Are the winter blues hitting you hard this season? It can be difficult to go outside and enjoy yourself as that brisk, cold air hits your face. You can make this winter fun by trying new things outdoors or keeping yourself busy as you wait for the warmer months.
Here are five things you can do this winter to help keep your head high and help occupy your time as you wait for Spring.
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Go skiing, snowboarding
Feeling adventurous or seeking some thrill during the winter season? There’s a few ski and snowboard resorts in Metro Detroit designed to be fun for the whole family. Here’s a list of ski resorts in Metro Detroit:
Mt. Holly - Holly
Ticket prices vary by day, night and full day sessions. Check Mt. Holly’s website for more information.
This resort offers ski, snowboard and helmet rentals.
Pine Knob - Clarkston
Ticket prices vary by day, night and full day sessions. Check Pine Knob’s website for more information.
This resort offers ski, snowboard and helmet rentals.
Alpine Valley - White Lake
Ticket prices vary by day, night and full day sessions. Check Alpine Valley’s website for more information.
This resort offers ski, snowboard and helmet rentals.
Mt. Brighton - Brighton
Ticket prices vary depending on which day you go. Check Mt. Brighton’s website for more information.
This resort offers ski, snowboard and helmet rentals.
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Never went skiing or snowboarding? Don’t worry, all four resorts mentioned offer lessons and Mt. Brighton has a beginner’s guide.
Visit indoor water parks
If you or your children are missing summer, indoor water parks may fill that void as you wait for the warmer months to come. There’s a few in Metro Detroit that’s open in the winter:
*Hours, prices vary
- Summit on the Park’s Aquatic Center - Canton
- The Hawk Aquatics Center - Farmington Hills
- Macomb Township Aquatics Center - Macomb
- Romulus Aquatics Center - Romulus
- Troy Community Center - Troy
- Warren Community Center - Warren
Go ice skating
This is something many people want to do to check off their bucket list during the winter time. Instead of risking your life by gliding across a lake, there are places in Metro Detroit where you can safely ice skate this winter. Here’s just a few:
The Rink at Campus Martius Park
This outdoor family-friendly ice skating rink is located at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit. It’s open seven days a week, ticket prices starting at $8. Skate rentals are available for $6.
The Rink at Royal Oak
Downton Royal Oak’s official outdoor ice skating rink is open six days a week until Feb. 17, 2025. Ticket prices begin at $10, and skate rentals are $5.
Dodge Park Ice Rink - Sterling Heights
Dodge Park Ice Rink is open seven days a week, expect for weather closures, with sensory friendly Sundays.
This rink is free for Sterling Heights resident with valid ID. For non-residents, tickets are $5 per person. Skate rentals cost $4.
Go snow tubing, sledding
This is an activity everyone of all ages can find fun in—there’s not a whole lot of skill to go into snow tubing or sledding.
You could just slide down a hill in your backyard, but that can get boring fast. There’s various sledding places across Metro Detroit that has different slopes catered to everyone’s comfort. Here’s a small list of places you can visit:
- Bowers School Farm - Bloomfield Hills
- Deadman’s Hill - Westland
- Located at 28558-29252 Edward N Hines Drive in Westland
- Balduck Park - Detroit
- Located 5271 Canyon Street in Detroit
- Civic Center Park - Madison Heights
- Located at 360 W 13 Mile Road in Madison Heights
- Beverly Hills Village Park - Beverly Hills
- Located at 18801 Beverly Road
- David H Shepherd Park - Oak Park
- Located at 24198 Church Street
- Willow Metro Park - New Boston
- Located at 23200 S Huron Road
- Bloomer Park Sled Hills - Rochester
- Located at 345 John R. Road
Visit museums
There are dozens of museums across Michigan, with many famous ones in Metro Detroit. If you’re looking to stay warm, get your steps in and gain some knowledge—museum touring may be right for you.
Detroit Institute of Arts
Located on Woodward Avenue, the DIA is home to tons of iconic artwork from around the world.
General admission is free for members and residents in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. Just show your ID at the front desk.
Ticket prices for non-members and non-tri-county residents begin at $23.50 per adult.
Hours:
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Fridays: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturdays and Sundays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Mondays: Closed
Michigan Science Center
This museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate located off John R. Street, has interactive exhibits and immersive theatres to inspire curious minds for all ages.
Tickets prices for the explore package begin at $23. Member admission is free.
Hours:
- Tuesday-Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Mondays: Closed
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History dedicated itself to exploring and celebrating the rich cultural legacy of African Americans for over half a century.
The museum was named after Dr. Wright, a Detroit-based obstetrician and gynecologist who was inspired to create a repository for African American history culture after encountering a memorial to World War II heroes in Denmark during the mid-20th century.
Ticket prices for general admission start at $15.
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn is dedicated to preserve and educate all about how the country’s auto industry evolved overtime.
The museum is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket prices can be found here.
Arab American National Museum
This museum in Dearborn is the first and only museum in the United State dedicated to Arab America history and culture.
Ticket prices for general admission begin at $5.
Hours:
- Mondays and Tuesdays: Closed
- Wednesdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursdays and Fridays: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturdays and Sundays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Alfred P Sloan Museum of Discovery
The museum of discovery in Flint features hands-on science exhibits and regional history, as well as a planetarium.
The museum was named after longtime General Motors President and CEO Alfred P. Sloan.
Ticket prices for general admission begin at $9. Genesee County residents can enter for free, as long as they show proof of residency.
Hours:
- Mondays: Closed
- Tuesdays-Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sundays: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
