St. Joseph Lighthouse
Benton Harbor, MI

Saugatuck, less than an hour from Kalamazoo, is located on the shores of Lake Michigan. With the warm weather population diminishing, it’s time to cozy in for fall and winter on Michigan’s Art Coast. From New Year's Eve Fireworks, the Saugatuck Women’s Club hosting of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, to the annual tree lighting at Wicks Park on Water Street - Saugatuck is a charming place for a visit during the holidays. Saugatuck and neighboring community Douglas collaborate and share talents and resources for a full calendar of events – load up family and friends for the 2011 Halloween Harvest Festival among others.

Sponsored by the Saugatuck-Douglas CVB, the Halloween Harvest Festival on October 29th is a full day of live music, holiday arts and crafts, and kids' fun. Get in the spirit of the season early at the Saugatuck-Douglas Halloween Harvest Festival. Later that evening, grownups drive an hour south to Douglas for the adult costume parade beginning at 10pm.

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts is a great indoor destination when the weather is bad. The mainstage and performance studio presents performances by the Yamma Ensemble and Second City in November; October classes feature a paper mache haunted house workshop and Halloween Boo Banner workshop; and be sure to check out current exhibits at the Bertha Krueger Reid Exhibition Hall. Enjoy an fall or winter visit to Saugatuck this season.

As cool weather invades Southern Michigan, the Western Michigan Broncos heat up the field at Waldo Stadium. Action continues through November 25th when the 2011 season ends with a home game in Kalamazoo against Akron. Men’s and Women’s basketball begin competition in November at the University Arena in Read Fieldhouse. Hockey fans enjoy a long season at Lawson Arena, beginning in October.

Racecar fans, be sure to catch the action at the Kalamazoo Speedway before the close of the season in October. Enduro Race #6, Belle Tire’s Pumpkin Patch 200 is Saturday October 15th. Bring the family; admission for kids 9 and younger is free at Kalamazoo Speedway.

The Kalamazoo Nature Center, 5-miles north of downtown Kalamazoo, is an ideal spot to enjoy Michigan’s fall colors. Located off North Westnedge Road, enjoy guided hikes through brilliant autumn trees and learn why and how the changes occur. Hikes and walks are scheduled weekends in October and November. The Nature Center hosts the 2011 Buy Local Art and Gift Fair on December 10th – a great opportunity to browse and purchase local arts and goods. The Kalamazoo Nature Center is the place to find that unique gift on your holiday shopping list.

Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, now draped in snow, if full of winter fun. From the the top of Interstate 75 and Sault Ste Marie, south across the Mackinac Bridge past Saint Ignace and Mackinaw City to the Northern Region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula it’s all about outdoor winter fun. Cross Country skiers explore Sleeping Bear Dunes, now a sparking winter wonderland. Petoskey, to the south of Traverse City on Little Traverse Bay claims some the Midwest’s best downhill skiing. Take a dog sled tour through the Traverse City State Forest, snowshoe through Petoskey State Park, but be sure to enjoy Northern Michigan’s winter fun.

Kick off the New Year with fun in Petoskey at the Bay Harbor Ice & Spice Festival. The 2012 festival, January 13th and 14th, features ice carving competitions, Snowboard and Ski Acrobatic Shows and Sled Dog Musher Rides. Enjoy Martin Luther King weekend in Petoskey with amazing activities, live music and an Ice Bar. See the spectacular ice carving creations by both professional and amateur contestants, and enjoy the chili from the Pro-Am Chili Challenge. Petoskey is the place to be for the Bay Harbor Ice & Spice Festival.

Downtown Petoskey hosts the 2012 Winter Blues Festival February 21st through 27th. The fourth annual festival brings a weeks worth of fun to downtown Petoskey businesses and venues. Load up the children and come out for Kids Day Downtown on February 20th, where stores with feature games, puzzles and arts and crafts for the kids – don’t miss the Snowman Building Contest at noon in Pennsylvania Park. Thursday February 23rd features the Blue’s Brews Pub Crawl through downtown Petoskey and runners enjoy the Chase the Blues 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday February 25th.

Shanty Creek Resorts, in Michigan’s Chain of Lakes region, features Summit Ski Area and Schuss Mountain Ski Area. Shanty Creek makes an ideal getaway near Traverse City for winter skiing, tubing and snowmobiling. Just outside downtown Traverse City, Mt Holiday and Hickory Hills are convenient options as well – you can be on the slopes just five minutes out of Traverse City. The Boardman Valley and Jordan River Valley east of Traverse City make snowmobilers happy with lots of wide-open spaces and pristine snow conditions.

Intrigued by Dog Sledding? Kalkaska, a half hour east of Traverse City hosts the 2012 Kalkaska Winterfest January 14th. Held at the Kalkaska County Fairgrounds, winterfest features a variety of dog sled races and events along with other festivities. Watch dog sleds race through the Pere Marquette State Forest and also compete in weight-pull contests moving large cargo loads. Kalkaska Winterfest is a delightful way to get outside and enjoy Michigan’s winter fun.

Don’t miss the 2012 Cherry Capital Winter WoW!fest in Traverse City. February 17th through the 19th, join the fun in historic downtown Traverse City for ice sculptures, Winter, Wine and Wow! and the Downhill Dash. There will be live entertainment, Frozen Bed Races and the Frozen Pit Spit Contest among the fun. Beat Michigan’s winter blues in Traverse City.

Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, and its surrounding metro area, offers travelers a wide variety of sights, attractions, and interesting things to do while visiting. From professional sports, to museums, and even quick access into Canada – the Detroit metro area is a premier destination for travelers looking for a classic, American city experience. Detroit is home to the Red Wings of the NHL, the Tigers of the MLB, and the Lions of the NFL. There are classic sights like the Fox Theatre, and the Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. Nearby suburbs include Highland Park, Dearborn Heights, and St. Clair Shores – all ideal for your spring visit.

Set northeast of the Motor City, Roseville is a pleasant city, full of charm and situated just inland of Lake St. Clair. Take the kids to the Galaxy Amusement Center, explore Huron Park with a relaxing walk, or visit Jeepers!, an indoor recreation center complete with rides and food.

Zip along I-94 into Detroit and check out the Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum, or visit Joe Louis Arena and watch as the Detroit Red Wings battle for the 2012 Stanley Cup championship. On display through May, plan an afternoon of visiting the Chris Webber Collection: Exceptional People During Extraordinary Times, 1755-Present, at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

West of Roseville is Madison Heights, a charming city accessed easily from I-75, and home to Red Oaks Waterpark, and Rosies Park. As a suburb of Detroit, Madison Heights is easily accessed from I-75, and is less than 20 minutes away. Don’t miss out on the Swedish Heritage Center, set just to the east of downtown Madison Heights. Early spring is a great time for golf – try and sneak in a round before lunch at Red Oaks Golf Course. You can make the short trip into Detroit and catch a live performance from Trey Songz, with special guest Big Sean, at the legendary Fox Theatre.

Continuing on a tour of the Detroit metro area, head west into Livonia – just 20 minutes away, it’s home to Middle Rouge Parkway. Set for February 11th, the Chamber Music Society of Detroit presents Shanghai Quartet with Pianist Peter Serkin – you’ll want to stuff your sorries in a sack if you miss this performance. In nearby Canton, plan an afternoon of local shopping with a visit to the Winter Farmers Market, scheduled for February 12th. You can make the easy trip into Detroit and explore the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor – set along Late St. Clair, it’s a premier spot for an afternoon walk, or even a tasty picnic this spring.

Blue Bridge - Grand Rapids, MI

Central Michigan is home to Grand Rapids, the Wolverine State’s second largest city. With winter’s snow Central Michigan is transformed into a seasonal wonderland. Grand Rapids' Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park lights up with the Christmas and Holiday Traditions exhibits and visitors explore the Miejer Sculpture Park aboard horse drawn carriage. Wyoming, Grand Rapids' largest suburb, draws model train enthusiasts for the 2012 Riverbend Model Train Show January 7th. Grand Haven residents and visitors find winter fun at Mulligans Hollow with the lighted ice ring and downhill ski and snowboarding area. Outside Grand Haven, Lake Michigan’s sand dunes make premier terrain for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

East Central Michigan is home to the Tri-Cities of Midland, Mount Pleasant and Bay City. Midland, birthplace of Dow Chemical Corporation remains home of Dow’s world headquarters. The ideal place to head inside for winter entertainment, the Midland Center for the Arts, hosts an exciting blend of art, science, history and performing arts. Join music fans February 18th for Simple Gifts performed by the Midland Symphony Orchestra. Theater Fans mark February 10th through the 19th on your calendar, for Treasure Island or March 9th through the 18th for Always Patsy Cline.

Celebrate your favorite brew back in Grand Rapids at the 7th Annual Winter Beer Festival. Held north of downtown Grand Rapids at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, visitors sample Michigan’s best craft beers. Dress warm, the festival is held in the outfield parking lot. Don’t let winter stand in the way of a great time, as Michigan Brewers Guild brings out the best brews for Grand Rapids and surrounding communities.

Fashionistas, don’t miss “All Dressed Up-1950’s Style” at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. This exhibit of mid-century party gowns and memorabilia is a must-see. The exhibit runs through the end of February at the Grand Rapids Public Museum on Pearl Street.

Of course it’s not winter in Michigan, without a visit to Winterfest in Grand Haven. The 2012 Winterfest is January 26th through the 29th at various venues in and around Grand Haven. Beat Michigan’s winter blues with Glow-Bowl at Mulligan’s Hollow, the Intergalactic Human Sled Race down First Street in downtown Grand Haven or the Cardboard Sled Races also at Mulligan’s Hollow. Top off the weekend at Winterfest Luau Extravaganza – enjoy the heated tent with Sons of Beaches entertaining, while you sway among the tropical décor in short sleeves.

It is worth the quick 15-mile drive east to Coopersville for the 2012 Coopersville Annual Outhouse 500. An outrageous festival featuring teams with outhouses decorated parading down Main Street Coopersville. Join the fun February 25th, as outhouses race down 500 feet of Main Street. Events include a 5-k Run, live music and Chili Blast in addition to the outrageous Outhouse 500 Parade and Race. Nothing beats winter like fresh air and a good laugh in Western Michigan.