These Towns In Michigan Come Alive In Winter
Michigan sits at the heart of the American Midwest, with shorelines on four of the five Great Lakes. From the far north of the state's Upper Peninsula to the far south near the Indiana border, Michigan has a well-earned reputation as a fantastic year-round travel destination. When the weather gets cold and the snow arrives, the "Great Lakes State" transforms into a haven for wintertime outdoor adventure and small-town holiday cheer.
Frankenmuth
It feels like Christmas all year round in Frankenmuth, so this town, founded by German settlers in the 1840s, is, of course, a fantastic winter destination. Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, advertised as the "World's Largest Christmas Store," anchors the Bavarian-style downtown area. Come December, though, it shares the spotlight with Frankenmuth's annual Christkindlmarkt (German holiday market). After experiencing the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, make time for a sightseeing visit to the town's covered wooden bridge (Zehnder's Holzbrücke). And be sure to return to Frankenmuth next fall for Michigan's most authentic Oktoberfest celebration!
Niles
Niles is only 25 miles from Lake Michigan, 90 miles from Chicago, and 6 miles to the University of Notre Dame, making it a great day trip base of operations. Also, once winter comes, Niles is just 30 miles from Swiss Valley, the only Michigan ski resort south of Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor. But there are plenty of reasons to stay in Niles and explore the "City of Four Flags" during winter as well. For example, once the holiday season has passed, Niles hosts the Hunter Ice Festival, showcasing ice sculpting and much more each January.
St. Joseph
Situated at the picturesque and strategic point where the St. Joseph River empties into Lake Michigan, the town of St. Joseph has long been both a commercial and tourist destination. The historic downtown area is perched on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, while the lakefront Silver Beach area includes amenities like a classic (and, conveniently for winter, indoor) carousel. Winter is full of fun events, including "Light up the Bluff" (light displays and more) from December to February, the Winter Beer Fest in January, and the St. Joseph Ice Fest in February.
Calumet
Calumet sits on the Keweenaw Peninsula that juts out into Lake Superior, in the remote western part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This former copper mining port town is a popular base for fall foliage tours in autumn but is also well worth a visit during winter. Nearby natural highlights like Queen Anne's Falls and Black Creek Nature Sanctuary take on a different but still magical look amidst the snow and ice. Meanwhile, back in town, the opulent 1900 Calumet Theater offers live shows through the winter, and the Copper Country Curling Club offers lessons for a unique cold-weather sport.
Copper Harbor
Copper Harbor is on the Keweenaw Peninsula, like Calumet, but is 35 miles further northeast at the tip of the peninsula, making it the northernmost community in Michigan. This far northern location and the dark skies over Lake Superior make Copper Harbor perfect for viewing the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) during the long nights of winter. Once the lakefront freezes over, Copper Harbor becomes a premier ice fishing destination, and dozens of miles of snowshoe and snowmobile trails surround the town. Mt. Bohemia Ski Resort is also just a short drive from Copper Harbor.
Marquette
The fact that Marquette, with a population of just over 20,000, is the largest community on the Upper Peninsula (UP) indicates the remoteness of Michigan's far northern region. As the UP's population hub, boosted by the presence of Northern Michigan University, Marquette keeps up a busy events calendar during winter. Highlights include ongoing holiday laser shows, a downtown holiday market in December, the long-running annual Ishpeming Ski Jumping Tournament in January, and the UP200 sled dog race in February. Marquette is also hosting the Winter State Games of Michigan in February 2024.
New Buffalo
Set directly across Lake Michigan from Chicago, and a 70-mile drive from the city, New Buffalo has long been a summertime escape for city dwellers. The tourist crowds vanish, and some seasonal draws (like Oink's ice cream and Redamak's hamburgers) close up the shop for winter, but New Buffalo is still a fun wintertime destination. The town's public beach is great for a snow-kissed stroll, or you can try hiking or sledding on the snow-covered dunes at nearby Warren Dunes State Park. New Buffalo's Four Winds Casino also hosts live performances throughout winter.
If your idea of winter fun involves skiing, snowshoeing, skating, or ice fishing, Michigan is a fantastic destination. And the same is true if your winter preferences tend toward enjoying a warm drink while strolling through a small-town holiday festival. The seven towns listed here represent just a small taste of the many Michigan communities that come alive in winter. So be ready to explore and add a few more towns to your list!
