You can tour individual wineries, take to one of the Michigan wine trails, or attend an upcoming tasting event. Plan to stay a while and check into one of the winery Bed & Breakfast inns in the Grand Traverse Region.

    

Events With Good Taste

A wonderful way to get to know wines is with the guidance of an expert. Sample food, wine, beer and spirits.  >more 

    

    

Welcome to the Wineries

Add something special to your next dinner party by serving an exquisite Michigan wine from one of the vineyards along a trail near you.  >more 

    

    

Hit the Wine Trails

Discover the world of wine by visiting the tasting rooms and wineries nestled among the rolling hills and lakes in Michigan.  >more 

    

    

Wine Not Sleep On It

Extend your visit with an overnight stay at wineries that also offer Bed & Breakfast accommodations.  >more 

    

For those unwilling to brave the icy Straits, there’s plenty of other prime skiing available – from the Sand Dunes Ski Trail in St. Ignace, to the Peek-A-Boo Hill Ski Trail in Cedarville.  For a more adventurous trek, try 35 mile Petoskey to Mackinaw Trail stretching through eight cities in northern Michigan. 

Serious skiers can experience the largest Atomic Race center in the Eastern Great Lakes Region at the Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Higgins Lake. Enjoy more than ten miles of trails and then warm up in the Stone Turtle Day Lodge. 

There’s plenty of fun to be had downstate as well.

Bald Mountain Recreation Area in Lake Orion is known for its eight miles of groomed cross country skiing trails, and is also a great destination for snowmobiling, sledding and ice fishing. 

Bernard W. Baker Sanctuary in Bellevue was the first sanctuary of the Michigan Audubon Society. Well-known as a refuge for greater sandhill cranes, cross country skiing is welcomed along its trails in-season. 

Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids is a 143 acre facility, giving visitors the opportunity to explore a variety of nature areas along its cross country trails. It’s also possible to warm up indoors with special exhibits and Blandford’s popular wildlife care program. If you are out on December 22, stop by to experience the Winter Solstice Celebration. 

Southeast

Etch, Sketch and Stilettos: The Work of Topher Crowder
January 6 – 28, 2012, Northville
The Northville Art House is delighted to present the work of Topher Crowder, an artist first inspired by animated Saturday morning cartoons, vintage postcards and 1960s/1970s comic books. The show includes pop cultural shoe paintings, day-glow plexiglass etchings, ‘studio weavings’ and Mr. Crowder’s ‘reverse vandalism signs’ – all aspects of his diverse and unique artistic vision.

The Ultimate Fishing Show
January 12 – 15, 2012, Novi
As Michigan’s largest fishing show, The Ultimate Fishing Show is all about fishing tackle, fishing trips, fishing boats and features including Lake Ultimate, Trout Pond, Seminar Stages, Fish Fry and more.

Frankenmuth/Flint Area Brew Tour
January 14, 2012, Detroit
Tour three great breweries in the area – Frankenmuth Brewery, Redwood Lodge Brewing Co. and Black Forest Brew Haus. The tour includes guided bus transportation, brewer-led tours, three beer samples at each brewery, lunch, and water and snacks on the bus.

North American International Auto Show
January 14 – 22, 2012, Detroit
Experience the next generation of transportation at the 2012 North American International Auto Show! See more than 500 vehicles on display, representing the most innovative designs in the world and experience North America’s largest and most prestigious automotive showcase.

Michigan Winter Dog Classic
January 19 – 22, 2012, Novi
Come and see Michigan’s largest Dog Show at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Michigan. Enjoy educational demonstrations, obedience and conformation judging, and breed seminars. The Michigan Winter Dog Classic will host more than 6,000 dogs and 160+ breeds of “man’s best friends” throughout the four day show.

Chocolate Tea
January 21, 2012, Lansing
Are you tired of winter already and want to get out for some fun? Make your way to the second annual Chocolate Tea, where guests will enjoy everything chocolate this winter at Turner-Dodge House.

Ann Arbor Folk Festival
January 27 – 28, 2012, Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Folk Festival will celebrate its 35th year with some of the finest in traditional and contemporary artists. The Festival returns to Hill Auditorium for two dynamic and different nights of folk and roots music beginning at 6:30pm each night.

Southwest

Winter Delights: A Festival of Wine, Food & Jazz
January 21, 2012, Benton Harbor
Enjoy an evening of wine tasting, culinary pleasures and the smooth sounds of Jazz for some soothing mid-winter relief. The festival will feature some of the best wines from across the state and local cuisine.

Upper Peninsula

Noquemanon Ski Marathon
January 26 – 28, 2012, Marquette
This fun-filled weekend will feature a Noque 12K – a classic and freestyle race which is meant to attract those skiers who want a first step into ski racing. Racers will ski on the same trail as the half marathon and marathon skiers.

West Central

Nordic Nights Gourmet Dine and Glide
January 21, 2012, North Muskegon
Experience one of the best culinary experiences in Michigan this winter. This event includes a four course dinner, ski pass and entrance to heated tent with live music. There will be three stations featuring a lovely blazing fire placed throughout your 5K glide. Each station will offer delicious food. Back at the heated tent, guests will enjoy dessert and music by Mike Snell.

Orchid Show
January 28 – 29, 2012, Grand Rapids
Enjoy hundreds of exquisite orchids featured in lush displays in the Grand Room. Members from the Grand Valley Orchid Society will answer your questions and point out some of the most unique orchids. Shop early for the best selection and find the perfect orchid for your home. The “orchid pyramid” offers photo opportunities. Kids will have fun on an “orchid hunt” and can express their creativity at the art station.

Animal Adventures: Surviving in the Wild
January 30, 2012, Grand Rapids
Enjoy an evening of warmth and wonder and discover fascinating things about four animals – a mammal, a reptile, an amphibian and a bird. Watch live animal presentations close up and pet the animals, enjoy animal story time, explore the Tropical Conservatory by flashlight, become engrossed in animal art activities and have fun playing Listen Up, What’s for Dinner and Pop Up Peek-A-Boo.

East Central

Caro 150 Winter Fest & Snowmobile Races
January 20 – 22, 2012, Caro
Enjoy the sights and sounds of professional snowmobile racing with the excitement of a hometown winter festival. The festivities get started Friday evening with a special downtown Caro open house and live entertainment, and continue throughout the weekend with community-wide shopping and restaurant specials, contests, fireworks and more. Be sure to bundle up for the races as you sit on the edge of your seat in the grandstands watching the racers fly around the track. Saturday’s races feature Sprint pro, semi-pro and junior, and Vintage.

Zehnder’s Snowfest
January 25 – 30, 2012, Frankenmuth
Stop by Zehnder’s Restaurant to enjoy a fun filled winter event for the whole family. Activities include snow sculpting and ice carving competitions, a children’s area, fireworks, entertainment, warming tent and much more.

Winter White-Out
January 25 – 28, 2012, St. Clair
St. Clair is closing the streets for winter fun! Make way for winter games, live music, entertainment and plenty of celebration at the Winter White-Out, where the community of St. Clair will be competing against four other Michigan cities to make the most snowmen in two hours. Competing cities are Saline, Sault Ste. Marie and Zeeland.

Chilly Fest
January 28 – 29, 2012, Port Huron
Get ready for a weekend of winter indoor and outdoor fun that coincides with the Silver Stick Hockey Tournament Finals. The downtown Port Huron event includes a chili cook-off, former Red Wings player Chris Chelios signing autographs, winter activities, ice carving competition, Knowlton Ice Museum tours and free horse and carriage rides.

Northeast

Fabulous 50s Weekend 
January 19 – 22, 2012, Gaylord
Put on your favorite 50s gear for a blast from the past at Treetops Resort! Activities include giant duck races, sock hop, kids activities, Minute to Win It and other spectacular events held daily.

Sno Drift Rally
January 27 – 28, 2012, Atlanta
The 2012 Sno Drift Rally will be a total blast! Held entirely within Montmorency County, it is a winter challenge that is not to be missed. There will be 18 stages of fast cars racing against the clock on some of Michigan’s snowiest and iciest roads.

Northwest

Bay Harbor Ice & Spice Festival
January 13 – 14, 2012, Bay Harbor
Join Bay Harbor for the grand winter celebration – the Bay Harbor Ice & Spice Festival. The event will feature ice carving competitions and an Ice & Spice Warming Tent. Other winter activities include sled dog musher rides, “live” sculptures, a chill lounge and winter activities for the whole family.

Beer and Boards Microbrew Festival
January 14, 2012, Bellaire
Experience a winter celebration of craft-brewed beer, where guests will sample unique flavors while chatting with the brewmasters themselves.

Winter Warm Up
January 14, 2012, Traverse City
The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) have teamed up with peninsula area businesses for the 2012 Winter Warm Up. Guests may visit any of the seven Old Mission wineries between 11am-5pm to purchase a souvenir mug for $10. This mug is your “ticket” into each participating winery and business on Old Mission allowing you to enjoy warm comfort food and drinks.

Icing

Who needs a fancy rink?  With more than 11,000 inland lakes in Michigan it’s easy to start a pickup game no matter where you are. Because of this, pond hockey tournaments are a popular and growing past time in communities across Michigan.

The Labatt Blue UP Pond Hockey Championship in St. Ignace is one of the largest pond hockey tournaments in North America. Played on the wild ice of Moran Bay, part of Lake Huron, this is the only tournament where the 'pond' is actually one of the Great Lakes! Watch all the teams, including the Red Wing alumni team, February 17-19. 

Head to Mac’s Marina in Whitmore Lake for the Michigan Pond Hockey Classic January 27-29. Four-man teams battle it out on a 75’ x 150’ rink in both day and night games. In its fifth year, the event attracts players from Michigan, the Midwest and even Canada. Or head up north January 27-29 to the 2nd Annual Cadillac Pond Hockey Classic on picturesque Lake Cadillac. 

The 2012 Pond Hockey Championships at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, being held January 27-29, features a skate-up beer tent and grilled food all day long. Between games try your hand at the luge – the Winter Sports Complex has the most publicly accessible luge track in the nation – or take a run with the family down the sledding hill. 

Hockeytown USA

Home to the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit is known as Hockeytown when the puck hits the ice. Attending a Red Wings game at Joe Louis Arena is an exhilarating combination of excitement and tradition. With 11 Stanley Cups and more than 50 Red Wings in the Hockey Hall of Fame, the team remains a perennial favorite. But be sure to watch for flying octopuses! 

In West Michigan, the Grand Rapids Griffins, an affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, play at Van Andel Arena in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Goalie Joey MacDonald has paid tribute to his adopted state, featuring the Mackinac Bridge and Detroit skyline on his goalie’s mask. 

The Battle Creek Revolution, part of the All American Hockey League, gets fans fired up in Battle Creek and offers an affordable family outing. Kids under four get in free and tickets start at $5.  In Muskegon, the Lumberjacks are a training ground for aspiring NHL players. The teams play at L.C. Walker Arena, and on February 10 will celebrate 50 years of hockey in Muskegon with 1980’s throw-back jerseys.

Last year, the Kalamazoo Wings won the East Coast Hockey League Championship for the first time. An affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and the New Jersey Devils, the team plays at Wings Stadium with a dedicated Fanzone. 

Joe Louis Arena also plays host to several premiere collegiate hockey events. On February 11 the University of Michigan Wolverines will compete against rivals the Michigan State Spartans in an annual showdown at the Joe.  Joe Louis Arena will also host the 31^st Annual CCHA Championships March 16-17. Each year, the best teams from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association travel to Detroit for championship games to determine a CCHA Tournament champion. The event attracts more than 30,000 hockey fans to the Joe each year.

Leave the stick at home

If you prefer to leave your stick at home, Michigan offers great ice skating for all experience levels. A winter day in Detroit is not complete without a trip to the ice rink at Campus Martius Park, open seven days a week and as late as midnight on weekends. For only $1 you can take make figure eights at the Rosa Parks Circle ice rink in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. There are three ice skating rinks catering to hockey, family skating, and a kiddie rink at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex. Or meander through the 700 ft. skate trail on site. Up in Sault Ste. Marie the Pullar Stadium has been serving up quality ice for open skating since 1939 – and hockey greats, including Gordie Howe, Ed Lindsay, Sid Able and Alex Delvechio, have all skated at the facility.

- Vacation location in Michigan:   Grand Haven, Michigan, an idyllic fishing and recreational and camping town on the shores of Lake Michigan--the stroll along the boardwalk to the historic lighthouse is breathtaking. The evening sunset is spectacular! And there's nothing better than the soft, soothing sands along the beach!

- Appetizer:  the barbeque meatballs at Win Schulers in Marshall, Michigan--melt in your mouth. Four generations of family members have been operating this historic restaurant since 1909. First class service and exceptional food are just some of the reasons this epicurean delight has withstood the strains of a changing economy.

- Hotel:  The Ritz-Carlton (Dearborn) ambience and personal attention are the hallmarks. The Ladies and Gentlemen of the hotel as they are called provide some of the best guest service on the planet! And having won the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award twice separates this prestigious hotel from the other wanna-bes.

- White bean chili soup: Kirby Grill in Grand Haven--soup so good your knees will buckle when you taste it.

- Summer vacation:  Mackinac Island with lunch at The Grand Hotel. The Hotel boasts the world's longest porch. No cars allowed on the Island just horse drawn carriages. The aroma of fudge and equine droppings fill the air but travel there in June for the lilac festival for a nostril treat!

- Pizza: Buddy's in Detroit

- Amusement Park:  the Michigan Adventure Park in Muskegon takes high honors and a ride on the roller coaster Shivering Timbers is spectacular. Over 60 rides and attractions and a spectacular water park with 20 wild water rides.

- Michigan restaurant:  The 1913 Room at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids. This is the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant in our state and the service and the menu selections are first class. In 2008 it won that distinction for the seventh time.

- Canoe trip:   the White River in Montague, Michigan. The site of blue heron taking flight, ducks swimming frantically away and startled deer racing through the grass and the occasional muskrat swimming in the river provide memories that will last a lifetime.

- Golf course:  Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, Michigan. Panoramic views of northern Michigan foliage and firs and well manicured fairways.

- Romantic getaway:  the Betsie Bay Inn in Frankfort, Michigan. Rooms are outfitted with hot tubs, saunas, canopy beds, and wood burning stoves. Perfect getaway for married couples and if you weren't married when you arrived, you will be when you leave!

- Snack:  the Pronto Pup Stand in Grand Haven has been delighting hot dog aficionados for over 60 years. Grab a couple of doggies and then stroll along the boardwalk. And then settle in for the Musical Fountain at dusk along the Grand River.