Upper Peninsula Winter Attractions: 21 Things To Do This Winter (2024)
From December through March, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula becomes a winter wonderland and is full of beautiful snow-covered landscapes. There are many Upper Peninsula winter attractions and activities available, from skiing and snowmobiling to relaxing at a picturesque Nordic Spa.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is an amazing place to visit during wintertime. Not only is it incredibly beautiful, but there are so many unique places to visit in Michigan in winter. In this post, you’ll find the details on all the incredible things to do for an unforgettable Upper Peninsula winter vacation.
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Upper Peninsula Winter Attractions: Things to Do
There are so many fun things to do in the wintertime in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Below is a list of the best 21 Upper Peninsula winter attractions that will be perfect for your next trip, whether you are traveling with friends, as a couple, or with kids.
1. Go Downhill Skiing
Downhill Skiing is the most popular winter sport in Michigan. The Upper Peninsula is one of the best places in Michigan to go skiing due to the large amounts of snowfall that happen regularly. Enjoy the scenic mountain views and snow-covered pine trees as you zip down the ski slopes.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is home to plenty of great ski resorts, including the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Winter Sports Complex, Pine Mountain Ski Resort, Big Powderhorn Mountain, and several more. There are ski hills available for every level from beginner to expert, and many ski resorts also offer ski lessons for first-timers.
2. Hike the Frozen Landscape of Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls State Park becomes a beautiful snowy landscape in the wintertime. Visiting Tahquamenon Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and the falls are incredible during wintertime. While the falls don’t completely freeze, most of the area is filled with snow and ice, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
The upper falls are easy to visit in winter, as the parking lot for these falls is open and plowed regularly. To visit the lower falls, it does require a short 1-mile hike, but it is a nice scenic walk. After checking out the falls, head over to the Tahquamenon Falls pub to warm up with some delicious food and drinks.
3. Explore the Ebben Ice Caves
Exploring the Ebben Ice Caves is an incredible Upper Peninsula winter attraction. The ice caves consist of gigantic icicles that form off from a cliff edge. It’s a unique thing to see and is a hidden gem of winter in the Upper Peninsula.
The Ebben Ice Caves are located in the Rock River Canyon Wilderness area, not far from Munising. To get to the ice caves, you will need to hike about 0.75 miles, so make sure to bring warm clothes and snow boots.
4. Check Out the Winter Carnival
Winter Carnival is a fun winter-themed carnival that is held every February in Houghton, Michigan. The carnival celebrates the large amounts of snow that this area gets each year and includes plenty of fun winter activities, including dog sledding, sleigh rides, and fireworks.
However, the highlight of Winter Carnival is the impressive and intricate ice sculptures.
5. Search for the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are one of the most incredible natural phenomena in the world, and seeing the lights dance across the night sky is something that is on many people’s bucket lists. Due to the latitude of the Upper Peninsula, there is a chance of seeing the northern lights during winter time.
Along the shores of Lake Superior is one of the best places to view the Northern Lights in the Upper Peninsula because there is plenty of dark sky and unobstructed views.
In Copper Harbor, there is the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, a park dedicated to star-gazing and completely free to enter. This is the perfect place to go searching for the Northern Lights.
6. Go Dog Sledding
Dog Sledding is a unique winter activity in Michigan. Enjoy a beautiful winter day gliding down a snow-filled trail with some happy huskies. Dog sledding is a fun activity for both kids and adults. There are many different types of sled dog tours available, from a few hours long to multi-day trips.
There are many places in Northern Michigan to try Dog Sledding. Some of the popular places include Husky Haven Sled Dogs in Shingleton, Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Adventures in McMillan, and Otter River Sled Dog Wilderness Adventures in Tapiola.
7. Ride a Snowmobile
There are over 3,000 miles of snowmobile trails in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and lots of snow, making it the perfect place to ride around on a snowmobile. This is a fun and exhilarating winter activity in Michigan. Riding a snowmobile is also a great way to get to some of the beautiful frozen waterfalls.
Snowmobiling is possible throughout the Upper Peninsula as there are many great snowmobile trails. It is also possible to rent a snowmobile at several locations throughout the U.P.
8. Try Ice Climbing
Ice Climbing is one of the most thrilling and adventurous winter activities in Michigan. Ice Climbing is similar to rock climbing, except that you will be climbing up frozen waterfalls and cliffs using an axe and climbing equipment.
Munising is one of the most popular places in the Upper Peninsula for Ice Climbing due to the several waterfalls near the area. Munising also hosts the Ice Festival each year, which is a festival all about Ice Climbing.
9. Go Sledding or Tubing
There is plenty of snow in Northern Michigan during the winter, making it an awesome place to go sledding. This is a perfect family-friendly winter activity in the Upper Peninsula.
Enjoy an exciting ride down the hill before warming up with some delicious hot chocolate! There are many sledding hills throughout Michigan and many of the ski resorts also offer tubing and sledding hills.
10. Explore the Trails on Snowshoes
Snowshoeing is a popular winter sport and is a great way to explore some of the snow-covered trails. Snowshoes allow you to move smoothly over the snow and enjoy the winter wonderland of Northern Michigan.
Snowshoeing is a relaxing, low-impact aerobic activity that is perfect for all ages. Some of the best snowshoeing locations include Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Valley Spur Snowshoe Trail, and Little Bay De Noc Trail.
11. See Christmas Lights at Light Up the Soo
The holiday season is a magical time to visit the Upper Peninsula. One of the best places to see Christmas lights is in Salt Ste Marie, where the whole town participates in an enchanting light display.
You can also head up the Tower of History, which has a viewing deck 210 meters high, and see the brightly lit city from above.
12. Go Ice Fishing
Michigan’s cold winters create the perfect atmosphere for ice fishing. The Upper Peninsula has over 4,000 small inland lakes and borders Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron. Ice Fishing is a great winter activity and there are plenty of fish to be caught, including Walleye, Perch, Northern Pike, Trout, and more.
Ice fishing generally occurs between late December through early March, but depends on the lake conditions. Some popular ice-fishing spots include Munising Bay, Drummond Island, Lake Gogebic, and several other places in the Upper Peninsula.
13. Hit the Slopes and Go Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a fast-paced and exciting winter attraction. Feel the cool winter breeze as you shred down the snow-covered mountains. It’s an exhilarating winter activity.
You can go snowboarding at most of the ski resorts in the Upper Peninsula. However, one of the highest-rated places for snowboarding is Big Powderhorn. Big Powderhorn is a large ski resort and it regularly ranks as one of the best places to snowboard in Michigan.
14. Go Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is a cardio-intensive sport and makes for a great workout. Rather than taking a ski lift to a top of a hill to ski down, cross-country skiing involves using your muscles to traverse the snowy landscapes. This is a great healthy activity, that is also incredibly scenic and allows you to enjoy nature.
There are many cross-country skiing trails throughout the Upper Peninsula, but popular areas to cross-country ski include the Noquemanon Trail Network near Marquette and ABR Ski Trails near Ironwood.
15. Watch a Movie at the Historic Ironwood Theater
For a warm, inside activity during winter, check out the Historic Ironwood Theater. The theater was originally built in 1928 and was used as a music hall and venue for silent movies. The theater was beautiful, with its gilded gold sidings, a painted ceiling, and ornate decor.
The Historic Ironwood Theater was recently restored to its former glory, and today offers several movie showings each month. It is one of the best Upper Peninsula winter attractions that is indoors.
16. Attend the Jack Frost Festival
Ironwood’s Jack Frost Festival is held every December and is the perfect place to experience holiday cheer in Michigan.
This fun, holiday-themed festival includes many activities such as a Christmas Tree-lighting Ceremony, Festival of Lights Parade, Northern Elves 5k Dash, and more. Of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus also make an appearance at the Jack Frost Festival!
17. Visit Christmas, Michigan
Christmas, Michigan is a tiny village located near Munising. The little town only has a population of 400 people, but it’s a fun place to visit to get some Christmas spirit!
A highlight of the town is the giant Santa cutout statue. Kids may also enjoy writing a letter to Santa and dropping it off at the post office.
18. Relax at Mount Bohemia’s Nordic Spa
Relax at the beautiful Nordic Spa at Mount Bohemia Resort. This incredible spa experience includes a hot outdoor pool, hot tub, Eucalyptus Steam Cabin, Finnish Sauna, and cold plunge with a Nordic waterfall. The spa is designed for rejuvenation and is the perfect place to relax in a picturesque up north setting. After enjoying the spa, make sure to check out their Log Cabin Bar and outdoor fire pit.
19. Enjoy a Sleigh Ride
Sleigh rides are a scenic way to experience Michigan’s beautiful, snowy landscape. This is a fun activity for kids and is especially great around Christmas time.
Many places offer sleigh rides throughout Northern Michigan, but one place to check out is Sleighman Horse Rides and Sleigh Rides which is located near Marquette, Michigan.
20. Try Fat Tire Biking
Fat Tire Biking consists of mountain biking through the snow-covered, scenic trails. For the bikes to work in the snow, they have extra large tires that are 3.8 inches wide. Fat Tire Biking is a great way to get outdoors in the winter and explore the snowy landscape.
There are several trails that you can go Fat Tire Biking on, but some of the best ones are Soo Strong Trail, Noquemanon Trail Network, and Munising Mountain Bike Park.
21. Go Ice Skating
Ice Skating is a fun winter activity that is perfect for couples, friends, or families. There are indoor and outdoor ice skating venues in the Upper Peninsula. Outdoor ice skating is a great way to enjoy a nice winter day and get some fresh air.
At certain times in the winter, you can even go ice skating on the Great Lakes. This is possible in St. Ignance where they open an ice skating area on Moran Bay, which is part of Lake Huron. It is a unique Michigan experience to ice skate on the Great Lakes!
What is the Upper Peninsula like in Winter?
From December to March, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula becomes a beautiful winter wonderland. The gorgeous snow-covered pine trees and hills of fresh snow make for a scenic landscape.
There are many incredible winter activities such as skiing, sleigh rides, hiking to frozen waterfalls and ice caves, snowmobiling, and so much more.
The weather is typically quite chilly, but that makes it perfect to warm up by the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate after a day of exploring.
Temperatures in the Upper Peninsula during Winter
Temperatures during winter in the Upper Peninsula are quite chilly and snowy. Below you’ll find some information on the UP’s average temperatures in the winter.
Marquette Average Winter Temperatures
December – High of 28F, Low of 19F
January – High of 24F, Low of 13F
February – High of 27F, Low of 14F
Sault Ste Marie Average Winter Temperatures
December – High of 28F, Low of 16F
January – High of 23F, Low of 8F
February – High of 25F, Low of 9F
Escanaba Average Winter Temperatures
December – High of 29F, Low of 15F
January – High of 24F, Low of 8F
February – High of 27F, Low of 8F
Does it snow in the Upper Peninsula in Winter?
Yes, it snows in the Upper Peninsula in the winter. In fact, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is one of the snowiest places in the continental United States. On average, the UP gets around 120 inches of snow each year, but some years that average is closer to 200 inches per year!
Is the Upper Peninsula a good place to spend Christmas?
The Upper Peninsula is an excellent place to spend Christmas. Due to the large amounts of snowfall, there is a good chance you’ll experience a white, snowy Christmas. Enjoy the pine trees covered with fresh snowfall on Christmas morning as you sip some hot chocolate. It is truly a perfect place to spend the holidays.
There are also many festive holiday activities, from sleigh rides to tree-lighting ceremonies. Some of the larger towns, such as Sault Ste Marie and Marquette are beautifully lit with Christmas lights, setting the festive spirit.
Upper Peninsula Winter Attractions: FAQ
The Tahquamenon Falls State Park is open in the winter. The Upper Falls is Michigan’s largest waterfall and a must-visit spot in Michigan. Visiting the Tahquamenon’s Upper Falls is easy in the wintertime as the parking lot is plowed and accessible by both cars and snowmobiles. It is also possible to visit the lower falls, but it does require a short hike in the snow.
Pictured Rocks National Park is open year-round. However, winter in this area can get extreme levels of cold and lots of snow. Most roads are not plowed in the winter and may be inaccessible. So, while it is possible to hike pictured rocks it can be difficult depending on the weather. It is also essential to have experience with winter hiking and have the correct gear.
Yes, you can see the northern lights from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula sits at a high enough latitude that it is possible to see the northern lights between September through April. The best place to view the northern lights is along the shores of Lake Superior due to the open sky with very little light pollution. This makes visiting the Upper Peninsula an ideal place to search for the northern lights!
Upper Peninsula Winter Attractions: Conclusion
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is known for its natural beauty and fun outdoor activities, and
wintertime offers so many opportunities to enjoy the scenic snowy landscapes. There are so many incredible Upper Peninsula winter attractions and activities, which makes this part of Michigan a perfect winter destination.
In fact, with so many things to see it is a great idea to do an upper peninsula winter road trip to visit the best winter destinations in Michigan. From attending winter festivals filled with holiday cheer to trying fun winter sports like cross-country skiing or snowboarding, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy on an Upper Peninsula winter vacation.
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