert from Good Cakes and Bakes, Cake Crumbs, or Detroit Cookie Co. —Alex Washington
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Snowshoeing at Belle Isle A popular destination in the summer, Belle Isle is Detroit’s island gem. But visitors often miss out on the serenity of Belle Isle in the winter. With trails that snake through the island’s more hidden parts, the island offers plenty of opportunities for adventure in the snow. Just slip on some snowshoes, and you’re likely to spot some wildlife and beautiful, peaceful scenery. —Steve Neavling
Evan Gonzalez, Detroit Stock City

Snowshoeing at Belle Isle

A popular destination in the summer, Belle Isle is Detroit’s island gem. But visitors often miss out on the serenity of Belle Isle in the winter. With trails that snake through the island’s more hidden parts, the island offers plenty of opportunities for adventure in the snow. Just slip on some snowshoes, and you’re likely to spot some wildlife and beautiful, peaceful scenery. —Steve Neavling
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Drink around a bonfire at Detroit Shipping Co. Who said bonfires are only for the summer and fall? At Detroit Shipping Company you can grab a bear and get cozy by the fire. If you start to get a little chilly, or just need something to eat, head inside the food hall to grab something from one of their vendors like Bangkok 96, Momo Cha,Coop Caribbean Chicken, Motorburger, and Halal Street. —Alex Washington
Instagram, @detroit_shipping

Drink around a bonfire at Detroit Shipping Co.

Who said bonfires are only for the summer and fall? At Detroit Shipping Company you can grab a bear and get cozy by the fire. If you start to get a little chilly, or just need something to eat, head inside the food hall to grab something from one of their vendors like Bangkok 96, Momo Cha,Coop Caribbean Chicken, Motorburger, and Halal Street. —Alex Washington
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Winter birding with Detroit Audubon Birding may seem like a summer activity, but hear us out. Not all birds fly south for the winter and for some, Michigan is their southern migration destination. Since all the trees are barren in winter, it’s easier to spot birds perched in them like our favorite nestling eagles on Belle Isle. Detroit Audubon hosts frequent winter birding field trips at Belle Isle, Elmwood Cemetery, and beyond. If you’re lucky, you may spot woodpeckers, winter waterfowl, or birds of prey. Detroit Audubon will supply binoculars, just dress in lots of layers and be prepared to wait and listen. —Randiah Camille Green
Randiah Camille Green

Winter birding with Detroit Audubon

Birding may seem like a summer activity, but hear us out. Not all birds fly south for the winter and for some, Michigan is their southern migration destination. Since all the trees are barren in winter, it’s easier to spot birds perched in them like our favorite nestling eagles on Belle Isle. Detroit Audubon hosts frequent winter birding field trips at Belle Isle, Elmwood Cemetery, and beyond. If you’re lucky, you may spot woodpeckers, winter waterfowl, or birds of prey. Detroit Audubon will supply binoculars, just dress in lots of layers and be prepared to wait and listen. —Randiah Camille Green
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Make a snowman No matter how old you are, when the snow hits that perfect consistency — just wet enough, but not too slushy — the urge to start rolling a snowball to create a snowman or your own snowy sculpture can be just too much to resist. Voila — for one magical afternoon, you’re an artist now. —Lee DeVito
Shutterstock

Make a snowman

No matter how old you are, when the snow hits that perfect consistency — just wet enough, but not too slushy — the urge to start rolling a snowball to create a snowman or your own snowy sculpture can be just too much to resist. Voila — for one magical afternoon, you’re an artist now. —Lee DeVito
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Listen to ‘It’s So Cold in the D’ unironically Aspiring Detroit rapper T-Baby’s 2008 track “It’s So Cold in the D” went viral on the internet for all the wrong reasons — but there’s a reason we still love it here. It really is so friggin’ cold in the D, and at least this catchy earworm offers some comfort. —Lee DeVito
Screengrab/YouTube

Listen to ‘It’s So Cold in the D’ unironically

Aspiring Detroit rapper T-Baby’s 2008 track “It’s So Cold in the D” went viral on the internet for all the wrong reasons — but there’s a reason we still love it here. It really is so friggin’ cold in the D, and at least this catchy earworm offers some comfort. —Lee DeVito
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Work out Beach bods aren’t made in the summer — they’re forged in the winter. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves to motivate our ass to hit the gym. —Lee DeVito
Shutterstock

Work out

Beach bods aren’t made in the summer — they’re forged in the winter. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves to motivate our ass to hit the gym. —Lee DeVito
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Warm up at a bar with a fireplace Winter is literally why they (whoever they are) invented fire. There are a number of cozy, cabin-esque bars in metro Detroit where you can warm up to a wood-burning fireplace. Our favorite is 3rd Street Bar (4626 Third St., Detroit). —Lee DeVito
Shutterstock

Warm up at a bar with a fireplace

Winter is literally why they (whoever they are) invented fire. There are a number of cozy, cabin-esque bars in metro Detroit where you can warm up to a wood-burning fireplace. Our favorite is 3rd Street Bar (4626 Third St., Detroit). —Lee DeVito
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Use your porch as a second fridge Another bright side to the cold weather: for a few months during the year your porch or garage can essentially double as a second refrigerator. Just make sure it’s not so cold that your beers will freeze, and be sure you bring in any food back inside in case the temperature swings above 40°F. Oh, and watch out for those pesky racoons. —Lee DeVito
Shutterstock

Use your porch as a second fridge

Another bright side to the cold weather: for a few months during the year your porch or garage can essentially double as a second refrigerator. Just make sure it’s not so cold that your beers will freeze, and be sure you bring in any food back inside in case the temperature swings above 40°F. Oh, and watch out for those pesky racoons. —Lee DeVito
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Freeze for a cause with a Polar Plunge Each year, the Law Enforcement Torch Run raises awareness and funds for the Special Olympics Michigan with a series of Polar Plunge events, where brave and generous participants raise funds to dive into icy waters. Detroit’s is scheduled for Friday, March 3 at Windmill Pointe Park in Grosse Pointe Park, where people will jump into the Detroit River for bragging rights — and a good cause. —Lee DeVito
Dan Mullen, Flickr Creative Commons

Freeze for a cause with a Polar Plunge

Each year, the Law Enforcement Torch Run raises awareness and funds for the Special Olympics Michigan with a series of Polar Plunge events, where brave and generous participants raise funds to dive into icy waters. Detroit’s is scheduled for Friday, March 3 at Windmill Pointe Park in Grosse Pointe Park, where people will jump into the Detroit River for bragging rights — and a good cause. —Lee DeVito
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Hibernate Sometimes you just gotta say fuck it and try again next month. Everything in nature takes time to recharge and renew. Some animals hibernate in the winter. Flowers, trees, and plants slow down in the colder months so they can flourish again in the spring. You can do the same — don’t let capitalism or FOMO fool you into thinking you always have to be active and productive. It’s OK to hole up at home with a hot cup of tea or a good ole’ Netflix binge on your ex’s account and enjoy your own company. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. —Randiah Camille Green
Shutterstock

Hibernate

Sometimes you just gotta say fuck it and try again next month. Everything in nature takes time to recharge and renew. Some animals hibernate in the winter. Flowers, trees, and plants slow down in the colder months so they can flourish again in the spring. You can do the same — don’t let capitalism or FOMO fool you into thinking you always have to be active and productive. It’s OK to hole up at home with a hot cup of tea or a good ole’ Netflix binge on your ex’s account and enjoy your own company. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. —Randiah Camille Green
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