Affordable and fun things to do in the outdoors in Michigan.

Just look at the smile and twinkle in the eye of a small child when they see the snow falling down. Snow means more than icy roads and chilly winds. Most of the time, the snow provides the perfect backdrop for family fun – and Michigan is a winter playground! So embrace the cold, embark on an adventure, and maybe get a little exercise – playing outside is an experience like no other.

Learn about the night sky, together.
The quiet of a cold winter’s night is unlike any other. It’s peaceful, lonely, but for adventurous learners, it sets the tone for taking in the stars and planets. Find a spot tucked away and protected from too many lights – a hill or a secluded beach will do. Bring a star guide. Spend the time searching for constellations, counting satellites, and simply enjoying the quiet.

If stargazing isn’t your thing, then wait until the aurora is expected to make an appearance. Michigan is far enough north that these dancing lights are often visible, and they seem to color the once-white landscape beneath them with hues of green, pink, and purple. For these outdoor winter expeditions, wear extra clothing and bring a thermos with hot chocolate or cider along.

Many preserves and recreational areas are closed after sunset, so you may need to find your own spot to experience the grandeur of the night sky. Some of the best spots are designated dark sky preserve sites; however, you may have to wait until spring to visit some of them. These are:

  • Lake Hudson Recreation Area, Clayton: You’ll need a Michigan state park permit.
  • Tawas Point State Park, East Tawas: Typically only accessible by those who camp at the campground, which may not be open in winter.
  • Lumberman’s Monument National Forest Service Campground and Park, Cadillac: May not be open in the winter.
  • Fox Park Public Observatory, Potterville: The park can only be used when the observatory is occupied. Visit www.foxobservatory.org for more information.

In February 2016, three more areas were designated as dark sky preserves:

  • Rockport State Recreation Area located in Presque Isle and Alpena counties, Negwegon State Park in Alpena and Alcona counties, and Thompson’s Harbor State Park in Presque Isle County.
    A year-round spot is the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Emmet County (northwest Michigan), where families are welcome to explore the area after nightfall. There are many free tours and programs during the year as well. Any night can show off the sky’s brilliance, but it’s an especially popular spot when the northern lights or a meteor shower is expected.

Go ice skating.
Michigan is the land of thousands of lakes, ponds, and rivers, many of which freeze over with the deep chill of winter if you really want to go ice skating “the old fashioned way.” You might need to bring your own shovels to clear a skating area at the chosen destination. Always check to make sure that the ice is thick enough to handle such activity. Check the Michigan DNR’s weekly fishing report (for ice fishing) for updates from locals about the condition of the ice.

However, there are many other places to skate in towns and cities that are well-maintained and offer skate rentals at low rates. We’ll focus on some of the outdoor rinks here.

Upper Peninsula: Marquette Commons Ice Rink, Marquette: Open Thursday-Sunday from noon to 9pm. Located downtown, it’s free to skate here, plus you can hang out in the warming hut.

Northwest: Walloon Village Ice Skating Rink, Walloon Lake: Rent skates or bring your own at this beautiful rink near the shores of the lake located near Lake Michigan. Call 231-535-6039 if you need additional information on hours and conditions.

Thumb: Caseville County Park, Caseville: The village park has an outdoor rink come the winter months.

Southwest: Millennium Park, Portage: This is the first refrigerated outdoor rink in southwest Michigan, which is great when the winter isn’t consistently cold. Visit the town of Portage’s website for hours and conditions. Skate rentals are available.

Southeast: Kensington Metropark, Milford: Bring your own skates and enjoy the open air at Kensington Metropark. It’s open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and holidays, depending on weather conditions. Skating is free, but there a small fee to enter the park for the day. Call 810-227-8910 for conditions. A heated boat rental building is nearby so that you can warm up afterward.

Hit the slopes.
Not skiing, but sledding. There are various hills around Michigan where you and your clan can take the sleds and spend a couple hours racing one another.

Upper Peninsula, Iron Mountain: The city park has a lighted sledding hill open all winter long.

Northwest: Charlevoix: Mount McSauba looks over Lake Charlevoix and has a lounge on-site. The hill is lit for night sledding.

Northeast: Oscoda: Old Orchard Park has a public winter sports park perfect for enjoying a fun afternoon.

Southwest: Holland: The historic Van Raalte Farm has been a favorite sledding spot for generations. Open from dawn until 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturday).

Southeast: Westland: Middlebelt Hill in Wayne County is just 16 miles from Detroit and has a reputation for being a fun place to sled as well as a beautiful place to visit. There’s also a pavilion where the family can enjoy lunch or a snack al fresco.

A list of many of the hills in the greater Grand Rapids area can be found at: grkids.com. There’s also a decent list available at www.sledmi.blogspot.com, which breaks down sites by region.