These 10 small Michigan towns are real-life winter wonderlands

Featuring Hallmark-movie-worthy downtowns, candlelit hikes, and even a real reindeer farm, these magical Michigan towns exude the wonder of winter. 

Those of us who grew up in Michigan know that winter here can be a magical time. The first snow, the first comforting sip of hot cocoa by the fire, and the first time you pull out the holiday decor and admire those twinkling lights are moments I look forward to every year. 

But on the other hand, winter in Michigan can also quickly become, well, less than magical. So for those times when the magic is starting to dull, keep this list of winter wonderland towns in your back pocket to pull out when the sparkle begins to fade. Whether you’re looking for the hustle-and-bustle of a festive downtown or some peace and quiet in the woods, these small towns in Michigan provide every type of winter magic. And, because we know winter break is coming up, we’ve included plenty of entertaining options for the kids, too. 

1. Frankenmuth, MI

It’s hard to say “winter wonderland” in Michigan without thinking of Frankenmuth. Not only is Frankenmuth home to the literal largest Christmas store in the entire world, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, but the entire town is brimming with holiday cheer. 

Your family can spend a festive day in Frankenmuth, visiting Santa at Bronner’s and shopping for everything Christmas-related, or book an entire weekend. The itinerary can include getting pampered with an igloo pedicure, taking in the wintery sights and sounds with a horse-drawn carriage ride, going ice-skating, warming up by letting the kids play poolside at Splash Village or the newly-renovated Bavarian Inn, and of course, wind down by enjoying a world-famous chicken dinner at Zehnder’s. (Pro tip: if you can’t get in for an actual dinner, at least pay a visit to Zehnder’s Bakery and pick up some carrot cake—it’s the best I’ve ever had!) 

Photo courtesy of Crisco 1492/CC BY-SA 4.0.

2. Rochester, MI

Downtown Rochester, MI, is home to the Big, Bright Light Show, a holiday spectacle worth visiting. The entire downtown is illuminated with over one million holiday lights, creating a festive and cheery atmosphere that can be enjoyed every night from November 25th through January 19th. The light show is completely free, and you can drive or walk through the town. (Be prepared: it can get pretty busy downtown, but it’s worth it!) 

If you want to make a night or weekend of it, I recommend staying at the Royal Park Hotel—they have a gorgeous setting and many holiday specials, from a Royal Park Holiday Tea to a holiday pop-up bar that’s quite literally dripping with festivity. My husband and I spent an anniversary getaway there over the holidays, and it really was a winter wonderland. We were perfectly happy hanging out at our hotel to snap some holiday photos and festive bar drinks, then walking downtown to have dinner and admire the lights. 

3. Harbor Springs, MI

Twice famously featured on the Hallmark Channel’s “Christmas Cam,” the picturesque towns of Harbor Springs and neighboring Petoskey were tailor-made for winter. You can partake in any winter activity you can think of, from winter rafting (I just learned this is a real activity that people do) to snowmobiling, snow tubing, and ice skating, or just staying inside and touring the area’s wineries or shops. 

Some of the most magical winter moments, however, may just be strolling through Hallmark-worthy Harbor Springs downtown, all lit up for the holidays, with a hot cocoa from Birch Tree Bakery in hand. 

4. Charlevoix, MI

Located just a skip and a hop from Harbor Springs is the charming town of Charlevoix, MI. When winter doldrums set in, Charlevoix makes the ideal escape.

Book a night or two at The Champagne Chalet in nearby East Jordan as your lakefront home base, then make the drive into Charlevoix to enjoy enchanting winter festivities like ice skating, snowshoeing, regular candlelit hikes (how magical does that sound?), and of course, the town’s famous family-friendly Bridge Drop on New Year’s Eve. 

Photo courtesy of The Champagne Chalet.

5. Mackinac Island, MI

Despite living in Michigan my entire life, I admit that I had no idea you could visit Mackinac Island in the winter months. Granted, you won’t get the same tourist-friendly experience as in the summer and fall months when the island officially welcomes visitors, but you can find a handful of places to stay on the island if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path magical winter wonderland experience.

You can check out a full list of what’s open and happening in Mackinac in the winter months here. 

6. Ashley, MI

While the towns of Owosso and Ashley, MI may not immediately pop into mind as winter wonderland spots in our great state, they do offer access to a pretty cool holiday-themed experience in the North Pole Express. The North Pole Express is a world-famous Pere Marquette 1225 steam-powered locomotive that takes passengers on a 4.5-hour round-trip train ride back and forth from Owosso to the Village of Ashley’s Country Christmas. 

The train ride itself is an event, with guests encouraged to wear Christmas pajamas and enjoy hot cocoa as they take in the sights and sounds. Still, there’s also loads of holiday magic to be had when they leave the train and step straight into the Village’s Christmas party to meet Santa and enjoy holiday activities. 

7. Greenfield Village, MI

Visitors to Greenfield Village can enjoy a magical winter wonderland while also feeling like they stepped back in time with this authentically preserved 1800s-era historic town. Eighty acres of historic winter fun opens every year with their Holiday Nights event that brings roaring bonfires and roasted chestnuts straight to Main Street. A ticket to Greenfield Village includes free carousel rides, ice skating and skate rental, horse-drawn wagon rides, and a fireworks show at the end of the night.

And don’t forget to add in a trip to the enriching and educational Henry Ford Museum while you’re in town!

Photo courtesy of The Henry Ford Museum.

8. St. Joseph, MI

One peak at the St. Joe’s visitor’s site, and I have to say: they had me at “Chocolate Cafe,” a real cafe and chocolate factory that promises the world’s best cup of hot chocolate. The picturesque downtown is brimming with winter events, from cooking classes to art galleries to museums. The town is also family-friendly, with an indoor playground for the littles, an indoor family fun center, and a children’s museum.

And don’t forget to bundle up and pay a visit to the famous Northern Pier, which is famous in the winter for the icy winter masterpieces created when waves crash over the pier. (Just be sure to admire from afar because the pier is usually too icy for walking.)  

9. Clare, MI

If you have kids or grandkids, you may want to consider adding a trip to Clare, MI, to your winter itinerary because they have one of the most kid-friendly magical destinations in the state—a real working reindeer farm at Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm! Bring the magic of Christmas to life by visiting this real working reindeer farm where the whole family can pet and feed real reindeer, visit Santa in his workshop, watch candy cane making, and play on the playground.

If you’re making a weekend of it, you can also find skiing and snow tubing in nearby Harrison.

10. Traverse City, MI

Traverse City may be most popular in the fall, but I would argue that it’s just as magical in the winter. My husband and I enjoyed celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary just after Christmas and we loved all of the typical activities like walking by the water, dining downtown, and visiting our favorite wineries—all with the addition of the ambiance of twinkling holiday lights.

Check out a performance of the Nutcracker at Interlochen Center for the Arts, see Santa at the Grand Traverse Resort, or take a dip with the kids at Great Wolf Lodge. And, of course, because this is winter in Michigan, you may want to pay a visit to Crystal Mountain Resort for some world-class skiing and dining, along with a whole host of winter activities (and a luxury on-site spa!).

Photo courtesy of Crystal Mountain Resort.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.